Ericka stretched her body as she rose from bed; beside her, Ruth was still sound asleep.
Her thoughts remained clouded—why was she here in the forest, walking alone, just like Thalia? She couldn't fully comprehend the situation, especially since it was Thalia she had expected to be here.
A memory from her visions flashed in her mind—someone else had been wandering the forest too, another companion. She shook her head, uncertain. Yet a part of her couldn't ignore the possibility that what she was imagining might hold truth.
As Ericka followed the group of men, still searching for leads, she heard the faint sound of a woman crying and pleading. She followed the voice and soon found herself standing before the warehouse.
A chill ran down her spine as she took in its eerie presence. Goosebumps prickled her skin. Ericka's thoughts darkened as she recalled the terrible scenes she had witnessed inside that place.
She was about to leave when someone suddenly grabbed her hand. Fear surged through her—had someone seen her? Was she caught?
She was ready to pull away when their eyes met—it was Ruth.
Still shaken by the warehouse and her own visions, Ericka quickly pulled Ruth away from danger. When they had distanced themselves, they came across William, who escorted them safely back home.
"You're awake now, Ericka," Ruth said, rising from bed as well.
Ericka, lost in thought, hadn't even realized Ruth was awake. She simply nodded, got up, and descended from the bed, Ruth following silently behind.
"I didn't expect to see you here, Ruth," Ericka finally said, her tone filled with quiet surprise.
Ruth nodded in response. Nearby, Gerald's mother, Lucia, was already preparing their meal.
"Stay here for a moment, I'll go help them," Ruth said, heading to the kitchen.
She respectfully greeted Lucia, who smiled warmly at her.
"I'll help you, Auntie," Ericka said, embarrassed at not offering assistance sooner. She didn't want to be a burden.
Lucia let out a soft chuckle, and Ericka noticed Ruth was already there, helping.
"Ruth," Ericka sighed.
"Let me be of help—even if it's just with this," Ruth replied calmly.
Ericka shook her head slightly and let it go.
The house was unusually quiet.
"Auntie, where are they?" Ericka asked as she washed the utensils they would be using.
"Ah, William is resting, and Gerald went out to gather firewood," Lucia replied.
Ericka nodded and looked out the window at the forest that surrounded them. Gerald's presence was a blessing—without him, they might have gotten lost in the woods again.
She estimated they were far from where their school had held its camp—the place where her best friend, Jasmin, had mysteriously disappeared.
That memory lingered. She still dreamt of Jasmin, who always shook her head sadly in those dreams, silently warning her not to keep searching. But Ericka was already here. She couldn't stop now.
As she finished her tasks, she took a moment to breathe in the cool, crisp morning air. The scenery was stunning, and the breeze was refreshing, even as it nipped at her skin through her jacket.
"Ruth, what are you doing here?" she asked, eyeing the landscape.
Ruth smiled faintly. "Something was bothering me when I left the camp. And... I wanted to learn something about this place."
Ericka sighed. She still felt a weight in her chest whenever she talked to Ruth. The sibling souls that used to follow Ruth were now absent. It puzzled her—why did she keep seeing those siblings in each vision?
Just then, a surge of understanding hit her, interrupting her thoughts mid-sip of milk.
"Ruth," she said, setting the glass down. "Are you here to uncover the truth too?"
Ruth chuckled softly, and Ericka blinked. She couldn't understand what was funny about the question.
"Do you know much about the Fuego family?" Ruth asked suddenly.
Ericka's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Are you like Thalia... do you also travel to the past?" Ruth ignored her question and asked another.
Ericka nodded. Thalia had once shared her ability with her.
"But why bring Thalia into this?" she asked, confused.
"What do you see with your ability, Ericka?"
"We're supposed to meet here, Ruth. I've seen it."
"I feel it too," Ruth said. "I know the woman you're talking about." Her laughter faded quickly, and Ericka noticed the sadness in her eyes. It unsettled her.
"Ruth, is something wrong?" she asked gently.
Ruth shook her head, dismissing the question.
"To be honest, I'm here to uncover the truth behind Jasmin's death. I know her kidnapping and escape are connected. I know she's hiding something. But she won't tell me."
Ericka's fists clenched as old emotions surged. She still couldn't accept what happened to her closest friend.
Ruth nodded slowly. "But Ericka... won't your pursuit of the truth lead to your own downfall? Do you know who your enemies really are?"
That question left her stunned.
"Do you even understand what's happening now? I know why you're here. Your parents were killed in the mansion, and you were the only one who escaped."
When Ericka discovered the tragedy that had struck the Dionson family, she was devastated. All the mansion's servants had been killed without resistance. She had seen it herself through her visions. She had searched for Ruth afterward—but she hadn't been there.
Her emotions swirled. In Ruth's eyes, she now saw a quiet fury—a hatred Ericka hadn't noticed before.
She was about to speak when a voice called from outside.
"Ericka! Ruth!"
They both turned.
"Oh, there you are. My older brother William is calling for you," Gerald said, standing at the doorway.
They simply nodded and followed him.