A warrant had been issued for the Suarezes. The team approached the modest flat, finding a somber crowd gathered beneath a makeshift canopy. The townsfolk had come together to erect it, sheltering mourners beneath a tarpaulin bearing Aaron Suarez's photograph. His smile, captured in its most genuine form, seemed to defy the gravity of the moment.

A few figures lingered inside-the dead man's weary mother and Beatrice's older brother, Andrei.

Raine led the way through the creaking gates, drawing the attention of those nearby. Conversations fell silent, and eyes shifted toward the newcomers. Andrei's gaze sharpened as he stepped forward.

"What's the meaning of this?" he demanded.

The Detective Inspector held up the warrant. Murmurs swept through the gathered crowd, eyes narrowing with suspicion and curiosity.

"I'm Detective Inspector Ferrer," he said. "We have a search warrant for this property."

Andrei's expression darkened, disbelief etched into every line of his face. "You can't be serious, Inspector. Can't you see we're in mourning?" His voice, though soft, carried a strained edge.

Before his frustration could boil over, Aaron's mother intervened. She reached for Andrei's hand. "Step back, Andrei! Have you forgotten about your sister?"

"Listen to me, Inspector," Andrei pressed. "Do you really expect me to let you waltz in and tear apart my sister's home?"

Ferrer exhaled slowly, reigning in his patience. "I understand you're grieving," he said. He held up the warrant again. "But this is a valid search warrant. We need to search the premises, especially given the circumstances involving your brother-in-law."

Andrei's jaw tightened, his gaze hardening. "No. Not now. Not here," he shot back. "You'll have to wait."

Jessica, Aaron's mother, stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Andrei's arm. "Let them in," she urged softly.

Andrei's gaze flicked toward her, frustration simmering beneath the surface. "I'm only worried about what people will think," he muttered. "They're disrupting everything. This is my brother-in-law's memorial-he was my best friend."

"I know," Jessica replied, her voice steady. "But if we make them wait, it'll only drag this out longer. Let them do what they have to."

Andrei's knuckles whitened as he gripped the door frame, the tension visible in every muscle. After a long breath, he relented. "Fine," he said at last. "But only you stay, ma'am. The rest of us will head out back. I won't have them marching through in front of everyone."

Jessica nodded. "Thank you."

"We'll be as respectful as possible," Ferrer assured.

Andrei turned to the gathered mourners. "Everyone, let's step outside for a while," he instructed.

"Got it, Captain," someone muttered, offering a curt nod.

Uneasy glances passed between the mourners, but they obeyed, shuffling out in a slow procession. Only Jessica remained, her eyes following the officers as they moved with quiet precision, beginning their search.

"Mrs. Suarez, if you need to step out at any point-" DS Cruz began.

"I'll stay," she cut in, her voice firm. "Just... do what you need to. I won't interfere."

The room fell silent, save for the soft thud of drawers opening and the faint rustle of papers.

As Ferrer pushed open the door to the master's bedroom, a small figure stirred. Young Vincent sat up, rubbing his eyes, still caught between dreams and reality. "Mama?" he mumbled, then blinked at the unfamiliar faces. His gaze settled on Cruz. "Excuse me, ma'am, but who are you?"

"I'm-" Cruz started, but Raine stepped forward, silencing him with a glance.

"Ate Raine!" Vincent cried, darting forward and wrapping his arms around her. Raine hesitated, her body stiffening for a moment before she returned the embrace in silence.

"Have you seen my mum?" Vincent asked. "She didn't come home last night. She said she'd be back soon."

Raine knelt, bringing herself to his level as the officers quietly continued their search behind her. She took a deep breath, steadying her voice. "Vincent," she began softly, "I don't think she'll be home for a while." Her eyes searched his, gentle but resolute. "Mommy did something very bad."

"Alright, enough," DS Cruz whispered sharply, waving Raine away. "You're scaring the boy, for heaven's sake."

Raine pressed her lips together, ready to stand, when a small hand tugged at her arm. "Don't leave me with them, Ate. I'm scared," Vincent whispered, eyes wide with fear.

She glanced at Cruz, who exhaled in resignation and gave a slight nod.

"Vincent," Raine began gently, guiding him toward the living room where Jessica stood, still watching from the doorway. "Does your mum have a secret room? What did she do before? What's her job?"

As they approached, Raine's gaze landed on Jessica's necklace. "Oh, hi, ma'am. I love your red heart necklace," she said with a soft smile.

Jessica's eyes softened for a moment. "Thank you, dear. I like your outfit, too." Her smile faltered, though, as the weight of grief settled back over her.

Raine turned back to Vincent, easing him onto the sofa, waiting for his response.

"Mama's a healer, like my Lola Jessica," Vincent answered. "She's really good at curing people, and they pay her for it."

Raine's gaze sharpened. "Does she have a special room? Where does she treat her patients?"

Vincent scrunched his face, thinking hard. "They go down to the basement," he said finally. "That's where Mama's magic healing powers work. People go in sick and come out smiling, all better."

Raine's eyes narrowed. "Did you ever hear screams?" she asked, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Vincent blinked, confusion clouding his features. "Screams?" he repeated, tilting his head.

Raine leaned in, trying to connect with the child's mind. "You know, those elves who scream because they want to be fed by your mother's magic? Or maybe they're leprechauns?"

Vincent's face lit up with realization. "Oh!" he exclaimed, eyes wide. "I think the elves are happy with Mama's love. They never screamed or yelled at her."

Raine nodded, her expression softening. Just then, Allie, one of the forensic investigators, approached and sat down next to her. "Hello, little one," she greeted warmly.

Vincent, startled, immediately hid behind Raine, clutching the hem of her thin blue jacket.

"Don't mind her," Raine said with a grin, leaning down to reassure Vincent. "She's just one of those magic hunters-fairies in disguise who track down people causing mischief. They're here to see if your mum's been up to any naughty business."

Allie fought to suppress a laugh at the comment, though her smile betrayed her. She watched Vincent cautiously peek out from behind Raine's jacket.

"Raine, you might want to see this!" DI Ferrer called out as he approached.

Raine stood and followed him, her curiosity piqued. They moved towards a hidden door behind a set of bookshelves, revealing a basement entrance. Ferrer turned to her, his grin widening. "Impressed?" he asked with playful pride.

"Very well, George," Raine replied dryly, her tone laced with sarcasm. "You found exactly what the kid told me."

Ferrer's smile faltered, the playful edge slowly slipping away.

The bookshelf slid aside with a push, revealing the entrance to a hidden room. Raine and Ferrer stepped inside, where the flick of a light switch illuminated the space. It was a chilling sight. The room was lined with surgical instruments, various chemicals stored in sealed plastic bags, and test tubes filled with unknown liquids. Two light microscopes sat on a metal counter, alongside beakers and other lab equipment. On the blackboard, chemical names and structures were scrawled in hasty handwriting, detailing reactions and products.

At the centre of the room, a fluffy white bed stood out, incongruous with the sterile surroundings. Beside it was a metal table, grim in its purpose-it looked like it was meant for the dead. The police couldn't help but make the connection, the unease settling heavily as they examined the evidence.

The search continued, but in their minds, the investigation of the woman earlier that day-three days after her hospital discharge-lingered, intertwining with the sinister details unfolding before them.

"You've been remarkably quiet since we brought you in," DI Ferrer said, his tone steady as they sat inside Interrogation Room Number 2. "I'd imagine someone with your reputation would have a lot to say. You were a surgeon-why would you quit when you came to the province?"

Ms. Betty's eyes welled with tears, her gaze distant as she spoke softly, her voice heavy with sorrow. "Silence speaks louder than words, don't you think?"

She wiped at her cheeks, the tears flowing freely. "But I suppose you already know that. You've studied people like me."

"People like you?" Raine asked, stepping into the room, her tone sharp as she finally addressed Mrs. Betty, having been kept out until now. "You make it sound like you're part of an exclusive club. What makes you so special, ma'am? Care to elaborate?"

Ms. Betty's eyes remained clouded with tears, but she continued, her voice trembling yet resolute. "It's not about being special. It's about seeing the world for what it truly is," she said, her hands twisting together in a nervous motion. "Stripped of all its pretence. Most people are blind. I'm not."

"Enlighten me, then," Ferrer pressed. "What do you see that the rest of us don't?"

Ms. Betty's gaze remained fixed, her voice cold as she spoke, "You're clearly blind at this very moment. You can't see what's really happening."

Ferrer's patience thinned. "Tell us what you really mean!" he snapped. "Enough with the riddles."

She hesitated, her hands trembling slightly as she gathered herself. "Just think of this as an... act of charity, inspector," she replied, forcing a smile, though her heart pounded painfully in her chest.

"Charity?" Ferrer scoffed. "You've left a trail of bodies. That's not charity. That's carnage."

Ms. Betty's lips curled into a faint, unsettling smile. "Then I can see you're eager to add two more to that trail... or maybe a hundred," she replied coolly.

Raine leaned forward. "Let's talk about your latest masterpiece. Amara. What was the method there?"

Mrs. Betty's eyes softened slightly, as if recalling a fond memory. "Ah, Amara... She was different. Stronger. A challenge. I almost admired her. But even the strongest masks crack."

"You think that makes you powerful? Breaking people down?" Ferrer asked, his eyes narrowing.

Ms. Betty's lips curled into a faint, almost pitying smile. "Power isn't about breaking people. It's about control. Knowing exactly when to stop-or when to push further. You'd understand if you weren't so tied to the rules," she replied, wiping away her tears.

Ferrer stood up abruptly, frustration evident in his movements. "The difference between us? I don't need to break the rules to win. You do."

"Raine, you know me," Mrs. Betty snapped. "You're not blind, too, are you? I've always admired you-your great observation skills. So controlling-powerful!"

Raine's brow furrowed, her voice steady as she questioned, "What are you trying to imply?"

Mrs. Betty's gaze grew more intense, almost predatory. "Open your eyes, Raine. Open them, or else you'll have to face the consequences."

With that, the room seemed to shift. The words hung in the air as the memory faded, and darkness swiftly enveloped them, leaving nothing but an oppressive silence in its wake.

The door slammed shut with a dull thud, the bookshelf sliding back into place with a quiet push. "Everyone alright?" Detective Inspector Ferrer asked, his torchlight sweeping the empty space. But as he moved around, his gaze falling on the emptiness, he found no one. "Gabrielle? Raine?" he called, his voice echoing unanswered.

Meanwhile, Raine and the others experienced the same eerie shift-disoriented and unaware of where they truly were.

"Raine!" Ferrer's voice carried through the dark.

Raine could hear him, but the source of the voice was indistinct, lost in the void. "George!" she called back, anxiety creeping into her voice. "Where are you?"

Her hand instinctively reached for her dart gun, drawing it from its scabbard. She aimed it cautiously into the blackness ahead, moving forward, each step heavy with uncertainty. The air felt thick, disorienting. Her heart raced as she remembered the beds in the centre of the room. She couldn't see anything, but the white-tiled floor beneath her feet grounded her. She stopped in place, tension coiling around her as she awaited any sign of movement.

Voices screamed in Raine's head, a cacophony of frantic warnings urging her to flee, to escape the looming danger. Her heart pounded in her chest as she took a step back, only to collide with something solid. The shock sent a jolt through her, and she gasped, realizing it was Ferrer, his torch and gun now trained on her. Their eyes met, wide with surprise.

"Raine!" Ferrer breathed, his expression flickering with guilt as he lowered the weapon. "Sorry. I thought you were... something else."

Before either could fully react, a shadow flitted past them, quick and almost imperceptible. Ferrer's instincts kicked in. He grabbed Raine's arm, pulling her closer to him as he aimed his gun into the dark.

"Who are you? Show yourself!" he barked, his voice firm but edged with unease.

A woman's anguished cry pierced the stillness, echoing through the air, sending a chill down their spines.

"Who are you?" Ferrer demanded again, his voice sharp, but the only response was the continued sobbing.

The temperature dropped suddenly, a chill creeping into their bones, as they glanced around to see some of their colleagues sprawled on the ground, motionless. Ferrer's hand shook as he pulled out his phone, only to find the screen blank-no signal. The isolation was suffocating.

"Whoever you are, just show yourself!" Ferrer shouted, his grip tightening on the gun. He turned to Raine, his expression hardening. "I'll deal with her. Go find a way to get us out of here."

Raine's eyes narrowed. "There is clearly an enemy among us. We can't just run without facing it."

She scanned the shadows, her heart racing as the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. "It must be a dark spirit. It has to be!" she continued, her voice trembling with both fear and conviction. Her eyes darted nervously around the corner, the weight of the unknown pressing in on them from all sides.

Ferrer, momentarily taken aback by Raine's shaky composure, patted her shoulder, offering an unexpected moment of reassurance. The faint sobbing continued to echo through the air, urging them forward. As they crept around the corner, their eyes landed on something utterly disturbing-three bottles filled with what appeared to be organs, carefully placed on the shelves.

"What the-" Ferrer muttered under his breath, the unsettling scene triggering a wave of memories and clues they had gathered during the investigation. It all suddenly clicked in his mind.

His thoughts immediately flashed back to a conversation with Zane over the phone, his voice still ringing in Ferrer's head.

"Young people were spotted dead almost ten years ago at that same village," Zane had said on the phone.

"Why did you call? You need to rest, remember?" Raine had asked, concern in her voice.

"I wanted to pass the time. I came across some troubling details about the barangay we visited," Zane replied. "I don't know, but it kept me awake... and I felt I had to dig deeper."

Raine froze, her eyes widening as the memory hit her as well. "Ten years ago..." she murmured.

Ferrer continued to examine the bottles, his fingers brushing over the torn paper labels. "Do you think they are from those young people?" he asked, a sense of dread creeping into his voice. As he held up one bottle, he squinted at the label, the words 12-04-2022 glaring back at him, unsettlingly recent.

The air suddenly shifted, an eerie stillness falling over them. Then, a sudden sensation. Ferrer felt something cold and wet dripping from above, a crimson substance splattering onto his face and clothing. He jerked his head upward, but found only darkness, no sign of where it had come from.

His heart raced as he quickly shone his torch in the direction of the walls. The light flickered over them, revealing something far worse-fresh red letters scrawled across the surface, dripping with what seemed to be the same substance. "You're next!" the words read, each letter jagged and hurried, sending a shiver down Ferrer's spine.

He swallowed hard, his hand tightening around his gun as he instinctively moved closer to Raine. "Stay alert," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. The danger wasn't just in the room-it was closing in fast.

Raine's grip tightened on her cousin's arm, her pulse quickening as she instinctively pulled him closer. The fear that had momentarily faded came rushing back in full force, but she forced herself to let go, knowing Ferrer had to do what he had to.

Ferrer, still on high alert, moved cautiously toward the woman. His gun was lowered, but his senses were heightened, the torchlight cutting through the dark, eerie silence. "Stay here," he whispered to Raine, before taking another careful step toward the trembling woman.

The woman, clad in the unmistakable white garb of a patient, continued her frantic murmuring, her voice trembling as she curled into herself. "They're going to take me! They're going to take me!" Her words were fragmented, laden with panic, as she hugged her knees tightly against her chest, facing the wall where the ominous words had been scrawled.

Ferrer didn't take his eyes off her, but his mind raced. What was she so afraid of? Could she have been a victim of whatever dark force haunted this place?

"I'm next! I'll be the next one they'll kill!" the woman cried out in a voice laced with hysteria. "I need to get out of here! I need to-"

Her words were abruptly cut off as a shadow, dark and unyielding, began to creep toward her, inching forward as if it had a mind of its own. The woman froze, her wide eyes locked on the slowly advancing figure, her voice faltering.

Ferrer's instincts kicked in. His heart pounded as the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. "Get back!" he barked at Raine, but his attention was entirely focused on the woman, who now seemed to be under the influence of something far more sinister than fear alone.

Ferrer froze, his mind reeling at the sight before him. The woman's grotesque grin stretched impossibly wide, blood smeared across her face as if painted by some unseen hand. Her body defied logic, crawling up the wall like a twisted marionette, each movement punctuated by the sickening sound of joints bending unnaturally.

"Raine," Ferrer said in a low, urgent tone, not taking his eyes off the woman. "Get out. Now."

Raine, wide-eyed and trembling, took a step back but couldn't tear herself away from the horrifying scene unfolding before her. The woman's head craned unnaturally, her eyes gleaming with malevolent delight as she dangled from the ceiling, suspended by sheer force of will.

"It's nice to meet you, Detective Inspector Ferrer," she crooned, her voice a chilling sing-song that echoed off the walls. "Do you want to play with us?"

Ferrer tightened his grip on his gun, heart racing. "Who's 'us'?" he demanded, his voice steady despite the chaos in his mind.

The woman let out a guttural laugh, her head twisting unnervingly. "Oh, you'll see soon enough."

Suddenly, blinding lights flared from nowhere, casting harsh, erratic beams that danced across their vision. The flickering white glare fractured into shards, playing tricks on their eyes, making shadows stretch and twist like living things. The temperature plummeted, each breath crystallising into clouds of mist, hanging motionless in the thick, icy air.

A suffocating weight pressed down on them, the atmosphere charged with a presence they couldn't see but could feel-an oppressive force that filled every corner of the room. It was as if the very walls were watching, waiting.