She opened it.
And as she did, Erich saw a silhouette in the doorway. Still. Watching them. His hands trembled around the knife as icy panic spread through his limbs.
The shape moved—smoothly, like a stalking cat. And then Nibi gasped, flipping a page:
Er! Look at this! No way!
Episode 8. 21st Century Shamanism.
Big Er, what's going on with you?! Follow my finger with your eyes. – My pupils obediently flicked to the right, and I got a nod of – Good. Now this way. – I moved them left, groaning as I raised my head and rubbed the back of my skull. Pretty sure I hit the floor. Yeah, I definitely hit the floor.
Louisa was looming over me, looking—as usual—disapproving. But this time, I saw something else in her face… fear. And not the kind born from concern for a brother's well-being. No, this was the look you give a rabid dog that's just bitten someone, and now everyone's quietly wondering how best to put it down. For good.
She tried to mask it quickly, but too late—I'd already seen it. And it made me feel even worse than whatever vision had just sucker-punched me into unconsciousness.
I'd seen some dark room. A boy. And her again—that girl, the one with no eyes, the one who haunted me. But she wasn't hurting him. She wasn't even scaring him. She was gentle. Like a guide. Why?! Why did she treat him differently?
Who were they? Why did I keep seeing them?
I didn't know where to look for answers. So I looked at Dr. Taniguchi—still peacefully drooling in his sleep. I'd put so much hope in him. He was supposed to help me. But here he was, passed out post-mushroom enlightenment.
I could only hope he'd wake up in one piece and still remember how to doctor. Because otherwise, I was teetering on the edge of a full-blown episode—and I hadn't had one of those in a long time.
When they came, they brought madness like a storm front.
Louisa helped me back into my seat and started hovering—offering me a wet wipe for my face and handing me a thoroughly browned banana. I didn't even fight her. I needed the help. Tea was offered next, and again—I accepted without a word.
The kettle wheezed on the stovetop like it had opinions. Louisa sat beside me, watching from under her brow like a suspicious cat. I cracked first.
Just
She did.
Does this… happen to you often? I was honest: Lately, That's why I wanted Dr. Taniguchi to help.
We both looked at the snoring doctor, whose mouth had relaxed into a slow drip.
Great – She deadpanned. – But tell me: did it ever occur to you to ask your sister for help?
The same sister who ditched me the second things got scary? – I snapped harder than I meant To my surprise, she didn't fight back. No sarcasm. Just calm: People Times too. Don't underestimate how much I understand.
Did you apologize to Imani for me? For… collapsing like that? Just want to make sure she doesn't hate me. She seems like… a genuinely kind person. I don't meet many like her. Yeah, yeah. I told her you were She's seen worse. But tell me honestly—was it that creepy shed that messed you up so bad? The episodes started before that.
Louisa scratched her eyebrow, voice light but with a flicker of hope:
So… did any of it make sense to you? The shed, I The… place?
It looks like our father's been living under my nose all this Like he turned that place into some serial killer's personal lair…