Jay arrived at Heeseung's house with a sense of foreboding, the unease from his conversation with Sunghoon still lingering in his mind. The driveway seemed longer today, the large house looming ahead like a fortress guarding secrets Jay wasn't sure he wanted to uncover. As he stepped out of his car, the cool breeze sent a shiver down his spine. The air around the property always felt colder, more oppressive, as if the house itself held its breath in anticipation.

Heeseung greeted him at the door with his usual stoic expression. There was no warmth in his eyes, only a sharp, calculating gaze that made Jay feel like he was being measured, weighed, and judged. Despite this, Jay couldn't help but feel drawn to him, an inexplicable pull that both intrigued and frightened him. Heeseung's presence was commanding, almost suffocating, but there was something about him that kept Jay coming back, like a moth to a flame.

"Liam's in his room," Heeseung said, stepping aside to let Jay in. "He's been a bit restless today. I thought it might be better if you spent some time with him."

Jay nodded, though he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. There was an underlying tension in the air, a silent storm brewing just beneath the surface. Heeseung's words were calm, but Jay detected a subtle edge, a hint of something unspoken.

He walked through the grand hallway, the silence of the house amplifying the sound of his footsteps. When he reached Liam's room, he paused at the door, taking a deep breath before knocking gently.

"Liam? It's Jay. Can I come in?"

There was a moment of silence, then the door creaked open slowly. Liam stood there, his eyes wide and intense, the same haunted look that Jay had seen the night before. But today, there was something else—an undercurrent of agitation, like a caged animal ready to lash out.

"Hi, Jay," Liam said, his voice barely above a whisper. There was a strange edge to it, something that made Jay's skin prickle.

"Hey, kiddo. How are you feeling today?" Jay asked, trying to keep his tone light as he stepped into the room.

Liam shrugged, his gaze darting around the room as if searching for something unseen. "I don't know... I just feel... different."

Jay frowned, watching him closely. "Different how?"

Liam's eyes locked onto Jay's, and for a moment, Jay saw something dark flicker in those young eyes, something almost feral. "I don't know," Liam repeated, his voice taking on a more aggressive tone. "Just... different."

Jay tried to keep his voice calm. "Maybe we can do something to take your mind off it. How about a game or a movie?"

Liam didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned away, his movements sharp and jerky, like he was struggling to contain something inside him. Jay watched as the boy paced the room, his hands clenching and unclenching into fists. The tension in the air grew thicker, more oppressive.

Without warning, Liam turned and grabbed a small, plush toy from his bed, his fingers digging into it with a force that seemed too strong for a child his age. He stared at the toy with a strange intensity, his breathing becoming more erratic. Jay could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as he watched Liam's behavior, the sense of wrongness growing with each passing second.

"Liam," Jay began cautiously, "maybe you should take it easy..."

But before he could finish, Liam let out a low, guttural growl and tore the toy apart with a strength that was shocking. The fabric ripped easily in his hands, stuffing spilling out onto the floor. Jay took an involuntary step back, his heart racing. The boy's sudden aggression was unnerving, to say the least.

"Liam!" Jay exclaimed, trying to reach out to him, but Liam turned on him with wild eyes.

"Don't touch me!" Liam snarled, his voice filled with a venom that took Jay by surprise. There was nothing childish about the way Liam looked at him now—those were the eyes of a predator.

Jay froze, unsure of what to do. "Liam, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to help."

But Liam didn't seem to hear him. He was breathing heavily, his small chest rising and falling with the effort to control whatever was raging inside him. Jay watched in horror as Liam's features twisted with anger, his eyes darkening in a way that didn't seem natural.

"Get out!" Liam screamed, his voice cracking with a mixture of fear and rage. "I don't want you here!"

Jay took a step back, his mind racing. He couldn't leave Liam like this, but he also knew he couldn't push the boy any further. Heeseung's warning about Liam being restless echoed in his mind, but this was beyond anything Jay had expected.

"Liam, please," Jay said softly, trying to soothe the boy. "I'm your friend. You can talk to me."

But Liam just shook his head violently, backing away until he was pressed against the wall. His hands were clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white, his body trembling with the effort to hold back whatever was threatening to break loose.

Jay's mind flashed back to the research he had done the night before, the things he had read about Enigmas. Could this be what was happening? Was Liam struggling with something that Jay couldn't understand, something that wasn't entirely human?

Heeseung appeared in the doorway then, his presence immediately commanding the room. His eyes flickered to Jay, then to Liam, assessing the situation with that same cold, calculating gaze.

"Liam," Heeseung said in a voice that was firm but gentle, "calm down. It's okay."

Liam's gaze snapped to Heeseung, and for a moment, Jay saw something pass between them—a silent communication that spoke of a bond far deeper than he could fathom. Slowly, the wildness in Liam's eyes began to fade, though the tension in his small body remained.

"Heeseung..." Jay started, his voice trembling slightly. "What's going on with him?"

Heeseung's gaze shifted to Jay, his expression unreadable. "It's just a phase," he said flatly. "He'll grow out of it."

But Jay wasn't convinced. There was something in Heeseung's voice that didn't sit right with him, a detachment that made Jay wonder if Heeseung truly believed his own words or if he was hiding something far more sinister.

"I think we should get him some help," Jay insisted, though he knew it was a risky move to challenge Heeseung. "This isn't normal."

Heeseung's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Jay thought he saw a flash of something dangerous in them. "He doesn't need help. He needs time."

Jay felt his pulse quicken, a mix of fear and frustration bubbling up inside him. He couldn't stand by and watch Liam suffer, but he also knew that pushing Heeseung too far could have consequences he wasn't prepared to face.

"Maybe you're right," Jay said carefully, trying to de-escalate the situation. "But if things get worse, we need to do something."

Heeseung's gaze softened slightly, though the tension in the room remained palpable. "I'll take care of it, Jay. You should go."

Jay hesitated, glancing back at Liam, who was now sitting on the floor, staring blankly at the torn remains of his toy. The sight of the boy, so lost and alone, tugged at Jay's heart. He wanted to do more, to protect him, but Heeseung's presence was like a wall, impenetrable and unyielding.

"Alright," Jay said finally, his voice heavy with reluctance. "But I'll be back to check on him."

Heeseung gave a curt nod, his eyes never leaving Jay as he backed out of the room. As Jay walked down the hallway, the weight of what he had witnessed pressed down on him, making it hard to breathe. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was leaving something important behind, something that would come back to haunt him.

After Jay left Liam's room, Heeseung remained standing in the doorway, his sharp eyes trained on the boy. Liam, who had been staring at the shredded remains of his toy, looked up at his father with a mixture of defiance and sadness. The remnants of his anger lingered, but there was also a flicker of regret in his young eyes.

Heeseung sighed, stepping into the room and crouching down to Liam's level. He reached out and gently placed a hand on Liam's shoulder, his touch surprisingly tender given the coldness he often exuded. "Liam," he began in a soft voice that Jay would never have imagined coming from him, "what happened earlier wasn't right."

Liam's lower lip trembled, and he looked away, his small hands clenching and unclenching. "I didn't mean to... I just... I couldn't stop," he mumbled, his voice thick with the threat of tears.

Heeseung nodded, understanding in his eyes. "I know. But Jay didn't deserve that. You scared him, and I think you owe him an apology."

Liam's eyes widened slightly, and he shook his head, his face scrunching up in a stubborn expression. "No, I don't want to," he said, his voice rising with a trace of that earlier aggression.

Heeseung's grip on Liam's shoulder tightened just a bit, not in a harsh way, but enough to make the boy look at him. "Liam, you have to learn to control this. We can't always get our way by lashing out. Jay cares about you, and you hurt him. You need to make it right."

Liam stared at his father, his eyes welling up with tears that he fought to keep from spilling. "But what if he doesn't like me anymore?" he whispered, his voice small and vulnerable.

Heeseung's gaze softened, and he gently brushed a tear from Liam's cheek. "Jay likes you, Liam. He cares about you more than you know. But you have to show him that you're sorry, that you didn't mean to hurt him."

Liam sniffled, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand. He looked around the room, his gaze landing on a small box of chocolates sitting on his desk. Heeseung had given them to him earlier that week, a rare treat that he had been saving. Liam bit his lip, then glanced back at his father.

.

"Maybe... I could give him one of my chocolates?" Liam suggested hesitantly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Heeseung smiled, a rare, genuine smile that softened his usually stoic features. "I think that would be a good start."

With a small nod, Liam grabbed the box of chocolates and picked out the biggest one he could find. He held it tightly in his hand, the chocolate slightly melting under the pressure of his grip. He glanced nervously at his father, who gave him an encouraging nod.

Taking a deep breath, Liam made his way to the living room where Jay was resting on the couch. Jay looked tired, his eyes closed as he leaned back, trying to process everything that had happened. He heard the soft footsteps and opened his eyes to see Liam standing there, looking both embarrassed and determined.

"Jay," Liam mumbled, his voice shaky. "I... I'm sorry."

Jay sat up, surprised to see the little boy holding out a slightly squished chocolate with a face that was both endearing and filled with nervous energy. There was a hint of that earlier aggression still in his eyes, but it was tempered by a deep embarrassment that made him fidget uncomfortably.

Jay couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips. The sight of Liam, so conflicted but trying his best to make amends, melted away the tension in his heart. "It's okay, Liam," Jay said gently, taking the chocolate from his small hand. "Thank you."

Liam's cheeks flushed, and he crossed his arms over his chest, trying to maintain some semblance of his usual tough exterior. "I didn't mean to scare you," he muttered, his voice gruff as he glanced away, clearly embarrassed by the entire situation.

Jay chuckled softly, finding the boy's tough act rather adorable. "I know, kiddo. I'm not mad at you. We all have bad days."

Liam looked up at him, his expression softening just a bit. "You're not going to leave, right? You'll come back?"

Jay's heart ached at the vulnerability in Liam's voice. He could see that behind the aggression and the strange behavior, Liam was just a kid struggling with something he couldn't understand. Jay reached out and ruffled Liam's hair, a gesture that made the boy huff in mild annoyance but didn't push him away.

"I'm not going anywhere," Jay reassured him, his voice warm and comforting. "We're friends, right?"

Liam nodded slowly, his eyes wide and sincere. "Yeah... we're friends."

Jay smiled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. He took a bite of the chocolate, making an exaggeratedly pleased face to show Liam how much he appreciated the gesture. Liam watched him closely, a small, shy smile finally breaking through his tough exterior.

Seeing the boy's smile made Jay feel a little more at ease, but it also deepened his resolve to figure out what was really going on with Liam. There was something different about this kid, something that went beyond the usual childhood quirks. Jay knew he had to get to the bottom of it—not just for his own peace of mind, but for Liam's sake as well.

Heeseung appeared in the doorway, watching the interaction between Jay and Liam with a look that was hard to read. There was a brief flicker of something in his eyes—was it relief?—before his usual calm expression returned.

"Liam, why don't you go play in your room for a while?" Heeseung suggested, his tone gentle.

Liam glanced between Jay and Heeseung before nodding and heading back to his room, the box of chocolates clutched in his hand.

Once Liam was out of earshot, Heeseung turned to Jay, his expression unreadable. "Thank you for being patient with him," he said, his voice carrying a weight that Jay couldn't quite decipher.

Jay shrugged, trying to keep his tone casual despite the undercurrent of tension between them. "He's a good kid, just going through something. I get it."

Heeseung's gaze lingered on Jay for a moment, his eyes dark and intense. There was something there, something unspoken, that made Jay's breath catch in his throat. But before he could say anything, Heeseung looked away, the moment slipping away like sand through his fingers.

"Liam's lucky to have you around," Heeseung said finally, his voice softer now. "He's... he's not easy to understand."

Jay nodded, sensing the deeper meaning in Heeseung's words. "I'm just glad I can help. He means a lot to me."

Heeseung's eyes flickered back to Jay, and for a split second, something vulnerable passed through his gaze. But then, just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by the familiar, guarded expression that Jay had come to know.

"I should go check on him," Heeseung said, his voice curt as he turned to leave the room.

Jay watched him go, feeling a strange mixture of emotions. There was so much about this family that he didn't understand, so many layers of secrets and unspoken truths. But one thing was clear—Jay was getting deeper into something far more complicated than he had ever imagined.

As he sat back on the couch, Jay couldn't help but think about the connection he felt with both Liam and Heeseung. It was confusing, but it was also undeniable. And as much as he wanted to distance himself from the strangeness of it all, he knew he couldn't. Not now. Not when it felt like they needed him as much as he needed them.

As the days passed, Jay couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss with Liam. The strange, aggressive behavior wasn't just a one-time occurrence—it was becoming more frequent. Each time they spent time together, there was a moment when Liam's mood would shift abruptly, his eyes darkening with an intensity that didn't seem to belong to a child. Jay tried to brush it off, but the more he witnessed, the more concerned he became.

One afternoon, Jay arrived at Heeseung's house, determined to keep things light. He brought along a new board game he thought Liam might enjoy, hoping to distract him from whatever was causing these outbursts. But as soon as he stepped into the house, he sensed that something was off.

The air in the house felt heavier than usual, as if something unseen was lingering in the corners. Jay frowned, shaking off the uneasy feeling as he made his way to the living room. Heeseung was sitting on the couch, his face unreadable as always, but there was a tension in his posture that Jay hadn't noticed before.

"Hey," Jay greeted, trying to sound upbeat. "I brought something for Liam. Where is he?"

Heeseung looked up, his gaze piercing. "He's in his room," he said shortly. "He's... been having a rough day."

Jay's heart sank. "Is he okay? Did something happen?"

Heeseung didn't respond immediately, his eyes shifting to the hallway where Liam's room was. After a moment, he sighed. "He's been more agitated lately. I don't know what's triggering it, but it's getting harder to calm him down."

Jay's concern deepened. He had seen the way Liam's behavior had escalated over the past few days, but hearing Heeseung confirm it made it feel more real, more urgent.

"Maybe I can talk to him," Jay offered, his voice gentle. "Sometimes he just needs someone to listen."

Heeseung nodded, though there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes. "Maybe. Just... be careful. He's not himself right now."

Jay swallowed the unease that was creeping up his spine and headed down the hallway. The door to Liam's room was slightly ajar, and Jay could hear the faint sound of something scraping against the floor. He knocked lightly, pushing the door open.

Liam was sitting on the floor, his back to the door, furiously drawing something on a piece of paper. His small frame was tense, his movements erratic as he scratched the pencil across the page.

"Liam?" Jay called softly, stepping into the room.

Liam didn't respond, his focus entirely on his drawing. Jay moved closer, peering over the boy's shoulder to see what he was working on. What he saw sent a chill down his spine.

The drawing was chaotic, filled with dark, jagged lines that formed a twisted, almost monstrous figure. It was as if Liam had poured all of his anger and confusion into the page, creating something that didn't belong in a child's mind. But it wasn't just the drawing that disturbed Jay—it was the feeling it gave off, a sense of dread that seeped into the room like a fog.

"Liam..." Jay began, his voice shaking slightly. "What is this?"

Liam finally looked up, his eyes wild and unrecognizable. "It's... it's in here," he whispered, his voice filled with a fear that made Jay's blood run cold. "I can't stop it."

Jay's heart pounded in his chest as he knelt beside the boy. "What can't you stop, Liam? Talk to me."

Liam stared at the drawing, his hands trembling as he clutched the pencil. "It's inside me... and it wants to come out. It's angry."

Jay felt a wave of panic rise in his chest. He reached out to gently take the pencil from Liam's hand, but the boy jerked away, his expression twisting into one of pure rage.

"No!" Liam shouted, his voice echoing off the walls. "You can't take it away! It's mine!"

Jay was taken aback by the sudden outburst. Liam's eyes, usually so soft and innocent, were now filled with a ferocity that didn't seem natural. It was as if something else was looking out from behind them, something that was far more dangerous than a simple childhood tantrum.

Heeseung appeared in the doorway, his presence commanding as he stepped into the room. "Liam," he said sternly, his voice low and firm. "That's enough."

Liam froze, his eyes locking onto his father's. For a moment, the room was filled with a heavy silence, the air thick with tension. Then, slowly, Liam's expression softened, the anger draining from his face as quickly as it had appeared. He dropped the pencil, his small body sagging with exhaustion.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, tears welling up in his eyes. "I didn't mean to..."

Heeseung crossed the room in a few long strides and knelt down, pulling Liam into a tight embrace. "It's okay, Liam," he murmured, his voice filled with a rare tenderness. "You're okay."

Jay watched the scene unfold, his mind racing. This wasn't normal—not by any stretch of the imagination. Whatever was happening to Liam, it was beyond anything Jay had ever encountered. And the more he saw, the more he realized that this family was hiding something—something dark and dangerous.

After a few moments, Heeseung gently guided Liam to his feet. "Why don't you go get cleaned up, buddy?" he suggested, his tone soothing. "I'll come check on you in a bit."

Liam nodded, his eyes downcast as he shuffled out of the room. Jay watched him go, his heart heavy with concern. As soon as Liam was out of earshot, Heeseung turned to Jay, his expression grave.

"Thank you for trying to help," Heeseung said quietly. "But I think it's best if you don't involve yourself too much in this."

Jay bristled at the suggestion. "I care about Liam. I can't just stand by and watch him go through this alone."

Heeseung's gaze hardened. "This isn't something you can fix, Jay. It's... complicated."

Jay crossed his arms, refusing to back down. "I don't care how complicated it is. Liam needs someone to be there for him, and I'm not going to abandon him."

For a moment, Heeseung looked like he was going to argue, but then he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You don't understand what you're getting into," he murmured, almost to himself.

"Then explain it to me," Jay pressed. "Help me understand."

Heeseung stared at him, his eyes filled with an internal struggle. But instead of answering, he simply shook his head. "It's better if you don't know."

Jay opened his mouth to protest, but before he could say anything, they heard a loud crash from the kitchen. Both of them immediately rushed toward the sound, their hearts pounding.

When they entered the kitchen, they found Liam standing in the middle of the room, surrounded by broken glass. The window above the sink was shattered, shards of glass littering the floor. Liam was staring at his hand, which was bleeding from a deep cut on his palm.

"Liam!" Heeseung shouted, his voice filled with a mix of panic and anger. He quickly moved to grab a towel, wrapping it around the boy's hand to stop the bleeding. "What happened?"

Liam looked up at his father, his eyes wide and filled with a strange mix of fear and confusion. "I didn't do it," he whispered, his voice trembling. "It just... happened."

Jay felt a cold shiver run down his spine. He could see the raw, unfiltered emotion in Liam's eyes—fear, confusion, and something darker that Jay couldn't quite place. It was as if the boy was losing control of something within him, something powerful and destructive.

Heeseung clenched his jaw, his eyes flashing with a rare emotion—fear. He quickly scooped Liam up, holding him close as he turned to Jay. "I'm taking him to get cleaned up. Can you... can you handle the glass?"

Jay nodded, still processing what had just happened. As Heeseung carried Liam out of the kitchen, Jay knelt down and started picking up the pieces of glass, his mind racing. This was more than just a temper tantrum or a phase—something was seriously wrong with Liam, and it was clear that Heeseung was doing everything he could to keep it under wraps.

But Jay wasn't going to let it go. He couldn't. Not when Liam was in so much pain, both physically and emotionally.

As he cleaned up the mess, Jay couldn't help but feel a deepening sense of dread. Whatever was happening to Liam, it was getting worse. And if Heeseung wasn't going to tell him the truth, Jay would have to find out on his own.

After finishing up in the kitchen, Jay took a deep breath and made a decision. He was going to dig deeper into this, no matter how dangerous it might be. Liam needed him, and Jay wasn't going to let the boy face this alone.

When he was done, Jay made his way back to the living room, where he found Heeseung sitting on the couch, his head in his hands. The man looked exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Jay felt a pang of sympathy for him, but it didn't quell his resolve.

"I'm going to figure this out," Jay said quietly, his voice firm.

Heeseung looked up at him, his eyes shadowed with fatigue. "You don't know what you're saying."

"I know enough to see that Liam needs help," Jay replied. "And I'm not going to let you push me away just because you're scared."

Heeseung flinched at the word, but he didn't deny it. Instead, he just looked at Jay, his expression unreadable. "If you dig too deep, you might not like what you find."

Jay stared back at him, unflinching. "I'll take that risk."

For a moment, they just looked at each other, the tension between them thick and palpable. Then, without another word, Jay turned and left the house, his mind made up.

Whatever was happening to Liam, it was bigger than any of them. And Jay was going to uncover the truth, no matter what it took.