Since the cast list came out, announcing Camilla as the understudy for the lead, others involved in the show had begun treating her differently. It was clear that there were strong opinions surrounding it—opinions that remained hidden from Camilla. Even so, she was not oblivious to the judgment or pity in their tones when speaking to her. It was as though she was involved in a scandal.

Still, Camilla maintained her composure through the next few days, fighting against the rage aching to burst free. The day she and Zach had planned over the phone couldn’t have come any slower. It was the first rehearsal day for the musical, and Camilla was both reluctant and grateful to not be required to attend. Her absence would solidify her soiled reputation within the department, but she would be able to avoid further judgment and execute her scheme.

Camilla was restless entering the performing arts building. She passed others in the cast, those with lead roles like the one stolen from her. She took note of the other leads casted. If the day went as planned, she would soon be working with the main cast.

As her gaze drifted, it landed near the drama room, where River Griffiths stood in their usual trio. Camilla thankfully hadn't seen her competitor since the audition day—her temper would have likely boiled over if she had—but she was certainly relieved to see them today.

Camilla passed Amy and Tiffany who were, as usual, speaking with River. She noted to herself that the two girls would be the only ones to hear this conversation, and then she greeted River.

Smiling at the senior, she said, “Hi, River.”

They looked up at her, standing a bit taller than before. “Oh, hey!” they replied. “What’s up, Camilla?”

“Nothing much. I’m heading home soon, but I wanted to stop by and say congrats. I never really got the chance to say it when the results first came out, but it’s never too late.”

River’s deep brown eyes glistened. “I really appreciate that. And I appreciate your support before my audition, too. I feel like I couldn’t have made it here without your guidance.”

Camilla’s jaw clenched, but she relaxed it just as hastily in the presence of Amy and Tiffany. “I’m glad I was able to help you. I’m excited to work with you, too. Are you nervous for the rehearsal?”

“A little bit,” River admitted with a sigh. “I don’t know what to expect.”

“I understand. If you ever need anything—someone to talk to or to help you—I’ll be here for you.”

River’s smile widened. “Thank you, Camilla.” Their shoulders visibly relaxed, and Camilla fought off a smirk. It seemed her attempts at warming River up to her were successful.

From her conversation with Amy, Tiffany interjected, saying, “You’re such a great friend, Camilla.”

“Aw, thank you,” Camilla responded with a giggle she failed to suppress. “I try to be.”

As Tiffany continued gushing over Camilla, Amy said nothing. She stood to the side, nodding as though she was listening but staring only at Camilla. As observant as she was, Camilla hardly noticed the redhead’s invasive green eyes.

“I’ll be heading home soon,” Camilla lied, “so good luck and have fun at the rehearsal. Let me know how it goes.”

“Thank you. I will.”

Camilla said brief goodbyes to Tiffany and some others she happened to pass down the hallway as she feigned her departure. She pushed past the double doors further down, isolating herself in another hallway. As she turned towards an exit door, the double doors shut behind her, blocking the chatter from outside the drama room and plunging Camilla into stark silence.

Like a predator, Camilla became alert to her senses. Her steps—few remaining as she approached the door—fell to a soft tap, allowing her to hunt for disturbances. Her eyes shifted in every direction as she stalked towards the door. Her hands flicked the hood of her black sweatshirt over her head, then met the cold door handle at a similar temperature.

The cool November air offered no mercy as Camilla opened the side door. Still, she took it on, unbothered, for her destination was not as far as she had claimed to River. Her vision locked onto a familiar black truck parked outside of the performing arts building Camilla had exited. There were no other vehicles parked nearby, so Camilla knew they would have to act quickly before anyone grew suspicious.

As she drew close to the truck, the driver-side door opened slightly. From it, a long leg covered by dark denim emerged, and Camilla stormed to the door. With a firm palm, she halted the occupant’s exit and wedged his leg in the opening.

The driver did not wince nor exclaim at Camilla's abruptness. Instead, he gazed at her fondly as he uttered her name.

She looked at him—as best as she could through the heavily tinted window—with suppressed seething. “What the hell do you think you're doing, Zach?” she asked.

Zachary Wembley blinked, responding “Oh, I just wanted to greet you. We haven't seen each other in so long, and I thought—”

“We've called and spoken over the phone plenty,” Camilla retorted. “There is no reason you should risk being seen today, of all days.”

“Do you think it's likely that anyone will even see us out here?”

“Whether it's likely or not, the risk is still there. Now, shut your damn door.”

The moment he retracted his leg, she shoved the door closed for him. With a huff, Camilla walked around the truck and let herself into the passenger’s side. Zach placed a large palm on her thigh as she sat down, and she fought every urge to shove him away. If he was going to help her with their plan, she would tolerate it.

“Are you nervous, baby?” he asked.

She clenched her jaw to keep from cringing. “I don’t get nervous. I’m just being cautious because I’m being smart about this. We are in a very open space. Anything could go wrong, so we have to be careful.”

Zach tightened his grip close to her knee. “I intend to be. Trust me, I know what I’m doing, Camilla. I was more experienced than you when I first decided to help you. I know it’s been two years, but I’m more than capable of getting the job done carefully, especially to help my girlfriend.”

Camilla stifled a sigh. The term “girlfriend” was used rather loosely. She had given herself the title to Zach two years ago to keep him by her side; he was too good at doing her dirty work to let go. But calling herself his girlfriend now, after years of keeping him a secret from friends and family and pushing him to the side to build her relationships and reputation at school—where he had dropped out just as long ago—the term only irritated her.

“Let's just make this quick,” Camilla said.

Zach released his hold on her leg and reached into the backseat, where he shuffled around a black duffle bag. Camilla was not oblivious to its contents, nor was she unaware of the nearby larger bag's purpose. Even so, she sat with little concern for her safety. She knew that Zach had no intention of harming her now that she feigned devotion to him. As long as Camilla maintained the facade, he would not lift a finger against her.

She did not flinch as he extended a sheathed knife to her with a gloved hand. “You act like you won’t enjoy this,” he said with a knowing smirk.

Camilla returned his smile as she pulled on her own gloves. She grasped the knife’s handle and replied, “I most certainly will.”

꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦

“I quite literally can't picture anyone else for the role besides you,” Tiffany gushed, still speaking with River outside of the drama room. “Even before the cast list came out, I just knew you'd play her.”

“Really?” River asked. “I wasn't sure if anyone would see me playing a female character.”

“I most certainly did,” Tiffany asserted, “and, clearly, so did the judges. You're perfect for the role, regardless of the gender change.”

Amy leaned against the wall, hardly engaging in the conversation. While picking at her nails, her mind roamed far from her adjacent friends.

“That's how I feel, too,” River said. “I'm glad everyone seems to be in support of the casting choices.”

At this, Amy's head snapped up. “That is not true.” At their mutual looks of confusion, Amy continued, “Not everyone is in support; I can guarantee it.”

Both of their brows furrowed. “Why wouldn't they be supportive?” Tiffany asked.

Amy sighed. “I'm sure most people are shocked. I mean, you're completely new to auditions, and you got a lead role that many other, more experienced students were aiming for. That's guaranteed to start some gossip.”

“But do you really think there's anyone who would be unsupportive?” River asked.

“Unsupportive? I wouldn't know. They'll never show you that. But are there people who are skeptical? Insulted? Jealous? I'm sure of it.”

“Like who?” River pried, their arms crossed over their chest.

Amy leaned in towards them. “Like Camilla.”

“What?” they both gasped, receiving a prompt scolding.

Quieter, Tiffany said, “But Camilla expressed her support of River. I don’t think she’d lie about that.”

River nodded. “I agree. She seemed genuine.”

“I have no idea if she—or anyone else—is supportive or unsupportive,” Amy replied with a shrug. “All I’m saying is that I am certain she was hoping for the role. Even if she wants to support you, River, she certainly feels hurt that she didn’t get it.”

“That seems perfectly normal to me,” River declared. “Had I not gotten the role, I would have been upset, too.”

“I understand that. It’s just the way she speaks to you. She says that she’s happy for you, but her body language says otherwise. She just seemed… off.”

River scoffed. “She seemed ‘off?’ Well, to me, she seemed like a kind girl trying to support someone trying something new. I’ll take the support I can get; I’ll need it.”

River’s phone buzzed in their pocket. As soon as they saw that the notification was a text message from Camilla, they tuned out their friends and hastily opened it.

Meanwhile, Tiffany stepped towards Amy, saying, “Look, even if Camilla was acting ‘off,’ it doesn’t speak to her opinion of River. A lot has happened in the past few days, so I’m sure she has a lot on her mind.”

Amy shook her head, insisting, “I know what I saw.”

“Hey, guys,” River interrupted. “I have to go take a phone call.”

“Isn’t the rehearsal starting soon?” Tiffany inquired.

River nodded, eyes still locked on the screen. “Yeah, but it’ll be quick. I’ll be back on time.”

Before Amy could pry, River turned to exit through the same double doors Camilla had left through.

“We'll see you after rehearsal, then!” Tiffany called.

“See you guys in a bit,” River responded, pushing into the next hallway through the double doors.

With a slam, the doors shut behind them. The sudden quiet did not concern them, for they were focused on their phone, reading the messages from Camilla as they walked:

Hey, River. It’s Camilla. Are you free to call for a bit?

River paused near the exit door of the hallway and dialed Camilla’s number. They fidgeted with their shirt as the phone rang. They had no idea why Camilla wanted to speak with them, but Camilla’s promise to help River was stuck in their mind. They would not hesitate to assist her in return.

Quickly, Camilla answered the phone in a weak voice, saying, “Hey, River.”

“Hey,” River greeted. “Is everything okay?”

Camilla sighed and sniffled. “Well, not exactly. I’m having a rough time right now, and I was hoping we could talk. I know the rehearsal is starting soon, but it won’t take long. I promise.”

River tightened their fingers around their shirt. “Yeah, that’s fine.”

“Thank you. It really means the world to me.” Camilla sniffled again. “I’m actually still at the school. Could we talk in person?”

River checked the time and pursed their lips. She would do the same for me, they thought. “Yeah. Where are you?”

“Thank you. You’re the best. I’m sitting on the curb outside of the performing arts building.”

River looked out of the window beside the nearest door. Sure enough, Camilla sat on the curb beside a black truck, head in between her arms and face darkened by the shadow. Although River did not consider themselves someone close to Camilla, they did not expect to see her so distraught. She did not seem like an emotional person.

Something must be really wrong, River thought as they opened the exit door. At the noise, Camilla looked up, exposing her tear-stained cheeks and watery eyes. She hastily wiped her face as River approached and hung up the phone. Maybe this is about me. Maybe Amy was right.

A chill breezed past. River squeezed their arms as a shiver ran through them. The cold, gloomy weather did little to comfort them as they halted in front of Camilla.

“Hey,” Camilla said, hardly meeting River’s gaze. Still, they noticed that her blue eyes were far less red than expected, since she had clearly been crying.

“Hey,” River replied. “What’s going on?”

River could smell nearby rain. The clouds darkened.

“I’m really glad you came to speak with me, River.” Camilla sighed, now making direct eye contact. “I’ve had a difficult few days since the cast list came out.”

River swallowed. “Why is that?”

Camilla’s piercing eyes narrowed, and suddenly River reconsidered their proximity to her.

“Why? Oh, I think you know why.” River blinked.

“Camilla, I had no intention of taking this role away from you. I only wanted to overcome my fears and achieve a big goal. In the end, I achieved something greater than I anticipated, but I never meant to hurt you.”

“Are you done?” Camilla snapped. River took a step back. “Your voice irritates me. Especially when you come up with these nonsense excuses for sabotaging me.”

“Sabotaging you? Following my dreams has nothing to do with you.”

Camilla laughed. “Your ‘dreams’ are fantasy. That role is not meant for you; it is meant for me. You are nothing in this world but an obstacle.”

River froze. The air around them stilled, sinking them into silence.

River shook their head, breath quickening. “You don’t know me, Camilla. I have doubted myself for so long because others have doubted me. But I now know that I have so much potential, and I have the rest of my life to prove it to the world.”

Camilla tilted her head and pushed herself off of the curb. With each firm step she took, River shuffled backwards. She could not contain her smile as her heart rate picked up.

“The rest of your life will not be enough. We are witnessing your final moments, River Griffiths. Nobody else in this world will see them. You are nothing in this world, and your life will dissolve as though it were a fleeting moment.”

Camilla reached for the truck, snatching open a rear door. River whipped around, but before they could flee, they stumbled into a tall and slim figure, dressed in all black. The man instantly grabbed River by their arms and shoved them into the backseat of the truck. He had more strength than River could combat, but regardless, they kicked at him through the door’s opening. He gripped their ankles and flung them further into the truck.

In River’s fight against the man, they did not hear the other rear door open behind them. Camilla extended the rope in her hands and crawled towards River. By the time they noticed her, the cord was already around their throat.

Their dark eyes searched Camilla’s frantically, but hers only brightened as she constricted them. Watching River’s face turn purple, her sinister grin widened.