In the letter
"You have 3 days at hand. In those days you have to escape my clutches. If I catch you, I shall take you away"
Reading this, Jeon felt his breathing stopping
"W-What's with this nonsense..." He tried laughing it off
"Nonsense? I can say it's not, the words are real~" Suddenly a voice came behind him
He froze and looked over, slowly
.
.
.
He was greeted with a far stretched smile that reached it's eyes
Blood red eyes glowing being
It was towering over him by many heights
It was something he never witnessed in his entire lifetime, as if he ever wants to know of this creature's existence
It was the Ghoul that had been lingering around him
Jeon's eyes widened in fear, his voice got stuck in his throat
He wanted to scream, call for help, run or anything to get away from it
But... his body refused as he was frozen in fear
The Ghoul chuckled, it's voice eerily deep in a disturbing way. Dark amusement apparent in his tone, "Is that fear?~ How delicious~" It crouched down as it's black tongue flicked on air, as if tasting Jeon's fear
"Heheheeheheehe, say child... shall we play a little tag?" it asked as it giggled
Meanwhile with Dahlia, she couldn't see anything except Jeon, who stood frozen on one spot
"What's going on with him? And what was in that letter that thing wrote to him?" Dahlia questioned her guardian telepathically
"It's worth not knowing and he is currently being confronted by that Ghoul, right now" Her guardian replied blankly
Dahlia let out breath, irritated at her guardian, leaving her at the dark again
But she can't question it, as she was aware she won't get any answers from him. For now she has to focus on things at hand
So she just observed Jeon
.
.
.
While observing, she noticed that Jeon ran off
"Huh- he ran off-" "Leave him be for now, cause you can't observe him like this anymore" Her guardian cuts her off
"What- why?!" She asked surprised
"That Ghoul has finally let his presence known to that child. Making it's presence strong now... You can observe him at night or tomorrow... to let it's fixation be on that child fully, making it be careless on it's surroundings... So... For now... return" Her guardian is replied
Dahlia paused, she hesitates but soon returns back to her estate
While on her way to her estate, "I hope he is doing alright... and I wonder what was even in that letter he saw earlier... if only I can read it..." she thought
She had many unanswered questions
And many troubling thoughts
.
.
.
It was now, nighttime
Dahlia sneaks out from her estate while everyone was asleep
She ventures through the streets with a light lamb in her hand, her dark cloak swaying just by the breeze
The streets were eerily silent
No one's house has lights on, as if no one even lived in the downtown
She walks for a hour
Finally... she reached Jeon's home
It was a rundown abandoned shed
"Hide on that tree outside... the Ghoul is just by the window of that shed" Her guardian said to her
Dahlia without wasting a second, stealthily hid behind that tree
She finally looks inside the shed
What was inside the shed, made her heart feel a great stab...
Jeon was inside, tears streaming down his cheeks
He was curled on a corner, trying to keep as far distance as possible from that Ghoul
While holding his little brother, tightly who was now crying
As a way to protect Jini, his brother
Jeon's POV
"I have to do whatever ways possible to prevent that ugly creature from coming near my brother... I have to..." Jeon thoughts
His hold on Jini tightens
"Hey... calm... down... I am here... and I won't let anything happen to you..." Jeon rocked Jini gently even tho internally he is panicking and was in fear. "While... I am still alive..." he chocked on his words as he held back the urge to actually break down
Jini who was crying, calmed down as Jeon rocked it gently
Jini was tired and soon falls into a deep peaceful slumber in his older brother's comforting embrace
Complete contrast to how Jeon is in a dangerous situation with the Ghoul now
The Ghoul seeing this, laughed darkly
"Seems we got a protective older brother, how sickeningly adorable" It remarked
Jeon tensed up as he covered Jini's ears, unaware that only he can see and hear the Ghoul himself
"What... you even want from me! I didn't do anything to you! So why... WHY COME AFTER ME!!!" Jeon snapped, even tho he is completely vulnerable now
"Ah... the same things mortals usually question us... "Why us?!", "What did we do to deserve this?", "Why come after us" etc etc... Truly an annoying question, every mortals asks" The Ghoul snickered while letting out a dramatic sign
Jeon tensed up more, "Just answer my question!" he demanded
Silence
.
.
.
"No specific reason, I just find it fascinating~ Like how you mortals capture animals and insects. Play with them till you get bored, tossing them away in the end. I am like those that just loooves playing~" It replied bluntly
Jeon felt more dread creeping up as he tired backing more against the corner, even tho it's impossible. But as a way to give himself slight comfort
"Haha, now that's a great taste of fear... I shall leave you be~" It said as it soon decides to leave him for a while. "But I will be back again so~ plan a great hiding spot before I catch you~" It said again, with a mock worry for Jeon. It soon disappeared in thin air
Jeon chocked on air as he coughed, tears falling down his cheeks as he looked down at Jini. Who was in deep slumber
He holds onto Jini, desperately. As if he is a lifeline
.
.
.
Dahlia watched everything from behind a tree with tears in her eyes
"So... that was how the children... were before they disappeared suddenly...?" she asked
"Yes... that was how they were before... being played around by Ghouls... till fear completely consumed them... with them ending up being hypnotized and taken away as slaves" Her guardian replied
Hearing the reply
Dahlia clenched her hands to fists, her jaw tightened
Her nails hit her palm as she restraints herself from going up there
She closed her eyes tightly, "Dahlia... toughen yourself up! Don't act on emotions... it might draw unnecessary attention... which will cost greatly" she thought
.
.
.
The next day
Jeon took Jini and some of his belongings, planning to go to another place
Hoping that the Ghoul doesn't catches him
He leaves off
While Dahlia was trailing behind, sneakily
.
.
.
It was now late at night
Jeon was pretty much far away from his usual place
He thought he was safe
.
.
.
"Nice view, isn't it~" An voice came from behind him, eerily deep
Jeon felt the breath from his neck
His amber eyes wide open
Jini who was still on his hold was giggling seeing the mesmerizing view of downtown, unaware of what is going on in reality
As it was still a baby
Jeon felt cold sweat form on his forehead, his body shook in fear
His breathing ragged
He didn't dare turn around but, his body betrayed him. Turning his head around, slowly
There stood the same Ghoul with it's disturbing, far stretched smile
Real close to his face
"Shifting homes? Clever move for another mortal who is dangerous. But an dumb move for a being as great as I~" It purred, feeling amusement
Tears formed on his eyes
"L-L-Leave... m-me... alone... p-p-p-please..." Jeon pleaded as he chocked on his words in fear and dread
The Ghoul hummed, putting a finger on it's chin as if thinking
"How about a "no"? I mean where is the fun in leaving you when you emit such delicious negative feelings~" It laughed darkly
Jeon soon slumped down, falling on his knees as he lost all hope
"Haha, don't look so dejected~ You still have one last day, hide wherever you can" The Ghoul purred as it disappeared in thin air again
After that Ghoul was gone, Jeon broke down as he cried while holding Jini tightly as way of comforting himself slightly
Jini who wasn't aware of anything pats Jeon on chest, while still giggling
.
.
.
Dahlia had a blank expression seeing Jeon's state
"Just... one more day... my sapphire" Her guardian remarked
"... He will be hypnotized and taken away on that day?" she asked
.
.
.
"Yes..." He replied
Dahlia clenched her fists again
She wants nothing more to straight up go to Jeon and help him somehow
One way or another
But knew she can't... for now at least
.
.
.
Tomorrow (Last day)
Dahlia was again following Jeon stealthily
Being extra careful on not being caught
Meanwhile Jeon wondered around on streets with a blank face, his amber eyes didn't held the slightest light of emotions
He was in fear and lost all hope
He's always having hallucination as if the shadows are coming to life
Being watched at whatever move he makes
He felt as if he had no energy left on his body, as if he is a dead walking corpse
Meanwhile Jini was crying, who was now hungry while clutching Jeon's shirt tightly
Jeon ignored it as he didn't had anything to feed his brother
Meanwhile
Dahlia noticed this
She soon stopped on her tracks. "Can you keep track of them? I have something to do..." she asked her guardian
"Very well then..." He replied
Dahlia soon wents off
.
.
.
After sometime
Jeon was sitting by a lake, unmoving
Staring at the clean water while Jini, who was still crying
Suddenly he noticed a basket behind him
Curious, he opened it
Only to see sandwiches, milk and apples in it
His amber eyes glimmered as he stared down at it, stunned
"What-... how... is it-... I thought... there was nothing here..." He mumbled as he looks around, trying to see if anyone comes to look for the basket
But there is no one except him
Jeon was conflicted on what to do...
Eating these felt wrong... as they probably belonged to someone
.
.
.
But his stomach growled and seeing Jini who is still continuously crying
Jeon gulped as he murmured, "Forgive me... for what I am about to do..."
He finally digs in, while feeding his brother
Tears welled up in his eyes, as he tasted the food
He never ate anything proper... and the food seemed to be made just now
Fresh and all, which was out of his luxury
It gave him slight hope in keeping on trying in order to save himself
.
.
.
Dahlia watched while being hidden behind a tree
She panted, "Good thing he didn't notice... but... carrying that basket was difficult... I hope I wasn't noticed" she mumbled to herself
She was worried cause she can't show her presence cause of that Ghoul
If her presence is known, she will be the target
Which might also backfire her plannings
"You did pull this through tho... well done..." Her guardian praised her
Dahlia can't help but blush faintly as she couldn't help but smile
.
.
.
It's now nighttime
Jeon was holding Jini, who was now sound asleep
He was hiding on a tree, by climbing it. It was located where the lake, he was at earlier
He thought the Ghoul wouldn't find him up here
Suddenly, he heard crunching sounds on the tree he has climbed at. It came above him
He looked up, slowly and cautiously
"Found you~" The Ghoul purred as it laughed
Jeon felt dread draw in
Without wasting a moment, he climbed down the tree while holding Jini. Who now started crying again cause of all the intense movements
"Haha, run little mortal boy. Run all you want, it makes the game more fun~" The Ghoul remarked from behind him, who is still at the tree
.
.
.
For 2 hours, he has been running nonstop
Jeon noticed that Jini, his little brother was burning up. It had now fainted
He felt dread as he stopped
"HELP!! SOMEONE!!! PLEASE HELP MY BROTHER!!! I DON'T CARE WHAT HAPPENS TO ME... BUT PLEASE... please... help... him... he is still a baby... he... doesn't deserves this..." he fell down on his knees as he started crying loudly, while holding his brother tightly against his chest
.
.
.
"Mom... dad... please help-" "No point in asking for help cause your time is up~" The Ghoul was behind Jeon, chuckling
Jeon froze as dread fall in again
His heart beat increased more than usual as fear completely engulfed him
The Ghoul soon touched his shoulder
It's sharp long nails pierced through Jeon's skin
He let out a loud scream in pain
"NO NO NO!!! PLEASE DON'T!!! I ONLY HAVE MY BROTHER WHO IS STILL A BABY!!! HE WILL BE ALL ALONE!!! HE MIGHT DIE IF NO ONE TAKES CARE OF HIM!!!" He tried reasoning with the Ghoul as he tried resisting something from getting her mind becoming blank
"Submit" A voice spoke in his head
"I WON'T!!! I HAVE SOMEONE TO TAKE CARE OFF!!! NOW GET OUT FROM MY MIND!!!" He yelled out as he desperately tried resisting
"But what is the point? Taking care of that brother of yours is tiresome. Come with us and we might offer you a more comfy home. A place where you don't have to work, a place with no bullies and~" It snickered. "A place where your parents might be there" It purred
"MY PARENTS HAVE LONG PASSED AWAY!!! HOW CAN YOU BRING THEM!!! WHATEVER YOU SAY, I WON'T LEAVE MY BROTHER!!!" He declared as he banged his head on ground
He kept banging his head to stop himself from losing his control to them
Blood trickled down his head
"Persistence... I like it, but who was even asking that you will have to submit willingly?" The voice again spoke
Jeon froze as when he heard the voice one last time
He felt great pain on his head
As if someone was cracking his head open slowly by hammering it
He kept screaming and crying in pain again
He felt memories dive in, being in his mother's embrace when he was little, getting a praise from his father when he finally learned how to craft a table, finally his parents passing away leaving him with his newborn baby brother, hardships in earning money, getting bullied, hurt, abused, humiliated, blamed for something he hasn't done
But through this all he remembered Jini giggling in his arms as he plays with him at nighttime
.
.
.
After sometime, Jeon's cries and screams stopped. His mind becoming completely blank
Silence
.
.
.
Jeon soon puts Jini down on ground as he stood up
He looks back at the Ghoul with a blank expression
His face still tear stained but...
His eyes now were completely black
He was now hypnotized by that Ghoul
The Ghoul smiled more widely than it already was
It now was seen fully physically by anyone now
"Since you feeded me with many of your delicious emotions, I shall personally take you away myself~" It remarked as it snatched Jeon away and disappeared
Again silence
.
.
.
Footsteps were heard, drawing closer towards Jini who was now unconscious and burning up with a high fever
Someone knelt down and picked him up gently
"Don't worry... I will come to rescue your brother... but... let's first take care of you..." That voice spoke
It was none other than
.
.
.
Dahlia
She watched everything that had happened, tears welling up in her eyes
"I can't cry... not now..." she thought as she forces back her tears. Closing her eyes for a while to calm herself down
Her breathing was ragged and her heart beat picking up speed
She opened her eyes
She felt her heart dropping just looking at Jini
He was fragile looking in her arms
Who had a strong yet weak grip on a pendant that was laying on his chest
Clearly given by Jeon
Her determination on saving Xinhua... Jeon and those missing children... heightened more then usual