Following her mother's echoing cries, she dashed through the darkness of the basement. As she ran down the flight of stairs, she discovered a horrifying scene— Her mother before a large, portal-like painting, struggling against her father's grip. 

 Tears streamed down her face as she fought desperately. She looked at her children, who stood frozen in terror, and muttered...

 The painting swirled with crimson hues spiraling into a hypnotic pattern that formed a bloody chaos. At its center, a deep, inky void absorbed the surrounding light, threatening to consume anyone who would step any closer. Eerie figures emerged from the painting, their horrifying screeches piercing the air as they desperately grasped into reality.

 It was all none but pure horror to the young girl. A scene from out of her mind. Yet, she pulled herself together, reaching out to her mom—

"Mom! Agh!—" She plumetted to the ground as she tried to get closer.

 As the pull of the painting grew stronger, the surrounding air became heavy to handle. With bruises and tainted clothes, her mother looked like a wet mess. It was as if she had been injured, and came out from a situation she barely survived. She glared at the man she supposedly loved and trusted, her tear-streaked face turning into a look of rage and vengeance. 

 Dizzy, weakened, and overwhelmed— The young girl had no choice but to lay and watch. Her father was pushing his own lover into what seemed like a dark, and terrible place. With strength that surpassed hers, he shoved her with force, sending her spiralling helplessly into a crimson void.

..

.

.

 " M e g a n . . . "

  As soon as Megan opened her eyes, tears emerged from them, streaming down on her face. She had found her brother, sitting across from her in the school's infirmary bed. He looked at her with concern, his eyes widening in worry as he clenched onto the sheets.

 "Megan, are you—"

 Before he could ask, she threw her arms around him, clinging tightly. In a deep emotional wreck, her tears flowed endlessly, as her sobs muffled against his shoulder.

 "Why..." Megan cried, "Why do I feel... so sad?"

 She didn't know why, and it hurts so much to even think; her head felt hazy, and everything feels as a blur. There felt like a deep wound within her heart, causing her immense pain and grief. She could do nothing but pour all her sadness out, weeping continously out of control. 

 "You had another panic attack." Melvin remarked, "Do you remember anything?"

 

 She nodded in silence, struggling to recall the previous events... or anything at all.

 "That's.. not good." He sighed.

 Melvin had grown to his sister's panic attacks, being there for her whenever they got the best of her. They tended to occur during moments of intense pressure, and their father scolding them was, of course, one of that. During her panic attacks, she would get headaches that'll cause her to faint, leading to a brief memory loss.

 "We should head home now. " He stated, gently releasing her. "Your memory will recover itself overtime." 

 Megan took a deep breath, taking ahold of her emotions as she wiped her tears. Rising from the infirmary bed, her head began to feel lighter, though her body remained tense. She was wary of her surroundings, her eyes darting nervously at every object. She didn't know why, but she felt distrustful... suspicious of the world around her. 

 Regardless, she wouldn't think about questioning her brother. If he weren't there when she had woken up, without his comforting presence and reassurance... she would easily fall apart once again. She wiped her tears, fixed herself, and followed him out of the room.

 4:30 P.M.

 "Your children are about to be driven home now, sir."

  Dan's secretary remarked as she entered his office. She found him seated at his desk, fixated on the documents of the newly accepted students. His brow furrowed in concern as he scanned a familiar face— a boy with blonde hair, the same age as his children. The boy ranked 5th in photography admissions, and his school history and background didn't align with Dan's suspicions. 

 "Felix de Lara..." Dan muttered. "That does not seem right..." 

 The fact that the boy's name didn't ring a bell should calm his nerves. A fake name, perhaps? He thought... but why could this be?

 His eyes lingered on his portrait, he pressed his lips in worry as he dug his nails onto the document, restraining his temper.

 When meeting the boy on-stage— with his dark eyes, shadowed by the stage's overhead lights, along with his slight, intent smirk— Dan felt an unsettling chill run up his spine, feeling as though he was being watched by a predator. Dan would normally congratulate the student, welcoming them warmly to the academy, but this boy left him speechless.

 Since that moment, his thoughts lingered on the boy. He sensed a malicous... vengeful aura from him, consuming his thoughts with worry. After all, the boy's familiar prescence might have pulled him down... to a dark memory lane.

 "Your car is ready as well. " The secretary said, "Shall we go now, sir?"

 Dan looked up, his expression darkened by her interruption. 

 "Ensure my children are safely their car." He commanded, his voice strong and unyielding. "They need to be home promptly!"

 "Yes, sir." The secretary replied, quickly bowing to her boss before exiting the room.

 Left alone once again, Dan glanced at the scattered documents, letting out a sigh as he realized it was futile to dwell on them any longer. He gathered them into a neat pile, and closed them inside a drawer. 

 

...

..

.

 Leaving his office, it was now time for Dan to head home. His footsteps echoed in the air of the deserted hall, which was once filled with students, families and faculty. Their bustle and excitement kept the academy alive during its' Admissions Ceremony, though the place was now eerily quiet and dimly lit, in preparation to close for the evening.

 As Dan walked, the unsettling feelings from earlier weighed on his shoulders. Thoughts of his encounter with the boy lingered on his mind, and he could not shake the dread of it all. Dan recalled his familiar face— a face he thought he'd never have to see again. He thought it could just be a familiarity, a look-alike situation— but his dark eyes and malicious aura... just kept gnawing at his mind. Something just felt amiss.

 "Still don't remember me?"

 Suddenly, a young voice pierced his thoughts, coming from right behind him.

 Alerted, Dan immediately threw a blind punch. As he turned around, his eyes widened as they met with the blonde boy, knowing his suspicions have been confirmed.

 The boy swiftly dodged, countering with a strike aimed at Dan's stomach. Dan evaded the attack, sidestepping narrowly. With a confident smirk, the boy believed he had the upper hand.

 They both backed away slowly, tension heavy in the air as they stared each other down.

 "You..." Dan grunted, eyeing the boy as memories flooded back.

 This childhood friend of Megan and Melvin from six years ago, stood before him like a dark past ressurected— Once a shy, timid, kind-hearted child had grown up to be cold, spiteful, swift and violent. Dan bit his lip and clenched his fist, restraining his anger as the truth settled in.

"Oliver! Child of that damned Reyes family..." Dan gritted his teeth, realizing that "Felix de Lara" was only a fake identity.

 "What's wrong, sir?" Oliver mocked, "Surprised that I'm still standing.."

 Oliver glared at Dan, his smirk dropping into a cold expression of grudge and anger. 

"You were supposed to be dead!" Dan yelled, furious. "How could this be?!"

 "Dead? Tch..." Oliver sneered, "How can you say that when you've never found me for years?"

 Dan moved closer, preparing his fists, "..What brings you here? Who's helping you?" He questioned. "How foolish of you to declare your existence now."

 "My existence? Please..." Oliver chuckled, his face lighting up seeing a furious Dan. "I'm only here on the behalf of my parents." 

 "You reaallyy.. should be careful of my helpers..." Oliver said, his voice slow with a chilling intrigue. "They know a lot more than I do, Dan Guevarra."

 Dan dropped his fists and froze, once again realizing a hard truth— Oliver's existence stood as the surface of a bigger threat hiding within. His mind raced, what could it be? How could anyone be against the Guevarra's and know their secrets?! Dan's family had enjoyed years of peace and prosperity— To think a hidden threat had been plotting against them in secret... absolutely unsettled him.

 "It's only a matter of time until they'll tear your family's legacy and put an end to everything once and for all." Oliver taunted, his voice echoing with confidence and certainty. 

 "Y-You have been mistaken, Oliver..." Dan said, his eyes searching for Oliver's clarity. "Calm down, and tell me what is it that you want—"

 Oliver threw his head back, bursting into a cold, mocking laughter that reverberated eerily through the hall. To Dan, the sound became almost unbearable, ringing in his ears as it repeatedly bounced off the walls. A shiver ran up his spine, feeling a sense of impending doom as he stared at Oliver. 

 Oliver stood, his figure shadowed by the dimness of the hall. His eyes gave a faint glow, gleaming with dangerous determination. In that moment, Dan realized that Oliver was not just a vengeful kid, but a threat with implications he could barely fathom. He felt as though even laying a hand on Oliver would be a risk to everything he knew.

 Oliver's laughter eventually subsided, 

 "I swear to god, I really will kill you..." He exhaled, his voice dropping to a chilling resolve. "I know I would've ended up like my parents if I was with them."

 Oliver held his head, his eyes narrowing in somber.

 "I can barely remember it anymore... but... " His voice lowered, a mournful tone.

 "Even your wife saw the monster that you truly are... Hence why... she saved my life that very day."

 Dan's eyes widened in shock, catching his breath upon hearing that last statement.

 "The truth will reveal itself, " Oliver continued, "and Megan and Melvin will have it in them to realize it as well."

  In an instant, Oliver's demeanor returned, darkening with vengeance once again. His gaze sharpened, piercing at Dan with a cold glare. His lips twisted into a sinister smirk, curling upwards to reveal the edge of his fang-like teeth in a way that made his face predatory.

 "But for now..."