The tension in Rina's shop was palpable as Ethan stepped into the circle of light, his presence casting an unsettling shadow over the room. Tigo felt a chill run down his spine; the brother Liam thought was lost was now standing before them, but something about Ethan's demeanor felt off.
"What do you mean you know who's trying to control the watch?" Liam's voice trembled with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
Ethan smirked, leaning casually against a shelf filled with delicate porcelain figurines. "Let's just say I've been keeping an eye on things—people have their secrets, especially when time is involved."
Rina crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "You need to be careful, Ethan. The last time you were around, things went south fast."
"Ah, but this time, I'm not the reckless kid you remember," Ethan replied, his voice smooth like silk. "I've learned a thing or two about manipulation and power." He locked eyes with Tigo, a challenge lurking beneath his cool facade. "And you lot need guidance."
Shine stepped forward, her brow furrowed. "What are you talking about? Are you trying to help us, or are you part of the problem?"
Ethan chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down Tigo's spine. "Depends on what you consider a problem. You're diving into something much deeper than you realize. You think the watch is the key? It's just the beginning."
Tigo felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "What do you want, Ethan? Why are you really here?"
"I want to set things right," he replied, his gaze unwavering. "But first, you need to understand what you're up against."
He moved closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "There are forces at play that want to seize the watch for their own ends. And I suspect someone within our circle is working with them."
Shine gasped, her eyes widening. "Are you suggesting it could be Rina?"
"I'm saying that trust is a fragile thing, and you should question everything," Ethan shot back, his voice cold.
Rina's expression darkened, her hands clenching into fists. "How dare you! I've been trying to help you since the beginning. You think I would betray you?"
Tigo stepped in, feeling the weight of the situation shift dangerously. "Let's not turn on each other just yet. We need to focus on the real threat."
"Good idea," Ethan said, a hint of approval creeping into his tone. "I have information that might help us track down whoever is pulling the strings. But it's not free; you'll have to trust me."
"Trust you?" Liam scoffed, disbelief etched on his face. "You disappeared without a word, and now you expect us to take your word on anything?"
"Look, you don't have to like me, but you need me," Ethan retorted. "If we don't act quickly, the timeline as you know it will collapse. People will disappear, and the chaos will be irreversible."
Tigo exchanged glances with Shine and Liam, the weight of their choices pressing down on him. "What do you propose we do?"
"I've tracked some unusual occurrences around town. People claiming to have seen things—events that didn't happen. It could be linked to someone else using the watch," Ethan explained, his tone growing serious. "We need to investigate those reports before it's too late."
Shine crossed her arms, skepticism clouding her features. "And how do we know this isn't a trap? How do we know you're not leading us straight into danger?"
Ethan's eyes glinted with something akin to admiration. "Because, whether you believe it or not, I have a vested interest in this too. If they succeed, I'll be the first one to pay the price."
The urgency in Ethan's voice resonated with Tigo, igniting a flicker of hope amid the uncertainty. "Fine. We'll investigate. But no funny business. If you betray us again, we won't be so forgiving."
Ethan shrugged, a smirk dancing on his lips. "I wouldn't dream of it."
The group set off toward the edge of town, where the first report had come from—a woman claiming to have seen her late husband walking down the street, alive and well. The fading light cast long shadows on the pavement, and Tigo felt a chill creeping in.
As they walked, tension hung in the air. Rina fell back to walk beside Shine, whispering softly. "Are you sure about this? Ethan has always had a knack for manipulation. He could twist things to his advantage."
Shine nodded, her gaze locked ahead. "I know. But we can't let fear dictate our choices. If there's even a chance he's right, we need to find out what's happening."
Liam remained silent, his jaw clenched as they approached the woman's house, a modest structure at the end of a quiet street. The windows were dark, but a light flickered in the kitchen, casting eerie shadows across the yard.
"Here we are," Tigo said, stopping in front of the door. He knocked, the sound echoing into the silence.
A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing a woman in her late forties, her eyes wide with confusion. "Can I help you?"
"Ma'am, we heard you've seen something… unusual," Tigo said, his heart racing.
"Yes," she replied, her voice shaky. "I saw him—my husband. He was right here, just last week." Her gaze darted around nervously, and Tigo noticed her hands trembling.
"Can you tell us exactly what happened?" Liam pressed, stepping forward.
"He was walking down the street, just like before," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. "I thought I was dreaming. But he looked… real. I even spoke to him."
Shine exchanged glances with Tigo and Liam, her brow furrowing. "When was this? Did he say anything?"
The woman hesitated, tears pooling in her eyes. "He told me not to worry, that he was coming back. But then, he just… vanished."
A chill swept through Tigo as he processed her words. "What if these occurrences are somehow linked to the watch?" he wondered aloud, feeling the weight of uncertainty settle over him.
"Then we're running out of time," Ethan said, stepping closer. "If someone is manipulating these events, we need to figure out who before it's too late."
The woman's trembling intensified. "You have to stop them. Before they take anyone else."
The tension was suffocating as they stood at the crossroads of uncertainty and fear. Tigo felt a surge of determination—a need to protect those he loved and to uncover the truth behind the shadows that lurked just beyond their grasp.
With their resolve set, they stepped deeper into the unknown, ready to face whatever darkness awaited them.
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