"Confronting the Darkness"

The car ride to the station was uneventful, but the pain in Victoria's throat was a constant reminder of the trauma she had just experienced. It felt like an invisible string was choking her, tightening its grip with every passing moment. She tried to breathe deeply, but the sensation only seemed to worsen, making her lungs feel heavy and her head spin. James, sitting beside her, reached out and took her hand, his touch a comforting presence in the midst of the chaos. The detective, driving them to the station, glanced back at Victoria through the rearview mirror, his expression a mixture of concern and sympathy. When they arrived at the station, Victoria was greeted by another officer, who presented them with a stack of VHS tapes and a series of photos depicting crime scenes. The officer's face was somber, his eyes filled with a deep sadness as he handed over the evidence. But as Victoria entered the room, the officer's expression changed in an instant. His face turned white, his eyes wide with shock, and he took a step back, as if he had seen a ghost. "You're supposed to be dead!" he exclaimed, his voice barely above a whisper. Victoria's heart sank, and she felt a chill run down her spine. She knew what was coming, and she dreaded seeing another piece of evidence. The officer's reaction only confirmed her worst fears. The detective stepped forward, his expression calm and reassuring. "Officer, can you explain what you mean?" he asked, his voice firm but gentle. The officer swallowed hard, his eyes still fixed on Victoria. "I...I was working on the case," he stammered. "We had a VHS tape with...with footage of you. It was dated a week from now. We assumed it was a...a trap, a setup. But you're here, alive." Victoria's mind reeled as she realized what the officer was trying to say. She was about to see footage of herself, dead. The thought sent a wave of fear through her, and she felt like she was going to collapse. James tightened his grip on her hand, his eyes locked on hers. "Let's get this over with," he said, his voice firm. The officer nodded, his face still pale, and handed Victoria the VHS tape. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "You need to see this." Victoria hesitated, her heart racing with anticipation and fear. She knew what she was about to see, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to face it. But she steeled herself, took a deep breath, and inserted the tape into the player. The screen flickered to life, and Victoria's worst nightmares came flooding back.