At dusk, the sky was dyed crimson by the setting sun.
A cool evening breeze swept through the quiet streets, stirring up withered yellow leaves that twirled through the air with no clear destination. A black crow flapped its wings as it cut across the fading light, letting out a hoarse caw that echoed into the distance.
When Lucian and Ben returned to Aunt Vera's house, they found her already fast asleep.
"Come on, it's only six-thirty!" Ben muttered, exasperated.
"Alright, don't disturb Aunt Vera's rest," Grandpa said, ruffling Ben's hair. "You two came running back in quite a hurry earlier—did something happen?"
Lucian nodded and explained everything that had occurred.
After listening, Grandpa Max's expression grew serious, his brows furrowing. "If what you're saying is true, then those blob aliens have already taken over the whole town. But what about the original townsfolk—the elders?"
"Could they have been eaten by the monsters?" Gwen asked, eyes wide.
"Hard to say," Lucian replied slowly. "It's possible they were hidden away somewhere."
"We have to stop them," Ben said firmly, clenching his fists. "We can't let the town fall completely."
"Ben," Grandpa suggested, "you mentioned Marty turned into one of those things. Why don't we head to his house and see if we can find any clues?"
Marty's home wasn't far—just a short walk away. Maybe they'd find traces of the missing people there. Even if they'd been devoured, something should've been left behind. They couldn't have just vanished.
Lucian nodded in agreement.
"I'm coming too," Gwen said immediately.
"No," Lucian shook his head. "You stay here and protect Aunt Vera. If any monsters attack, use your water magic. Those creatures are afraid of water."
"Alright…" Gwen lowered her head reluctantly.
Lucian smiled and stepped forward, patting her shoulder reassuringly. "Don't be discouraged. You're our strongest weapon against the blob aliens. Honestly, your cousin can't compete with you in terms of firepower right now."
Hearing that, Gwen's eyes brightened like stars. She smiled and nodded.
"Thanks, cousin. If it weren't for the magic book you gave me, I wouldn't have been able to start training at all."
"Let's move."
Lucian waved a hand and led Grandpa and Ben out toward Marty's house.
As she watched them leave, Gwen sighed softly, closed the door, and shook her head. Now it was just her and Aunt Vera—boring and uneventful.
Letting out another small sigh, she grabbed her laptop, curled up on the soft sofa, and started browsing through magical texts.
Ding-dong!
After some time, the sharp sound of the doorbell broke the stillness of the night, echoing through the quiet house.
"Back already?" Gwen blinked in surprise.
She slipped on her slippers and padded softly to the door, peering through the peephole.
Outside stood a woman dressed in hip-hop fashion, her long hair cascading down to her waist. She was stunningly beautiful, with porcelain skin and a delicate figure. In her hands, she held a green cake and smiled politely.
"At this hour?" Gwen frowned, her suspicion rising.
Keeping one hand hidden behind her back, ready to cast a spell if needed, she slowly opened the door.
"Hello, may I ask who you're looking for?" Gwen asked with a polite smile, standing in the doorway to block entry.
The elegant woman paused briefly at the sight of her, then covered her lips with a soft laugh. "Hello, little one. I'm Alice, the daughter of Mayor Smith. This matcha cake is a special gift my father prepared for Grandma Vera. Is she not home?"
As she spoke, Alice extended the cake toward her.
"Aunt Vera's already asleep," Gwen replied calmly, keeping her polite smile. "Is there anything else you needed?"
She didn't dare lower her guard. In times like these, anyone could be a monster in disguise.
Alice shook her head lightly, pressing the cake into Gwen's hands with a warm smile. "Please give this to Grandma Vera for me. It's an important gift. I'll be going now."
Looking down at the bright green cake in her hands and the woman's friendly expression, Gwen couldn't bring herself to refuse. She hesitated, then nodded.
As Alice walked away, Gwen exhaled softly in relief. She set the matcha cake on the table and went back to studying her notes on magic...
"Gwen, who just came by?"
Aunt Vera's voice suddenly sounded from behind.
Gwen's heart gave a little jolt. She turned around quickly to see Aunt Vera standing at the doorway, rubbing her drowsy eyes.
"Aunt Vera, weren't you asleep?"
"I got up to use the restroom," Aunt Vera said with a gentle smile.
Gwen nodded. "The woman who came just now said she was Mayor Smith's daughter. She brought you a matcha cake as a gift."
"Oh, Alice! That child is so beautiful and kind. She often comes by to visit this old lady."
At the mention of Alice, Aunt Vera's face softened with genuine warmth.
Just then, Gwen suddenly felt the urge to use the bathroom and hurried off in that direction.
Vera stepped into the living room. Her eyes landed on the delicate matcha cake on the table, and a faint smile spread across her face.
"Perfect timing... I was getting a little hungry."
She patted her round belly, picked up the cake, and slowly made her way back into the dim bedroom...
...
Elsewhere.
Under the flickering light, the pendulum's shadow stretched across the pale wall, each swing accompanied by the deep, echoing tick of the clock.
Lucian walked in front, his eyes alert, scanning every corner. Behind him, Ben followed nervously while Grandpa Max kept watch at the rear.
The house's furnishings were neat and undisturbed—no signs of struggle. The coffee table, lamp, and television all appeared untouched, as though everything were perfectly normal.
Snap!
A sharp crack sounded underfoot, unnervingly loud in the quiet darkness.
Lucian looked down and saw an empty popcorn bucket. Under the dim glow, its inner surface reflected an eerie crimson tint.
Popcorn was scattered across the floor, long forgotten and now swarming with ants, busily ferrying pieces back and forth.
"Come take a look," Grandpa Max said, frowning as he bent over a nearby fish tank.
Lucian walked up and narrowed his eyes.
The tank's water was completely gone. Inside, a small turtle lay weakly at the bottom, its mouth opening and closing faintly, eyes half-shut as if on the verge of death.
"These things really are afraid of water," Lucian said with a cold smirk.
Seeing the poor creature's condition, Ben quickly scooped it up and rushed to the bathroom. He turned on the faucet and filled a bucket with water, gently placing the turtle inside.
The little thing immediately came to life, paddling happily and splashing around as if reborn.
After a careful search of the entire house, Lucian confirmed that Old Man Marty was nowhere to be found—nor were there any signs of a body. It seemed he had been moved elsewhere.
Still, the trip wasn't completely in vain. Lucian glanced meaningfully at the turtle in Ben's hands.
"Grandpa, let's head back," he said, turning toward the door.
Grandpa Max nodded, and together with Ben, they made their way back to Aunt Vera's house.
...
Evening settled over the small, shadowed room.
Vera lay asleep on her soft bed, a peaceful smile on her face and a smear of green frosting still clinging to the corner of her lips.
On the bedside table sat half of the matcha cake.
Suddenly, the surface of the cake began to quiver. From within, a slimy green slug slowly wriggled its way out...