Ethan's Room – Hospital
Ethan's eyes flicked open as a strange, cold hum filled his ears, a mechanical voice echoing in his head.
[System Alert: Host's weak strength caused the death of the intended Turned subject. The transition failed.]
[Subject: Jalen Morris]
[Status: Deceased]
[Reason: Host's insufficient strength to complete the transformation]
His breath hitched, and his heart stuttered in his chest. His gaze darted toward the door, as if expecting someone to burst in, but the room remained silent, the only sound the steady beep of the machines. He didn't know how to process it—the death felt real, yet it didn't. He wasn't even sure how much of the message was his fault. Hadn't he tried to stop?
But the message… it haunted him. Someone had died because of his failure. Jalen.
He turned toward the door as it opened, and the nurse entered, her expression harsh, pinched, furious.
"You," she said, voice low and controlled, but there was a sharp edge to it. Her eyes burned with something darker than concern. "You pray to God you weren't the one responsible for this. Because Jalen was my friend, and you killed him."
Ethan stayed silent, jaw tight. He wasn't saying it wasn't him, but something inside him fought against the guilt, the responsibility that crawled under his skin. The system didn't give him any choice, right?
"I didn't—" Ethan started but was cut off.
"You didn't what?" The nurse stepped forward, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "You didn't what? Look at him! He's dead because of you!" Her voice trembled with a barely-contained fury.
Ethan clenched his fists, trying to hold himself steady as the guilt gnawed deeper. "I'm not saying I wasn't involved… but—"
"You will stay here for less than ten days," the nurse snapped, eyes narrowing. "Then you'll be discharged, and whatever happens after that? I don't care. Just remember one thing—you can't hide from this."
She stormed out, slamming the door behind her, leaving Ethan alone with the weight of her words pressing on his chest. He wasn't responsible, was he? Was he?
Later That Day – Hospital Hallway
Lia stormed through the hospital's hallway, her heels clicking harshly on the polished floor as she raged at the guards blocking her path.
"I want to see my nephew!" she shouted, hands fisted in anger.
The guard, stiff and unflinching, replied with a polite but firm tone, "Ma'am, you can't see the suspect right now. He's under medical observation and not allowed visitors."
Lia's lip curled in frustration. "I'm his family! You can't stop me from seeing him!"
Before she could protest further, a woman in a dark suit approached, her heels clicking confidently against the tile. Detective Mara Ivers stood tall, eyes sharp like a predator's. She glanced at Lia, sizing her up with cold, disinterested eyes.
"Who are you?" Lia asked, her tone rude and dismissive. "And why should I care?"
Mara's lips twisted into a sharp smile. "No wonder," she said mockingly, stepping closer. "You're all so self-absorbed. I'm Detective Mara Ivers, and your nephew's not just a 'suspect.' He's in the middle of a very serious case."
Lia sneered, crossing her arms. "My nephew's not a criminal."
"You're wrong," Mara said, her voice low, with a dangerous edge. "You don't know anything about him. But don't worry. I'm sure I'll find out everything I need to know about you too."
Lia's patience finally snapped, her sarcasm bubbling over. "You're just a stranger to me, lady, so I don't know what you want from—"
Mara's hand moved fast, the slap ringing across the hallway before Lia even had time to react. The force of it stunned her for a second.
Lia's face twisted in fury, and she lifted her hand, ready to strike back, but her fingers stopped mid-air when she saw the handcuffs on Mara's wrist.
A dangerous, dark smile curled on her lips as she bit down on her thumb, fighting the urge to snap. "Touch me again, and I'll show you what happens."
Mara took a step back, eyes narrowing with amusement. "Careful, sweetheart. You've already made enough of a mess."
Back on the Island – Hidden Cellar
The air was thick with tension as the cellar doors creaked open. The sound echoed through the dimly-lit space, drawing the attention of the gathered group. Agung's eyes flickered to the newcomers as they stepped into the room—three towering figures flanked by a fourth.
"Who are they?" Agung asked Sean quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sean grinned, his eyes gleaming with a strange mix of admiration and fear. "Those three? The top of this army. The one you and Kato fought He's part of their crew now, and trust me—you don't want to mess with them. They're a gang of five now."
Agung narrowed his eyes, scanning the group, sizing them up. The three in front stood tall, exuding power like a storm waiting to break, but it was the man—the one Agung had clashed with—that caught his attention. There was something colder in his eyes now, a dangerous calm.
Then a woman stepped into the room—slender, but every step radiated authority. Her presence was almost tangible, a quiet command in the air around her. She swept into the center, eyes sharp like a predator's.
"You," she began, her voice carrying a chilling, undeniable command, "should kneel before your queen."
No one moved. The silence stretched, thick with hesitation.
She turned on her heel, fury flashing in her eyes. "I SAID KNEEL." Her pupils burned bright red, glowing like embers.
One by one, the group dropped to their knees, as if the command was more than words—it was something deeper, something in their blood that they couldn't deny. Their eyes flashed red as well, reflecting her power.
She smiled, satisfied with their obedience.
"For too long, we've been hidden. But no more. It's time to take the island." Her voice rang through the room. "We'll rule it, all of it. The time for hiding is over."
She threw her arms wide, speaking with confidence, her voice commanding the air itself. "Go." The group surged forward without hesitation, as if they were all one entity—one force—moving together with a singular purpose.
But no one touched her.
It wasn't fear. It was obedience.
She laughed darkly, turning on her heel and striding toward the exit. "Bring me fresh blood," she commanded the man in black who stood near the door.
He nodded, moving quickly to obey.
The room buzzed with anticipation, the weight of the moment settling in.