Creak!

Uriel's POV-

I sat beside the hospital bed, silently watching her sleep. The doctor said she's lucky to be alive. My face remained calm, but my mind was in complete turmoil. What the hell was my mom doing outside of Dakota's place? How do they even know each other? Why did he try to kill her? Well, he's a fucking psycho, so that's one question answered. Her skin was as pale as a ghost, her lips chapped and dry. I watched as one of the nurses checked her vitals and then swiftly turned to me.

"Don't worry, sir… uh, young master," she quickly corrected herself. "She's going to be fine and should be awake soon."

"Thank you," I replied, turning my gaze back to my mom. I needed answers. I needed her to wake up. I pulled the blanket up to her neck, lost in thought. Suddenly, I jumped back, startled. Her eyes were open, staring back at me. "You… you're awake," I stuttered like a fool. She looked around the room, giving a heavy sigh.

"Mom, what happened to you? Why were you there?" I asked, but she avoided my eyes, her expression distant. Then, in a flash, she grabbed my hand, her grip surprisingly strong for someone so weak."Dakota tried to kill me. He's a monster. I just tried to help her!" she cried, her voice trembling with fear. I was taken aback, not just by what she was saying, but by how she was saying it. It reminded me of those dramas where the evil girl pretends to be the victim. But this was my mom, and I couldn't bring myself to doubt her, despite the strange feeling gnawing at my gut.

"Mom, slow down. What do you mean you… tried to help her? Who are you talking about?" I asked, even though deep down, I had a feeling I already knew the answer. She ignored my question, her eyes wild with panic. "He has her! He still has her! I tried to help her, but I couldn't… and I was scared. My son, you have to believe me, I was so scared," she sobbed, her voice growing more hysterical with every word."Mom, please, what did she look like? Tell me her name!" I begged, desperation creeping into my voice. But she just kept screaming, her words becoming incoherent.

The nurses and doctors rushed in, trying to calm her down. "I'm sorry, young master, but I have to ask you to leave. We need to sedate her," one of the nurses said, guiding me towards the door. I walked out, more confused than ever, a million questions swirling in my mind. As I exited the hospital, the pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place. If what I'm thinking is right, the 'her' my mom kept mentioning is… Sky.Wherever she is, Lou must be too and maybe even Jason.

I backed out of the hospital parking lot, my resolve hardening with every passing second. I will get them back, even if I have to kill him to do it.

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Sky's POV

The darkness had become my closest companion. The walls of this cold, damp basement had absorbed my screams, my cries for help, until they became a part of its very structure, silent and unyielding. Dakota's footsteps echoed above, a constant reminder that escape was impossible.

I placed my hand on my swollen belly, a bitter mix of fear and anger twisting in my chest. I had lied to him about the baby, told him it was Lou's. It was the only thing I could think of, to buy myself more time. But now, as I felt the child move within me, I wasn't so sure it had been a good idea. Dakota's cruelty knew no bounds, and he had become even more unpredictable, his eyes filled with a madness that terrified me.

I hadn't seen daylight in what felt like months. The only indication of time passing was the increasing size of my belly and the growing despair in my heart. Each day blended into the next, a never - ending nightmare from which there was no waking.

But today… something felt different. The air in the basement was heavy with a tension I couldn't place, a thick, suffocating pressure that made it hard to breathe. I heard a soft creak, the sound of the door at the top of the stairs slowly opening.

I held my breath, every muscle in my body tensing as I listened. The usual heavy footfalls were absent; instead, there was only silence, as if the very air itself was waiting for something to happen.

And then I saw it. A figure, shrouded in darkness, standing at the top of the stairs. It wasn't Dakota. No, this figure was taller, leaner, with an aura of cold menace that chilled me to the bone.

"Show yourself" I yelled, my voice trembling.

The figure didn't respond, but slowly began to descend the stairs, each step measured, deliberate. My heart pounded in my chest, fear clawing its way up my throat as I pressed back against the wall.

As the figure drew closer, the dim light from the single bulb hanging from the ceiling revealed more of their features. A face I recognized, but one that seemed wrong, twisted in an unnatural way.

"Lou?" I gasped, disbelief crashing over me like a wave.

But it wasn't the Lou I remembered. His eyes, once warm and full of life, were now black voids, devoid of emotion, devoid of humanity. His skin, once vibrant, had turned a sickly shade of gray, and his lips curled into a cruel smile.

"Sky," he murmured, his voice a hollow echo of what it once was. "Did you miss me?"

I couldn't speak, couldn't move, as he crouched down beside me, his cold fingers brushing against my cheek. "Don't be afraid," he whispered, though his words did nothing to soothe the terror coursing through my veins. "I'm here to take you home."

And then, without warning, he lunged forward, his teeth sinking into my neck, pain exploding through my body as darkness swallowed me whole.

"Lou!" I cried as I fought and wriggled trying to free myself, but it was no use. His teeth sank deeper in my neck. "Lou!"

I gasp. He sent a powerful blow to my stomach and I jumped up panting, trembling with beads of preservation flowing heavily down my face.

My arms wrapped around myself instinctively, protectively. My baby being my only concern.

What... what kind of dream was that? I thought as I frantically glanced around the basement.

My heart racing in my chest. And then there it is... -Creeeeaak! That sound, and I froze awaiting for whoever was to descend the steps.