Both of Khairul's hands were bandaged, and he was sitting in the hospital lobby. Both his and Nasuha's backpacks were resting beside him.

What happened to my body?

A blade came out of my arm.

During the doctor's examination earlier, nothing unusual was found, but he knew what had happened. Khairul had used the blade that grew from his body to kill that creature.

I killed him.

Khairul covered his mouth, feeling nauseous.

"Uh, excuse me? Are you Iman Nasuha's sibling?" a female nurse interrupted, and Khairul quickly turned to her.

"Yes, I am." He stood up instantly.

"Your sister has just been treated and her condition is stable..." said the nurse, and Khairul nodded in understanding.

Soon after, he hurried into the emergency room. Nasuha was lying in a hospital bed, her head bandaged and receiving a blood transfusion. Khairul reached her bedside, and Nasuha smiled faintly at him.

"Hey."

"Thank god... you're okay," Khairul sighed in relief and sat down beside her bed, resting his head on the bed rail and letting out a long breath. Nasuha chuckled softly at Khairul's reaction.

"What's so funny?" Khairul groaned, lifting his head.

"Nothing. I'm just relieved to see you," Nasuha replied, her voice still weak. Khairul stood up again, gripping the bed rail.

"I had to call my dad. The doctors and nurses forced me... He's on his way here," Nasuha said.

"I told them we were siblings, but they still made me call my old man too. Looks like our little escape has come to an end," Khairul replied, sitting down in the chair next to Nasuha's bed.

"We're in big trouble, huh..." Nasuha's smile turned bitter, while Khairul stared at his hands again.

"My old man is going to be furious..." Khairul muttered.

"I'll kill you this time! You're definitely dead this time!"

He recalled the phone call with his father and the blade that had grown from his arm, as well as Nasuha's condition when they were out in the rain that day.

What on earth happened? I don't understand at all. What happened to me?

Khairul thought, unable to make sense of the events. Nasuha looked at him, unsure of what to say.

"Khai, what's important is that you and I are safe," Nasuha reassured him. Khairul clenched his fists tightly.

"Are we really safe? Our hard life is starting all over again, maybe even worse, and it's all because of me. Because I was stupid," Khairul said in frustration.

"Hey... I'm the one who asked for all of this, and I said I would take responsibility if anything happened. Don't blame yourself. Even if we have to go back, I have you now. We have each other... That's enough for me," Nasuha replied, her voice soft and sincere. Khairul's expression softened, sadness washing over him.

"I hope what you're saying is true," Khairul said quietly.

"The authorities still refuse to provide any statement on the tragedy that killed 34 people on the Ipoh highway. Families and Malaysians alike are still questioning what actually happened."

Ehsan was driving while listening to the radio. His expression grew troubled as he realized Nasuha could be among the victims of the incident being reported.

At the same time...

A short-haired female police officer and a tall male officer with spiked hair were facing Nasuha and Khairul. Their expressions became tense. The female officer smiled and placed her right hand on her waist.

"Iman Nasuha and Khairul Azman, right? I'm Inspector Rose, and this is my colleague, Shaurya. You two are the high school kids who ran away from Selangor, right?" Rose asked, and both Nasuha and Khairul froze for a moment before slowly nodding in agreement. Khairul stood up cautiously.

"Come on, don't look so down. We're not here to scold you or anything. We just have a few questions about why you ran away and what happened on the Ipoh highway. You two are the only survivors from the attack by that creature," Rose reassured them, though her expression turned serious as she spoke about the highway incident. Khairul swallowed nervously.

"Relax, kid. We just want to know what happened... We can keep things chill," Shaurya added, trying to ease the tension. He lightly patted Khairul's shoulder, but Khairul pushed his hand away, looking uncomfortable.

"Let's sit down first... We've got a lot to talk about," Rose suggested. The two police officers sat in front of Khairul and Nasuha, ready to begin questioning.

"Let's start with why you two ran away from home. Why did you run?" Shaurya asked first.

"I-I'm the one who convinced Khairul to run. I was being bullied, and I was scared to go home. My father never believed me, and as for Khairul... His father beats him... badly, to the point where he's bruised and injured," Nasuha explained, recalling the state of Khairul's room and his home, as well as the constant bruises and injuries on his body.

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Khairul was shocked by Nasuha's response and looked at her with wide eyes.

"Alright, I see," Shaurya noted down what was being said.

"Khairul... Does your father really abuse you?" Rose asked next.

"Y-Yes..." Khairul glanced back at the two officers in front of him, clearly disturbed by the question. Rose carefully observed Khairul, and the scars on his face caught her attention.

"The reason for running away is understandable, but you both still have to go back. I've been informed that the hospital has already contacted your families," Rose explained.

"But... Inspector Rose... If Khairul goes back, his father will beat him again, maybe even worse," Nasuha protested, visibly upset.

"Nasuha, I'm not stupid. Khairul's face is all the evidence I need. I can arrest your father the moment he sets foot in this hospital," Rose replied firmly.

"Don't!" Khairul suddenly raised his voice, causing everyone to fall silent. Realizing what he had done, Khairul lowered his head.

"Please... don't."

"Khai..." Nasuha looked at him, her eyes filled with worry. Rose also looked at Khairul with a sorrowful gaze, remembering a memory from her past—when an old woman pointed a knife at her when she was young.

"You're really scared, aren't you, Khairul? I promise you, there's no need to be afraid. I'll help you," Rose placed her hand on her chest and smiled at Khairul, but he remained silent.

"Alright... now we need to talk about the other issue. What happened when you two were on the highway? How did you both survive?" Shaurya asked, shifting the topic.

Nasuha wasn't sure what to say this time. She scratched her head, unable to come up with anything, but Khairul had already decided on his answer long ago.

"Ma'am, sir, do you know what the monster that attacked us looked like?" Khairul asked in return.

"Yes, a humanoid creature with spider-like features, with its right limbs split apart, and the same for its head," Shaurya replied.

"Nasuha was attacked first, and she lost consciousness. I tried to help her, hitting the monster with my helmet, but it turned on me and almost killed me. Then, suddenly, another creature appeared... That one killed the monster," Khairul explained, while Rose watched him closely and Shaurya took notes.

"Another creature, similar to the first one, but it saved people?" Rose rested her hand on her chin, deep in thought.

"What exactly was that creature, Inspector Rose?" Nasuha asked.

"I'm sorry, but we don't know what it is either. What we do know is that there are more of them out there," Rose and Shaurya stood up together.

"We'll still be around for a while. For now, get some rest. There are other survivors we need to question. We'll see you again later, Nasuha... Khairul." Rose and Shaurya walked away, with Rose waving a small goodbye, which Nasuha returned.

"Khai..." Nasuha called out to Khairul, still looking worried. Khairul turned to face her.

"We don't know what will happen if they find out I was the one who killed that monster... I need to understand what's happening to me first," Khairul replied, staring at his right arm.

No one can know.

The evening sky had turned orange. Khairul was at the hospital's store, buying some snacks. Nasuha had left him a note with a list of what she wanted.

After making his purchase, Khairul headed back to the emergency ward, where he noticed a man standing by Nasuha's bed. Khairul quickened his pace, worried about who was with her.

"Huh?" It was Ehsan, Nasuha's father. His face immediately turned furious, and he swung his fist, punching Khairul in the face.

"Dad!" Nasuha shouted. Khairul fell to the floor, and the snacks he was carrying spilled out of the plastic bag and scattered on the ground.

"You little brat who ran off with my daughter! Where are your parents, huh!?" Ehsan grabbed Khairul by the shirt, shaking him. Nasuha, still weak on the bed, was powerless to intervene.

"Let me go," Khairul gritted his teeth, clutching Ehsan's arm as they glared at each other.

"Stop it! Dad! Khai! That's enough!" Nasuha pleaded, but her words were ignored. Ehsan raised his hand to punch Khairul again, but Khairul kicked him in the stomach, breaking free.

"You!" Ehsan growled in fury. Khairul clenched his fists, but something felt off. He glanced at his right arm and saw thick veins starting to bulge out.

He quickly hid his arm, as Ehsan stepped forward again. Shaurya appeared just in time, placing a hand between them.

"That's enough... Mr. Ehsan. Fighting a kid doesn't look good," Rose warned, and Ehsan reluctantly stepped back.

"Khairul, are you alright?" Rose asked. Khairul simply nodded. Rose noticed Khairul was still hiding his right hand.

"Where are this kid's parents?" Ehsan demanded, still visibly upset.

"Khairul, go away for now," Rose instructed. Khairul walked away, with Nasuha watching him with concern.

As he walked down the hallway, Khairul looked at his right arm again. It had returned to normal. He sighed in relief, but then he noticed blood dripping from his nose. Khairul wiped his face, covering the lower half of it.

No matter where I go, my nose will bled...

"Why did you do that, Dad? Why won't you listen to what I or Khai have to say?!" Nasuha shouted, anger clear in her voice. Ehsan remained silent, sitting on the edge of Nasuha's bed.

"I was the one who wanted to run away! It wasn't Khai—he was just trying to help. Do you even know why? Because he's living in misery! You don't know anything, Dad. You haven't learned a single thing since I ran away!" she continued, her frustration growing.

"Nasuha! I searched for you for two days! Next thing I know, you're in the hospital..." Ehsan tried to hold back his anger.

"If it wasn't for Khai, I would already be in a coffin!" Nasuha retorted sharply. The room fell silent. Ehsan rubbed his face and leaned back in his chair.

"I know... I was wrong. I'm sorry, but I was really worried. I love you, Nasuha. I want what's best for you. I promised to fulfill your late mother's wishes," Ehsan said softly, trying to calm the tension, but Nasuha looked away.

"If you really wanted to honor her wishes, you would've believed me when I came home every day with dirty, soaking wet clothes. Your words mean nothing now," Nasuha muttered, refusing to meet her father's gaze. Ehsan hung his head in guilt.

Meanwhile...

Khairul was splashing water on his face in the bathroom sink, staring at his reflection in the mirror. The image of the spider-like creature he had killed flashed before his eyes, causing him to widen them in shock. He quickly rinsed his face again.

When he looked back into the mirror, all he saw was his own terrified expression.

Losing control... Becoming a monster...

Earlier, I almost lost control and nearly let that thing out.

"Don't lose control," Khairul muttered to himself. Just then, a man entered the bathroom. He glanced at Khairul, and once he recognized him, a sinister smile crept across his face. The man approached Khairul and suddenly placed his fingers around Khairul's neck.

"Oh... Khairul. Did you miss me?" the man asked. Khairul saw the man's reflection in the mirror in front of them.

"Old... man..." Khairul whispered. His father glared at him through the mirror, locking his eyes with Khairul's.

"Had fun running away?" his father asked.

I've seen him angry so many times, but I've never seen him smile like a madman...

"You... are such a burden..." Khairul's father tightened his grip on his son's neck, and Khairul struggled to breathe. Both of his hands reached up, trying to pry his father's hands off.

"Ever since you were born, you're nothing but nuisance!" His father's grip tightened even more. Khairul struggled to break free, but it was as if all his strength had left him.

"You should've died with her! I should have killed you a long time ago. I should've done this..." Khairul's father growled, as Khairul's vision started to blur. He gasped, desperately trying to catch his breath.