LUNAR BLOODLUST✓

Chapter 3

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"This place reeks of death and decay," Brittany covered her nose as she ventured deeper into the dimly lit hall, clutching a flashlight tightly.

Luna rolled her eyes. "Well, it is a mortuary after all," she replied, glancing around and sensing something off. "But it feels... lifeless."

Brittany scoffed. "No kidding, Luna, you didn't expect rainbow and sunflowers in here." she retorted, shining her flashlight around the dusty surroundings.

"No, it's not just that," Luna insisted, taking a step forward and shining her light onto the walls. She reached out and brushed her fingers along the surface, feeling the thick layer of dust that clung to them.

"Look at this. It's filthy. Who neglects a mortuary like this?"

Brittany shrugged dismissively.

"Perhaps it's just the keepers of the dead being lazy," she suggested, her voice tinged with skepticism.

She wandered around, casting her flashlight's beam across the locked doors that barred their way. Doubt gnawed at her. "Luna, all the doors are locked. Are you sure you heard the news right?"

Luna sighed, frustration building. "I'm sure. The news guy said all new bodies would be sent here plus this is the only mortuary in Easton Hills," she replied, her eyes fixated on the locked doors covered in thick dust.

"No one's been here in ages," she thought to herself, taking a few steps forward.

She spotted a large blue door that seemed out of place-it was clean, devoid of dust, unlike the rest.

"What about that door?" Luna pointed, prompting Brittany to recoil.

"Are you crazy? It's probably a trap. How can all the doors be locked and covered in dust, while that one looks brand new?" Brittany argued, making a valid point. But Luna couldn't ignore her gut feeling.

"Okay, I'll go in first. You stay out here, okay?" Luna began moving toward the door.

"But..."

"Don't worry, just scream if something happens," Luna revealed a hidden gun tucked in her clothing, causing Brittany's eyes to widen.

"Where the hell did you get a gun?!" Brittany whispered, staring at the weapon in disbelief.

Luna smirked. "Do you really think I'd come here unprepared? Now just wait here and remember, scream if anything goes wrong," she instructed, gripping the cold steel handle of the door that led into the mysterious room.

"How loud should I scream?" Brittany asked, puzzled.

"Loud enough to make a hot guy think you're having the time of your life," Luna blurted out, using their inside joke. Brittany chuckled briefly before nodding, and Luna entered the room, leaving her friend outside in the darkness.

Stepping into the room, an icy chill enveloped her, sending shivers down her spine. The dim light cast eerie shadows across the walls, heightening the sense of foreboding.

She couldn't help but gulp, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Holding her gun firmly by her side, Luna reflected on the three years she had carried it since her college days. She had never anticipated needing it, but now she was grateful for that gut instinct that had led her to acquire it.

Her eyes were drawn to a switch nearby, and she cautiously flicked it on, illuminating the room with a pale glow. As she turned around, her heart skipped a beat.

There, on separate tables, lay two bodies. The images flashed in her mind, reminiscent of the two female victims whose deaths had made headlines. "I guess they were telling the truth about the bodies being brought here," Luna mused, her voice barely above a whisper.