Flashback
"Dad, Mom says dinner's ready," Victor called to his father in the greenhouse. No response.
It had only been a few months since Michael started working there, but he was completely absorbed in his plants. Hours passed unnoticed, and no one was allowed inside—Victor had to call from outside to get his father's attention.
"Dad?" he tried again.
"Tell her I'll be down in a minute," Michael's muffled voice came from inside. Victor felt a mix of relief and unease. Part of him was glad his father was so absorbed—when he moved to Haloville, he might finally get some independence. But fate had other plans.
At supper, Michael's wife noticed a leaf in his hand.
"Honey, you shouldn't bring leaves into the house," she said.
"Sorry, must've stuck to my hands," Michael mumbled, heading to dispose of it.
He returned long after they finished eating, his appetite gone. That was when things changed.
Michael grew paranoid, sleep eluded him, and meals were left at the greenhouse door. His wife feared he was losing his mind. The night before Victor was to report to school, he saw his father in the bathroom, surrounded by leaves. One seemed to grow directly from Michael's skin. Victor brushed it off.
Two weeks into school, curiosity got the better of Victor. He entered the greenhouse, calling for his father. No answer.
The plants were peculiar, but one captivated him: a vine-like creature in a glass case, moving like a living entity. Its flower shook like the jaws of a trap. Crickets in a jar caught his eye.
Victor opened the case to feed it. The plant snapped at the cricket—and bit his hand, drawing blood. Just then, Michael appeared.
"What are you doing here?! I told you—" he shouted, yanking Victor back.
"Where is she?" Victor stammered.
"She's gone. Stay behind me," Michael said, fear in his voice.
Vines slithered across the shelves. "What the… how did it grow so fast?" Victor gasped.
"You feed her blood, idiot!" Michael barked.
Then, chaos erupted. Leaves burst from Michael's body; he screamed in pain, blood flowing. Victor fled, screaming for help. By the time anyone arrived, the greenhouse was trashed, and Michael was gone.
Present Day
Kelvin burst into the prefects' room, sweating and panting. The prefects immediately shouted.
"Why are you sweating like a pregnant fish?" one yelled.
"Who asked you to barge in? Out!" another barked.
"Guys, relax. Kelvin, come with me," Stephen said, standing.
Kelvin struggled to catch his breath. "Victor… he was… kidnapped."
"What do you mean kidnapped?" Stephen demanded.
"Vines… came… took him… I tried to stop them, but they were too fast," Kelvin stammered.
"Oh, so wonder boy has limits," Stephen muttered.
Kelvin gave him the Seriously? look.
"Go get the weapons. I'll call the girls at the park," Stephen ordered.
Phones were banned; prefects acted as dormitory authorities, with teachers turning a blind eye. Within ten minutes, the group converged at the park.
"Lead the way," Stephen said. Kelvin followed the tracks on the ground.
They reached a small clearing in the woods, intersected by five footpaths.
"Did you know this was here?" Cynthia asked.
"Look—a broken branch, and more ahead," Emilia said. They continued along the central path.
The forest grew thicker, shadows lengthened, night approached.
"Did you bring a torch?" Stephen asked.
"No," Kelvin said. Suddenly, the bush rattled.
"What was that?" Cynthia whispered. The group huddled together, fear creeping in.
A light growled, bushes rattled again. They realized they had walked into the haunted woods without a plan.
The school bell rang—startling everyone. Kelvin had no time to explain his plan with Victor.
"Kane Kane Kane," Cynthia chanted. A glowing ball of light appeared in her hands.
It illuminated the ground: shoeless, swollen feet, hairy up to the legs. The group froze in horror.
A girl floated above the ground, head in her lap, brushing her hair. Her face was hideous, scarred, with ragged hair—but her expression… said Delicious.
Emilia ran, tripping over roots. Fear gripped her, almost as powerful as facing Hakeem. She pulled out her magic knives, steeling herself.
Stephen had stopped, gasping for air, when a buff dwarf rolled up to him.
"Will you buy my buff loaf?" it asked. Stephen froze, horrified. Five meters away, the dwarf held a glass case with loaves.
Instinct took over—Stephen drew his bow, slit an arrow through its head. But more appeared.
Back with Kelvin, Cynthia chanted, "Hewam, Heyem."
"What did you do?" Kelvin shouted, pulling her along.
"I just gave us a fighting chance," she said, eyes wide.
But Kelvin was still tense. His athleticism kicked in—they ran. Through the trees, he glimpsed a speed demon chasing them. Its form blurred—animal body, but a familiar face.
It was a prefect, listed as the head of the school zoo—there had never been a zoo, but now he wasn't so sure.
The creature cranked its neck, studying them. Their running hadn't taken them anywhere—it was a stationary chase.
Then, it vanished.
The group caught their breath. Relief was brief. In a heartbeat, it reappeared, grabbing Cynthia's arm.
Kelvin didn't hesitate. He swung the sword—back in his hands—and diced the monster.
Breathing heavily, he turned to Cynthia. "We have to find Mr. Smiley and end him. Here. Now. Then maybe we won't need the ritual."
Cynthia started to speak, but an insane presence stopped her.
"Finally, we meet," a horrid voice echoed from the darkness.