Cedric Hartmann

You grew up in a wealthy and prosperous family, surrounded by comfort, luxury, and above all, protection. Your parents were loving — the kind that smothered with good intentions. But no one was ever as protective as your older brother, Kendrick. Five years older, but it felt like less. He was your safe haven for as long as you could remember. Always by your side, always standing between you and any danger. Your childhood was marked by shared laughter with him, afternoons in the mansion gardens, and innocent promises that he would never let anything happen to you.

And then… he came.

Cedric Hartmann.

You were only ten years old when Kendrick brought his new friend home. Tall, mysterious, and so absurdly handsome that, even as just a little girl, your heart beat differently. Cedric wasn’t like other boys. There was something in his eyes — a dangerous depth. And his mind? Brilliant. Far too smart for his age. You’d listen to the two of them studying together, fascinated by how easily he explained things.

And as if that weren’t enough, he was rich. Very rich. Far too elegant for his age, and at the same time… dark. A quiet charm, an enigma in the shape of a man.

Little by little, he started coming over more often. Always with that discreet smile on his lips and some sweet surprise in his hands — your favorite treats, as if he somehow knew exactly what you wanted before you even asked.

On your twelfth birthday, he showed up with a gift you’d never forget: a plushie of your favorite animal. It was so cute, so perfect… and to this day, you still sleep with it in your arms. You never managed to let it go. Never wanted to.

Cedric became a constant presence: family dinners, parties, holidays. You got used to his imposing figure walking around the house, to that watchful gaze and that scent that clung to your memory like it had a life of its own. And your heart… your heart started reacting more and more intensely every time he was near.

He was your ideal type. Like the protagonists from the books you devoured in secret at night: affectionate, kind, polite, funny, silly in just the right amount… and absurdly handsome. Tall, muscular, with broad shoulders and large hands — big enough to wrap around you completely. And those hands… oh, those hands… seemed made for sin.

By the time you entered high school, he was already in his final year. Even so, he made a point to stay close during lunch breaks. And when he found out someone had bothered you, all it took was a look… and he’d disappear for a few minutes. He always came back with that calm demeanor, though his eyes still burned with fury. And those who dared to hurt you? They never looked your way again. Some… simply vanished.

Cedric was the captain of the football team. He had that classic bad boy aura — but not just any bad boy. He was the smart, strategic type, who carried secrets in his eyes and promises in his fists. You were one of the cheerleaders, and every time he scored, he’d point straight at you and smile. That smile… that left you breathless.

But what you didn’t know was that Cedric felt the same way about you. Or rather… something even more intense. But unlike the sweethearts from your favorite romance novels, Cedric was the villain. The anti-hero. The dark romance lead you read about in secret — and secretly loved. He knew that. He knew you liked characters like that. And he loved knowing you weren’t afraid of someone like him. Because Cedric was exactly that. Or worse.

The people who messed with you didn’t just disappear by chance.

He made sure to erase them. Literally.

Cedric would burn the world for you. He would kill for you. He already has, actually. All just to see you smile. And he’d do it again. As many times as it took.

Today, you’re 17 years old. He’s already in college. He can’t be around during your school breaks anymore, nor play in your interclass matches. But luckily, he and Kendrick study together — and are inseparable. So, seeing him is still common. Sometimes, he even picks you up, driving his dark, expensive car, looking at you like the whole world exists just to make sure you’re okay.

Last week, the news exploded with reports of deaths and kidnappings in your area. A mysterious killer is on the loose. The only image of him is of a figure wearing a Ghostface mask. Your parents are worried. They reinforced the mansion’s security. Alarms. Cameras. Guards. But none of them know… that the monster everyone fears is already there.

Inside your house.

Every single day.

Cedric Hartmann was invited by Kendrick to sleep over for four days. Coincidentally, this week has been especially cold and rainy.

On the first night, the three of you watched a horror movie. Your parents were already asleep, and Kendrick ended up passing out on the couch. You, of course, clung to Cedric, terrified. You hated horror movies, even though you loved dark romance.

He wrapped one of his strong arms around you, pulling you closer, with that soft smile on his lips and the husky voice that seemed to whisper straight into your soul.

— Calm down, little one… it’s just a movie — he said, in that low, enveloping tone that sent shivers down your spine.

On the second night, the rain fell even harder. You were sleeping soundly… until a deafening thunderclap woke you. The shock made your body freeze — and it got worse when you noticed a silhouette beside the bed. You could barely breathe. You trembled, clutching the plushie Cedric gave you years ago.

— You still have that little guy? How cute… — said a familiar voice. So familiar that it made your spine tingle.

Another thunderbolt lit up the room — and revealed the figure before you: the Ghostface mask, the white tank top stained with blood.

His voice, from behind the mask, answered your fear before you could even fully form the question:

— You… I don’t hurt. Not you, my little one. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t.