The night after the meeting, more like scolding, was held was a sleepless night for Luan. Who could blame her after learning how four of her family members hearts were dark as coal? It was clear that at the rate that this was going that the family would be broken in no time. Not like it mattered to them since they are so self absorbed and indifferent to their actions that they hardly cared. As these thoughts ran through her mind, she slowly got up from her bunk and slowly placed her feet near the edge. 

Luan needed some fresh air to get some relief from her thoughts. Back in the past, she would just spend time downstairs in order to get rid of some stress. It happened during the days where this house felt like a home and not a bomb that was going to explode at any given moment. A time where Lincoln was still among them and helped her with her future career. Those days were gone so she decided to head to the patio. So she quietly exited her room before feeling like something or someone was watching her. A fact that was more proven when she heard someone whispering extremely fast. 

She felt fear for a split second, but that was quickly turned into annoyance. It must be Lori and Lynn who still felt no regret or concern for their actions nor their brother. So she quickly made her way towards the stairs while making a reminder to confront the both of them in the morning. Unaware that she was being watched by someone who would steal countless humans in the coming months.

At the same time, Caesar sat in his hospital room while wondering why the alternates took Mark. Mark, who was always cautious about the hidden dangers lurking around Mandela County. Not like anyone could blame him considering the terrors that occurred due to the presence of the alternates. The same alternates who killed his mother, almost killed him and took his best friend.  

"Oh, Mark...I wonder what they're doing to you." He muttered to himself. Whatever they're doing wasn't going to be anything good, but for what reason? He shook his head and tried to distract himself from these troubling events. So he quietly turned on the television which would be a good distraction, right? Wrong. Caesar's blood ran cold as the story of a boy killed in his own home along with the disappearance of a young girl ran on the news. Only, they didn't take place in Mandela County...they took place in Royal Woods which only meant one thing....

They are expanding their haunting grounds and now there is no telling who would be there next target. However, he needed to know if there were any incidents that happened before the girl disappeared and the boy's death. He knew that it would lead to a dead end, but he needed to make a connection between his best friend's disappearance and the incidents in Royal Woods. 

Hopefully, he would find Mark and save him from the torment that the alternates are surely inflicting on him at this very moment. Though he should be prepared to see his friend in a state that would surely break him down further. 

Meanwhile, Mark was laying on the bars of the cell while staring at the floor. Jonah and Lincoln were asleep which was honestly impressive seeing what those alternates did to them. He wanted to sleep too, but the memories of Caesar plagues him along with his imagination of what that boy went through before he was released from his suffering. He knew that the others were also affected by this and basically passed out before the night or was it day was out. It was difficult to see whether it was night or day since there were hardly any windows located in their cell. 

Honestly, Mark didn't mind it since he didn't want to see the reminder of what the alternates turned him into. Before he was taken, he was told how the alternates would choose their target and lead them to their ends. Afterwards, they would take their form which would be perfect or imperfect depending on the type. Seeing that the alternate that tricked him looked almost like Caesar would surely mean that...no, he had to hope that he is still alive. 

Caesar wouldn't give up on him  so he shouldn't give up on Caesar. Though...he can't help himself from thinking about his little sister. She would be devastated about his supposed death and disappearance. To be honest, he hoped that she would just move far away from Mandela County in order to become safe. Well...safe is no longer an option given their increasing hunting grounds. However, he knew that she would be trying to find him and save him from the alternates. 

When he thinks of it, he has some faith that she fails cause if not....she would one of the victims staining the halls of this place. 

Hope you enjoyed the chapter...Bye 👋