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In the heart of the city, under the midday sun, the luxurious pool reflected the sparkle of blue water like a mirror. Only the wealthy were allowed inside, where shaded white chairs lined up neatly, and the scent of fine perfumes blended with the summer breeze.
At the edge of the pool sat Jude, his red hair falling loosely and his gaze confident. Beside him was Karem, who avoided looking at anyone as if he were afraid even of his own shadow, and Camellia, who shimmered from head to toe with jewelry fixed in her ears, nose, and even her belly.
From the other side approached the three most famous: Ray, Jason, and Lily, the triplets whose father belongs to the list of the richest men in the country. Opposite them, Laura entered, the women's boxing champion, followed by steady and confident steps, then Vivian, the famous model, who drew attention the moment she appeared in her elegant swimsuit and breathtaking smile.
But the calm atmosphere did not last, as the usual competition quickly ignited: Jude, Ray, and Jason began arguing over Vivian, each trying to attract her attention with flattering words or heavy jokes. Voices rose, and they exchanged challenging looks, while the others watched in surprise.
—The battle for attention has begun….!
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At the orphanage, the atmosphere was completely different.
The headmistress summoned the four: Linda, Rosie, William, and Elias to her office. Her cold gaze slipped over them before she spoke a word.
– "Your adoption request has been approved… all of you."
Her tone was strict, as if the matter had already been decided and there was no room for discussion.
No one dared to object… except Elias, who stood up violently and slammed his fist on the table, causing the papers on it to shake:
– "Why are you deciding our fate? I'm not going, do you understand?!"
The headmistress smiled arrogantly:
– "You are in my orphanage… and under my mercy. Do not act recklessly, or I will show you something you won't like."
He stared at her for a moment, then turned his back and stormed out, shoving the door until it hit the wall. The others followed him, calling his name, but stopped when they saw him standing beneath a large tree, punching its trunk with his fist, shouting and cursing.
They did not try to calm him down, because they knew he did not like to talk when he was angry… As for Linda, she was hiding her happiness that she would not have to be separated from them anymore.
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The days passed quickly, and the morning of departure arrived.
In the orphanage yard, the little children lined up to say goodbye. Some were crying bitterly, while others shouted, "Don't go!" Their tear-torn voices clung to the hearts of the four.
They carried their simple belongings and headed toward the gate, where the headmistress stood, pretending to be sad as she spoke her farewell words. But their faces remained rigid; none of them believed her feelings.
Outside, a luxurious black limousine stopped in front of them. Two men stepped out wearing extremely elegant suits… but their faces were completely covered: one with a pig mask and the other with a horse mask, covering the head and neck. The masks were disturbingly realistic, even the nostrils and mouths appearing as though they were breathing.
Without speaking, they took their bags and placed them in the back of the car, then gestured for them to get in. Linda, Rosie, Elias, and William sat close together, while the two masked men sat in front of them, staring at them in silence, their eyes hidden in the shadows behind the masks.
Rosie whispered, holding Linda's arm:
– "I feel something strange… I'm scared."
Linda replied in a low voice:
– "Me too."
All the way , Linda felt intense tension and a tightness in her chest, not knowing why…
It was a very long journey that passed slowly, with no sound except the hum of the engine, until the car stopped in front of a massive palace, its white walls gleaming under the sun, and its garden stretching endlessly. They were all amazed by its beauty except Elias, who muttered sarcastically.
Linda said, feeling relieved, "It's a palace… I was worried for no reason…"
Elias replied irritably:
– "Don't be stupid, Linda… We don't know their intentions yet."
They entered through the large gate, the two masked men walking ahead of them, guiding them only with gestures, without uttering a single word. But the moment they stepped inside, the magic of the palace faded; from the inside, it looked like a luxurious psychiatric facility a very clean, long corridor, its walls shining white, identical doors on both sides, and cold lighting reflecting the chill of the place.
Linda said, looking around:
– "What is this place?"
Rosie answered:
– "I don't know… It's clean but strange."
William added:
– "It looks like a maze."
At that moment, Linda's shoelace came undone, and she bent down to tie it in front of one of the doors. Suddenly, a whispering voice came from inside, a trembling female voice:
– "You… run quickly… save yourself… I'm warning you."
Linda gasped and whispered:
– "What? Who are you?"
The voice came again, more shaken:
– "I am… Nina… They will kill you… and eat you… They are ghouls… Run no matter the cost."
She froze in place, until a shadow appeared before her. She lifted her head and saw the horse-masked man standing, staring at her. He tilted his head, signaling for her to follow him.
She smiled nervously:
– "I was just tying my shoelace."
She continued walking, but they suddenly stopped in front of a door. The two men shoved Linda and Elias inside forcefully and immediately closed the door behind them.
The two turned toward the door, pounding on it violently, but no one answered.
In the corridor, two other men grabbed Rosie and William from behind, pressing a cloth soaked with a strong-smelling liquid over their noses. Within seconds, both fell unconscious.
As for Linda and Elias, their banging on the door suddenly stopped as a gray fog began seeping from small vents in the walls. The smell was heavy, suffocating, their heads spinning… and finally, their voices vanished, and they collapsed silently to the ground.
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