Opening his eyes, Sunny found himself lying on a soft silk-like bed. The evening sun crept through the window; warm breezes blew the white curtains. The ceiling above him was painted in bright colours, and the smell of roasted barbecue filled the air, making his stomach grumble. Everything felt warm and soft.
Just then, the golden wooden door swung open, and a cute little girl ran inside, wearing a light blue dress, her ponytail swaying, her cheeks flushed, and a bright smile plastered across her face.
"Big bro! Big bro!" the little girl shouted as she jumped on the bed. "Haven't you slept enough? Mom and Dad are already done setting up the picnic!"
She looked at Sunny with big bright eyes. Hugging her, Sunny devoured the moment as she giggled shyly, her little hands wrapped around his neck.
"Tell Mom and Dad I'll be right there," Sunny said, breaking the hug he wished could last forever.
"Promise?" the little girl asked, raising her pinky.
"Promise," Sunny said, hooking his with hers. She happily ran out of the room.
Getting off the bed, Sunny looked at his reflection in the mirror—a youth with ruby-red eyes, long white hair falling over his shoulders, a bit muscular, wearing an unbuttoned blue shirt and short floral-patterned pants.
Stepping out of the room, he was greeted by a breathtaking sight. The golden sky stretched endlessly, the flaming sun buried in the horizon, casting its warm glow across the beach. Trees swayed gently as blue ocean waves crashed softly on the shore.
"Big bro's awesome—always taking time to appreciate nature," Treasure said with a warm smile, holding Sunny's hand as she pointed ahead.
Waving at them was a man and woman—the man in his forties, the woman in her thirties—standing near a barbecue grill.
"Hey, son! Took you long enough to finally wake up," the man said warmly, handing Sunny a plate of grilled meat.
"Here, son—try your old man's cooking," Rock Will said.
Sunny thanked him, cutting the meat into small pieces and tasting it. It melted in his mouth, filling him with warmth and strength.
"So, how was it?" Rock Will asked proudly.
Sunny gave a thumbs up, greedily devouring the rest.
"Big bro's a glutton!" Treasure teased, making Sunny blush.
"There, there, mind your words," Elena said gently, pinching Treasure's cheek, who instantly giggled again.
Sunny laughed softly, also pinching her cheek. "Aww, why does everyone keep pinching my face? This is bullying!" Treasure said with a fake angry pout, looking even cuter.
"Now, who's hungry?" Rock Will asked excitedly. Everyone raised their hands.
Sitting on a blue blanket, plates empty and oil stains shining, Sunny gulped down a bottle of malt, admiring the sky. The gentle crash of waves completed the peaceful moment.
Then a faint whisper echoed in his ear.
Lilith... Lilith... Lilith...
Sunny froze, expression twisting. Memories flashed rapidly before his eyes. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"Why does this have to be an illusion...?" Sunny screamed, his voice breaking the serenity as birds fled the trees in terror.
"Sunny! Calm down! What dream are you talking about? No, no... I should've made you take your medicine—the syndrome's acting up again!" Elena cried, stepping toward him.
"No! Back off—you're all fake! None of this is real!" Sunny yelled, pressing the fruit knife to his throat.
"Honey, please... calm down," Elena begged, tears filling her eyes.
"Yes, listen to your mother," Rock Will pleaded softly. "Whatever is happening, hurting yourself isn't the way out."
"Yes, it is!" Sunny retorted sharply.
"Big bro, you're hurting Mom and everyone!" Treasure sobbed, tears dripping onto the sand like crystal rain.
Looking at his devastated family, Sunny's heart ached with unbearable pain. Tears streamed down as guilt consumed him.
"It feels so real... yet it's fake. Why does everything real turn fake? Everything right feels wrong. Maybe... in another timeline, where you truly exist—not as illusions of the Crawlers—I'll watch over you."
His voice broke as tears blurred his vision.
With a cold flash, Sunny's lifeless body collapsed.
A heartbreaking scream followed—"NOOOOOOOOOO!"
---
Opening his eyes again, Sunny saw himself strapped to a tree. Dracula was right beside him, unconscious, eyebrows twitching violently as if trapped in a nightmare.
On a wooden altar lay Lilith, tiny Crawlers creeping around her motionless body.