(T＿T)

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In the heart of the city, under the midday sun, the luxurious pool reflected the blue water like a mirror. Only the wealthy were allowed in, where white shaded chairs lined up and the scent of fine perfumes mixed with the summer breeze.

At the edge of the pool sat Jude, his red hair falling loosely and his eyes confident, beside him Karem, who avoided looking at anyone as if he even feared his own shadow, and Camelia, who glittered from head to toe with jewelry fixed in her ears, nose, and even her belly.

From the other side came the famous three: Ray, Jason, and Lily, the triplets whose father was on the list of the richest men in the country. And on the opposite side, Laura entered, the women’s boxing champion, following with steady, confident steps, then Vivian, the famous fashion model, who drew all eyes the moment she appeared in her elegant swimsuit and breathtaking smile.

But the calm atmosphere did not last, as the usual rivalry soon ignited: Jude, Ray, and Jason began arguing about Vivian, each trying to catch her attention with compliments or heavy teasing. Voices rose, and they exchanged looks full of challenge while the others watched in surprise.

—The battle for attention had begun…!

At the orphanage, the atmosphere was completely different.

The director summoned the four—Linda, Rosie, William, and Elias—to her office. Her cold gaze slid over them before she spoke.

—“Your adoption request has been accepted… all of you.”

Her tone was firm, as if the matter was settled and left no room for discussion.

No one dared to object… except Elias, who stood up violently and slammed his fist on the table, making the papers on it shake:

—“Why do you decide our fate? I’m not going, do you understand?!”

The director gave a superior smile:

—“You are in my orphanage… and under my mercy. Don’t act recklessly or I’ll show you something you won’t like.”

He stared at her for a moment, then turned his back and stormed out, pushing the door until it hit the wall. The others followed, calling after him, but they stopped when they saw him standing under a large tree, punching its trunk, shouting and cursing.

They didn’t try to calm him, knowing he disliked talking when angry… while Linda hid her happiness—she wouldn’t have to be separated from them after all.

The days passed quickly, and the morning of departure arrived.

In the orphanage yard, the younger children lined up to bid them farewell. Some cried bitterly, others shouted, “Don’t go!” Their tear-choked voices clung to the hearts of the four.

They carried their few belongings and headed toward the gate, where the director stood pretending to be sad as she spoke words of farewell, but their faces stayed expressionless; none of them believed her feelings.

Outside, a black luxury limousine stopped in front of them. Two men stepped out wearing very elegant suits… but their faces were completely covered: one with a pig mask, the other with a horse mask, both covering head and neck. The masks were disturbingly lifelike, with nostril and mouth holes that almost seemed to breathe.

Without a word, they took the bags and placed them in the trunk, then gestured for them to get in. Linda, Rosie, Elias, and William sat pressed together while the masked men sat across from them, staring silently, their eyes hidden in the shadows behind the masks.

Rosie whispered as she held Linda’s arm:

—“I feel something strange… I’m scared.”

Linda answered in a low voice:

—“Me too.”

All the way, Linda felt intense tension and a tightness in her chest she couldn’t explain.

The long trip crawled by with only the sound of the engine, until the car stopped in front of a massive palace, its white walls shining under the sun and its garden stretching without end. They were all awestruck by its beauty, except Elias, who muttered sarcastically.

Linda, feeling relieved, said,

“It’s a palace… you were worried for no reason…”

—elias said:

“Don’t be stupid, Linda… we don’t know their intentions yet.”

They entered through the large gate, the masked men walking ahead of them, guiding them only with gestures, never speaking a word. But as soon as they stepped inside, the palace’s charm faded; from within it looked like a luxurious psychiatric ward—an extremely clean long corridor, gleaming white walls, identical doors on each side, and cold lighting that reflected the chill of the place.

Linda looked around and said:

—“What is this place?”

Rosie replied:

—“I don’t know… it’s clean but strange.”

William added:

—“It’s like a maze.”

Then Linda’s shoelace came undone, and she bent down to tie it in front of one of the doors. Suddenly, a trembling female voice whispered from inside:

—“You… run quickly… save yourself… I’m warning you.”

Linda gasped and whispered:

—“What? Who are you?”

The voice came again, even more shaken:

—“I… Nina… they will kill you… and eat you… they are ghouls… run no matter what it takes.”

She froze in place until a shadow appeared before her. She looked up to see the man in the horse mask standing there, staring at her. He tilted his head, signaling her to follow.

She gave a nervous smile:

—“I was just tying my shoelace.”

She kept walking, but they suddenly stopped in front of one of the doors. The two men shoved Linda and Elias inside forcefully and shut the door at once.

The two turned toward the door, pounding on it hard, but no one answered.

In the hallway, two other men grabbed Rosie and William from behind and pressed a cloth with a sharp smell over their noses. Within seconds the two collapsed unconscious.

As for Linda and Elias, they stopped banging on the door when gray mist began seeping from small vents in the walls. The smell was heavy and choking, their heads spun… and finally their voices faded, and they fell to the floor in silence.

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