The air in the hospital was thick, stretched tight like a violin string about to snap. The long hallway, lined with pale fluorescent lights, was bathed in a cold glow that made everything seem veiled in an invisible mist. The distant echo of nurses’ footsteps and the clatter of rolling carts faded into the heavy darkness, leaving behind only a suffocating pressure that seemed to crush the lungs.

In the small hospital room, Film sat motionless beside Namtan’s bed. The once-radiant young woman had become a shadow of herself. Her eyes were bloodshot, streaked with veins from days without sleep, dark circles sunken beneath them. Her thin hand still clutched Namtan’s frozen one—the soft hand that used to be warm and lively was now pale and unmoving. Each time Namtan’s fingers twitched ever so slightly, Film jolted in terror, trembling like a drowning person grabbing at a straw.

“If I let go, will she disappear forever? If she leaves me, what am I supposed to do…”
The question echoed in Film’s mind, one she never dared to speak aloud.

Outside, Bonnie paced the hallway restlessly. Her steps felt like she was treading on burning coals, her hands clasped so tightly that her knuckles bled. Every time she glanced toward the hospital room door, it felt like her heart was being sliced apart. Emi had to stay by her side, holding her firmly to keep her from collapsing under the strain of exhaustion and fear.

Milk and Love stood at the door. They said nothing, but their eyes tracked every unusual shift in the corridor—alert like guards on a battlefield. They knew the darkness was still lurking somewhere nearby, ready to strike at any moment.

It was in that moment that Love suddenly froze. From the corner of her eye, she saw a figure quietly slip into the room. The movements were hurried but deliberately discreet, one hand carrying a clear water bottle.

Love leaned slightly, her gaze narrowing: June.

Every nerve in her body tensed like a drawn bowstring. She watched every motion with razor focus. And then, the moment became unmistakable—June bent down, opened a small hidden vial from her pocket, and poured a colorless liquid into the water bottle at the head of the bed.

Love’s heartbeat thundered, so loud she could hear it in her ears. Without a second thought, she charged forward, her voice slicing through the silence:

“June, what the hell are you doing?!”

June flinched, her hand shaking as she hurried to hide the vial behind her back. Fear flickered briefly across her face before she forced a strained smile.

“You… you misunderstood. I was just… just adding some vitamins. Film hasn’t eaten in days—I’m afraid she’ll collapse.”

Love didn’t bother arguing. She stepped closer, gripping June’s wrist with such force that June winced. Her voice was like ice, leaving no room for excuses:

“Move. Outside. Now. We’re going to talk this through in front of everyone.”

In the break room adjacent to the patient ward, the group gathered. The air was so dense it felt like the room had been drained of oxygen. They surrounded June on all sides, each face drawn tight, each gaze sharp as a blade.

Bonnie sat shaking, pressed close against Emi, her hand clutching her sister’s so hard the knuckles had turned white. Film sat dazed in a corner, hair falling over her face, her hands still stained with dried blood from the accident—never washed off. Her eyes were blank, unable to tell reality from illusion.

Milk was the first to speak. Her voice dropped low, like a growl forced through clenched teeth:

“June, what was that? Tell the truth. Stop dancing around it.”

June hesitated, her lips trembling before she forced a thin smile.

“I told you—it was vitamins. Why is everyone making such a big deal? I was just worried about Film.”

Love leaned in, her gaze like a dagger piercing straight into June’s face:

“Worried? You think I didn’t see clearly? That liquid was clear, odorless, and unlabeled. Vitamins? You think we’re all idiots?”

June’s eyes flickered. She blinked rapidly, searching for an escape, but every gaze pinned her down, chilling her to the bone. Then suddenly, she let out a sharp, bitter laugh.

“Fine! It wasn’t vitamins! So what? Has anyone here ever cared how I felt? Not once!”

Bonnie stared in shock, her lips quivering.

“Sis… what are you talking about? I… I’ve never hated you…”

June snapped toward her, eyes blazing, her voice cracking into a shout:

“Never hated me? Since we were kids, you were treated like a princess! Father spoiled you, Film always gave in to you. And me? I was the one watching from outside! Tell me—have you ever had to beg for tuition? Have you ever had to abandon your dreams because father told you to study something else?!”

Bonnie’s throat locked, her face going pale as tears pooled in her eyes.

“I… I didn’t know… but why hurt Film? She didn’t do anything to you…”

“No fault?!” June screamed, pointing at Film. “All her life, Film has always been the best! Father looks at her with pride. Every spotlight, every bit of attention—always on her! And me? I’m the useless shadow! Every time I see that face, I want to lose my mind!”

Film went still. Her whole body trembled, her lips parting soundlessly. Her heart thrashed in her chest like it was being crushed. At last, her voice slipped out—hoarse and feeble:

“June… I… I never knew you felt that way… If… if it’s all my fault, then I’m sorry…”

June burst into laughter—a harsh, jagged sound mixed with tears.

“Sorry? Do you think one apology can erase years of neglect? Can it bring back my stolen dreams, my wasted youth? Don’t you dare pity me!”

Emi’s brows knit tight, her voice edged with steel:

“June, enough! Pain isn’t an excuse to hurt others! If you kill Film, you become a monster! Are you going to destroy this family with your own hands?!”

“Family?” June spat, eyes bloodshot. “Don’t say that word to me! From the day I was born, I’ve never had a real family. All I had was a gilded cage where I was ignored, compared, and dismissed!”

The air thickened further, suffocating. Every word from June was a knife, and every look from Film or Bonnie only fed the blaze.

Bonnie screamed through her tears:

“But I always saw you as my sister! I never thought you were lesser! Why would you want to kill me—kill Film?!”

June scoffed, laughter twisted and wet with tears:

“Because I want all of you to taste despair. To know what it’s like to be shoved into the dark! Only then will I finally be free.”

Film seemed to crumble. Tears streamed down her face as her hands clutched her head, her voice trembling:

“June… please don’t… I’ll give up everything, just spare Namtan… spare Bonnie…”

“It’s too late, Film,” June whispered, her voice cracking but her eyes alight with madness. “Far too late…”

Suddenly, Bonnie shot to her feet, her whole body shaking but her voice tearing through the air like a scream:

“No! I won’t let you hurt Film! If you hate someone, hate me! I’m the one father spoiled, I’m the useless one clinging to everyone else! But not Film! She doesn’t deserve any of this!”

The raw agony in her voice made everyone freeze. Film’s head snapped up, eyes wide and red as she stared at Bonnie. But June only laughed, a warped smile streaked with tears.

“Even now you defend her, Bonnie? How pathetic… You’re no different from father. It’s always Film, Film, Film! Fine then… let’s see who can save her now!”

With that, June plunged a hand into her coat pocket. In a blink, a small metallic device flashed in her grip, catching the light with a cold gleam. Her fingers tightened around a red button.

Everyone held their breath. Milk lurched forward:

“June, don’t you dare!”

But it was too late.

Click!

A sharp, dry sound snapped through the room. Instantly, a cloud of white gas burst from the device—thick with a harsh chemical scent—swirling like an invisible beast as it flooded the cramped space.

June threw back her head and laughed—a high, shrill, triumphant sound that drowned out the choking coughs erupting around her.

“This time… no one is coming to save you!”