Ever since Vicky left, no one bothered to ask about his whereabouts until his sudden presence pulled them back to reality. With his hands gripping the bag tightly, a faint smile flickered across his lips before he quickly erased it. He quietly walked toward them, and they all turned their heads in silence until he finally spoke.
"Umm—sorry. I was gone for long; I had no idea it was in your room," he said, taking a seat beside Lyn, who didn't even glance at him twice.
"Okay, what's the meaning of calling us here if this meeting is meant for only you two?" Alexander asked sharply, clearly irritated.
"I guess if you're in a hurry or not interested in staying, you're free to leave," Vicky replied coldly. "I haven't tied anyone here… except Lyn."
"Vicky!" Lyn snapped, staring straight into his brown eyes.
"What? Are you upset with what I said? Huh? Is this why you never wanted me in the first place?" he demanded, his face reddening as he stood before them, confusion written all over his features.
"Would you please act like a grown-up? What's wrong with you? Just a small issue and you're already exploding in anger?"
"Small issue? You call this a small issue? You know what—I'm done! I'm not taking any of this. It seems I'm the one distracting you two. I might as well leave."
"Why are you getting upset over something so small? You've never been this angry. What's going on in your head?" Lyn asked, rising to her feet as well.
"What's wrong with me? Fine, you want the truth? It's because you despise me more than you despise these two cockroaches—"
"Next time you can't use the right words, shut your tiny mouth," Alex warned, his sharp eyes sending a shiver through Lyn's body. Linet and Luca stayed frozen, watching the new drama unfold.
"Asshole! What will you do, huh? Fight me? You think I'm scared of you?" Vicky shouted, shoving Alex to the floor.
Lyn gasped and rushed toward Alex, but he pushed her hand away and stood by himself. A wicked smirk crossed his face as he glared at Vicky, who remained unnervingly calm. His arms folded, legs slightly apart, as though preparing for an attack. A brief flicker of light flashed in his eyes, then vanished instantly. Alex and Lyn exchanged stunned glances. Maybe it was their imagination—until it flickered again.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" Lyn demanded.
"Who am I? You've forgotten your boyfriend's name so easily?" he sneered.
"I know Vicky very well. He wouldn't get angry over something so small."
"Maybe you're thinking too little of him," he replied, stepping closer.
"I've known Vicky since high school. So who the hell are you?" she shouted, shoving him backward.
"Hehehe… I told you to free me, but you refused. Now he freed me—so why shouldn't I use him?" The voice that came from Vicky's mouth was not his own, and everyone froze. Even Linet stood abruptly, trembling.
"Wh-who… who are you?" she asked, her tiny voice shaking.
"Who am I? Oh, I am your hell," it growled. "I am your hell!"
Vicky's laughter echoed through the room—deep, twisted, unnatural—forcing them all to bolt for the door. No one waited for the others. Luca, who had fallen earlier, snapped back to reality and sprinted after them.
"Hey! Why leave me behind?! I'm not ready to die yet!" he shouted, slamming the door behind him. His heart pounded wildly as he realized he was alone in the room. He blinked rapidly, calling out to the others as the lights flickered and died. Panicking, he crawled under the table, covering his mouth to hold back a scream. His hands trembled violently.
The door creaked open, loud in the suffocating silence. Two small figures stepped inside. Luca's stomach dropped as tears threatened to spill. He pressed both hands harder over his mouth, praying desperately.
"Oh no… is this how I die? Like a helpless mongoose surrounded by cobras?" he thought, trembling.
"No! No, no! Who said I'm gonna die like this? Act like a man, you idiot!" he hissed at himself silently. "That thing can't see you. Stay calm or you're dead."
After a minute, a familiar voice echoed through the house.
"Luca, where are you? Did you forget our deal? We didn't finish our game. We're here to get you—the game is about to start… friend."
Drew's voice.
"Andy… do you think Luca is playing hide-and-seek?"
"Maybe. Or he's scared of the game. I guess we should check under—"
Before Andy could finish, a hand gripped his shoulder. His entire body went rigid. Within seconds, he was yanked away by an unseen force. Drew watched, horrified, as three shadowy figures drifted toward him. A cold hand brushed his cheek—
—and he fainted instantly.