Ken’s POV:

  Jack was… Possessed???

  If what Andrew said ‘was’ true, then it means Jack was possessed, and it means…no, no, no.

  I ran towards my car, my heart raced, and my breath started shaking.

  As I got inside, I called Ben.

  “Ben, I think I understood something, meet me at my place”, I blurted.

  “What's the rush about?”

  “There is no time to explain, I am getting home from the hospital, come there as fast as possible.”

  “Ok, I am coming.”

  I ended the call as I started my car at full speed.

  If Jack's and Andrew’s situation were similar, then that means there is something unnatural here, this isn’t a matter of just an evil group or organisation. There is something more mysterious and nefarious about this.

  I entered Sophia’s number on the virtual screen in my car.

  “Give the phone to Jack.” My voice went a bit high, I am desperate, I want to understand this situation.

  “Hey, at least give me a proper hello? Where have you been?”

  “I am really sorry, but I don’t have time for this. Give the phone to Jack.”

  “What's the deal?”

  “Just… listen to me, please give him the phone.”

  “...”

  She hesitated, maybe she senses the tension in my voice, maybe she realises that something is wrong. She knows me better than anyone. And I am sure her mind must be confused. But even I don't know what to do in this situation…

  “JACK”, She screamed.

  “Dad?”

  I took a deep breath. How do I say this… how do I ask him about this?

  “I want you to do something for me, can you do that?”

  “Yes, Dad, I will do it” He is confident… I hope what I am going to ask doesn't break him even more. But it's necessary.

  “Good boy… now, I want you to explain to me… what did you feel when you bit me.“

  “...” Silence. Utter terrifying silence that is louder than whatever I can hear.

  I sighed, maybe I shouldn't have asked. He is just a kid, I need to unravel this even if I am not sure.

  “It’s okay… I understand. You don't need to—”

  Suddenly, he spoke up.

  “Dad…I felt like I was covered… darkness, floating in it… It was creepy, and the darkness felt darker than the night.”

  Andrew said the same thing, it's not a coincidence anymore… something or someone is attacking my family or possibly… me.

  “Jack, don't feel scared anymore. Everything is fine. You did something very brave today, and I am proud of you. Hand over the phone to mom now”

  He said nothing, it must be scary for him to remember such a thing. But the fact that he ended up sharing it… makes me proud. I have changed a lot since Lily.

  “Yes?” Sophia spoke with a hint of concern.

  “Keep an eye on Jack, I am coming home right now, Ben is coming too, I will discuss things with him and explain everything to you.”

  “Okay, I understand.”

  She hung up. She must be scared, I am scared too… I really don't want something happening to Jack.

  I finally reached home. Ben got there too.

  “What happened?”

  “Come inside first.”

  I rushed into my room. I saw the bed being perfectly made, a cup of coffee and cookies next to it. Sophia… She didn't know what was happening, so she did what she could.

  I lay down on the bed as Ben took a couple of cookies in his hand, stuffing his face.

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  “So what’s the problem? You abandon the search for a possible predator, rush to the hospital because of an unknown call and ask me to come here without saying shit?”

  “I know it’s weird, but let me explain, Greg called me, and asked me to come because a patient was asking about me.”

  “But why did you go?”

  “He knew about Lily…”

  He blinked rapidly.

  “He knew about your dead daughter?”

  “Except your family and my family… Nobody knows her name. So it was shocking enough, but when I reached there… he told me he killed Lily.“

  “... What the fuck?, but didn’t that driver die with her?” He said swiftly.

  “That is the scary part, he said that the body we found was a duplicate body, not only that, He was possessed and they captured him and magically replaced his finger after mutilating them.”

  He stood up, walking left and right. He didn't believe me, to be honest… I don't believe in myself.

  “Is this a joke? Are you telling me a fairy tale or something?”

  “I wish it were a joke. But it isn't.”

  He sat down, taking a cup of coffee in his hand and slurping slowly.

  “Considering what you are telling me is the truth, what does that have to do with anything for now?”

  “He …was the same guy who crashed into me”

  He coughed, and he got perplexed by what I said.

  “WHAT?? But he was trapped, right?”

  “He was given an ultimatum to kill me and get freedom, and he chose that, but ultimately he died and I was alive”

  He crossed his arms. “Are you joking—”

  I gazed into his eyes, A bit of fury escaped my throat.

  “I am not joking. And the way he described his possession, it was the same feeling Jack felt… I am sure Jack was possessed when he bit me”

  “But why your family?, First Lily… then you… Then your son?”

  “That is the only piece that isn’t fitting this puzzle… what does my family and I have to do with any of this, especially Lily… what did she do wrong?”

  “Maybe you are the target currently… but why did they wait 5 years to kill you after killing Lily?”

  I sighed. I know I am the target… but why?

  “Maybe there are some limitations… I don't know, I was also said to be a bother”

  “MAYBE EMILIE IS A KEY FACTOR, " he blurted.

  Is he serious? I understand the previous assessments, but how does it make sense now?

  “Why is she a key factor?”

  “Think about it... She couldn’t possibly know that Jack was in which hospital, as there are 2, and if someone was following Sophia to get to the hospital, I think she would notice.”

  Why… didn't I think of this? Emilie is a key factor.

  “That actually does make sense… and Emilie also said absurd reasons and was too sweet… was it all an act?”

  “Her vanishing just knowing Jack is ‘alive’… if we are really encountering some unnatural phenomenon, we have to think outside the box here, and she only appeared 'after' Jack was possessed”

  “It all circles back into us investigating her… sure, let's do it. Tomorrow. 8 A.M. at school.”

  “Got it, " he rested a hand on my shoulder. He is trying to comfort me… but I don't know how much I can take.

  “We will find it out, no matter what.”

  I nodded, and he walked outside.

  I lay down on my bed, and all the exhaustion kicked in.

  I hope we figure all this out, is my healing connected to this—

  Suddenly, I heard someone knocking on the door, and Sophia walked inside. She gazed towards me, her eyes looked intensely, I can't imagine what would be going through her mind… I need to explain this to her.

  She walked towards me, sitting next to me without saying a thing.

  “I… heard everything.”

  ‘Oh…”

  Her hands began to shake.

  ”I... don't …know what to say…”

  She was trembling again. Hearing about Lily’s death again must have caused her even more pain.

  “You don't need to worry—”

  Her trembling stopped, and she took a deep breath, calming herself.

  “I am sorry… for not telling you before, but Emilie is suspicious. When she came to the hospital, she wasn’t happy to be there… she was angry, like she was forced to come there or something. I never noticed anyone behind me, so she couldn't have followed me. She was lying, but I didn't share it with you because I was worried about Jack's condition. But now that I know that things are stranger than I thought, I can’t keep quiet.”

  She grabbed my shoulders, gazing towards my eyes. Her eyes looked… different, they aren't filled with worry or concern anymore. I feel a bit of rage in them.

  “Investigate her, she is in this.”

  I laughed. “Haha”

  She tilted her head “Why are you laughing?”

  “Nothing”

  She… is Sophia again.

  And I trust her, with every inch of my body… I will investigate her.

  “Take care of Jack, their main target is me. So as long as I am careful around him, they wouldn't do anything to him.”

  She stood up, walking outside.

  “I am making dinner now, I will sleep with Jack today. I would like to come with you, too, but no… they might even go as far as to use me as leverage, so you go alone.”

  She walked outside the room.

  Her footsteps are steady, she feels like a new person, but also… she feels like a woman she always was.

  The next day will be hell. And I will walk through it… even if it burns me.

  ***

  It’s here.

  6 December 2024.

  I heard a call as I picked it up, yawning, I didn't get a good sleep last night.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Huh…?”

  “It's 7:15 right now…”

  “WHAT??”

  I quickly got out of bed

  “I will be there before 8”

  How did I manage to sleep so long? I don't sleep much. Is it because of exhaustion? Have I gone this soft?

  I ran towards the bathroom. I need to get ready in 15 minutes, I can take Jack to school today. He will also be happy, and it might distract him from our conversation yesterday.

  I walked briskly towards the closet. I need to wear something formal so she doesn't run just by looking at me.

  I wore a leather brown jacket with black jeans. It's snowing today too, so it won't seem like I am trying to look formal.

  “JACK”, I screamed, reaching the living room, as I checked the clock hanging on the wall behind the couch. 7:29; if I run my car fast enough…I will reach there soon.

  Jack streamed outside, he is wearing his school dress… he is definitely ready.

  “ I am taking you to school today” I threw my keys towards him “Get inside the car… I will come in a few seconds”

  His eyes gleamed with joy. “REALLY??” As I saw him run outside towards the car.

  I wore my shoes. While I was trying the knot, I heard Sophia’s voice.

  “Don't… overdo it.”

  She is concerned… but she is not stopping me. That's a big relief. I looked at her, her rose-pink eyes reflecting the light.

  “I won't.”

  I stood up, hugging her. I don't know why I am doing this, but it feels like… I should.

  She hugged me back.

  She didn't say anything afterwards. But just her expression and smile are enough to give me the confidence I need.

  I reached my car

  “DAD! Thank you!!”

  I looked at him… sitting in the back seat, smiling. He seems so happy, I just want to keep that happiness alive.

  “Let's go.”

  We reached his school. Last time I came here, we found nothing… but today, many things can change.

  The main door is covered by multiple parents and their children, Jack held my arm as he spoke to me.

  “Dad… are you here to meet Miss Emilie again?”

  I nodded, “I couldn't meet her yesterday, right? So I hope I can meet her today.”

  He ran towards the main door as he stopped and looked back towards me. He waved his hands, “BYEEE!!”

  I smiled gently. He… is just too cute.

  “BYE!”

  As he ran inside, I looked at the main door and saw Ben talking with the guard.

  I walked towards him as he looked at me.

  “The guard says that Emilie is in school, so that's a relief.”

  “That reminds me… what happened when you went to the principal's office yesterday?”

  He chuckled. “Uhh… I kind of got angry when you ran away, so I never did go inside.”

  Figures… he is like that.

  “Let's go”

  We head inside, the atmosphere is vibrant. A snowflake falls slowly on my shoulder. The cheers of children echoed around us.

  We walked inside the reception. For some reason, the moment I walked inside. The atmosphere feels like it shifted. I think it's because I am so anxious, and the moment of truth is right in front of me.

  The receptionist is a man, probably mid 20s. It looks like he is from Africa.

  “Can we meet Emilie?”

  He typed on his computer. It took a few seconds, but it felt as if it took an eternity.

  “Last name?”

  What? I never found out about that… she never said her last name…but she is not an official teacher…

  “She is an assistant teacher here”

  “OH, Emilie Stitch… a great woman if you ask me, she always smiles so bright and it brightens up my day whenever she comes to reception—”

  Ben interrupted him

  “Yes…I get it. Can you tell where we can meet her?”

  “Actually… no, because she didn't come to school today.”

  What???, I and Ben gazed towards each other.

  “It's strange though, she always comes, maybe she was sick today.”

  “But the guard said she came”

  Receptionist nodded

  “Yes, but it is probably because the other teacher, Emilie did came”

  I smashed my head, frustrated.

  Another day…wasted?—no…

  “Can we get her address, phone number, or something?”

  “Sir… you want me to leak private info to random strangers?”

  I screamed internally. We had one clue, now even that has to be delayed till tomorrow. Many things might happen before that day arrives.

  I walked outside, gazing towards the ground.

  Ben followed me. “Sorry, bud, I will try my best to find her on social media… she will be somewhere for sure, right?”

  “I don't know… it's just so fucking annoying. Almost feels like she is running away from us.”

  I stepped outside the office as suddenly, my phone rang.

  ‘Greg Savant’, why is he calling me?

  I picked it up.

  “Hello?—”

  “KEN HURRY!”

  His voice is shaking… it almost feels like he is scared.

  “What happened?”

  The next words that came out of him… made a shiver run down my spine. I could only mutter a few words.

  “It's… not possible.”