After that fleeting moment of happiness, John splashed cold water on his face, shaking off the warmth he had just felt. He turned back to his imaginary journey with Sasaki, diving once more into the world within his mind.
Meanwhile, outside, Alina and Lina wiped their tears, preparing to return home. As they walked, Alina suddenly felt her body grow heavy. Each step became a struggle, her strength fading. She reached out to grab hold of Lina, but her fingers barely brushed against her daughter before she collapsed. Lina's scream shattered the night.
The piercing cry yanked John from his thoughts. His heart pounded as he raced downstairs. The sight of Alina sprawled on the ground, barely moving, sent a shock through him. At that moment, every promise he had made, every laugh, every tear—everything disappeared from his mind. He met Lina's desperate eyes; she was frozen in fear. Without thinking, John bolted outside, his body moving before his mind could catch up. He needed help. Now.
John ran through the village like a madman, his voice echoing through the empty streets.
"DOCTOR! I NEED A DOCTOR!"
He pounded on doors, shouted into the night, but no one answered. He ran to the village's edge, his hope dwindling. Just as he was about to turn back, he spotted a group of children sprinting towards their home. Desperate, he followed them, hoping their parents could help.
As the children reached their house, their parents emerged. But instead of concern, their faces twisted with anger. The father grabbed a knife, his voice filled with rage.
"YOU'RE GOING AFTER MY KIDS?! YOU AND YOUR MOTHER ARE BLOODY WITCHES! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT FROM US?!"
John stumbled to a stop, his mind reeling. "I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR KIDS! I'M NOT A WITCH! I JUST NEED A DOCTOR!"
But the man wasn't listening. He charged at John, knife raised. Panic shot through him. One second, he was searching for help, and now he was running for his life.
The man chased him through the village, his shouts drawing more attention. John had no choice but to flee back home. By the time he reached his doorstep, both of them were gasping for air.
"You… you led me here to kill me and my family, didn't you?" the man wheezed, his grip tightening on the knife.
John, still catching his breath, snapped, "I TOLD YOU, I NEED A DOCTOR! LOOK INSIDE IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME!"
The man hesitated. Suspicion still clouded his eyes, but curiosity got the better of him. He stepped inside, and his expression shifted when he saw Alina lying motionless, Lina sobbing beside her.
"She's… she's getting cold," Lina choked out. "I don't know what to do…"
The man knelt beside them, inspecting Alina. "She's lost too much blood," he muttered. "She needs a transfusion. I can keep her alive for a short while, but we need someone with the same blood type. Now."
John and Lina exchanged frantic looks. Without another word, John darted back into the village, Lina close behind. She struggled to keep up, her legs burning from the effort.
"I know someone," she gasped. "But it's risky. Stay outside when we get there. Don't even think about eavesdropping."
"Do you trust him?" John asked between breaths.
"…He knows me well," she admitted.
They reached the house at the village's edge. Lina pointed to the entrance. "Wait here."
She stepped inside. The dimly lit room brought back childhood memories—laughter, warmth, fleeting moments of happiness. But those thoughts were shattered when a slow, deliberate clap echoed through the room.
"What are you doing here?" a voice sneered. "Didn't you say you'd rather live with your mother? All because of that stupid piece of paper she gave you?"
"No, Dad," Lina said, her voice shaking. "I need your help. You always said you'd help when I needed it most. Well, here I am."
"You look just like your mother," he spat. "Pathetic."
She snapped. "THAT'S WHY I'M HERE! She's sick, and she needs blood! You're the only one who can help! Can you drop your damn pride for once?!"
The man's face twisted in rage. "HOW DARE YOU TALK TO ME LIKE THAT?! THIS IS ALL BECAUSE I WAS TOO SOFT ON YOU!"
He lunged, slapping her across the face. Then again. And again.
John heard the struggle and stormed inside, fury blinding him. He tackled the man to the ground, his fists raining down like a storm.
"I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOU OR YOUR PRIDE! YOU HIT A GIRL WHO BEGGED FOR HELP? YOU DESERVE EVERY SECOND OF THIS!"
The man tried to speak, but John silenced him with a punch to the jaw, knocking him out cold.
Lina stared, stunned. "What the hell, John?! That's my father! That means he's yours too, you dumbass!"
John exhaled, wiping blood from his knuckles. "I don't consider him my father."
Together, they dragged the unconscious man back home. The doctor got to work immediately, using what little supplies he had. John sat outside by the river, lost in thought. Lina joined him.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"I broke my promise," he muttered. "I did everything my mom told me not to do."
She gave him a small smile. "You helped me. I'll help you talk to her about it when she wakes up."
"Thanks… sis."
A few hours later, the doctor emerged. "I did what I could. Don't come near my house again, but… you're innocent, John." He extended a hand. John shook it. "Thanks for helping me instead of killing me."
That night, John stayed outside, refusing to eat or sleep. Lina pleaded with him, but he wouldn't budge.
The next morning, Alina was awake. She smirked at him. "You thought I'd die that easily? I'm not going anywhere."
John barely had time to process the relief when he smelled smoke. Then came the sound of countless footsteps. He took the hidden path through the woods and saw them.
A mob. Dozens of villagers, torches and knives in hand, shouting in unison.
"KILL THE WITCH! KILL THE WITCH!"
John stepped forward, but a strong hand yanked him back, covering his mouth. He struggled until he heard a whisper.
"Shh. Stay quiet, or we're both dead."
It was the doctor. Together, they watched as the mob broke down the door. Inside, Lina screamed, her voice piercing the night.
"JOHN, RUN! THEY'LL KILL YOU!"
John's body tensed. He was ready to charge in, but the doctor pinned him to the ground. The villagers dragged out Alina and Lina. A man struck her across the face, silencing her screams.
John saw red. His body convulsed with rage, but before he could break free, everything went black.
When he woke, he was by the river. The doctor was beside him.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I had no choice."
John sat up, his voice hoarse. "Where are they?"
The doctor hesitated. "Are you sure you want to know?"
"Tell me."
"They're in the village center. Both Lina and Alina."
John clenched his fists. "Thank you."
Then, he threw dust in the doctor's eyes, landed three dirty punches, and ran.
While John was running, he muttered, "I am so sorry, doctor. You are way, way stronger than me. I had no chance to beat you without playing dirty."
As he sprinted, using Sasaki techniques to evade pursuit, he thought of fifty ways to defeat the doctor. He won only one—by going dirty.
As he neared the river's end, he saw massive dark clouds and the thick scent of fire filling the air. The center of the village was burning.
John ran straight into the woods toward the smoke. In his desperation, he stepped on a snake. It bit him, sinking its fangs deep. He tore it off and kept running. But within seconds, the venom took hold, his vision blurred, and his body weakened.
Through the haze, he saw Lina, locked in a cage, the fire creeping closer. Then, everything went dark.
Next chapter: The Chaos