Cian's hands trembled as he dialed Logan's number, the faint glow of his phone screen the only light in the suffocating darkness of the house. Every step he took seemed louder than it should have, the creaking floorboards echoing through the unnerving silence. He swallowed hard, his voice barely steady as he spoke when Logan picked up.

"Logan... something's wrong. My sister called, and now the house... it feels... off."

Cian paused, his voice catching in his throat as his eyes darted around the dimly lit hallway. Shadows seemed to flicker and shift where no light existed, creeping into corners that had always felt safe.

"I don't know what's happening, but I need you to come over," he added, his voice barely above a whisper.

As he walked, an unsettling feeling grew in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't shake the sensation that something—or someone—was watching him. The house was silent, but the silence felt alive, pressing against him like a heavy weight.

He hesitated at the entrance to the living room, peeking his head around the corner cautiously. Suddenly, without warning, the fireplace roared to life, flames licking upward as though summoned by an unseen force.

"What the heck..." Cian whispered, his heart pounding as he glanced toward the window. The storm outside was worsening, lightning carving jagged lines through the dark sky. Cian stumbled back, his breath caught in his throat, unable to take his eyes off the impossible sight before him..

A massive bear stood in front of the roaring fireplace, its glowing red eyes fixed on Cian. The intensity of its gaze pierced through him, as if it could see straight into his soul. Cian froze, his mind racing, but before he could react, the sound of footsteps and a shout broke the tension.

"Cian!" Logan's voice echoed through the house as he burst into the room.

Cian instinctively turned toward Logan, just for a second, and when he looked back, the bear was gone.

All that remained was an envelope, lying on the floor where the bear had been.

Cian approached it cautiously, his heart pounding in his chest. The envelope was made of old, yellowed paper, the kind that seemed to carry centuries of secrets. His name was written on the front in dark purple ink, the letters smooth and deliberate. Something about the handwriting stirred a strange familiarity deep in his gut. He couldn't place it, but it made him feel... uneasy.

Logan rushed to his side, his face filled with concern.

"Are you okay?!" he yelled, his voice booming in the eerie silence.

"Yeah... I think so," Cian replied, his voice calm but shaky.

Before he could say more, Logan pulled him into a tight embrace, his strong arms wrapping around Cian protectively.

"Lo...GA...N!" Cian gasped, struggling to breathe.

"Ahh, sorry!" Logan said, releasing him quickly.

"What happened?" Logan asked, his blue eyes scanning the room for any danger.

"I don't know," Cian replied, still staring at the envelope. "But I feel like this letter will tell me... My sister's gone, and I don't know where my parents are."

As the words left his mouth, the low hum of his phone vibrating shattered the silence. Cian and Logan exchanged a look, the tension thick as Cian reached into his pocket to see who—or what—was calling.

Cian's hand trembled as he pulled his phone from his pocket, the screen lighting up with an unknown number. He hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Hello?" His voice was shaky, still heavy with the weight of everything happening.

"Is this Cian Bloodworth ?" a calm, but stern voice asked on the other end.

"Yes, it is," Cian responded, his heart beginning to race as the unease returned.

"We're calling in regard to your parents. They were involved in a serious accident and are currently in the hospital. You'll need to come down as soon as possible," the officer said.

Cian felt the blood drain from his face. His stomach twisted into knots. "What? What happened? Are they—are they okay?"

"We're still assessing their condition. Please come immediately," the officer said, the urgency clear in his voice before the call ended.

The phone slipped from Cian's fingers, falling to the floor with a soft thud. He stared at the spot where it had landed, his chest tightening. It felt like the world had just shattered around him. His parents... in the hospital... in an accident. And now his sister was missing.

Logan, seeing the distress in his eyes, stepped forward without a word. He pulled Cian into his arms once more, this time holding him gently but firmly, as if offering the strength that Cian so desperately needed.

"It's going to be okay, Cian," Logan said softly, his voice warm and comforting. "I'm here. You're not alone, alright?"

Cian didn't speak at first, his face buried against Logan's chest as he tried to hold back the tears. But the weight of everything—his sister gone, his parents in the hospital—was too much. He couldn't stop the flood of emotions that broke free. His body shook as he allowed himself to cry, feeling both embarrassed and relieved at the same time. Logan didn't let go, though. He just held him tighter.

"I don't know what to do," Cian muttered, his voice thick with emotion. "Everything's falling apart."

Logan gently pulled back, wiping a tear from Cian's cheek with his thumb. "One step at a time. We'll figure this out. You've got me, Cian. You've got Sam. We'll get through this together."

Before Cian could respond, the sound of footsteps rushing down the hallway caught their attention. The door to the living room flew open, and Sam skidded to a stop, her eyes wide as she took in the scene—Cian crying in Logan's arms.

"Oh my god," Sam gasped, her voice full of concern as she rushed over to them. "Cian, what's going on? Are you okay?"

Cian could barely speak, but Logan stepped forward, squeezing his shoulder reassuringly. "He just got a call from the police. His parents are in the hospital. There was an accident..."

Sam's face fell, and she quickly wrapped her arms around Cian, pulling him into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry, Cian," she whispered. "I'm here. You're not alone."

Cian clung to both of them.

The letter still clenched tightly in Cian's hand, he looked at Logan and Sam, his face a mixture of determination and dread.

"We need to get to the hospital. Now," Cian said in a stern voice, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Okay..." Sam responded, still shocked, her eyes wide as she absorbed the sudden shift in the mood. Logan, too, looked taken aback but nodded in agreement, his cheeks flushed slightly, a hint of unease hidden behind his usually composed demeanor.

Without another word, they piled into Cian's car. Logan sat in the front passenger seat, his hand resting on the door handle, while Cian started the engine. The engine roared to life, the sound sharp in the tense silence.

As they pulled out of the driveway, Logan, without saying a word, reached over and gently grasped Cian's hand. Cian flinched, his nerves flaring as he glanced at their intertwined fingers. His face flushed red, but he didn't pull away. His heart raced in a way it never had before.

Sam, sitting in the backseat, couldn't help but grin. She'd always known—no, been certain—that Cian and Logan had a thing for each other. She might have even given Logan a little nudge here and there. But now, seeing them together like this, the tension between them was palpable.

"Just take it slow, Cian," Sam teased from the backseat, a playful gleam in her eyes. "We're almost there."

Cian didn't answer, too focused on the road, but his grip on the steering wheel tightened, his mind racing with thoughts of his parents, his sister, and what awaited them at the hospital.

As they pulled into the hospital parking lot, Cian's face had gone as white as a ghost. The terror in his chest was suffocating, but he knew he couldn't let fear take over now. He had to be strong—for his family, for his sister.

"I'll be okay," he whispered to himself as he head into the hospital...

-To Be Continued.-