Jake just sighed. In a week, the kids would be back in class. He was heading to the province now to take Mikaela to the basement, where they would meet again and see each other in person.
The good news about the young women rescued from the warehouse—where William's previous basement attack had taken place—pleased him. They were still puzzled about who had helped them. They'd been in their huts at the time, and then suddenly Felix appeared. But they knew Felix couldn't have saved all fifteen women alone.
Felix's explanation was that Fernan had helped him escape.
How can a ghost help us? Jake asked himself, shaking his head.
Impossible. Very impossible.
He argued with himself internally but decided to let Felix and Vince believe whatever they wanted about their premonition.
Still, he wondered—how far would they really help us? Was it just hallucination?He didn't believe in ghost stories. In the world they lived in, he needed explanations grounded in reality, not supernatural tales.
A knock came at his door.
"Brother," Mikaela called.
"Yeah, just a minute," he replied.
They were leaving for the province as planned. He would also drop off Jenny and Greg.
"Are Jenny and Greg already here?" he asked.
"Yes, they're here."
He nodded, left the room, and took his car keys. Downstairs, the two siblings sat quietly, waiting.
"Let's go so we can get there early," he said firmly, not looking back to see if they followed.
In the garage, he prepared the vehicle. The three were there, waiting. He started the engine, pulled forward, then parked again so they could get in. The tinted glass made it impossible for anyone outside to see who was inside.
Jenny and Greg got into the back seat, Mikaela in the front. Once everyone was inside, Jake drove off.
The ride was quiet. No one spoke much, and the tension was growing. Jake decided to break the silence.
"Do you believe in ghosts?" he asked suddenly.
In the side mirror, he caught Mikaela and Jenny exchanging glances, clearly deciding how to answer.
"Yes, sir," Greg replied with a small smile.
Jake smiled faintly. "Why do you believe in ghosts, Greg?"
"Because they're always here in the world," the boy answered.
"Have you seen one?" Jake asked.
Greg nodded quickly. "Yes. They're sitting next to you right now. Ellese is beside Mikaela."
Jake was startled.
"Greg," Jenny scolded her brother.
"It's true, sister," Greg insisted.
Jenny apologized quickly. "I'm sorry, sir. He's just being a nuisance."
"It's okay, Jen," Jake assured her.
"Have you ever seen a ghost, Jenny?" he asked, changing the subject.
She shook her head weakly.
"You're not like your brother, then. Oh—you have the ability to predict things, right? A premonition?" Jake said.
Jenny looked uneasy. "Y—Yes, sir."
"Don't be fidgety," she whispered to her brother.
"Do you think it will help us solve our problems? Or will it make us dependent on it?" Jake asked.
They didn't answer at first. Then Jenny spoke.
"We don't use premonition for everyday problems. We avoid it, because staying too long in a vision—or time travel—has aftereffects."
"Maybe in this case it will help, especially if what's happening isn't clear," Jake replied.
"How do you use it? If you have a premonition, Jenny, do you try to prevent it?" he asked.
"It depends on the situation. My older brother always tells me—let your premonition pass, as long as you're ready for what will happen."
Jenny chuckled softly.
"Your brother is something else. I just regret he didn't get to college to support you siblings," Jake said.
Jenny was surprised by his remark.
"I know," she said. "When I started high school, he decided to stop studying for a while."
"Please don't misunderstand, Jenny. I understand why he stopped," Jake said.
By then, they had entered a dense forest, trees blocking most of the light.
"I guess we're here. Let's head over," Jake said.
The car fell silent again. Mikaela's expression was unreadable, serious.
Jake respected Jenny's different opinions, but his mind was already on what lay ahead.
They passed the warehouse. To most, it looked ordinary—but Jake knew it wasn't. Beside him, Mikaela winced and rubbed her temple, recalling a painful memory tied to the place.
Jake wasn't sure if he was ready for what awaited them in the mansion.