As the second man raised the iron bar above White, preparing to strike, a sudden chill ran down his spine. He froze, glancing around nervously.
"What was that? It feels like someone is glaring at me with pure anger…" he muttered.
He tried to swing the weapon, but a sudden gust of wind hurled his body backward.
"What was that!" he shouted in panic.
Blood trickled from his nose. He wiped it, staring at the crimson smear on his hand.
Terrified, he turned toward White, who lay bleeding on the ground, while Aris cowered in the corner, traumatized, covering her ears and eyes. A sharp pain stabbed through the man's head.
"You will die…" a voice whispered.
"Huh? What?" he stammered, panic rising.
"Die…"
Another gust of wind slammed him against the wall.
"What the hell is happening!" he screamed, pointing at White in fear.
White, still bleeding, turned his head weakly. His eyes widened, breath quickened, and his heart pounded. He could hardly believe what he was seeing.
"Bell…?" the word slipped from his lips.
Bell, usually cheerful and innocent, hovered in midair. Her white hair floated wildly, dark mist enveloped her, and her crimson eyes glowed like those of a predator.
"How dare you…" she hissed.
The iron bar lifted on its own, swung through the air, and smashed into the attacker's arm.
"Ahhh!" he screamed as the bone cracked. Clutching his broken arm, he fled toward the stairs.
But another figure blocked his path.
"Good, you can still stand. Run, something's—" he began, but his words were cut short as invisible force gripped his throat, lifting him off the ground.
"Anyone who tries to harm Papa must die," Bell's voice echoed, chilling and inhuman.
The man gasped, struggling to breathe. "W-what are you…?" He kicked desperately, breaking free and collapsing to the floor. He scrambled to a corner, terrified.
The possessed figure picked up the iron bar and advanced.
"No! Please, let me go… I'll stop! I swear I'll never do this again!" the man begged, tears streaming.
But the iron bar came down on his arm with a sickening crack.
"Whaaa!" he screamed in agony.
"Die…" Bell's voice commanded. Another strike followed, then another. Blood splattered across the walls and windows, painting the corner in crimson.
"Bell… please, stop!" White crawled toward her, desperate.
Bell's movements mirrored the man's. She raised her hands as though holding the iron bar to her own neck. The attacker, compelled, did the same. Slowly, the weapon pressed against his throat.
With a final motion, Bell collapsed unconscious, the dark aura fading.
White, still conscious but fading fast, gasped for breath. He pulled out his phone, his vision blurring. With trembling fingers, he typed a message.
"Zen… Help… Bring… Police…" He sent his location before darkness consumed him.
The last thing he saw was Aris, traumatized and crying uncontrollably, and Bell lying unconscious on the floor.
---
Twelve hours later…
"Um…" White groaned, vision blurring as he awoke to an unfamiliar ceiling.
Slowly, reality returned—he was in a hospital room. His arm throbbed painfully. Beside him, Bell was curled up, clutching his hand tightly, tears streaking her cheeks as she slept.
"Bell…" he whispered hoarsely.
*What was that before? I've never seen Bell like that. For the first time, I felt fear—not of death, but of her.*
*Perhaps Aisha will have answers.*
A gentle, teasing voice interrupted his thoughts.
"So, you're finally awake."
Aisha sat at the table, a faint smile on her lips.
"You always manage to get tangled in trouble that lands you here. At this rate, I might start thinking you have a fondness for hospitals."
"Don't joke," White murmured, concern heavy in his voice. "Is Aris okay?"
Aisha's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Quite calm, aren't you? Did that blow to your head make you forget how to panic, or have you just become emotionless?"
White gave a weak shrug. "I'm here talking to you, so I guess we succeeded."
"Yes," she said, her tone turning serious. "Bell saved you and Aris from something far worse." She walked to his bedside, sitting casually, legs swinging. Her voice shifted.
"You see, now you have a bigger debt to pay me."
"A debt? What are you saying? If you mean taking care of Bell, you'll get nothing—you left her alone yesterday afternoon," White replied, puzzled.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Aisha clicked her tongue. "You weren't fully aware, so I'll spell it out. I pulled you back from death once again."
"Death?" White's eyes widened.
"Yes," she explained softly. "You were pronounced dead on the way here—no breath, no heartbeat."
White hesitated. "If I was dead, then why bring me back? There's no benefit to you. You must want something."
Aisha sighed, glancing at Bell. "She begged me. She couldn't accept losing you. She pleaded with everything she had."
White smiled faintly, stroking Bell's hair, warmth flooding his chest.
But Aisha's earlier words echoed in his mind. "You said bringing back the dead is impossible. Then why was I able to return?"
Aisha clapped mockingly. "Impressive—you remembered the rules. And yes, what I said was true… but those rules only apply to Bell." She giggled wickedly.
Before White could press further, she interrupted.
"Consider this a warning. Death can be delayed—but it can't be outrun forever."
"What do you mean? What are you really?" White asked, unease rising.
"Don't worry about that now. Focus on healing. But remember—there won't be a third chance."
With that, she vanished like a whisper.
Bell stirred, rubbing her eyes, then looked up at him.
"Good morning, Bell," White said softly.
She began, "Pa…" but tears welled up, and she threw her arms around him tightly.
"I'm not going anywhere, Bell," he soothed, holding her close. "See? I'm okay. Stop crying."
Her voice trembled. "Bell thought… Bell thought she'd never see you again. You were hurt so badly. Bell felt so helpless…"
White embraced her tightly, calming her sobs. "Everything is okay. Thank you for saving me," he whispered.
As he comforted her, the door creaked open.
Familiar faces spilled in—Shu, big sis, and Brother Chris, relief flooding their expressions.
Questions tumbled out in a flurry, but through the noise, one question burned brightest in White's mind.
"Where are Aris and Zen?" he asked, dread tightening his throat.