Click!

There were nine of them. They were young, and best friends. It was the night after the last day of school of their sophmore year, which meant something to them. It was a celebration of their tenth year knowing eachother and being friends. They were having the annual bonfire, the night before the graduation parties, on the beach.

Oh, the beach. White sand, clear water. At least, according to the brochures. Drop-off cliffs, some landing in the water, others in the hard sand. It was a tradition of the nine to play a game of hide and seek on this night. They'd done it every year, and this year was no different. Everyone went off in different directions.

What happened next was a blur to them. The counter walked over to the cliffs that overlook the beach. The others saw him do it. This boy was Manny. He climbed up, passing them all, not seeing them. Everyone heard a rustle at the top, so Manny ran up. There was a startled yelp, a cry for help, and Manny came pummeling down the path. He landed at the bottom, body crumpled, limbs going in random directions. It was obvious he was dead.



They've all remained friends...kind of. Manny sort of held them together. They still talk, but tense relationships have become a lot more strained. It's a lot different. After Manny's funeral, everyone seemed like they would be there for eachother, just like old times. But things began to change. Everyone started to branch off.

The police investigation of Manny's death revealed a beer bottle on the top of the hill, probably left by another party. They deduced that Manny accidentally tripped over the bottle. The shouts the kids heard was probably Manny finding some sort of animal, stumbling backwards, and falling to his death. But they know otherwise. That rustle wasn't animal, it was human. Manny didn't fall, he was pushed.

It's the morning of the last day of school. Despite some hesitation, the beach bonfire is still happening. As for the merriment and the game of hide and seek, well, somethings will never go back to the way it was. They all wake up and find this note somewhere in their rooms.

Morning [character name],
If you're reading this, it means you will die tonight
Think I'm kidding?
Manny thought I was kidding.
Why don't you go dig him up and ask him?
One by one tonight, I'll pick you off.
Don't be scared though.
If you go to the bonfire tonight, I'll make it quick and easy.
Don't, and I'll torture the hell out of you and make you watch while your friends die.
I can't wait for tonight.
Love,
Your Killer



Now, they have to find out who the killer is before it's too late.