---
Sarah got out of bed groggily, exhaustion weighing heavily on her.
After freshening up in the bathroom, she went downstairs and prepared herself some breakfast. She ate quietly, barely tasting the food as her thoughts wandered back to the previous night.
When she was done, she returned upstairs, changed her clothes, grabbed her bag, and left the house.
She told herself she was going to see her mother.
But deep down, Sarah knew the real reason she wanted to leave.
She didn't want to stay in that house.
The Scarecrow frightened her.
It was strange.
Something that had once made her feel safe—something she used to go to whenever she needed someone to listen—had somehow become the very thing that made her feel trapped.
Sarah stepped outside.
And there it was.
The Scarecrow still stood in the middle of the field.
But something was different.
Its arms were still stretched wide, facing the house as they had before. Yet its head was no longer tilted toward the roof.
It was tilted downward.
Toward her.
Sarah froze.
The Scarecrow's empty eyes seemed to stare directly into hers.
They were still blank. Lifeless.
And yet, somehow, they carried meaning.
As if it were asking her a question.
Why did you come back?
Sarah quickly looked away.
She didn't want to think about it.
She tightened her grip on her bag and quickened her pace, leaving the house behind.
---
Not long after, Sarah arrived at the hospital where her mother was staying.
The moment she saw her mother, something inside her softened.
Her mother looked better.
Not completely healed, but better than before.
They greeted each other, and her mother immediately asked how Sarah was doing.
Then, almost casually, she asked,
"How's Adrian?"
Sarah paused for a moment.
"He's okay."
Her mother studied her face.
"Are you alright?"
Sarah looked at her.
"Is something the matter? You know you can talk to me."
Sarah wanted to tell her.
She wanted to tell her that she had gone back to the house.
That the Scarecrow was there.
That she had barely slept.
But she knew what would happen if she told her mother.
She would panic.
So Sarah forced a small smile.
"Actually, I'm fine. I just... didn't sleep well last night."
"Well, you need to get enough rest," her mother said gently. "It's important to sleep properly."
Sarah nodded.
"Of course. You too should get enough rest."
"I am."
There was a brief silence.
Then her mother's expression softened.
"Sarah..."
Sarah looked up.
"Yes?"
"I miss you."
Her mother swallowed.
"I miss you, and I miss your dad. I miss us."
Sarah smiled, but the smile never quite reached her eyes.
"I miss you too, Mom."
She reached for her mother's hand.
"Everything is going to be okay. Trust me. I'll fix everything."
She paused.
"I promise."
Her mother shook her head gently.
"You don't have to fix anything, Sarah. It's not your fault."
She squeezed Sarah's hand.
"As long as I know you're safe, everything is going to be okay. You're safe. That's all that matters."
Sarah nodded.
"I know."
Her mother sighed.
"I can't wait to get out of here. This place is hell."
Sarah laughed softly.
"Mom, you haven't changed a bit."
"Of course I have," her mother replied. "I just don't like this place. The people here are... different."
She rolled her eyes.
"But they're still humans."
Sarah smiled.
"And I hate the food here. It's absolutely nasty."
Sarah laughed again.
"You know what? When we get out of here, maybe I'll cook every single day."
Her mother's eyes brightened.
"And I'll make your favorite."
"Oh, I can't wait."
They both smiled.
For a moment, it almost felt like everything was normal again.
Then her mother spoke in a quieter voice.
"Sarah..."
"Yeah?"
"When I get out, we'll move to another country."
Sarah looked up.
"Why?"
Her mother's expression became serious.
"I just want to go somewhere safe. Somewhere I know that... that thing won't find us."
Sarah was quiet for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"Okay. But I'm picking the country."
Her mother laughed softly.
"You've never changed."
"Well, I am your daughter."
Her mother smiled.
Sarah glanced at the time.
"Oh, I have to go. I have something to do."
Her mother nodded.
"Of course. Don't worry. I'll be here when you need me."
She smiled.
"It's not like I'm going anywhere."
Sarah smiled back.
Then she stepped out of the hospital.
---
Sarah had barely gotten a few steps away when her phone rang.
She pulled it from her bag and answered.
"What's up?"
It was Adrian.
"I want to see you."
Sarah frowned slightly.
"Why?"
"Well... Rose wants to see you."
Sarah's expression changed.
"Rose? Why?"
"She said she wants to talk to you. Can we meet at a café nearby?"
Sarah hesitated.
Then she sighed.
"Sure. I'll be there."
"Okay. Rose and I will be there too. We'll wait for you."
"Alright."
They ended the call.
---
About twenty minutes later, Sarah arrived at the café.
She immediately spotted Adrian and Rose sitting at a table.
Sarah slowed down.
Something was wrong.
Rose looked...
Disheveled.
As if she hadn't slept properly in months.
Her shoulders were hunched, her body tense, and both hands were wrapped tightly around her coffee cup.
Too tightly.
Almost as if she were holding onto it for comfort.
Or perhaps she was simply trying to convince herself that she was still safe.
Adrian sat beside her, gently patting her back.
Trying to calm her down.
Sarah approached the table slowly.
"Hi."
Both of them looked up.