THE GUEST WAYNE WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE

The moment Wayne stepped through the door, Amber knew something was about to go terribly wrong.

She froze.

Across the room, music played, guests laughed, and birthday decorations covered the walls. But Amber’s smile disappeared the second she saw him.

Wayne had come to Dave’s party.

And Amber had specifically told him not to.

AMBER

“Wayne… what are you doing here?”

Wayne looked around casually, as if nothing was wrong.

WAYNE

“I came to celebrate. It’s a party, Amber.”

Amber stepped closer, keeping her voice low.

AMBER

“When I told you not to come, I meant it. Why did you come anyway?”

Wayne shrugged.

WAYNE

“I didn’t think you were serious.”

Amber’s expression hardened.

AMBER

“I was serious. You weren’t invited.”

Before Wayne could respond, Amber glanced toward the other guests.

But she didn’t notice Dave standing nearby.

He had heard everything.

Dave slowly turned toward them, his face changing from confusion to anger.

DAVE

“Amber?”

Amber’s eyes widened.

She immediately knew this was going to become a problem.

AMBER

“Dave, I can explain.”

Dave walked toward them.

The music continued in the background, but the atmosphere around him suddenly became tense.

DAVE

“What exactly are you explaining?”

Amber pointed toward Wayne.

AMBER

“I told Wayne not to come here. I never invited him.”

Dave looked at Wayne, then back at Amber.

DAVE

“Then why are you talking to my guest like that?”

Amber stared at him in disbelief.

AMBER

“Because I told him not to come!”

Dave stepped closer.

DAVE

“Amber, what kind of way is that to treat someone?”

Amber shook her head.

AMBER

“Dave, you don’t understand. I had a reason.”

DAVE

“Then tell me the reason instead of embarrassing my guests.”

Wayne stood silently between them, watching the argument grow.

Amber’s frustration turned into desperation.

AMBER

“I wasn’t trying to embarrass anyone. I just didn’t want Wayne here.”

DAVE

“This is my party, Amber. My guests deserve respect.”

Amber looked around.

Several people had stopped talking and were watching them.

Her voice became quieter.

AMBER

“I’m sorry, Dave. But you don’t know what Wayne did.”

Dave paused.

For the first time, his anger was mixed with confusion.

DAVE

“What did he do?”

Amber looked directly at Wayne.

Wayne’s confident expression suddenly disappeared.

He avoided her eyes.

That small reaction caught Dave’s attention.

DAVE

“Wayne… is there something I should know?”

Wayne remained silent.

Amber folded her arms.

AMBER

“See? He knows exactly why I didn’t want him here.”

Dave looked from Amber to Wayne.

DAVE

“Then somebody better start talking.”

Wayne finally spoke.

WAYNE

“Dave, this isn’t the place.”

Dave’s expression hardened.

DAVE

“You’re right. This is a birthday party. Which makes it even more important that I know why two people are arguing in my house.”

Amber took a deep breath.

She looked like she was about to reveal something.

AMBER

“Dave… I didn’t tell you because I was trying to protect you.”

DAVE

“Protect me from what?”

THE SUSPENSE BEGINS

Amber’s eyes filled with emotion.

She glanced toward Wayne one more time.

AMBER

“Dave… I didn’t tell you because I was trying to protect you.”

Wayne suddenly stepped forward.

WAYNE

“Amber, don’t.”

Amber stopped.

Dave noticed the fear in her eyes.

DAVE

“Don’t what?”

Nobody answered.

The room became painfully quiet.

Then Wayne’s phone suddenly rang.

Everyone looked toward him.

Wayne checked the screen.

His face turned pale.

DAVE

“Who is calling you?”

Wayne didn’t answer.

The phone continued ringing.

Amber stared at the screen from across the room.

AMBER

“No…”

The call stopped.

A second later, Wayne received a message.

He read it silently.

Then he slowly looked at Dave.

WAYNE

“Dave… you need to see this.”

Dave took a step forward.

DAVE

“What does it say?”

Before Wayne could show Dave the message, the lights suddenly went out.

The entire party fell into darkness.

Someone screamed.

Then came a loud knock from the front door.

KNOCK.
KNOCK.
KNOCK.

Dave stood completely still.

Amber grabbed his arm.

Wayne stared toward the door.

Then a voice came from outside.

“Dave… open the door.”

Dave’s face went pale.

Because he knew that voice.