Henry's mother held Laboni's hand firmly, stopping her in her tracks. There was a mysterious cunning in her voice now.
Mother: "Wait a moment, my dear! Don't rush. Only if you meet him at the right moment will you have the chance to defeat him. I know you're thinking that if you strike him, you might die too—but no! For one reason, you will not perish."
Laboni blinked in surprise. "What reason, Mother?" she asked.
Mother: "That golden locket around your neck. It's no ordinary ornament. It will trap your life force in a protective loop. When Henry comes to drain your energy, the locket will absorb the cursed force that the sorcerer has instilled in him. If Henry dies, the dark entity within him will perish—but thanks to this locket, your body will remain safe."
Laboni furrowed her brow. "But Mother, you said he could come back after death! If he returns, what will I do? By then, I'll be much older!"
Her mother smiled faintly, looking into Laboni's eyes.
Mother: "Listen carefully, my dear. When Henry sheds the cursed 29-year-old form that the sorcerer gave him, he will naturally return to his true age—49. And the locket will protect your life force, so your age won't suddenly leap forward. You won't become older instantly. You'll remain your normal 38-year-old self."
Laboni shivered. She now understood what her mother meant.
Mother: "When you open your eyes, you'll see that you are no longer the young Laboni of today. You will be a mature woman, age-appropriate to Henry. Both of you will regain balance. Your artificial youth will vanish, leaving only the twenty years of accumulated love between you. Are you ready, my dear, to give up this youthful form to bring Henry back as a real human?"
Laboni stared into the mirror. Her radiant skin, her youth—all of it. Could she really surrender it in a single moment? She exhaled deeply.
Laboni: "I'm ready, Mother. I don't want to live in this form. I want my true Henry. If he returns at 49, I'll be his 49-year-old wife."
Her eyes were filled with thousands of questions. She clutched her mother's hand, urgently asking, "But Mother, I'm 38 now. If Henry comes back, what will his age be? What about the age difference?"
Her mother stroked Laboni's head and spoke in a calm voice:
Mother: "Listen, dear. When Henry loses the cursed 29-year-old form, nature will restore his real age—49. And as the locket protects you, your body will remain at your normal 38. That's the miracle of it."
Laboni looked astonished. Her mother smiled lightly and explained further:
Mother: "Why fear? You're 38, a beautiful, mature woman. And he, when he returns, will be 49—a seasoned man. The eleven-year gap is perfectly natural. That sorcerer artificially created a twenty-year difference, but the locket and your courage will restore balance. You will both become the normal husband and wife you were meant to be, living out your love peacefully."
Laboni exhaled, relieved. She understood now that she would not grow old; instead, Henry would return at his rightful age.
Laboni: "Then Mother, I am going. Tonight I will not be afraid. When he comes, I will hold this locket to my chest. He will think he is winning, but in truth, he will absorb his own destruction."
Her mother hugged her tightly. "Go carefully, my dear. Keep that locket close. At the moment of union, it will absorb all the poison inside him."
Laboni stepped out of the room and into her car. Her destination: the VIP hotel room where the masked demon awaited. The fire of determination blazed in her eyes—no more tears.
Laboni hesitated briefly, her mind trying to imagine a 49-year-old man. For twenty years, she had only known Henry as the 29-year-old youth.
Seeing her inner conflict, her mother smiled gently. She explained:
Mother: "A 49-year-old man isn't the winged demon you saw in your dream. At 49, experience leaves its mark:
Face: Slight crow's feet may appear, skin is no longer artificially tight, a natural maturity will show.
Hair: A few greys at the temples, giving him a dignified, compassionate look.
Eyes: The crimson, demonic gaze vanishes. Instead, those deep, gentle eyes—ones you loved twenty years ago—will return.
Personality: He will not leap upon you like a beast. The 49-year-old Henry will be calm, respectful, and protective. His touch will hold no poison—only trust."
Laboni exhaled slowly, imagining her mature Henry: his greying hair, his eyes still brimming with love.
Laboni: "So he will be human, Mother. He might not be able to run all night, but he can sit by my side and hold my hand for life."
Mother: "Exactly. The 29-year-old Henry sees you with lustful eyes, but the 49-year-old Henry will see you as his lifelong companion. Men at that age fear losing their partner most. He will protect you more than ever."
Laboni felt courage swell within her. She understood: she was not going to confront a demon but reclaim the man she truly loved.
The night was deep and dark. The sky seemed blacker than usual, with the crimson moon peeking occasionally from behind the clouds. Laboni gripped the steering wheel tightly, heading toward the hotel. The locket around her neck trembled lightly, as if sensing danger.
Suddenly, her phone flashed intensely on the dashboard, despite being on silent. In bold letters: HENRY.
Laboni's heart jumped. She picked up and held it to her ear. Silence—just heavy breathing. After a few seconds, Henry's deep, intoxicating, yet feverish voice resonated:
Henry: "Where are you, Laboni? I know you went to your mother. But it's useless, darling… you can't run and survive. Remember our agreement? This full-moon night is only ours."
Laboni steadied herself, speaking calmly: "I'm not running, Henry. I'm on my way to you. I had a little errand on the way."
Henry (laughing slightly): "Hurry. I ordered dinner, and the room is lit with your favorite candles. But I'm not hungry… my hunger is elsewhere, and you know it. My body burns, Laboni—the blood of 29 years. If you don't come, I may not control myself."
Laboni realized that even through the phone, Henry was restless under the parasitic influence. Occasionally, she could hear him gnashing his teeth.
Laboni: "I'll be there in five minutes. Leave the door open."
Henry: "It's already open, my beloved. But listen… tonight, don't resist. Tonight, I want to claim you fully. After this union, you and I will be one… forever."
The line went dead. Laboni's forehead was slick with sweat. She knew that "forever" meant death if she could not use her locket. She parked in the hotel lot and kissed the locket before stepping into the elevator.
As she moved toward the elevator, a faint, pitiful voice called behind her: "Sister…"
Laboni froze and turned. In the hotel's dim shadow stood a young girl. Her hair was tangled, clothes torn, and her eyes bloodshot with terror. The girl trembled.
Laboni: "Who are you? Why are you standing here?"
The girl grabbed Laboni's hand tightly. Her hand was icy cold. Whispering, she said:
Girl: "Sister, are you going to VIP Room 29? That man? Please… don't go in there! He's not human… he's a monster!"
Laboni's chest tightened. She realized this girl must have been one of Henry's previous victims.
Laboni: "Why are you saying this? Do you know Henry?"
Girl (swallowing her tears): "I worked here at the hotel. Two days ago, he lured me to his room with money. When he touched me… sister, I felt my life leaving me. When he kissed me, he was drawing my blood. I barely escaped… but my body is dying now. Look, sister…"
The girl rolled up her sleeve. Laboni saw her skin hanging like an old woman's—almost 80 years old! The 29-year-old Henry had drained all her youth.
Girl: "Whenever he unites with someone, he takes everything. Don't go in there, sister. He will take your form too and leave you a living corpse!"
Laboni shivered at the sight. She remembered Henry's mother's words—Henry was now a parasite, unable to survive without others' life force.
At that moment, Laboni's phone buzzed with a message.
Henry's message: "Laboni, who are you talking to downstairs? Don't delay—I'm coming to fetch you…"
Laboni looked up. A shadow moved along the balcony railing above. Henry was watching them from above!Laboni quickly pulled the girl into a dark corner at the bottom of the hotel stairs, out of Henry's line of sight above. The girl trembled violently with fear. Laboni held her hand and spoke in a low, calm voice:
Laboni: "Listen, don't be afraid. What you think is some kind of demonic magic—it's not. It's actually your body reacting… your life force, your electrolytes have gone out of balance. That man—Henry—has either injected some chemical or drug into you, or somehow drained vital tissue fluids from your body."
The girl stared at Laboni in shock. Laboni continued to reassure her:
Laboni: "What he's doing is called 'biological parasitism.' He steals hormones and cellular energy from other people to rejuvenate his own dead cells. The way your body seems to age instantly is actually severe dehydration and nerve damage. You need to run now, go to a major hospital in the city, and get blood purification immediately."
The girl gained a bit of courage hearing Laboni's explanation. She whispered: "Sister, I'll escape, but what about you? He's waiting for you upstairs. Tonight, he'll finish you off."
Laboni: "Don't worry about me. I have this locket. I know how to use it to stop his chemical reaction. I will pull off his mask and reveal him for what he truly is."
Laboni guided the girl out through the back door. Now she was alone. She stood in front of the elevator, looking at her reflection in the mirror, murmuring:
Laboni: "Tonight, the illusion of 29 ends. I will see the real man at 49."
The elevator doors opened. When she reached Room 29, she saw the door slightly ajar. A strong scent of incense and faint classical music floated from inside. But beneath the music, Laboni could hear the same heavy breathing.
Stepping inside, Laboni was confronted with an eerie atmosphere. The light was enchanting, but the air heavy. She heard Henry humming an old song—a song he had sung for Laboni twenty years ago. But now, the melody carried no love, only a strange, demonic pull.
Laboni quickly hid behind a large curtain, wanting to observe Henry from a distance.
What she saw froze her blood:
Henry was standing in front of the dressing table mirror, singing. But his black wings were now fully unfurled, stretching to the ceiling.
Madness: He smiled at the mirror, running his hands over the taut 29-year-old skin. His eyes burned with that crimson glow, now like fire.
Sensing something: Henry abruptly stopped singing, sniffing the air. He had realized Laboni was somewhere in the room.
Henry (in a terrifyingly calm voice): "Laboni… playing hide-and-seek? I can smell you. The herbal scent of that locket disturbs me, but I can still recognize the sweet scent of your body. Come out, darling… tonight is our final night."
Laboni stood behind the curtain, hearing her own heartbeat pounding. She gripped the golden locket tightly. She knew that when Henry found her and tried to seize her violently, this was the moment she had to press the locket between her chest and his.
Suddenly, Henry moved right in front of the curtain. He slowly began to pull it aside with his long, sharp nails.
Henry: "Caught you!"
Laboni looked into his red eyes, directly before her. But this time, she did not cry. She stood firm.
Seeing Henry so close, Laboni wasted no time. She leapt from behind the curtain and ran. She wore a thin white nightdress, which fluttered in the air like wings as she ran. Her long, disheveled hair whipped across her face, but she paid no attention.
The suite was massive, almost labyrinthine, with long corridors, ancient statues, and huge chandeliers. Laboni ran barefoot over the marble floor, hearing Henry's heavy footsteps and the flap of his wings behind her.
Henry (laughing): "Where are you running, Laboni? There's no escape from this maze! In that white dress, you look like prey ready for sacrifice!"
Laboni ran until she reached a grand hall. The giant window curtains flapped in the night breeze, letting crimson moonlight spill inside, creating a haunting atmosphere. She collapsed behind a pillar, exhausted.
Her white nightdress clung to her body from sweat and fear. She could feel Henry dangerously close. The air suddenly turned icy.
Laboni (thinking): "I have to stay calm. I can't outrun him in this mansion. I need to lure him into the center of this hall, where the moonlight falls directly."
At that moment, she saw a massive shadow on the floor. Henry was descending from the chandelier above, his black wings spread wide. His crimson eyes glowed like stars in the dark.
He slowly landed in front of Laboni. The wind from the corridor lifted her white dress and tangled hair like a tragic poem.
Henry: "Ran a lot… now will you surrender, or shall I take you myself?"
Laboni was too exhausted to move another step. Suddenly, a pair of powerful hands grabbed her from behind, lifting her forcefully. Henry pressed her to his chest.
Laboni did not scream. No words escaped her mouth—she froze completely. In the crimson moonlight, a surreal and terrifying scene unfolded:
Laboni's feet: Bare, trembling under her white nightdress, trying to stay steady.
Her lips and cheeks: Flushed red from terror and the supernatural heat of Henry's touch. Her pale cheeks turned blood-colored, as if all the blood in her body had concentrated in her face and lips—a sight any predator would admire before taking its prey.
Henry lowered his face to her neck. His warm breath burned like fire against her ear.
Henry (in a low, intoxicating voice): "See, Laboni? Your body cannot lie. Your blood is boiling for me. These red lips, this flushed face—that is the signal I've waited twenty years for."
He pulled her close with one hand around her waist, brushing aside her tangled hair with the other. He traced the scar on her neck with his finger.
Henry: "Tonight I will not destroy you… tonight I will be reborn in your blood. Will you stop me now?"
Laboni remained silent, but the golden locket in her sweaty hand was crushed tightly. She knew this was the critical moment. When Henry tried to kiss her and drain her life force, she would use the locket.
Henry slowly turned her face toward him. His red eyes now shone brighter than the full moon.