CHAPTER 48
Mike started walking toward the area where the banner stood.
But when he looked around, the mask was neither on his face, nor beside him, nor anywhere near.
Yet, through that strange bond between them, he could feel that the mask existed in the same moment just in a different place. If he wanted to return home and protect the people he loved, he had to find it.
With that thought, he quickened his pace.
After a while, he looked around carefully this was the very town where, under the mask's control, he had caused the massacre when he first found it.
He realized he hadn't come to this time for nothing.
Maybe the reason that day was born lay somewhere in this town's past. He had to find out.
But… everything had its time.
The town's air, unlike that dark day, looked much more beautiful now.
Lush green trees rustled in the wind, birds chirped on the branches, and the sun shone through the clouds as if smiling down.
The town was alive with the joy of the New Year.
As Mike walked, one of the townsfolk who noticed him called out:
"Hey son, haven't seen you around here before. Strangers don't usually come to our town."
Mike hesitated for a moment before replying, stammering slightly:
"U-uh, yeah… my car broke down. Way back down the road. I started walking. I've been on the road for hours. I lost where I came from, and now I don't even know where I'm going. You know, it's New Year's Eve… I wanted to head back, but I got lost."
The man smiled.
"Well, look why don't you celebrate the New Year with us? You won't make it to the next town before morning anyway. So come on, join us. No need to start the new year alone."
"Thank you, sir."
"Don't mention it! Make yourself comfortable. Our town always welcomes guests as long as they follow our rules and don't cause any trouble."
"You're right. After all, it's your town, your rules."
"Hey son, don't be shy! Go on, mingle with the others. I'll tell everyone there won't be any problem."
"Alright, thanks again."
Mike kept walking.
As he approached a table where some young people were sitting, one of the girls noticed his careful glances and came over to him.
"Hey, you're not from around here," the girl said with a smile. "Actually, I'm not either. Or rather, none of us here are. Whatever happened today, we all somehow got stuck here. Some of us got lost, some got hurt while running, some had their cars break down for one reason or another, everyone at this table has to spend New Year's Eve here. By the way, I'm Patricia."
Mike immediately realized that so many young people being stranded in the same place on the same day couldn't be a coincidence. There was something strange about this town; he could feel it now.
"Hey, are you okay?" Patricia asked.
Mike had zoned out for a moment. He shook his head slightly, snapping back.
"Yeah… I'm fine. By the way, I'm Mike."
Just then, the man who had first seen him at the entrance to the town called out:
"Hey son! Sit with those young folks there. We're finishing up the last preparations."
Mike scanned the area cautiously before sitting down beside Patricia.
His eyes moved through the crowd, watching every movement carefully.
"Hey Mike, what do you do? Where did you come from, how did you get lost?" Patricia asked.
Mike took a deep breath.
"Look, Patricia, you don't know me, but I need you to stay calm when you hear what I'm about to say. My instincts are strong. I can't explain everything right now, but… listen to me. Something really strange is happening here, and I think the reason I'm here is connected to it."
Patricia frowned.
"Hey Mike, what are you talking about? Yeah, I noticed something weird too, but… maybe it's just coincidence. Supernatural things aren't real. It's not like someone dragged us here to… eat us."
Mike froze.
"Wait… what did you just say?"
"Supernatural things?"
"No. The last thing you said."
"They're… going to eat us?"
Mike's eyes darkened instantly.
"Yes… exactly that. They're going to eat us.
And now I understand why, when I wasn't myself, I destroyed this place. The demon knew how sinful the people in this town were… and that by taking their souls, I would become even stronger," he thought to himself.
Mike knew he couldn't tell Patricia everything.
Even if he did, she wouldn't believe him.
So instead, he decided to at least tell her what she needed to do.
Maybe he was supposed to save these young people or maybe he wasn't meant to change the past at all.
Or maybe… he was meant to stop the ones here.
But whatever the reason was, the mask had brought him back for a purpose.