The evening sky looked cloudy, as if it were mourning too. On the roof of the school, which was starting to empty out, two figures dressed in black sat silently—Levi and Kael. They had just returned from Liam's family funeral.
There was no conversation for several minutes, only the wind blowing and the sounds of the city in the distance. Finally, Kael spoke, softly, almost like a whisper.
"You know something, right… about Liam?"
Levi didn't respond immediately. His eyes stared blankly at the sky, which was growing darker.
"Why do you think that?" he asked flatly.
Kael turned to look at Levi, his expression filled with questions.
"You were with Liam the day before it happened. I know that. You were also the last person to see him before he 'disappeared.' So… what did you two actually do that day?"
Kael's tone hardened. Tension filled the air between them.
"Don't tell me you also think Liam killed them." Levi finally turned back, his gaze sharp, almost piercing.
Kael fell silent for a moment, but his eyes betrayed more than just anger—there was pain there.
"I can't accept... Hiyana dying like that, Vi. Since she entered this school, I—" Kael clenched his teeth, holding back his emotions. "You know I liked her, right? She didn't deserve that kind of ending. And the only one who survived? Liam? That's... weird."
Levi stood up, taking a step closer. "Do you think Liam could kill his own family? Do you think he had a motive?"
Before the tension escalated further, the ringing of a phone cut through the tension. Levi reached into his pocket and answered quickly.
"Hello? …Yes, Mr. Rendra?"
Kael could only stare, trying to read the situation from Levi's suddenly serious expression.
Levi nodded several times, then sighed before hanging up.
"Liam is conscious. Mr. Rendra wants me to come to the hospital. I need to provide a statement about the last day before the incident."
Kael stood up. "I'll come with you."
Levi furrowed his brow. "It's none of your business, Kael."
"I don't care. I need to see him. Hear it from his own mouth."
For a moment, they stared at each other—not as friends, but as two people who had both lost something, yet held differing views on the truth.
Finally, Levi nodded slightly.
"Fine. But don't cause trouble. This isn't the time."
They descended from the roof, the evening breeze blowing gently, as if carrying the remnants of memories that had now turned into dark mysteries.
The room was spacious and quiet, but its sterile atmosphere couldn't hide the tension hanging in the air. The evening sunlight streamed through the large window, illuminating the white bed where Liam Louren lay.
Levi stood at the doorway. For a few seconds, he just stared. Liam's face looked paler than the last time he'd seen him—older, more unfamiliar. His body was still connected to an IV line, and his eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, as if he hadn't fully returned to this world yet.
Levi knocked gently.
"May I come in?" his voice was barely audible.
Liam slowly turned his head. His gaze was unfocused, but he recognized him.
"Levi…" Liam's voice was hoarse, as if he were learning to speak again.
Levi entered without saying much. He pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed.
"You nearly drove us all mad." His voice trembled slightly, but he held it back.
Liam tried to smile. He failed.
"I don't know where to start either," he said softly. "Suddenly... I woke up, and—they were all... gone."
Levi bowed his head, his hands clenched in his lap.
"I suspected something was going to happen." He sighed. "That day... when we were talking in the park. I saw something in your eyes, Li. Like... you, but not you."
"I felt the same way, like there was someone else inside me. But I was too scared to say anything." Liam stared at his bandaged hands, faint traces of dried blood still visible despite being cleaned. "They said... I was the only one who survived."
"Yeah." Levi swallowed. "And... there were no signs of forced entry at your house. No traces of the perpetrator. But there was... blood on your clothes. A lot. And—"
"And I was under their bodies." Liam continued in a barely audible voice. "I know."
Silence enveloped them.
"Kael suspects you," Levi said softly.
Liam closed his eyes.
"I understand. He likes Hiyana."
"I don't believe you're the one who did it." Levi looked directly into Liam's eyes. "But I can't lie—all the evidence points to you. Unless... there's something you haven't told anyone."
Liam sighed deeply.
"Levi... do you believe in things that don't make sense?"
Levi paused for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"Since that day. I started believing."
Liam bit his lower lip.
"I... died, Vi."
Levi didn't respond immediately. No laughter, no disbelief. Just silence. Then one sentence:
"So you're alive again?"
Liam nodded. His eyes began to tear up.
"I woke up with my body in pain. My hands were torn, my chest was bleeding… and there were voices in my head. I didn't understand what was happening. But I knew… whoever killed them wasn't human."
Levi leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.
"Don't tell anyone about this."
"Then what should I do? I'm afraid of the danger. Afraid that maybe… I'm the one responsible. Thiago asked me to work with him."
"Thiago?"
"He's from NEXARIS. Doesn't say much. But he calls me 'Mr. Louren.' His gaze… like he knows things we don't even understand."
Levi looked at Liam again, this time closer. His tone softened.
"Don't tell anyone about this. If you do, it's like you're confessing. The public already knows about your tragedy; the news went viral. You're the main topic. If you're arrested, you won't have the public's sympathy."
Liam fell silent, pondering those words.
"I'm not sure I'm safe, Vi… If I'm a danger to you, to others… what then?"
Levi gripped his shoulder.
"Listen to me. Don't request an investigation. Don't turn yourself in. Don't confess. If you're ever caught, you can still hold on to the fact that 'you didn't know anything.' That's the only protection you have."
Silence again. This time heavier.
Liam finally spoke.
"Alright. I get it… What you're saying makes sense. I'll follow it."
Before the sentence was finished, the ringing of a phone cut off the conversation. Levi turned and answered immediately.
After a few seconds, his face turned serious.
"I have to go to the police station. They need my testimony."
Liam nodded slowly.
"Be careful."
Levi looked at him again, placing his hand on Liam's shoulder.
"I won't leave you, Li. No matter what happens."