Outside Justin's room, everyone stood frozen in the hallway.
The muffled screams continued from behind the closed door—
each one slicing deeper into their hearts.
Amber stood motionless.
For the first time in years…
her hands were shaking.
Emily:
"A-Aunt… what's happening to him…?"
Amber didn't answer.
Her jaw tightened.
Her eyes stayed on the door—
like she could see through it.
Megan:
"Amber sis … say something. What did you said to
Eric —"
Amber raised her hand.
Silencing everyone.
Inside the room, Justin screamed again.
Justin (from inside):
"AHHHHHHHH—!!!"
Eric flinched with each cry.
His grip on the knife loosened.
Finally—it fell to the floor with a sharp clang.
Eric whispered, voice trembling:
Eric:
"…he's breaking because of me."
Amber turned sharply toward him.
Her eyes were cold, sharp—
nothing like the gentle touch she had shown minutes ago.
Amber:
"No.
He's breaking because of the truth you exposed about you and mine too"
Eric swallowed hard.
Eric:
"What… truth?"
Amber took one step toward him—
and that one step made him shrink back.
Amber:
"The mark on Justin…
reacts to betrayal."
( But it was lie , we know the reason)
Her voice was low but deadly calm.
"And you, boy…
You were the final trigger."
Eric's heart dropped.
Eric:
"B–but I didn't mean—"
Amber:
"Intent doesn't matter."
Her eyes flickered, almost glowing with fury.
"Justin trusted us "
Eric's knees buckled.
The hallway fell silent.
Then Jonathan finally spoke, voice cracked:
Jonathan:
"Amber… we need to go inside. He needs us—"
Amber cut him off sharply.
Amber:
"NO."
Her gaze was firm.
"He told us not to go in.
And forcing the door will make his condition worse."
Eric looked at the door in horror.
Eric:
"So he's just… suffering alone?!"
Amber's eyes softened for a split second—
just long enough for a hint of pain to show.
Amber:
"He has to.
If anyone touches him right now, the marks will advance."
She exhaled slowly.
"We would kill him."
Everyone went silent.
No one had breath left to speak.
Another scream tore through the door.
Justin (inside):
"AHHHH—AHHHHHH—STOP IT HURTS —!!"
.... continue