The group had been divided.
Kai, Logan, Finn, Ethan, and Sara were taken to a separate hall, away from the children. Their punishment-bound bodies needed to be hidden.
Meanwhile, Jinni, Rose, Zoya, and Eli remained in a different, bright chamber. It looked almost normal white walls, a wide ceiling, nothing threatening at first glance. But the silence pressed down heavier than chains.
For a long while, no one spoke. Then Rose finally broke the stillness.
"So what do we do now? Just sit here and wait for that masked man to pull our strings?"
Her words echoed bitterly through the hall.
Jinni turned toward her, her face pale and tight. Her voice was sharp, quivering between fear and anger.
"Shut up, Rose. You think saying it out loud will change anything? You think we can stop him?"
The silence after that was louder than before.
Zoya leaned forward, her eyes narrowed, her tone low and unsettling.
"I've been thinking from the very beginning… there's a connection between us and that masked man. And I don't know why."
Her words hung in the air like poison. No one answered. Even denial felt dangerous.
The doors creaked open.
Children rushed in, their voices bright, their laughter a cruel contrast to the suffocating air.
"Mom!"
"Dad!"
"Where were you?"
They ran, smiling, innocent, asking questions their parents could not answer.
And then it happened.
Jinni's hand struck across Maya's cheek with a sharp crack. The little girl froze, her eyes wide with shock as tears welled.
"Why didn't you finish the puzzle?!" Jinni's voice shook, torn between rage and despair.
Maya's lips trembled, her small body shrinking back.
"Mom…"
The parents stared in horror. Rose covered her mouth. Zoya flinched. Even Eli's chest heaved as he rushed forward, grabbing Jinni's wrist.
"Enough! Stop this, Jinni!"
Maya was quickly pulled close by Annie, Rose, and Zoya. They wrapped arms around her, soothing her, whispering soft words to protect her from the storm of her mother's breaking spirit.
And then the old man appeared. Calm as ever, his voice almost gentle. He knelt in front of Maya, wiping away her tears with slow care.
"Your mother isn't angry because of you," he said softly. "She's angry because you gave up. And what she wanted to teach you is simple — in life, no matter what happens, never give up. Never surrender. That is the lesson."
He turned to Maya, his tone like a grandfather coaxing a child.
"Now, say sorry to your mother."
Maya sniffled, voice small.
"…Sorry, Mom."
The old man leaned closer to Jinni, his whisper sharp, almost venomous.
"Don't hurt the children again. Or you will regret it in ways you can't yet imagine."
Jinni's eyes filled with tears. She fell to her knees, pulling Maya into her arms.
"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have hurt you."
The old man straightened, his face smoothing into a smile. His tone turned light, almost playful.
"There, much better. No more tears. Children, come with me. I'll give you ice cream."
The children brightened instantly, their joy returning as though nothing had happened. But the parents sat in silence, broken between guilt and anger.
Rose finally broke, her voice trembling.
"Don't hurt her, Jinni. It's not Maya's fault."
Zoya nodded, her eyes fixed on the little girl. "She's just a child… none of this is her fault."
Eli's voice was tight, almost pleading. "We can't turn against them. Not now. Not ever."
Jinni held Maya tighter, her tears falling silently, her shame crushing her more than any punishment could.
And then the heavy steel doors opened again. Guards marched in, boots echoing sharply against the floor.
Behind them, the masked man entered.
His presence alone silenced the hall..