Karl’s heart raced as his eyes darted nervously around the crowded market.
In the distance, past the stalls and glowing RGB lights, he spotted a familiar bald head reflecting under the lights.
Karl’s baby-blue eyes widened in pure panic.
Oh my god, oh my god... Why here?!
His mind screamed at him to move, but his legs felt like jelly.
Karl swallowed hard as Sasa’s blad head bobbed closer through the sea of people.
Without wasting another second, Karl turned sharply on his heel and bolted in the opposite direction.
His shoes kicked up small clouds of dirt as he weaved through the crowd, ducking behind stalls and narrowly avoiding bumping into witches and Ghosts.
I can’t let her see me!
He didn’t dare slow down, glancing over his shoulder every few seconds to make sure she wasn’t following.
Karl’s heart dropped straight to his stomach.
He kept running, glancing over his shoulder as he tried to find a familiar path through the fog. But the thick haze wrapped around the streets, blurring every corner and sign.
Nothing looked familiar.
His breath hitched when he caught sight of her—Bald Sasa.
And this time... she wasn’t alone.
Two other witches stood beside her, their short, choppy hair framing their faces. They looked at him the same way someone might eye a dessert on display—hungry and full of bad intentions.
Karl’s legs almost gave out.
He slowed slightly, but before he could slip away, Sasa smirked, stepping forward with her hands on her hips.
"Running away again, pretty ghost?" she drawled, tilting her head. The way her eyes flickered over his face sent a chill down Karl’s spine.
Her smirk deepened. "Last time you got lucky... That bastard saved you," she purred, licking her lips slowly.
Karl took a shaky step back, clutching the edge of his sleeve nervously. His baby-blue eyes darted around for an escape, but the witches were already closing in.
The shorter witch on Sasa’s right snickered, eyeing Karl’s face like she was sizing up something valuable. "What are you gonna do now, huh?"
Karl swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest.
Sasa’s eyes glinted as they traveled over his face, lingering on his soft features.
His baby-blue eyes, his smooth skin, and the natural pink of his lips.
He glanced around desperately, but the fog had swallowed everything.
And this time... Brother Hugo wasn’t here to save him.
Sasa stepped closer, her sharp nails just inches away from Karl’s face, her eyes glinting with obsession.
"Such a pretty thing you are..." she murmured, reaching out to touch his cheek.
Karl’s body stiffened, his baby-blue eyes widening as panic surged through him. His breath hitched, and to his horror, tears welled up without him realizing.
I can’t let this happen...
His fists clenched tightly at his sides, trembling as the scent of Sasa’s foul perfume—if it could even be called that—filled his nose. It was sour and overpowering, making his stomach twist in disgust.
As her fingers inched closer, Karl sucked in a deep breath, deciding he couldn’t take this quietly.
Just as Sasa’s hand nearly brushed against his skin—
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
A piercing, ugly cry erupted from Karl’s mouth, echoing through the foggy market street.
Sasa stumbled back, immediately covering her ears with a wince. "What the—?!" she screeched, glaring at him.
Her two witch friends yelped in surprise, their hands flying to their ears as well, clearly unprepared for the sudden assault on their senses.
His voice cracked midway, but it didn’t matter.
Seizing the chance, Karl turned and bolted in the opposite direction, his arms pumping as fast as his legs.
His heart raced, but a triumphant grin tugged at his lips.
That’s right! Don’t mess with me!
As he disappeared into the fog, he could still hear Sasa yelling in frustration behind him, her voice getting fainter with each step.
He didn’t know where he was going, but anywhere was better than facing bald Sasa Ugly face again.
Adrian sat stiffly, his fingers tapping lightly against his leg as the seconds stretched on. It had been five minutes. Karl should’ve been back by now.
His eyes flicked toward the door, but there was nothing. The house was quiet except for the soft hum of insects outside.
His grip tightened around the edge of his sleeve.
"Julian. Milo," Adrian said, his voice flat, but the worry was clear in his eyes. "Karl hasn’t come back yet. Let’s go check with Brother Kenji."
Julian, who had been sitting quietly against the wall, blinked in confusion. "Huh?"
Adrian didn’t glance at him. "Let’s go."
Julian rose to his feet, brushing dust off his robe. He exchanged a glance with Milo, who was already pulling on his shoes. Milo’s brown eyes flickered with concern, his lips pressing into a thin line as he silently followed his brothers to the door.
The cold night air wrapped around them as they stepped outside, thick fog rolling low over the streets. Everything was eerily still.
Adrian’s steps were quick, his posture tense as the other two hurried to keep up.
When they reached the porch, Julian hesitated for a brief second before ringing the bell.
The door creaked open, revealing Kenji. His long hair hung down, damp as if he had just finished a shower. He narrowed his sharp eyes at them, leaning casually on the doorframe.
"What’s wrong?" he asked, his tone calm but attentive.
Milo stepped forward before anyone else could speak, his worry getting the better of him. "Brother Kenji... did Brother Karl come here?" His voice was soft, but his eyes filed with worries. "He left a while ago... and hasn’t come back yet. Is he inside?"
Kenji’s brows furrowed, shook his head.
"No... I haven’t seen him," he replied, his expression hardening slightly. "He didn’t come here."
Julian’s eyes widened in shock. "He didn’t come here?"
Adrian’s gaze darkened, his lips pressing into a thin, unreadable line.
Milo looked even more worried.
Kenji, leaning against the doorframe, straightened abruptly. His eyes narrowed with sudden focus. "Wait—" His expression shifted to surprise, almost disbelief.
"Miss Ruby still didn’t come back yet?"
—To be continued...🪄