I’m Someone Else

“Yes, Mr. Gunnar,” the attendants replied.

“Ah! Aaaah!”

The gate of Acketts Estate was tightly closed, but terrifying screams that occasionally echoed from within could be heard even when the curtains were drawn close.

William and Sean stood at the entrance with a deep sense of unease weighing down on them. Beads of cold sweat also trickled down their foreheads.

They could hear it vividly as it was the anguished cries of Thomas.

“William, stay here and be on the lookout. I’ll venture inside to see what’s happening,” Sean declared while raising his hand as if to push open the imposing villa doors.

Thomas had been caught in a whirlwind of torment for quite some time. His agonized shouts had begun over an hour ago and gradually escalated into a crescendo of despair.

Although the villa boasted impressive soundproofing, it failed to muffle the heart-wrenching sound of Thomas’ suffering entirely. It was evident that he was enduring unimaginable pain.

Sean reached his breaking point and thus felt compelled to rush in to provide aid.

“Sean, please don’t act rashly!” William pleaded while grabbing hold of Sean’s arm. His voice was filled with patient reassurance. “We must have faith in Thomas. He’ll pull through.”

“William, don’t you hear Thomas’ cries? Can’t you sense his distress?” Sean swatted away William’s hand as his concern overrode any other considerations. He had to enter the villa and see with his own eyes, for only then he would find solace.

He had heard snippets from his grandfather about Thomas’ predicament, granting him some insight into the situation.

shoulder and steered him toward the courtyard. “Even if you don’t believe me,

in immediate

leaving only his face and intimate areas unscathed. He resembled a bloodied specter emerging from the depths

blood mixed with the medicinal bathwater turned it into a haunting shade of scarlet and created a genuinely unsettling sight

had to persevere because if he gave in to the pain and succumbed to unconsciousness, there was a terrifying possibility that he would never awaken again and

in the courtyard, gazing blankly toward the villa. “It’s been about

has been two and a half hours,” William responded. While he attempted to dissuade Sean, he also bore deep concern for Thomas. He had witnessed intermittent echoes of Thomas’ agonized wails which chilled them to the core in these past

said, “William, we can’t wait any longer. What if something has occurred to Thomas inside the villa? I would live in regret for the rest of my days! Perhaps, what

him again by firmly obstructing his path. “Sean, you’ve known Thomas for

disturbing Thomas under any circumstances. It was not difficult to

who endures unimaginable suffering within! If we don’t go and help him now, he might succumb!” Sean’s words were accompanied

William remained steadfast. He held Sean back

them persisted. After another

inside and assess the situation. What if Thomas is unconscious?”

his head to defy Sean’s resistance. “Sean, doesn’t Thomas have enough burdens to bear?

was taken aback and his gaze fixed on William. “What are

he had misspoken. He had heard from his grandfather about the six old monsters behind the Six Greatest Families seeking trouble with Thomas. His grandfather had repeatedly warned him not to mention it to anyone, including Sean. However, he had let

brow furrowed. “William, what’s going on? You need to