England. 10 A.M.

  The clouds were covering the sun's rays. The wind was blowing cold. The crowd was chattering in themselves.

  At the top of a hotel that was so big it felt like it would reach the sky.

  A man sat on its edge leaning back. His blonde hair sparkled and his red eyes were gazing towards the black clouds in the sky.

  Suddenly Yvette Ember jumped down beside him.

  "Zeke, did you get the news?"

  Zeke stood up standing near the edge.

  "Yes. Ken has powers beyond healing. Good news."

  He gazes towards Yvette.

  "Why did you kill someone when you went to India?"

  "Elsa was going to kill her either way."

  "Yes, but making the public ignore a burning body is much harder than ignoring a mutilated body."

  Yvette's voice stuttered. "I—I am sorry."

  Zeke sighed as he jumped down the building. "No worries."

  [Inside the restaurant]

  A man with dark black hair walked inside the restaurant looking for someone, the restaurant was filled with couples and numerous people chattering on their tables.

  He examined his surroundings as his eyes locked onto a girl who had beautiful blonde hair pulled backward and her shining red eyes meeting the man.

  "Hey cutie, here" she waved her hand towards him.

  The man walked towards her, he held something in his hand which he hid behind his back.

  "She is gonna love this."

  He reached her as he pulled out a red gift box. "This is for you Athea."

  Athea grinned.

  "Oh really? It's so cute of you..."

  The man smiled widely "Thank you, I also planned to give you a cake too, so let me just buy one."

  Athea shook her head. "No, you don't need to. Just sit down."

  The man quietly sat down. "You want me to order something? Perhaps a drink? A glass of wine—"

  "Yes, order me something. A glass of loyalty perhaps... You really thought I wouldn't find out that you cheated on me?"

  The man's eyes widened. "I would never do that—"

  "Stop with that lying. You know I can read your mind right?"

  The man pulled back, his body began to tremble. "No—no please understand, I didn't cheat."

  Athea sighed as she gazed right into the man's eyes. "Say one more lie and big brother will come here."

  The man's face horrified. "Please Athea. You wouldn't right?"

  "First of all... Miss Athea for you from now. And second of all."

  She leaned in cupping the man's chin.

  "I do whatever I want."

  The table started to shake. Not due to an earthquake but due to the man's body shaking rapidly.

  "Please don't tell this to Zeke... I beg of you."

  His face sweated furiously as tears streamed down.

  "I will be your dog, but just don't tell this to him."

  Suddenly, the air tensed up. The room became quiet as a man walked inside from the entrance.

  Athea looked at the man as she smiled.

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  "BIG BROTHER!!"

  Zeke's eyes locked into Athea's as he smiled gently. "Coming."

  He walked towards them as the man's heart started to race. His breath shook as he pleaded desperately.

  "Please Miss Athea. Please don't. I will do anything."

  Zeke reached them as he gazed towards the man. "Jasper, Why are you shaking?"

  Athea chuckled. "He cheated on me..."

  Jasper's eyes widened as he slowly moved his head towards Zeke. "I could have never done it, sir. I beg of you please understand—"

  Suddenly, Zeke placed a finger over Jasper's lips.

  "You are not allowed to talk until it's an answer."

  He looked at Athea. "Let's go."

  Athea jumped upwards as she grabbed the gift. "Okayyy"

  Zeke walked away as Athea grabbed his hand.

  Jasper watched them exiting the restaurant as he thought.

  "I am... Alive?"

  His eyes watered with tears of joy.

  "I am glad Zeke understood that I didn't cheat—"

  Before his train of thought could finish. He coughed up blood all over the desk.

  He grabbed his throat as he started to suffocate.

  "What the fuck?"

  His head collapses on the table laying down unconscious.

  [Outside the hotel]

  Zeke and Athea walked away from the hotel slowly.

  "So what did you do this time?"

  "Poison."

  "Aww really? That's so boring... I wanted him to suffer..."

  Zeke sighed.

  "And then I would have to clean up the mess."

  Athea chuckled. "That's true too."

  She opened the gift box and saw a bold pendant with an emerald gem. "Neat."

  She wore it around her neck. "Big brother, does it look good?"

  "No, doesn't suit you... Ruby suits you better."

  Athea rolled her eyes as she threw the pendant away on the road. "Right? He was so dumb."

  Zeke grinned as he patted Athea's head and she leaned in. "Yes."

  They walked away towards their house. Like nothing ever happened.

  ***

  8 A.M. at Maple Ridge Elementary.

  Jack's POV:

  Dad came to drop me home today, maybe he thinks I would be traumatized about yesterday.

  Remembering that darkness did make me panic. But the point is, I don't want to hurt others again. If my answer has given Dad any kind of clue. Then I did the right thing.

  I walked towards my classroom, the children chattering around me.

  "Hey did you read about that new superhero comic?" "Yeah that's so cool, especially that Jean Beaumont, he is so cool in that"

  I read that too one day. What's so cool about a guy who just beats villains without a problem?

  As I was wondering about this, I reached the front of my classroom.

  I looked at the entrance of the school, and some of my friends walked towards me slowly talking to themselves. I almost raised my hands to wave at them...

  But how can I meet them? If I turn into that thing again... If I am in that darkness again. Then they all will get hurt.

  I turned back inside the classroom. It's better if I stay alone for now... I really don't want to hurt others.

  I sat down on my chair. Resting my head on the desk.

  They entered the classroom their eyes focused on me.

  "Jack, how are you?"

  They walked towards me, I could feel their confusion... They are confused as to why I am not interacting with them.

  "Hey buddy, are you okay?"

  I lifted my head. I have to talk with them now... I hope nothing happens.

  Suddenly, I saw cuts and scars all over their faces and blood dripping from them.

  "Jack?"

  I jumped back away from my seat, and those scars and blood vanished.

  Am I hallucinating? Am I that scared?

  "Nothing happened, I am okay... Just study things."

  They looked at each other, their faces filled with concern and worry.

  Suddenly, Liam spoke up

  "Yeah, I understand... Must be hard to be a topper right?" He smiled widely. "Guys let him be. I think he needs some time alone."

  They walked away, It's not that I don't want to meet them. I want to play and talk with them. But I also don't want to risk hurting them.

  If I stay alone. Nothing will happen, right?

  3 classes passed by. It's already 10 A.M.

  I stepped out of my class. Students changed classrooms according to classes, so I went to my next class.

  When I looked around the hallway. I heard many students chattering with each other. Some were talking about a show they watched. Some were talking about a random incident they had.

  But one person's words got stuck in my head. He was talking about his sister, and I remembered Big Sis... If she was here... It would be so much better. If I become like that again.

  Who will save me?

  I finally reached my next class. It's Miss Emilie's class. But when I entered, I saw no one.

  That's strange... Miss Emilie is always in the classroom before any student.

  Suddenly, I heard some students talking about Miss Emilie.

  "She didn't come to school today?"

  "Aww... But she never misses school."

  She didn't come? That's... New, but the one thing that is a problem isn't that she isn't here.

  Dad has wasted one more day coming to the school if she isn't here.

  I went to one of the seats. I don't have much to do so may as well study something.

  I took out a rough notebook and a maths book. Mom says to not study more than necessary because it will stress my brain.

  But studying really helps me distract from things.

  Suddenly, Liam spoke up to me from my side.

  "Hey dude, are you okay now?"

  I nodded perplexed by his sudden appearance.

  "Yes..."

  I started solving some questions while talking to him.

  He kind of realizes that I am feeling lonely. So maybe he is trying to cheer me up... But how can I cheer up now? Remembering that darkness I felt, the way I wasn't controlling myself and hurt Dad... How can I cheer up?

  "Jack... You are scribbling circles on your notebook"

  I blinked. I was so lost in my thoughts that I started drawing circles around my notebook.

  "Oh... That's bad."

  Liam chuckles loudly. "You are thinking too much. Just let it go."

  It's easier said than done. But I know he genuinely means it.

  "Yeah... You are right."

  Hours passed. It was finally 2 pm.

  The school was over. I was heading outside towards the bus. Liam beside me tried to comfort me and I was slowly starting to loosen the tension build up inside me.

  Suddenly, I looked at the main gate and I saw Dad standing there...

  I waved bye to Liam and ran towards Dad. But then... I saw him talking to someone.

  Someone... I have never seen.

  A woman who was old... Almost ancient. She had beautiful white hair probably due to old age and her eyes were purple.

  I suddenly remembered. Dad's parents are dead, he doesn't have anyone who talks with him in his side of the family.

  Except... His grandmother and my great-grandmother

  Aurora Kristopher. A woman whom Dad never left even though he left his entire family.