It was dark. Absolutely dark. No one was there; no one was near.
"Ahhh! Help! Help! Somebody help!" Trist Tan screamed, his voice swallowed by the void. "Please! Leave me alone! Today is my wedding day, I have to be there! Please, whoever you are, I'm begging you!"
Fear choked him. Suddenly, a creepy, loud laugh echoed, causing Trist to cover his ears.
In the dark, something grabbed his hand. At first, it dragged him slowly, but then the force intensified, pulling him fast and violently away.
When Trist opened his eyes, he gasped. He was in a cemetery.
He screamed for help. Right in front of him, he saw a burial case engraved with a name: Ryan Star. Born 1999 Sep 2nd. Died 2025 Sep 2nd.
Who is this? I never heard this name. Why did this place try to attack me? Trist thought wildly.
A sudden, harsh laugh sounded behind him. Trist spun around and saw a guy—his body covered head-to-toe in bruises and blood.
"Ahhhh! Who are you?" Trist screamed.
"Oh, don't you remember me?" the bloody figure sneered. He rapidly circled himself, and in a flash, he was a perfectly normal person. All the bruises and blood vanished. "I'm Ryan Star! Maybe you've forgotten me, but I haven't forgotten you! I know exactly who you are!"
Ryan's eyes flashed with rage. "I know what to do!"
He grabbed Trist Tan's face, forcing his gaze. Trist's whole body stiffened, and in a sickening instant, Ryan Star plunged himself inside Trist Tan.
Trist Tan was possessed by Ryan Star.
The grand reception event had begun. Everyone was busy around the stage, but Antonio was still waiting for his husband.
Sabastian took the microphone, radiating confidence. "Today is my son's most anticipated wedding. Many people asked how the President's son, who loves men, would marry. Well, I found my close friend's beautiful son, Trist Tan! I made this wedding international news to show my decision: The President of this country celebrates his own son and his son's choice very publicly!"
He paused for applause. "Ah, Stone! Stone!"
Rosy ran toward her husband, panic etched into her face. "My baby! My son, Trist Tan, isn't here!"
"What are you saying, Rosy? Where could he go? Just call him!" Stone urged.
"No! His phone is inside the room!" Rosy cried.
The crowd of guests stirred, hearing the news.
"Oh, what happened, Rosy?" Daisy asked, concerned.
Sabastian approached the frantic couple. "Stone, what now? Everyone is seeing us!"
Daisy turned to Antonio. "Ah, Anto, please bring my son-in-law back, no matter where he's gone."
"Yes, son, please, I beg you!" Rosy pleaded, tears streaming.
"Stone, you go find him!" Sabastian ordered, his eyes calculating.
"Cury, come on, let's search," Antonio said, his Detective instincts taking over.
Everyone scattered to search the massive hall. Sabastian pulled his phone out. "Martin, go with the officers. Search every single place in Silver City. No matter what, my son-in-law must be safe and found."
In a private corner, Stone cornered his wife. "What happened? Tell me!"
"When I went to his room, it was locked," Rosy whispered frantically. "I screamed, he didn't open it. I used the spare key, but inside, Trist wasn't there!"
Stone's face went white. "How is this possible?! Don't tell me something happened! Didn't you give him the Christian cross necklace?!"
"I did, but it was broken! Maybe it didn't work at all! I'm so worried about him!" Rosy sobbed.
They both rushed off to search.
It had been hours. Antonio was exhausted from the fruitless search. He ducked into a restroom, snapping cold water onto his face.
He looked in the mirror. He was alone there.
He snapped water on his face again and lifted his head—in the mirror, Trist Tan was standing directly behind him.
Antonio gasped, stumbling backward, fear overriding logic. "Oh! Ohhh! Ahhhh! W-What? How did you get here, Mr… Mr. Trist Tan?"
A smooth, chilling smile stretched across Trist's face.
"Oh, honey," Trist purred, his voice deeper, colder. "Call me honey! Got it, hubby?"
Trist Tan's hand shot out, grabbing Antonio's neck and pulling him forward violently. Trist sealed their mouths together in a deep, possessive kiss.
Antonio's eyes were wide with shock. He was being kissed by his husband.
But in the mirror, the reflection behind Antonio was not Trist Tan.
It was Ryan Star.