The lights in the bedroom flickered violently.
The door—
Moved.
The metallic lock shifted slightly on its own.
Juson and Yokina ran toward the room.
Yokina reached first.
She stopped at the doorway.
Her breath caught.
Juson arrived behind her.
Inside—
Something was wrong.
Not just seen.
Felt.
The air itself seemed unstable.
Herik lay on the bed, his body restless, his face tense. His eyes were closed, but his expression was strained, as if he was fighting something unseen.
The bulbs above flickered in chaotic rhythm.
Light.
Dark.
Light.
Dark.
A low whirling sound filled the room.
Constant.
Unnatural.
Juson lifted his gaze.
And saw it.
The clock.
Mounted on the wall above Herik's bed.
Its hands—
Were not ticking.
They were running.
Fast.
Too fast.
All three hands moved together, circling the dial with impossible speed, as if time itself had lost control.
Herik stirred.
His body jerked slightly.
"Mumma…"
His voice was weak.
Strained.
Yokina stepped forward instinctively, reaching out toward him.
But the moment her fingers neared his skin—
She stopped.
Something felt wrong.
Not visible.
But undeniable.
She pulled her hand back.
Fear filled her eyes.
---
Around them, small metallic objects began to tremble.
A pin on the wall vibrated violently, trying to force itself free.
A faint rattling sound filled the room.
The whirling noise grew louder.
Herik slowly pushed himself up.
His movements were unnatural.
Unstable.
"Mumma…"
He took a step forward.
Then another.
Yokina didn't move.
She couldn't.
Something inside her refused to go closer.
Herik reached the middle of the room—
And collapsed.
---
Juson moved instantly.
He rushed forward and caught him before his body could hit the ground completely.
"Herik!"
His voice broke.
He held him tightly.
Looked at his face.
At his skin—
Peeling.
Just as Yokina had said.
"No… no…"
His voice shook.
This wasn't normal.
This wasn't growth.
This wasn't anything he could explain away.
He shook Herik slightly.
No response.
"Herik! Wake up!"
Nothing.
His body had gone completely still.
Unconscious.
---
Juson didn't wait.
Didn't think.
Didn't hesitate.
He stood up, holding Herik in his arms, and rushed out of the room.
"Yokina! Get the car!"
His voice echoed through the house.
Yokina snapped out of her fear and ran outside.
The engine started within seconds.
The sound broke the unnatural silence surrounding the house.
Juson stepped out with Herik in his arms.
Neighbors peeked from their windows.
From their doors.
Watching.
Silent.
Observing.
---
Juson placed Herik inside the car carefully.
Yokina sat in the driver's seat, her hands trembling slightly as she gripped the steering wheel.
"Drive!" Juson shouted.
She didn't respond.
She just pressed the accelerator.
The car shot forward.
The street blurred behind them.
The house faded into the distance.
And silence returned.
As if nothing had happened.
---