Somewhere far away, around 21:00. A dark room. A masked man sits on a chair like a throne, the dim light casting creepy shadows across his figure. His patience is thinning.
Masked Man [gritting his teeth, tapping his fingers on the armrest]: Where are they? I've waited long enough.
The doors creak slowly. Another masked man, David, steps in, bowing slightly.
David [nervously]: My Lord… they have arrived.
Masked Man [leaning back, voice cold]: Let them in.
David nods and exits. Moments later, two figures a man and a woman, their faces hidden in darkness, step cautiously into the office. The air seems thick, heavy with evil. They stop short, unease washing over them as if the room itself hungers.
Mysterious Man [kneeling, voice shaking]: We… we apologize for being late.
Mysterious Woman [kneeling beside him, trembling]: Yes… forgive our delay.
Masked Man [slamming his hand down, voice booming]: SILENCE!!
The two flinch, hearts pounding, keeping completely still.
Masked Man [leaning forward, eyes glinting]: I sent your payment. It will reach your accounts soon.
Mysterious Man [voice still quivering]: Yes… my Lord.
Masked Man [smirking behind his mask]: I have yet another duty for you, one you cannot refuse.
Mysterious Woman [swallowing hard]: Another… task?
Masked Man [coldly]: Track down the three children who stayed with Mikey and Cristina. Especially Dean, Zack's son. Earn their trust. Break down their guard, make them depend on you. Then strip them of their secrets and deliver every piece to me.
The two bow deeply, unease still palpable.
Masked Man [dismissively]: That will be all. Leave.
The mysterious pair rise, bow once more, and exit silently, their steps echoing in the dark hallway. The office is still for a moment. David enters, voice cautious.
David [bowing slightly]: My Lord… is that truly the best course? What if they become too attached to the children? What if they turn into a threat?
Masked Man [laughing softly, cold amusement in his tone]: Then you take care of them. It's that simple.
David [bowing lower, eyes down]: Of course… my Lord.
The masked man leans back, shrouded in shadows, a quiet satisfaction in the room as the plan moves forward.
Outside
Mysterious Man [exhaling deeply, shaking his head]: Damn… that was intense, wasn't it?
Mysterious Woman [shivering slightly, glancing back toward the office]: Yeah… I could feel the Bloodlust in that room.
Mysterious Man [nodding, voice low]: Yeah… like it was covering the whole office.
A brief silence stretches between them.
Mysterious Man [scratching the back of his neck, hesitant]: Anyways… I never got your name. I'm Toyama Atsuko. And you?
Phoebe looks at him for a moment, her eyes sharp, then sighs.
Mysterious Woman [calm, yet guarded]: I'm Phoebe.
Toyama [smiling faintly, voice warm]: Phoebe, huh… beautiful name. Nice to meet you, Phoebe.
Phoebe tilts her head slightly, then speaks abruptly.
Phoebe [matter-of-fact, serious]: That's all we'll share about ourselves. And no catching feelings… it never goes well.
Toyama [raising an eyebrow, amused]: I'm just trying to be friendly.
Phoebe [annoyed, folding her arms]: Keep that friendly attitude for those children. Anyways… it's getting late. Let's head our separate ways and meet in the morning. We need to plan how to approach those kids.
Toyama [nodding, voice calm]: Got it.
They both turn and head in opposite directions, disappearing into the shadows of the night, the tension of the day lingering in their thoughts.
Back at Elana's Place
Dean wakes up in the middle of the night. The clock reads 1:00 a.m. He stays lying on the bed, careful not to wake Bryan and Stacy.
Dean [pathetic facial expression, voice barely above a whisper]: I… broke into tears again… How pathetic am I, huh… I can't even hold myself together. Why do I always have to make them worry?
He curls slightly, hugging his knees, head down, whispering to himself.
Dean [low, shaking voice]: I'm pathetic… Pathetic… Pathetic!!!
A silence fills the room, broken only by the soft hum of the night outside. His chest rises and falls rapidly, thoughts spinning, heart heavy with guilt and frustration.
Dean's eyes glisten in the dim light as he struggles to control himself, wishing he could be stronger for his siblings.
Dean stands up slowly, careful not to make a sound, and begins heading toward the bathroom.
On his way, he notices that Elana's door is slightly ajar. A faint light seeps through the crack. Curiosity prickles at him, pulling him closer.
Dean [whispering to himself, hesitant]: What… is she doing at this hour?
He moves quietly, peeking through the small opening. Inside, Elana is on her phone, talking to someone. Her expression is calm, almost peaceful, far different from the tension he remembered earlier.
Dean [softly, under his breath, a mix of relief and curiosity]: She… actually looks calm…
Back in the room they were given, Stacy wakes up, feeling the sudden urge to use the toilet. She glances around and notices Dean isn't in bed. Her brow wrinkles with worry.
Stacy [whispering softly, concerned]: Dean?
Bryan stirs slightly in his sleep but doesn't wake. Stacy quietly slips out of bed, leaving Bryan sleeping, and tiptoes down the hallway.
Back then, Dean leans slightly toward Elana's door, curiosity pulling him closer so he can hear. The door creaks just a little.
Elana's head snaps up, alert. Dean freezes, then quickly and carefully pulls back from the door, moving toward the bathroom.
Dean [sighing quietly, whispering]: That was close…
A voice behind him startles him.
Stacy [playfully curious]: What was close?
Dean freezes, then slowly turns around, trying to act casual.
Dean [relieved, smiling faintly]: Huh… oh, it's you, Stacy.
Stacy [raising an eyebrow, whispering]: What are you doing up so late?
Dean [shrugging, voice low, thinking to himself]: I had to use the bathroom… (hope she didn't
see me peeking at Elana's room)
Stacy [laughing softly, whispering]: Oh… same here. But can I go first? I'm about to explode.
Dean [nodding, whispering]: Sure.
Stacy enters the bathroom and does her business while Dean leans against the wall outside, arms crossed. He exhales slowly, whispering to himself.
Dean [curious, muttering]: I wonder who and what Elana's talking to about… (sighs again)
Moments later, Stacy comes out of the bathroom, and Dean steps inside. Stacy waits patiently by the door.
After finishing, Dean and Stacy head back to their room together. They walk in silence for a moment, then talk quietly about small things to pass the time. Eventually, exhaustion takes over, and they close their eyes, letting sleep wash over them.
Back in Elana's room, her phone vibrates lightly against her hand.
Voice on phone [slightly impatient]: Elana… you still there?
Elana [softly, apologetic]: Yes, sorry for that, Michael. Just got a little distracted… Hey, it's getting late. I'm gonna get some sleep now… see you tomorrow.
Michael [voice calm]: Okay, sure… good night.
Elana ends the call and sets the phone aside. She leans back slightly, a thoughtful frown crossing her face.
Elana [thinking, worried]: I swear… I saw someone peeking from my door. Or… am I hallucinating?
She lets out a tired sigh, running a hand through her hair.
Elena [softly, to herself]: Maybe I just need rest.
Elena stands up, walks over to her door, and closes it gently. She then heads to her bed, pulling the covers up and letting the quiet of the night settle around her.
Around 2:00 p.m., everyone was asleep.
And now, the message left by Mikey and Cristina was even closer to being heard by the siblings, only hours away until then.
But the real question lingered in the air… who is Michael?
Friend… or Foe?
To be continued...