In the void of blank with white orbs floating about, standing, watching in patience, his hands crossed behind his back; William gazed at his screen, waiting for reality to be put back together after another alteration. His partner Archard is also standing, watching the screen; Closely the two watched their universe being born again. Stars exploding, galaxies forming, dust particles colliding to create huge nebulas, and their planet being reformed. William furrows his brows, twitching his fingers, eager to await the outcome of this new time being born. At last, everything has formed back to the way it was, and William has a direct signal to Jack’s presence.

“There! He’s back!” William shouted, quickly pointing his finger to the screen.

He moved his finger, dragging the screen, expanding it, and after losing the young man for a while, William has Jack back on his glass screen. He found the young man, tosing, turning in his bed, sweating, grounding, grinding his teeth. William knew that he was experiencing a nightmare, but an artificial one.

“I need him back in here to find out what’s happened in the past week.” William said, his tone strong and serious.

Archard squinted his eyes, “Sir William, did we actually witness someone… or something destroy the very fabric of the universe that God has created? And create a new one to alter time once again?”

William glimpsed at his partner, then panned back to the screen. “Indeed… my friend. Indeed—we have, but I can tell this isn’t the first time.”

Hearing this made Archard swallow. “What you said before, you said that this being has a connection with God, right?”

“Correct.” William replied.

“So… we’re dealing with a threat greater than omnipotence…?” Archard said in a shaky tone.

William narrowed his eyes, balling his fists. “Perhaps, although, I have my doubts about their supposed connection with God.”

Archard slowly turned to his master, his eyes quivering. “You… you can stop them, right?”

William heard the fear in his apprentice voice. It's been awhile since he’s heard Archard this afraid; The last time he could recall ever hearing him this afraid was the events that took place ten years ago. This being is a threat that no mortal being can ever face, let alone have reality comprehend, but to William, this threat although frightening, he senses that he can match up to this immortal entity. This made William question if he was still human if a being that’s higher than omnipotence isn’t drawing a sweat or fear into his body. He wondered just how powerful he truly is.

William brought his hand up to his face, slowly clenching it.

Could I really stop them if they have yet to send a single chill down my spine? William thought.

Never has William gone all out because it was never necessary, and he was afraid that he would not only destroy everything that God has created, even the realms of heaven and hell stood no chance of surviving; it’ll lead him to be the only being left alive to float in a vast empty space. William himself questioned if he could even create a universe just as perfect as God has. He’s done it before but for good means and had permission from God himself. This thought made him sigh and drop his fist.

He turned his attention back to his friend, walking up to him. “As I said… once I meet this person, then I’ll have my answer, my dear friend.”

Archard grunted, lowering his head. “You said soon we’ll meet this being, but how soon, Sir?”

William placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder to ease his stress. “Trust me, soon. In the meantime, it appears that I’m back in control, for now.”

He panned back to the screen. Archard raised his head to look as well. Both men watched as Jack fought his nightmare, mumbling someone’s name too. William went up closer to the screen to hear who he was calling for.

“Alex…andria…” Jack muttered.

“Alexandria? Who’s that?” William asked, “I’ve got to find out what on bloody earth has happened to that boy. Otherwise we’re no more than just spectators to this mastermind behind all this.”

William’s frustration had welcomed a headache to further grow his burdens. He grabbed his head, walked a little to the left, and dragged his hand over his face. Archard hasn’t seen his master this stressed for awhile. This was supposed to be a simple mission to Exorcise a nuisance to a poor girl's mind, but it went off course. First transitioning to deal with someone's greed, and to all of sudden transpire to a multiverse, no multidimensional threat that’s now affecting the flow of time; It’s absolutely ridiculous to William and he feels partially responsible for all this since he’s the only being alive to confront and resort this issue to whoever’s behind all this madness.

He went back to the screen, seeing Jack grip his bed sheets. “Of all people that could’ve been chosen, you were the one to fall victim to this charade.”

“Ma-Mallory…” Jack murmured.

Hearing Jack say her name shocked William. “So, you do miss the girl who’s made the early parts of your life difficult.” He gripped his chin, “Interesting, I wonder if it’s out of necessity or you actually feel this way.”

Archard crossed his arms, “that’s a surprise he said that thing's name. But I was expecting it Sir since she also won’t shut up about him either whenever I had to calm her down.”

William looked over his shoulder to look at the far void of clouded whiteness. “I am, but when he does return to this realm after that butterfly effect takes action… then we’ll find out why.”

“Indeed, Sir William. What now?” Archard asked.

William turned his eyes back to the screen briefly, “let us sit back and watch, and as for that girl, Jack—” William turned his whole body to look at the emptiness behind them. “—You have nothing to worry about.”

Far out in the realm of the artificial heaven, a huge crystal ball was floating, and it was hard to see in it. It had something inside of it, and pillar structures holding it from below, similar to that of a fortune teller's use to hold theirs. The ball was wrapped by holy circles that spun around it, and markings floating around it as well. Inside of the huge ball, a snow white fist emerged from the smoke, slamming against the artificial glass, repeatedly doing it. Another one popped out, and a girl could be heard screaming inside of it; But it was not just no ordinary girl, once their face came out to reveal their petrified expression, it was Mallory herself, crying up a storm.

“Jack! Jack, JACK!”

Jack’s eyes exploded, he shot up, grabbing his face, panting heavily. He tried catching his breath, but he was frantically breathing so much he couldn’t. After another minute of his frequent panicked breathing, he’s beginning to control it, slowly dropping his hands off his face. His eyes shaking, his mouth slightly opened, Jack appeared traumatized. He brought his hand up to his face, looking at it, and his senses returned to him. Jack realizes he’s alive and jumps out of his bed, rushing to his bathroom, taking a look at himself. There wasn’t blood on his face, no dust, and there wasn’t a giant bullet hole in-between his eyes. The last place he touched, and grabbed was his leg that was still intact.

“Wh…at, just happened?” he said. “Hold up, Alex… Alex!”

Jack stormed out his bathroom, out his bedroom, and made his way into the living room. There he spotted Eric watching the television. He went up and around his couch, getting in front of his uncle's way. This made Eric annoyed at him, getting up out of his comfort and squinting an eye to his nephew.

“What in the hell do you think you’re doing, Jack?” Eric asked, crossing his giant arms in the process.

Jack’s face screamed that he’s in a state of panic, which made his uncle concerned. Eric dropped his guard after realising that his self adopted nephew was in a scared state.

Jack took a foot forward, grabbing his uncle's arm. “Where’s Alexandria? Eric!”

Eric felt his shaking, his grip told him that he was worried for whoever he was asking for. “Jack… you aight my guy?”

“Uncle, please! Where is she?!”

Eric tilted his head, grabbing Jack’s arm. “Who you talking about?”

Once Eric said that, Jack lost his shit. He backed away, gasping, and clutching his head. “No no no no… don’t say that, Eric!”

“Yo, chill out. What’s gotten into you now?”

Jack dropped his hands, showing his uncle his humongous grown eyes that quaked. “Alexandria, she was here, the girl that I brought home, my old friend! The one who left me here with Angela when we were homeless!”

Eric narrowed his eyes, he didn’t like the crazed look in his nephew's eyes. “My guy, slow the fuck down and relax. First off, I don’t know who you’re talking about, second of all, nobody was here today or yesterday other than you and your sister.”

“NO!” Jack screamed, “this can’t be happening, stop fucking with me!”

Jack ran off, getting to the front door, grabbing the keys to the car and storming out the door with nothing but his normal clothes and no shoes. He rushed into the car, quickly hopping in and turning it on. Eric chased after him, and tried catching up, but by the time he could reach the car, Jack was already reversing out of the driveway. Jack floored the pedal, driving away and quickly vanishing off in the distance.

Eric looked sad, and angry at the same time. “This can’t be happening, what on earth has spooked this dumbass now?”

Jack drove like a madman, storming in and out of traffic, swerving in-between lanes, even going as far as to drive on sidewalks to get to the Diner he was just at with Alexandria. He managed to do it without police interference, and after a long drive that almost emptied his gas tank, Jack arrived at the Diner, finding it unscathed, perfectly fine with people enjoying their morning breakfast on this first day of spring. Jack has never looked so lost, hopeless in his life thus far, the young man was close to falling into madness.

“It can’t be… there’s no way… I refuse that everything I did with Alexandria was just a dream!” Jack shouted, pedestrains hearing him inside his car and giving him an awkward stare.

Jack put the car into drive again. He drove more recklessly and came close to hitting people crossing the busy streets. He didn’t care though, he had to find out what on earth just happened and if the experience was all just a dream world. Jack was going to retrace his steps, first going back to where they first met, the joint townhouses where she emerged from. Once he arrived, the first thing he noticed was the houses were vacant, abandoned, and boarded up.

Jack squinted his eyes at the sight, grinding his teeth and slamming his hands on the steering wheel. “No, NO!”

Jack got out of the car, left the door open, and ran to the house she came out of where she was experiencing a domestic incident. The front door was non-existent and he ran into the abandoned home. His first introduction being the dust particles floating, exposed from the sunlight shining between the creaks and gaps of the boarded windows. He stood there, his body trembling, the young man collapsed to his knees, and clutched his head again. He groaned in emotional pain, falling sideways on the dusty ground and rocking his body.

Jack could feel his gut wrench and he was ready to explode out all his emotions. “Alexandria…” he murmured. “No…”

He released his body, laying on the moldy wooden floor. His eyes blank and trickling out a breath of lost hope, there was only one place left for him to go. Yet he didn’t want to find out more if the first two stops proved to be what he might fear it to be. If he did, Jack didn’t want to be a part of this new time being exposed to him. Jack eerily got on his fours, and stared at the black molded floor, reflecting about everything that’s accurd in this past twisted week. Jack grew tired, and felt ready to pass out and lay waste here, there wasn’t an ounce of motivation left in him now.

“I don’t want to go on anymore… nothings real anymore.” he mumbled, his tone sounding IN defeat.

Jack got on his feet, feeling woozy. His head spun, and eventually, the young man puked on the ground. He vomited and vomited, until he couldn’t. When he finished he wiped his mouth and dragged his feet out of the building, getting out to the beautiful sunshine that laughed at his darkened face. Jack damned this new day, damned his existence, and most of all, damned God for playing with him. He got to the car, went inside, causally closed the door, and put the car in drive again to go to one final spot to see if things had actually returned to normal before being sent to the past, and before Alexandria.

The young man drove for twenty minutes and arrived at his final destination. The entrance to this shit town that he shared with the homeless and Alexandria. He parked near an empty cracked sidewalk, and beside it, a giant empty field with not a single sign of plant life besides a single dead tree with some grass, a small pot of flowers beneath it, and a familiar tombstone set beneath as well. Reality struck him like a torpedo, making him crush his eyes, and drop his head against the steering wheel. Jack really wanted to cry, but he couldn’t, feeling this unmotivating deactivated any of his drive to release anymore emotions besides despair. He got out of the car, and made his way to the makeshift tombstone that he had made, tucking his hands into his pockets. He walked slunged, and his eyes were kept on the dead grass and dirt staining his socks.

Walking like a Deadman, Jack got to the tombstone, the very one he made for his dear friend he lost to drug addiction. There in front of it was a pod of flowers that grew, most likely due to her decomposed body.

“Ha…ha…”

Jack carefully sat next to the tree, feeling dead and set his eyes to the clear sky. His eyes were emotionless and Jack was done with everything, and wanted to sit at this spot until he was dead himself. The sun glared behind him, beaming onto his skull as he hung his head in shame. Throughout all the disruptions in his life, this was the worst. Jack placed his hand in the dirt, scooping a chunk, letting it drizzle between the cracks of his fingers, and throwing the rest with anger. He softly chuckled, smearing his dirt stained hand on his face, laughing away his problems.

“It’s a nice day, isn’t it, Alex?” Jack said, laughing some more. “I mean, nowhere near as nice as what it was beforehand, but this is enough!”

Jack laughed and laughed, letting the world know of his misery. A familiar black SUV pulled up behind his car, and quickly jumping out of it was Angela, coming to rescue her brother who’s laughing in the middle of nowhere. Eric got out too, watching him laugh hysterically next to the tree, reminding him of a homeless individual who would be high on meth. Eric casually walked to him while Angela ran and jumped onto her brother, trying to snap him out of his madness.

“Brother… are you okay?!” she said while shaking him. “Snap out of it!”

Eric got to the two siblings, and Jack toned down his laughter, bringing out a broken grin and softly snickering. “Move aside baby girl,” Angela backed off, letting her uncle get to Jack. “Come on you stupid idiot, let's get you back home.”

Eric grabbed, lifted Jack up to his feet, wrapping his arm around his shoulder. Angela did the same, and the two gently dragged him away from the gravesite. Jack was still snickering, blocking the outside world as he was reminiscing the events that took place what felt like an hour ago. He heard her laughter, he saw her bright smile, those grand brown eyes staring back at him, and to now have her gone yet again made him feel guilty. He promised her that nothing would ever happen to her, and here he is, alive, confused, and completly lost. Meanwhile Alexandria is permanently gone again, this was something he had to find out, especially the culprit behind this madness.

Eric opened the rear passenger door, and carefully put Jack in the seat as he was now mumbling nonsense. “Once we get home, you go to your room, chill the fuck out, and I’ll make a phone call.”

Angela was concerned for her brother, tugging on her uncle's arm. “What’s wrong with him, uncle? Why was he laughing like crazy in that field?”

Eric shook his head, “I-I don’t know baby girl, but I think we’ll get an answer soon enough.”

Angela looked over to Jack’s frozen face, his lips the only thing that moved. “I hope so… he hasn’t been the same since last week.”

“Yeah, I know, get in, let's go home.”

Angela nodded and hopped in the passenger seat. Eric went around to the driverside, and opened it. Before entering, he wanted to take one last look at the place Jack was just at. Looking at the tombstone and the dead tree, Eric remembered Jack telling him about a close friend he lost when he was homeless, and had to bury her. This made Eric a little more relieved as to why he’s behaving like this, which made him sigh.

“You still miss her, don’t you fool?” Eric said, finally getting into the driver seat. “I’ll have one of my boys pick up my car, in the meantime…” he pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts to call someone. “Hopefully you can make this fool relax, otherwise I think he’s completely lost it.”

Angela looked out the window to glance at the sight too. “Is this… where he buried Alexandria?” she said, “you never told me where you took her corpse, brother. But now I understand, may you rest, Alex.” she muttered.

They drove away, and with the car left behind, inside of it, a single rose drifted in out of nowhere, settling into the driver seat. Reaching into the rolled down window was a pale hand that had red nail polish, picking up the rose. It was the woman in red who grabbed it with her long fingers. She made her way to Alexandria’s gravesite, and along the way, she gave life to the dead grass, and made flowers blossom. Once she got there, she gently set the rose on her grave and by doing so made the tree come to life, and her stone tombstone collapsing, crumbling into rose petals. She sat on her knees, and scooped some up, watching them wither away by her touch.

The woman in red gently blinked, trickling out a breath. “May you finally rest, my child.” she sat there, staring at the grave with her majestic teal eyes.

She touched the ground, turning the dirt into a sea of grass, and the tree blossomed pink flowers that shone beneath the sunlight. She rose from her seat, looked up at the sky and once again, vanished into a cloud of rose petals. They fluttered away, the area was transformed into a beautiful field that transpired the peak of nature, the last thing to grow was a single rose. A pink rose grew out of her grave, and once it was exposed to light, it burst into a cloud of gold dust, it too being blown away by a single gust.

Meanwhile, back in Eric’s home, Jack was in his room, still mumbling rubbish in his barely lit room. With not a single sign of life in his eyes, Jack felt absolutely destroyed at the moment. There’s nothing else he thought he could do other than sit and wait what transpired next in this new world. He brought his dimmed eyes to the picture of him, Angela, Eric, and Randolph. Seeing it again made him feel angry, but he couldn’t understand why. Was it because of its setting, different from the original one? Or was it due to him staring directly at Angela who appeared younger in the photo but reminded him of the time he first met Mallory when she had no face.

“Their dress is similar… the hair, it’s too identical…” he muttered. “Mallory, you have to be the one behind this… there’s no other explanation.”

Jack deeply sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. Scanning his room, feeling hollow, thoughts questioning more of the events that transpired, all Jack could do was wait. Suddenly, his phone rang, and the young man went to it as it buzzed on his desk. Before grabbing it, he could see who was calling him; It was Sarah who happened to be calling. He felt hesitant to answer, feeling afraid that she too will only ask if things were alright without knowing what's been happening to him. Jack felt vexed, but utlimately, he had no other choice but to answer since she’s the only thing close to hope in these dreaded times.

Jack went up to his phone, flipped it, and answered, “Yeah, Sarah?” in a dead tone.

Sarah was outside, beneath her tree, staring up at the clear sky. “Jack, I’m going to ask you something, and I need you to answer clearly.”

Jack’s confused but shrugged, “What? What is it…”

Sarah clenched a fist, “has time been altered in the past week, Jack?”

Hearing this brought life back into his eyes, and the young man gasped, “H-How did you… know?”

Sarah kept her serious face, and simply answered, “I’ll be over in an hour, Jack.”

***

Later in the afternoon, Sarah had just arrived at Eric’s doorstep. She knocked and waited for the door to answer. She waited for another minute until Angela was the one who answered, who was surprised to see her. She blinked rapidly to the goth girl, and slowly started closing the door on her until it shut.

Sarah forced a grin, “I see she still doesn’t enjoy my presence, pity…” Sarah said, letting out a quick sigh.

The door opened again, but only half way with half her body sticking out. “What do you want, goth girl?” she asked in a rude but suspicious tone.

Sarah wanted to peek in but Angela blocked her from doing so. “I came to see Jack, he’s here, right?”

Angela pouted, “what if he is? You know the password to enter our domain?!”

Sarah giggled, “you’re adorable. At first I thought you were just a rude spoiled brat, but you’re quite cute.”

Angela softly punched Sarah’s arm. “Look missy, I may be rude, but I ain’t a spoiled brat like miss fancy pants.”

“You mean Verónica?”

Angela nodded, “Yeah, she’s the definition and stereotype of a spoiled brat, just without the blonde hair.”

“As much as I hate to admit this, but I agree, ehehe… Anyways, would you let me in now, I promise no harm and I won’t get in your way.”

Angela quickly blushed, covering her mouth, but narrowing her eyes. “Wh-what do you mean by that?”

Sarah put her arm out, patting Angela’s head. “I mean not getting in between your strong bond.”

Angela’s pupils looked around, and she dropped her hand. “Is that so? Alrighty then, you may enter, goth girl.”

Angela stepped aside and allowed Sarah to enter. She walked inside and the first thing she saw was Eric with a concerned look on his face. He’s sitting in the kitchen, his giant tattooed arms crossed, he looked very vexed. Before Sarah went to Jack, she wanted to ask Eric a set of questions. She made her way to the kitchen and once Eric saw her, his eyes grew wide for a moment.

“Hello, how are you Mr. Eric?” Sarah said, bowing to him.

Eric grinned, letting out a chuckle. “Hmph, polite as always, Sarah. What brings you here to my crib?”

She decided to take a seat, getting comfortable before asking anything that might make the street smart uncle question her sayings. “I came to check on Jack since he’s been down for a while.”

Eric rolled his eyes, “awhile? Don’t cha mean forever?” Sarah giggled in response, “that’s weird because I happened to call Annabelle to come over and comfort this depressed crazy idiot.”

“Anna huh? Good call, given that they’re close friends.”

“Close? Shit and you two ain’t? Heh, I’m joking. She should be over in half an hour.”

To be honest, ever since the changes to our reality, I haven’t seen Anna since then. I wonder what she’s like, but from the few phone calls we’ve had, she still is the Anna we know. Sarah thought.

“Hey Eric, has anything else been, well you know… off? Like something doesn’t feel right, for example, times when you question that sometimes you just woke up from a dream?”

Eric shrunk his left eye, “uh… not that I recall Sarah. The only thing that is odd and acting out of place is that buffoon in his room.”

Hmm, that answers my questions then. No need to ask more than I have to, darn… Sarah thought.

“Well, I’m going to go see how his mental state is, wish me luck.”

Sarah got up from the chair and started walking away.

Eric chuckled, “if nothing works then just use your magic supernatural crap on him.” he exclaimed.

That made Sarah turn her head, giving Eric a serious glare. “You know of my abnormalities here too?”

Her glare made Eric look away, “ye-yeah… I thought you already knew since you were the one to explain it when I caught you doing it with Jack.”

Sarah gripped her chin. Just like originally in the new altered time, this Eric knows of my supernatural abilities.

“My bad if I reacted weird, Jack’s oddness has spreaded out into the house and I’ve happened to catch the dumbassness.”

Eric laughed and waved to Sarah. “Man your hilarious, alright then, go cure his miasma goth girl.”

Sarah squinted her eyes, “Why does everyone keep calling me that?” she grunted.

Shaking her head, Sarah made her way down the hall and eventually up to Jack’s bedroom door. She knocked three times with her small knuckles and waited for him to open the door. With no response, she decided to welcome herself in. Opening the door, the first thing her eyes laid on was Jack standing, staring out his window with half the curtain opened. She can sense his dread and maisma leaking out of him, never has she felt this much hopelessness come from a man other than her father.

Sarah approached Jack, and stopped a foot away. “You alright, Jack?”

Hearing her voice behind him, the young man turned round, showing Sarah his bleak expression. “Sa-Sarah…”

Sarah brought her arm to the side, “shall we take a seat and talk about this dire situation that claimed us victims?”

Jack was quick to have a seat on his bed. She also sat beside him, patting her black skirt and letting out a breath. Before either of them could speak, Jack’s emotions were piling up and he rubbed the edge of his palm against his forehead, holding them back. Sarah waited until he was clear of mind to speak or ask anything of what’s happened to him in the past week. She felt bad, and she could feel his sadness, his sorrow build up, wanting to break free from their prison. Watching him struggle, hunched forward as he rubbed his forehead, it reminded him of her father, a mirror image she once saw when she was a young girl. He was in his room, in the same position, and she saw his glistening tears fall to the floor from the sunlight shining beside his face.

Seeing this reminded her so much of that scenario her daughterly instincts kicked in and she placed her soft small hand on Jack’s back, rubbing it.

Jack felt her soothing touch, trying to tame his emotions and ease his pain. The way she moved her hand, it reminded him of his mother, and it only made his emotions much harder to contain. At last, one did, a single tear came out and he let it glide down his cheek, and Jack quickly turned away so she wouldn’t see his weak side. He covered his mouth, took a deep breath and wiped his eyes, his face still looking away from Sarah.

Sarah felt his breathing grow heavier and faster, he did everything he could to fight them. “Jack, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be by your side, take as long as you want.”

Another tear slipped out, and Jack covered his eyes for a moment. “Th…anks,” he mumbled, “give-give me—a moment.”

Jack sniffled, and blinked rapidly, fighting more until he was sure that he won the battle against his emotions he hated so much showing to others. Once the battle was settled, Jack rested his arms on his knees, briefly looked at Sarah, but kept his eyes locked onto her for a moment. Seeing her wondrous crimson eyes that shone hope, shining from the sunlight reflecting off of them, her black hair sparkling, her very pale smooth skin, it’s like he was staring at his actual guardian Angel.

“Wh…at?” she asked, tilting her head.

Jack mildly shook his head, and hung it. “Nothing.” Jack took another deep breath, and was ready to talk. “What a week I tell ya.”

Sarah brushed some of her hair behind her ear, laying her hands flat on his bed. “Go on and tell me, I’m your ears, Jack.”

Jack raised his head, looking at his window. “Sarah—” he then turned to her, his eyes quivered, and they were sagging, “This may be hard to believe, but, Sarah, I’ve-I’ve died… twice.”

Upon hearing this, at first her brain couldn't ravel it. It gave her a sudden brain fart, making her stare blankly, and react nothing to his reveal. But once everything came together, it shattered her tiny heart, and she quickly wrapped her tiny arms around Jack. Jack set one of his hands on her arm, and he felt her worry, and welcomed her comfort.

“Please, don’t let that be true…” she whispered.

Jack tightened his grip. Hearing Sarah’s subtle, mature voice dial down softer and higher at the same time, it made him feel regretful of telling her. He didn’t want her to worry or stress her out, but to tell her straight up what happened, and her reaction was to comfort him; it only made him feel worse.

“Sarah… I-I don’t know what to do. I can’t tell if what I experienced were dreams or in fact real, I’m tired of this—all of this.”

Jack’s eyes glanced around, the young man trickled out a soft sigh. Sarah let off, keeping one hand on his back to ease his perplexities. She has no clue what happened to him and why he’s supposedly died twice. She wanted to ask, but in a way that won’t escalate his trivial emotions.

Sarah rubbed his back again, “what else has happened? If you don’t mind me asking that instead of these supposed deaths.”

“A lot, a lot has happened, in fact… I met someone who looked, spoke, and acted just like you.”

“H-Huh?” she answered, her eyes slowly expanding. “What do you mean? Like an exact replica?”

Jack nodded, “yeah… it was scary how much you two resembled each other. They were interested in me, and asked mysterious questions about who I am and what I hide.”

“Such as?”

“She asked about the darkness in my heart, of the supernatural, and knew of the existence of people like you, especially the Exorcists. When our conversations continued forward she brought up something interesting.”

“What was it?”

“She asked if I knew about the existence of wielder's of Sins.”

Sarah scrunched her face in confusion. “Wielder—of Sins?”

Not even I know of this… I wonder if mom does? Sarah thought.

“Yeah, but before I got a clear answer, I blacked out for a moment, and couldn’t remember much afterwards.”

“Interesting…” Sarah set her arm down, thinking of any possibilities about what he’s talking about.

Who did he meet, and what was their plan towards Jack if they revealed such sacred secrets to him out of the bloom.

Jack moved his head, his eyes growing heavy. “Afterwards, later that day, in the beginning of the night, I encountered my first death. Then I was sent back to the present once I woke up.”

“Woah, what do you mean by sent back to the present?”

“My bad for not saying it in the beginning. To make a long story short, I was sent to the past by William, met two lovely people, and met my first demise.”

So much was being said. All of this made Sarah’s mind grow its own perplexities and not even she can comprehend anything that Jack had just said. A woman who was a double of her, sent back to the past by William, and then meeting death’s doorstep, it’s too much for her brain to handle at once. Given that he’s answering the troublesome questions she wanted to ask, she wanted to keep the conversation going to know more of what has occur.

“So William had sent you into the past? That’s frightening. That would mean he’s someone whom we can’t beat; Not even I would think either of my parents can stand a chance against someone who can defy the barriers of time and space.”

“Damn…” Jack said, “but you know what Sarah? Even though he was the one to have sent me in the past; He did so in a good manner. For me to learn and understand how to control myself. The last conversation we had, he sounded geniouly serious and meaningful about wanting to help me.”

“What you’re trying to say is that, you think someone led you to your death and the second one?”

Jack sucked in his lips, “I-I don’t know… but my guts telling me that it isn’t his fault, yet at the same time, it partially is.”

“But who else could do such a thing other than him? If he truly is behind all this then there’s no other explanation.”

Jack understood where Sarah was coming from. In fact it shouldn’t be doubtful since she’s indeed right about the circumstance. In spite of it, he can’t help but defend him, even if it’s just a little.

“I would like to say that you’re right, but I have a hunch that there’s more to this complex situation that I’ve dragged you in.”

“Don’t say that Jack. You didn’t drag anyone in, if you keep blaming yourself and feeling this guilt, that mushed up brain of yours will eventually lead to your paralyzing stroke.”

Jack mildly chuckled, “hm, I guess. Enough of my problems, anything new that’s happened to you?”

“Me? Oh, where do I start?” Sarah massaged her face, “there’s so much I want to tell but at the same time I’d rather keep it to myself just for my own selfish reasons. Okay, uh, well, first of all, uh—my dad and I have actually spoken one on one, alone.”

“Your dad huh? What’s he like since I haven’t met the man yet? But you make it sound like you two have barely spoken since your birth.”

Sarah at first paused, staring off but brought out a soft smile. “My father… Hmph. Where do I start? Hehe…”

Jack sat straight, waiting for Sarah to share more of her mysterious father.

“He’s a quiet, shy man. His tone is fierce, serious, bassy, but gentle, his eyes are like icles, hollow yet there’s a small glint in them from the times I was able to look into them. His attitude is polite, he’s caring, but most of all, Jack—he kinda reminds me of you in a way.”

Hearing that small detail intrigued Jack, it made him sit a little closer to her.

“In what way?”

She brought her eyes back to Jack, pointing at him. “He’s tall like you, but much more. Your expressions are about on par, and you two struggle with your mental well-being.”

Jack tilted, “di-did you just insult us?” Sarah winked at him, tapping his forehead. “I don’t know whether I should hit you back or just accept my fate of being called mentally insane.”

Sarah giggled and Jack massaged his forehead. While the two were continuing with their conversation, Jack’s door had been slammed open. It made the two quickly turn their heads over to see who just barged in to be noticed. Once they saw who it was, both of them were surprised, and shocked to see that it was Jack’s childhood best friend, Annabelle. With her face drenched in sweat, huffing and puffing, the grungy clothes that made her stick out like a sore thumb, she rushed to Jack, and leaped onto the young man. Both of them fell to the ground while Sarah stayed in her place, bringing out a grin. Anna rubbed her sweaty face all over Jack’s dried face, smearing him in her sweat.

“Jack! Are you alright?! Eric told me you were having another depressing episode again!” she shouted, then weeping softly.

“Well well, if it isn’t Annabelle the blonde wonder.” Sarah said, chuckling afterwards.

“Wo-Would you please get off… you’re smudging your stress onto my face. I smell like wetdog now, great.”

“I don’t care! I’m here and I’m not leaving until you smile again, Jack!”

Jack accepted his fate and lay there, letting Anna do her thing. Sarah was enjoying this and took her phone out, taking pictures and having a smug grin.

“Wh-What are you taking pictures for, Sarah?” Jack asked while Anna finally stopped her relentless rubbing.

Sarah lowered her phone, and whistled for a moment. “Who said I was taking pictures? Or was I?”

Anna brought her face to Jack’s, then she got on top of him. “Don’t you pander your attention away from me, mister. Let the goth girl take her pictures, because right now you’re mine!”

“Jesus… there’s no winning for me today, fuck it.” Jack said, laying flat on the ground.

Sarah laughed and so did Anna. Jack brought out a grin and he too joined in with their laughter.

Later in the day, everyone was gathered in the living room, talking and catching up to current events. Anna was seated next to Sarah, Jack and Angela were seated next to each other. The only person missing was Eric who happened to have left shortly after Anna had just arrived, he went for another business adventure.

“You, goth girl, hand me the remote.” Angela said, sticking her hand out, waiting for her demand to be met.

“You could say please, scene girl.” Sarah rebutted.

“Oh, is that how it is? I see.” Angela pouted, and looked away.

Anna got up, went up, and whispered something to Jack. He obliged to whatever she asked and he got up from his seating. He sat next to Sarah, whispered the idea to her and Anna gently sat down next to Angela without being noticed.

“Hello? Remote?” Angela turned to see if Sarah did her demand but to find Anna with the remote in her hand, waving it in front of her face.

Angela twitched her eyes, blushed and curled up. Anna smiled and drew closer to Angela who only did more to shell herself off.

“You mean, this remote? You adorably sassy emo girl!” Anna wrapped her arm around Angela who grew hotter to the point she felt steam evaporate from her hair follicles.

“This… is an interesting turn of events.” Sarah said, sounding amused and villainy.

“Ah! I can’t get enough of this adorable girl! I can hold her all day and never get enough of it. Hey Jack, do you mind if I borrow your sister on the weekends just to have her company?” Anna said while letting out a soft chuckle.

Angela adorably pouted, and nervously looked up at the blonde beauty. “As… if! Only in yo-your dreams you—you—” Angela took a deep breath and wrapped her small arms around Anna’s waist. “Seductive, dreamy succubus…” she muttered.

Anna had butterflies explode once Angela’s tiny arms were around her. “You see this! How can you not fall in love with this real life doll!”

Anna embraced Angela who looked hypnotized and doll-like, rubbing her cheek against hers which put her out of consciousness. While Anna tortured Angela, Sarah looked to Jack and jolted her head to the direction of the kitchen. Jack knew what she meant by that and the two got up again, walking to the kitchen and with Sarah leading the way to go to the backyard slide door. Jack wondered what else the goth girl wanted to talk about so he followed and the two were now outside, staring out to the backyard.

Sarah stepped forward, standing at the edge of the back patio to get her dose of nature. “Say Jack…” she looked over her shoulder to him, “I didn’t want to ask in front of them but, your sister, Angela, her appearance has changed, hasn’t it?”

Jack couldn’t agree more, and walked to stand beside Sarah. “It has, hasn’t it.”

“Her purple highlights are gone, her hair’s longer. Not only that, to expose more of what I’ve been hiding, the miasma that’s felt inside of you, was also apparent in your sister, and Anna.”

“Wait, Anna?” Jack asked, his face surprised.

I knew that Angela had the same sensation as me since she and Mallory are associated somehow… But Anna too? I never knew that. Jack thought.

“Yeah. To get straight to the point, it’s no longer there for the two. Only you have this horrid sensation inside of you, the bleak darkness that’s trailed off of you for as long as I could remember has never gone away, rather it's been tamed.”

Wait—Does that mean… that Mallory’s…?

“Gone…” Jack mumbled. “This, this can’t be… no. I-I refuse to believe that…” he whispered.

“You okay Jack? You’re talking real quietly there.”

Jack looked over to Sarah, his face expressing concern once again. “Are you sure it’s just me that reeks of this blackness?”

Sarah nodded, “Yes, I'm afraid so. But I wanted to ask you, and don’t be afraid to tell me. I know you told me before you couldn’t tell or explain to me why you have this nasty stuff inside of you at that time; But can you now? If you don’t mind.”

Jack swallowed, and wondered if he had the guts to. But it’s Sarah, so it should be fine for Jack to tell her; She is the only person trust worthy enough to say so.

Jack took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a moment, and opened them again with a glint in them. “Sarah, since I was a kid… before my eleventh birthday, in the night my parents were killed, I met something… or someone in my dreams, and that was a being named Ma—”

Suddenly, Jack’s eyes exploded out of their sockets and the young man coughed violently. He dropped to his knees and slammed his fist on the wooden ground. Sarah backed off, in that moment to whatever he was about to say, a sudden surge of that black horrible substance reeked out of his pores, surrounding him and trying to strangle his throat. It was almost as if it prevented Jack from exposing the truth of its existence, and didn’t want Sarah to find out. This made her mad towards it since she felt this same surgence from that dreadful girl in white. Sarah questioned if it's her that’s behind his two deaths since Jack said that William was more willing to help the young man out rather than torturing him. She stayed serious and waited for Jack to catch his breath and was ready to speak again.

Jack grabbed his throat and got up on his feet, spitting afterwards. “No-not again… damn it.”

“You okay, Jack?” Sarah asked, finally being allowed to stand beside him again.

Jack let go of his throat and stared at his palm. “For now… I guess.” he crushed his palm, and got up. “Sorry Sarah, but I’m afraid I can’t speak more about this issue, may-maybe some other time.”

Jack sounded annoyed yet disappointed, which worried Sarah. In spite of it, she understood why he couldn’t and decided to change the subject to ease the young man.

“Hey Jack, what else did William tell you other than his trials and such?”

Jack walked away, stepping down the patio and getting in front of Randolph’s grave. He stood in silence, remembering the truthful words that William had spoken to him about; The fact that Jack is a poor soul that has sinned for the purpose of survival and forced to live the way he does by the hands of Dr. Cato and more notably, Mallory. That wasn’t all, William detailed how his life’s not as meaningless as he thought it was, there was more to it and he’s yet to figure out why he’s so special. From the events of the past, the exposure to this world of secrecy, Jack’s starting to believe William about who he truly is.

The topic of Sin came into his mind again, and he wanted to talk more about it with Sarah.

“Funny you ask, but back to the topic of the woman that’s identical to you, William too explained about the existence of these holders of Sin. Actually, he’s the one who originally brought it up and went further in depth about it.”

Sarah made her way to Jack, stood next to him and stared at the forest. “Really? It's ironic that this mysterious woman started speaking of it right after William was the first to bring it up.”

“Right? During our conversation, he talked about what Sins have been committed, carried, and a small background check of each one committed so far.”

“Which ones?” she asked, bringing her eyes back to him briefly.

“If I remember correctly, the first was Greed, and again Greed, then came pride, sloth, and lastly, Envy.”

“So four out of the seven or eight if you count Vainglory.”

“Vain what? Never heard of that one.”

Sarah brought her fingers up, silentling counting and squirting her eyes once she finished. Jack wondered what the goth girl was up to. After she was done, she snapped her fingers and tried remembering what it meant.

“Crap, I’m trying to figure out the definition of that. You know what, forget about it for now. Back to the four mentioned, did he say which ones are actually being held besides them existing.”

Jack’s brain flashed images of that woman who first was the definitive example of beauty, but afterwards, her presence and deminor changed through their conversation when she mentioned the Sin she knew most of all; Envy.

“William and that woman, both of them said that only one Sin lives, but William directly said it while she teased it, like before it was born.”

“You’re killing me with the suspense Jack! Say it, what was it?!” Sarah asked, her tone filled with excitement and anticipating the reveal.

Jack subtle his eyes, and the young man trickled a breath. “Envy…” he said.

Hearing this made Sarah’s vision turn black and red, sliding it into white then purple to reveal another world. She felt the heat of hell scorching the earth, blowing at her face as she saw cities destroyed, land flattened, craters, lava shooting into the sky, firey tornadoes drilling the skies and cutting the land in front of her. Looking up to the sky, she was exposed to an aurora of space, seeing earth's atmosphere tarnished. This brought a tear to slip out of her half shut eyes. Standing on top of the tallest skyscraper wherever she was, this was the saddest sight she had seen. She can sense, feel the despair in the air, but most of all, she can feel her ravaging urge of jealousy fueling her hatred to those who have something she can’t have. She can’t understand why she’s feeling this way, it made her ball her fists and ground her teeth.

“Give her back, give me back my—!”

Jack snapped his fingers, tapped her head to snap her back into reality. Sarah blinked a couple of times and placed her hand on her head. She felt light as a feather, her mind felt as heavy as a boulder that forced her to almost collapse on a knee.

“You okay, Sarah?” Jack asked while helping her keep her footing.

Sarah blinked, crushed her eyelids a couple more times before answering. “I-I think so… wow. Where did this come from?” she wondered. “I’m-I’m sorry, but can we talk another time… I’m feeling quite horrid.”

Jack rubbed her arm, “sure. Jesus, you’re starting to even look paler than usual. Go home and I’ll call you later or tomorrow, sound good?”

Sarah tapped Jack’s arm and proceeded to walk away. “Yeah… bye Jack.”

Sarah carefully walked up the patio steps, and Jack watched as she slowly approached the porch door. She slid it open and slid it closed. Jack was worried about her. He questioned why she got a sudden headache once he mentioned Envy, and having her faze out of reality for a good minute. This made the young man feel suspicious towards his supernatural friend. Jack let out a sigh and turned to the forest, staring at it with a fierce glare.

“So much is going on… too much in fact.” he brought up his wrist, the bracelet Alexandria gave him. “Although our time was temporary, Alex. I’m glad that I was able to spend time with you… despite losing you again to this cruel world.”

Jack lowered his hand, and balled a fist. Sarah’s eyes turned empty in that moment, and they grew watery. What did she see? And why did she go blank like that? He wondered.

“This topic of Sins has me wondering if the other ones that haven’t existed yet, are they being created as we speak?”

Scrunching his face, Jack’s determined that this is the only outcome he could think of.

“Could this be the reason behind my trials with William? If so, then could any of the others ready to be born are the ones behind my two mysterious deaths?”

“I doubt so~”

Jack quickly turned, gasping in shock. The voice that whispered into his ear just a moment ago sounded familiar. Being spooked at the moment, Jack couldn’t make out where he heard this voice from.

“Who-Who said that?!” he asked, glancing around in a state of panic.

“If you wish to find out, then proceed forward into the closet of nature.” they said.

This time it sounded like someone was speaking into his subconscious. This made Jack quake in his boots.

“Hey! Whoever you are, show yourself instead of fucking with my mind!”

If someone would’ve seen him in this state, more than likely they would think he was crazy or just high. The young man waited for a response, but got nothing. He clenched his fists and proceeded to reach for his gun. He forgot that it was still in his room.

“Damn it… why now?” he mumbled, “Hey! What if I actually walk into the woods, then what?!”

They giggled and moaned with excitement. “Then we can get back to our conversation where we left off of.”

“Huh?!”

Jack can’t figure out who this person is, but they sounded womanly, their soft voice tickling his brain and eardrums. Their tone alone vibrated his body from its sounding seductive nature.

“Proceed forward, you don’t want to keep me waiting here, Jack.”

Jack ground his teeth, swallowed and took a step forward.

What other choice do I have anyways? I’ll do as they ask, so long as it’ll benefit me in some way, hopefully. Jack thought.

“Fine… I’ll do as you say, but—”

“But what?”

Jack furrowed his brows, his lips dropping in worry. “I-I won’t get hurt, right?”

“No, of course not… so long as you don’t anger me then your life will continue, Jack.”

Jack wasn’t too sure about this, but he had no other option but to oblige. The young man looked up to the sky, his fists balled and quivering, he couldn't help and felt played. The way they talk so lightly made it sound like a trap, but the young man’s so desperate for answers he’s willing to go forward with this. He mustered all the courage he had and started walking past Randolph’s grave.

He stopped for a moment to look back at his deceased uncle. “Look after me, will ya? Randolph…”

Jack turned back forward, making his way into his backwoods. It wasn’t a long walk, it’s actually just a full two minutes, but for the young man, it felt like hours. Each step forward, every gust, the world felt slowed down, and he wondered if he’s actually still in the real world with how light everything was feeling. Once he reached the entrance to the wall of trees, bushes, and thickened vision, he was hesitant now.

“Damn it all…” He brought his hands up to his face, “I can’t control myself, I’m shaking so much.”

The young man closed his palms and dropped them. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a moment and thought deeply in silence. He did this for a good minute and once he felt brave enough to go forward, he opened his eyes, and walked into the forest. At first it was the plain thick woods he was used to walking into, but as he went further into it, it started transforming. The trees that were faded out, old, were growing thinner, but more younger. The ground wasn’t dried and had patches of dead grass or exposed roots; Rather it had a full bed of grass around the trees now, bushes with beautiful flowers blossoming alongside. This made Jack stop in his tracks to take a better look of the environment being transformed before his eyes.

“What's… going on?” He said, “it’s like summer came back with a vengeance and took over my backyard.”

This is wicked, I feel like I’m in the untouched garden of Eden in a novel. He thought.

Taking a look above, the sunshine was dimmed and made the atmosphere to that of being in an enchanted forest. The young man can’t help but be amazed at the changes surrounding him. With no other thought in mind, he continued forward, walking deeper and deeper into this new enchanted forest. Along the way, there were rabbits hopping, plenty of birds flying around, chirping, and a plethora of wildlife you’d imagine in an environment like this; Deer, elk, racoons, and mysteriously wolves too that didn’t seem to bother the rest of the wildlife around. Jack’s face stayed in a permanent state of awe as he was walking further without a destination in mind. He wondered where he’ll be led into if he keeps going forward. Is this her plan? Did this mysterious woman lead him in here, trying to ease his stress with a nice stroll through this glistening forest? Or is there an actual destination in mind for her or perhaps a ploy to toy with the young man's delusional mind.

“Okay, I’m starting to feel played now…” he said, stopping in front of a bunch of thickened bushes and tree bark.

Whatever this person’s planning, I’m growing tired of this. Jack thought.

The young man grunted and put his arms forward to push the thick greenery away and when he did, he saw something that immediately caught his eyes.

“Woah…” Jack walked through the thick bushes and once he made his way clear, stepping into a now opened area that screamed the dawn of fall, it made him breathless. Jack stood in a gorgeous area that had a couple of stone walkways, all leading to a wondrous small table set carved out of the finest wood. The chairs were also carved nicely, but to that of a gothic style. Dozens of flowers surrounded the area, brown, orange bright leaves fluttered about, and the trees were also tinted in the colour of fall’s dawning.

“Where… am I?” Jack wondered. “This looks like something out of a fantasy book.”

“It’s a lovely area, isn’t it?” The voice said in an echoey ghostly manner.

Jack quickly glanced around once he heard the voice. “Where are you?! Show yourself!”

“My my, impatient are we? Well then, if you want to see me this badly, don't worry.”

“I’m tired of all these games…” Jack growled, turning his eyes to every turn possible, “just please, reveal who you are and answer my repetitious questions.”

“Hehehe, so this is the desire that drives you forward, Jack?”

In the blink of an eye, the world dazzled away. Again it transformed, the skies tinted in evening deep fall, soft white clouds drifting across, huge trees surrounded the area, blocking Jack from the outside world. Leaves fell, flew, and a nice gentle breeze sent chills across the young man's body. Jack covered his face momentarily as a gust of wind fluttered his clothes and hair.

“Now then, come here and have a seat with me, Jack Samr.”

This time, the voice didn’t sound echoey, distinct, or in his mind, rather from behind. When Jack turned around, his eyes grew wide and his throat constricted in shock. That small area had transformed into an Al fresco, but to that of a Victorian gothic style. There, seated in one of the engraved chairs was a woman. But it wasn’t just any woman, her slim curvy figure, raven hair that reached all the way down her back, her porcelain skin that made her glow with the tinted brown environment, and her black and red gothic slim dress he’s seen before.

“It-It can’t… be…” he muttered.

Her distinct gorgeous platinum eyes that would captivate anyones soul upon first glance. Her definitive beauty that would enchant any man’s heart, but all Jack could feel was fear in the moment. This sight alone had Jack overwhelmed by fear and shock, because he couldn’t believe who he’s setting his eyes on.

“Oh my, I sense that I’ve accidently scared you, Jack. My apologies, hehe.” she said, her voice seductive, and soft.

Jack couldn’t say a word, all he could do was breathe in a frantic state. Seeing Jack react to her in this state brought amusement to her wicked mind, bringing out a glint in her calm eyes. She nodded and took stock of the situation.

“I think I have yet to properly introduce myself to you, Jack. Sorry, this happens when I let my emotions get the best of me—what can I say? I just can’t help myself sometimes.”

Unlike her tone, her expression hadn’t changed since Jack set his petrified eyes on her. Her small shoulders dipped slightly, she lay one of her hands on her breast, and calmly introduced herself.

“My name is Samantha or as you know me as Sarah’s mother. But if you go by my actual birth name given to me by the Witch cult that gave me life, that would be Abyzou…”

She softened her lips into a thin smile. The glint in her eyes growing sharper, her black hair fluttering lightly from a soothing breeze shooting in the area, she eased her hand off her chest, laying it flat on her lap.

“Or perhaps to answer the question if a Sin still exists like you’ve asked before; I am the embodiment and holder of one of these seven deadly Sins—that being… Envy.”