The girls' eyes widened with admiration as they took in Roca's impressive, armed appearance. Though they'd noticed him before—tall, at least 1.85 meters, with a strong build and a quiet strength that radiated security—his aloof demeanor had kept them at bay. Now, emboldened, they couldn't help but let their gazes linger.
Roca's mixed heritage lent him a striking, unique look. His father, an American soldier, had married a beautiful blonde woman to honor his family's legacy. Tragically, they'd both passed away in a car accident, leaving Roca to fend for himself—a burden he had long since learned to carry alone.
Once the room emptied, Roca leaned close and spoke softly in Tina's ear. "What exactly did you see?"
Lying in his arms, Tina felt her earlier fear dissolve. She gathered her thoughts and said, "I saw 'him' coming…killing everyone."
Roca raised an eyebrow. "Did you see me get killed?"
Tina looked at him, but shook her head. "No… I couldn't see your future."
Roca's brow furrowed. Was it because Tina hadn't yet fully mastered her ability? Or because her vision had limits?
After a moment's pause, he said, "You know who 'he' is, don't you? Jason the Undead Killer."
The legend of Jason was known all over New York. Though terrifying, his appearances were rare, with each resurgence claiming only a few dozen lives. His death toll was chilling but relatively low, which had kept him below the authorities' radar.
Tina paled at the mention of Jason's name, a figure she knew well from urban legends. She'd heard tales of his brutal, almost supernatural methods, and now, fear crept back into her voice. "What should we do?"
Roca placed a hand on the weapon strapped across his back. "Don't worry; I'm here to hunt Jason down."
Tina took a breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Should we warn the others?" She gestured toward Nick and the rest of the partygoers.
Roca shook his head. "It wouldn't change anything—they'd never believe it, and the future… it's a path that can't always be altered."
Tina looked uncertain, reluctant to accept that her visions might be inevitable. "But… what should I do?"
Roca met her eyes, his voice steady. "Right now, you need to master your abilities. They'll be essential in the fight ahead."
She looked at him, surprised. Very few knew about her powers. "You… you know?"
"You're not the only one in the world with special abilities," he replied cryptically.
Tina's surprise turned to understanding, thinking that Roca might have powers of his own. A spark of happiness filled her—she felt she'd found someone who truly understood her.
"Come on," Roca said, guiding her to a quiet room off to the side. "I'll help you get started, though I don't have much experience myself."
They sat in the dim room, and Roca encouraged her to focus. "Start by understanding what you can do. You're able to move objects with your mind, right? Concentrate on that. Imagine moving that glass on the table."
Tina followed his instructions intently. Clearing her mind, she focused on the glass in front of her, visualizing it shifting under her will. Slowly, the glass wobbled, then floated slightly.
"Good," Roca encouraged as he caught the glass just before it dropped. "You're getting the hang of it."
Tina beamed. "Thank you! I didn't think I'd pick it up so quickly."
Roca gave a small smile. "This is a great start, but to face Jason, you'll need to be even stronger. I have no doubt you have it in you."
Hearing his words, Tina felt a new sense of purpose. Though she'd always hesitated to explore her powers, now she wondered just how far she could go. She wanted to protect her friends—she wanted to make sure they'd survive.
Roca looked at her, reading the determination in her eyes. "Don't overthink it. Rest up for now. You'll need your strength."
He'd set up surveillance around the villa but hadn't yet detected Jason's presence. In the movies, Jason usually struck the night after his resurrection, so Roca felt confident they were safe for now.
Tina nodded, reassured. "Alright. Thank you."
She left for her room, her heart calmer than it had been in a long time, the feeling of safety lingering from Roca's presence. She had a plan, an ally, and maybe, just maybe, a chance at survival.