After the events of the past weeks, life had settled down for Kin Ouren, Vixen Sature, and Shen Seizan. For once, peace felt real.
That night, however, was a full dark moon.
The three were sitting together in the living room, casually chatting about politics, sports, and recent events. Laughter echoed in the corners of the house—until suddenly, Shen let out a loud, piercing scream.
The room fell silent. Kin and Vixen froze.
They turned to Shen in shock.
His face was pale. His eyes… distant.
Without a word, Shen slowly stood up, turned to Kin—and smiled.
Not a friendly smile.
A smile far too wide, stretched unnaturally across his face.
A smile that didn't belong on a human.
Then, he turned away, walked to his room, and slammed the door shut with a force that shook the house.
Kin jumped up in fright and ran to the door. Vixen was already pounding on it.
"Shen! Open the door! What happened?! Why did you scream like that?!"
But no response.
Kin pressed his ear against the door—only silence on the other side.
A cold, dead silence.
Vixen's instincts flared. "We're breaking it down."
He rushed to the storeroom and returned with a hammer.
Just as he raised it— Click.
The door opened.
Shen stepped out.
Calm. Too calm.
His face looked… normal again. As if nothing had happened.
"What's wrong with you two?" he asked with a casual smile. "Why are you both looking like you saw a ghost?"
Vixen didn't answer immediately. Kin just stood frozen.
"Why were you screaming? Why did you shut the door?" Kin asked carefully, watching Shen's every move.
"Screaming?" Shen blinked innocently. "Did I?"
He looked at the hammer in Vixen's hand and chuckled.
"What are you doing with that? Planning to murder me or something?" Shen laughed, but something about the tone was off. It was too playful. Too forced.
Vixen narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
Shen looked between them, then said with a smirk, "Anyway… it's getting late. We haven't had dinner yet."
"It's just early evening…" Kin replied, confused. "We usually eat later."
Shen tilted his head, that same unnerving smile returning.
"Well, I'm hungry. Feed me?"
Vixen, suppressing the unease crawling up his spine, nodded. "I'll make something. You wait."
As he turned away to head to the kitchen…
…Shen gave him one last look.
A smile too wide.
Teeth too sharp.
Eyes—black for a split second.
Vixen didn't look back.
But the chill in the air had returned.
And something… something ancient was watching through Shen's eyes.
Continue....