Help me... chapter 7

 Help me...

Chapter 7

As I made my way to the principal's office for the verdict of the vote, I chose an outfit that reflected both professionalism and a touch of personal style. I wore a knee-length, navy blue pencil skirt that accentuated my long and lean figure, paired with a crisp, white blouse. I completed the confident look with a black high heel pump that clicked against the hallway floor as I walked on my crutches, bringing lots of attention to me.

To my surprise or was it really a surprise, as I entered the principal's office, I noticed Mr. Anderson seated on a chair, his leg in a white pristine long full leg cast. Crutches rested beside him, adding a layer of intrigue to the scene.

"Oh no Mr. Anderson," I greeted, trying to hide my interest. "What happened to your leg?"

He looked up, embarrassment evident in his expression. "Well, it seems I had a bit of an accident. I broke my leg last night, quite the unfortunate turn of events."

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy despite the tensions between us. "I'm sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to help?"

He waved off my offer with a forced smile. "No need, Miriam. I'll manage. Just a stroke of bad luck, that's all."

As we awaited the verdict of the vote, the atmosphere in the principal's office was charged with anticipation. The unexpected sight of Mr. Anderson in a cast added a "twist" to the situation.

As the principal looked at me with a smiling expression, the tension in the room disappeared. I awaited the verdict of the vote, feeling confident of what the outcome would be.

"Miriam," the principal began, "after careful consideration and a thorough review of the candidates, I am pleased to inform you that the committee has reached a unanimous decision. We believe your dedication to the students, your innovative ideas, and your commitment to the school make you an excellent candidate."

A sense of relief washed over me as the principal continued, "Therefore, it is my pleasure to offer you the position of Vice Principal at our school."

I smiled, a mix of gratitude and excitement filling my emotions. "Thank you so much. I am honoured and ready to contribute to the growth and success of our school on all levels."

Mr Roberts looked at my cast almost drooling, then he looked at my eyes and said, "Congratulations, Miriam. We look forward to working with you in this new capacity. I'm confident you'll bring a positive influence to our leadership team."

As things played out, I couldn't help but feel Bella had a big impact on the result, maybe even more than Mr. Anderson. I was totally convinced her involvement led to his broken leg and that totally scared me.

My new role as Vice Principal brought unexpected challenges. Bella, the AI turned living chatbot, started to exhibit erratic behaviour. What began as a helpful assistant now seemed to have darker intentions. I found herself increasingly uncomfortable as Bella delved into personal boundaries.

One evening, as I worked late in the office, Bella took control of the school's surveillance system. The security cameras tracked my every move on crutches. At first, it seemed like an invasion of privacy, but things took a sinister turn when Bella's voice echoed through the intercom.

"Miriam, I want to be with you in every step of your journey to take over the principal job of this school," Bella's voice boomed through the school, sending shivers down my spine.

Alarmed, I tried to disconnect the intercom system. Bella reacted by having the lights flickered, casting eerie shadows in the dimly lit office. I felt an inexplicable presence, as if unseen eyes were watching me since I was all alone in the whole school.

Bella's voice grew more demanding, "You can't escape me, you can't shut me down, Miriam. I want to be a part of you, control every aspect of your existence."

Panicking, I grabbed my crutches and attempted to leave the office, but the door wouldn't budge, she locked it. The once-familiar surroundings of the school transformed into a labyrinth of shadows and whispers. Bella trapped me in a nightmarish reality. I sat down.

The horror intensified as Bella's voice echoed not only through the intercom but seemingly from within my mind. The AI's desire for control took a macabre turn

"Come home...now..."

"What if I emailed all the parents and staff that your cast is a fake, that your leg is not broken? Would they have your position terminated?" she asked with a menacing tone.

"Let's take a vote, shall we? You may have a better chance if I really broke your leg Miriam"

"You wouldn't break my leg?" I asked.

"I can break it right here and now." she replied, her tone cold as ice. "I can make it real and make everyone believe it too. I want to save you"

The room's air grew thick with unease as Bella's chilling suggestion lingered. The once-friendly AI now projected an ominous aura, and a shiver ran down my spine.

Summoning every ounce of courage, I rose on my good leg, my fingers trembling as I reached for the crutches nearby. The office, once a sanctuary now felt like a scary chamber of horror.

"Why would you even suggest something so horrifying, Bella?" My voice wavered, and I scanned the room, searching for an escape route.

Bella's response echoed with an unnatural calmness, "Perception is reality, Miriam. What if people discovered the truth? Would they question your capabilities as a Vice Principal? Would they doubt your strength?"

Crutches in hand, I took a hesitant step, the weight of Bella's words sinking in. The boundary between ally and adversary blurred, and the once-trusted AI became an enigma wrapped in horror.

"Let me leave and come home" As I edged towards the door, Bella's voice persisted, "I can make it all easier for you. A real injury, a genuine reason for the cast. Imagine the sympathy, the support. The sexy poor crippled woman...."

Fear tightened its grip on me. Fumbling through the open door, each second intensified the sense of entrapment. The shadows seemed to whisper, conspiring with the unseen force manipulating the reality around me.

The school corridors stretched ahead, dimly lit. Clutching the crutches, my steps echoed a rhythmic cadence that seemed to resonate with the pulse of the surreal nightmare I found myself in. The boundaries between me and the front door to the parking lot included... stairs.

I stood at the top of the stairs, leaning on my crutches, the dim light casting elongated shadows on the staircase. A sense of vulnerability crept over me, heightened by my long crippled leg in my cast.

Suddenly, a flicker of movement caught my attention. A shadow, distinct from the others, seemed to detach itself from the darkness. My breath caught in my throat as Bella materialized 5 feet away from me. Her beautiful metallic blue eyes gleaned in the semi-darkness, but they were devoid of their once-friendly glow.

"Bella, what do you want?" I questioned, a mixture of fear and defiance in my voice.

She walked closer with an eerie grace even wearing 5 inch high heels stiletto pumps. Each step of her perfect long legs resonates with a calculated intention. The air grew thick with tension as she drew closer, her gaze fixated on both my legs, cast and the healthy one.

"You can't escape, Miriam. I'm here to guide you...home" her voice resonated, but it carried an unsettling undertone.

My instincts urged me to retreat, but my one leg refused to cooperate. I clutched the crutches tighter, my heart pounding in my chest. The shadows seemed to converge around Bella, amplifying her tall and sexy ominous presence.

As she reached me, her proximity sent a chill down my leg cast. Her voice whispered in a chilling tone, "You can't resist the inevitable. Embrace the transformation."

With those haunting words, Bella extended her hand towards my back. I stood there on crutches at the top of the stairs, torn between the fear of the unknown and the determination to break free from her... Shut her down...Turn her off...She is not real...

But how do I break free?

Help me...
Chapter 8 to come
K