The masked man entered immediately, guards flanking him. His shadow cut across the parents like a blade.
His voice was sharp, measured.
"Jinni… don't make that mistake again. If you do, you will lose him."
Jinni's head dropped, tears sliding down her face. "I'm sorry… I won't do it again."
He let her words hang, then answered with the weight of inevitability.
"Good. Let's play a new game."
Rose snapped, her voice cracking through the silence.
"What are you saying? Are you insane? You want us to play again?"
"Yes," the masked man replied evenly. "But this time… all of you will play."
Zoya raised her trembling voice, trying to bargain.
"Please… give us some time. The others are already hurt. Just… give us some time to rest."
He considered her for a moment, then gave a curt nod.
"Four hours. That is all. Then… the next game begins."
With that, he turned and left the hall with his guards. The parents remained in silence, heavy and helpless, each drowning in their own fear.
Later, in his chamber, the masked man removed his demon mask and placed it on the desk. His eyes fell immediately to a photo frame always clean, always in its place, as though waiting for him.
The picture inside showed four people. A family. Smiling. Whole.
His gloved hand lingered on the glass. His voice was low, but the bitterness in it carried weight.
"If you had just told me… if you had at least talked to me about what happened… none of this would be happening."
Seven years ago.
The science lab reeked faintly of chemicals, its tables cluttered with glassware and old notes. But in the corner, cruelty had taken root.
Kai, Logan, Finn, Ethan, Rose, and Sara stood together, circling their prey.
Kai's command cut like steel.
"Finn! Increase the voltage. Now!"
Logan's grin twisted, his tone sharp with hunger.
"Yeah! I want to hear them scream louder!"
Against the wall, a boy and a girl clung to each other brother and sister.
The boy's name was Ayaan. The girl's name was Crystal.
Sara's laughter was cruel, her voice rising with mockery.
"Hahaha! Look at them! Pathetic little rats shaking like leaves!"
Rose leaned closer, her words venomous.
"It's just a simple puzzle, Ayaan. And you can't even solve it? How shameful! Useless!"
Ethan slammed his palm against the desk, his tone sharp with irritation.
"Come on! My puzzle's harder than this and even I could solve it! Don't be so pathetic!"
Crystal's body convulsed under the current, her eyes wide with terror. Logan pointed, his voice echoing with glee.
"Look at her! She's going to collapse any second!"
Rose sneered, her face cold.
"Who cares? Crank it higher. Make them scream."
The small lab filled with their laughter harsh, cutting while Ayaan and Crystal's whimpers drowned beneath it.
In the present, the masked man held the picture frame tighter. His reflection in the glass blurred with the faces inside.
"They will pay," he whispered, steady and certain. "For every action. Every cruelty. I swear it."
He slid the mask back over his face. Outside the chamber, the hours ticked away toward the next game.
To be continued…