Back in the forest…
Levi stood motionless beneath the tree.
His eyes were open.
But he didn’t move.
He didn’t blink.
It was as though his mind had gone somewhere his body could not follow.
The others had already started walking back toward the truck before Logan frowned.
“Wait…”
“Where’s Levi?”
Everyone stopped.
They looked around before hurrying back.
There he was.
Standing exactly where they had left him.
“Levi?”
Logan reached out to touch his shoulder.
The instant his hand came close…
A transparent force field erupted around Levi.
Boom!
Logan was thrown backward several feet.
Joshua barely caught him before he hit the ground.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
“What was that?”
No one knew.
One by one, they tried approaching him.
Each time…
The invisible barrier pushed them away.
Levi never reacted.
He simply stood there, staring into nothing.
Thirty minutes passed.
No matter what they tried…
Nothing worked.
Panic slowly spread through the group.
“Did a monster attack him?”
“Is he trapped in some kind of illusion?”
“What do we do?”
No one had an answer.
Everyone could only watch helplessly.
Except Olivia.
She clenched her fists.
“I can’t just stand here.”
Levi had warned her never to reveal her true ability.
Not unless there was absolutely no other choice.
She took a deep breath.
Then slowly removed her glasses.
Olivia’s eyes were unlike anyone else’s.
Beautiful…
Yet terrifying.
They held a strange power that seemed to pull at the minds of anyone who looked directly into them.
She looked toward the group.
“I’m sorry.”
“When you wake up…”
“You won’t remember any of this.”
The moment they met her gaze…
One after another…
Everyone froze.
Their expressions became blank.
Then…
They collapsed peacefully onto the forest floor.
She had closed her eyes before Olivia removed her glasses.
“You know Levi told you never to use that power.”
“What if you lose control?”
Olivia smiled sadly.
“I’m not the same person I used to be.”
“I’ve been practicing.”
“I can control it now.”
She slowly walked toward her sister.
“Go to sleep.”
Carmen reluctantly opened her eyes.
The moment she looked into Olivia’s gaze…
Her eyelids grew heavy.
She fought to stay awake.
“You’d better…”
“…save our brother.”
“I will.”
Those were the last words Carmen heard before sleep claimed her.
Olivia gently carried everyone to a safe place beneath the trees.
Once she was certain they were protected…
She returned to Levi.
The invisible barrier still surrounded him.
Without hesitation…
She stepped forward.
To her surprise…
Nothing happened.
The force field allowed her to pass through as if it recognized her.
She smiled.
“I’m coming, Levi.”
She reached toward his shoulder.
“Wake up.”
Just before her hand touched him…
Someone grabbed her wrist.
Olivia’s eyes widened.
Standing beside Levi was a breathtaking young woman dressed in elegant white.
She smiled warmly.
“Oh my…”
“What an interesting power.”
“I’m afraid you can’t interrupt him.”
“My master hasn’t finished speaking with him yet.”
Olivia pulled against the woman’s grip.
“I want my brother back.”
“Whatever trance you’ve placed him under…”
“I’ll break it.”
The woman laughed softly.
“Now, now.”
“Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”
“You understand the price of using your power, don’t you?”
Olivia remained silent.
The woman smiled knowingly.
“My master is almost finished.”
“So…”
“Be a good girl and wait.”
“I’d hate to hurt you.”
Before Olivia could react…
Another woman suddenly appeared behind her.
She hadn’t sensed anyone approaching.
“Relax.”
“And stay still.”
Instantly…
Olivia’s entire body froze.
She could still think.
She could still see.
But she couldn’t move a single muscle.
Even speaking was impossible.
The elegant woman giggled proudly.
“You were wondering how I did that, weren’t you?”
She walked around until she was standing directly in front of Olivia.
“Our abilities are similar.”
“But yours…”
She smiled teasingly.
“…is rather annoying.”
“I prefer mine.”
“It’s much more elegant.”
She leaned closer.
“Don’t worry.”
“We have no intention of hurting you.”
“We simply wanted to speak with Levi.”
“And we couldn’t have you waking him up halfway through.”
She glanced toward the motionless boy.
“He’ll wake up soon.”
“The conversation is almost over.”
Then she suddenly gasped.
“Oh!”
“I nearly forgot.”
She walked behind Olivia.
Carefully picked up the glasses lying on the ground…
Cleaned them with the edge of her dress…
Then gently placed them back on Olivia’s face.
She even brushed several loose strands of hair away from Olivia’s eyes.
“You should keep these on.”
“Levi would be upset if he found out you used your power.”
Olivia stared at her in confusion.
The woman smiled warmly.
“You’re a beautiful girl.”
“I can understand why he likes you.”
Olivia blinked.
“He?”
The woman laughed.
“You’ll figure it out someday.”
“But…”
She tilted her head.
“Choose your future carefully.”
“The first boy isn’t a very good person.”
“You’d be much happier with the other one.”
Olivia’s cheeks turned slightly red.
Before she could ask another question…
Someone called the woman’s name from somewhere beyond the trees.
The woman brightened instantly.
“Oh!”
“Coming!”
She happily skipped away.
Almost immediately…
The invisible force field surrounding Levi disappeared.
At the same time…
Olivia could move again.