September 2023
The first round of scene recordings was behind them. Noah had quickly connected with Daniel — no fake politeness, no tension. But Mason wasn't happy about it. His expressions said it all. As if he didn't like the fact that his brother was getting along with someone he considered a "nobody."
But if they were acting in a movie together, they had to interact off-camera, too. What exactly had Mason expected?
That day, Noah was waiting for his brother outside the university. Mason had stayed late to perfect his presentation. Noah was about to find a bench when he noticed Daniel sitting on a low wall with a can of Coke. He walked over and sat beside him.
"Did I scare you?" he asked.
"Are you allowed to talk to me outside of filming?" Daniel looked him straight in the face.
Noah raised his eyebrows.
"I'm a free man. I talk to whomever I want."
"Your brother likes to control you. And he clearly can't stand me."
Noah's expression darkened. It was true. As the biological son, Mason held the dominant position in the group. When he didn't like something, everyone else had to adjust — especially Noah.
As time passed, it became harder to accept. Noah was no longer a child. He had his opinions — and wanted to express them. He might not have Miller blood in his veins, but that didn't make him weaker.
"I'm sorry for how he acts. Once he writes someone off, it's difficult to undo."
"I don't care about his approval," Daniel replied. "He acts like a spoiled prince. Sorry, just saying it like it is."
"I don't blame you. You know, even though he's my brother, I agree."
"You're entirely different. You should be just as much of an asshole, but you're... normal."
"Maybe it's just personality," Noah laughed. "Let's not lump everyone together."
"Seriously though, does he hate me just because I'm poor?" Daniel looked genuinely surprised.
"He was raised to feel superior. As the heir, he was supposed to 'know his place.'"
Daniel raised his eyebrows.
"And you? Why didn't that affect you?"
"Because we're not related by blood. I have more freedom, but I still have to watch who I hang out with. That's why Mason keeps an eye on me."
Daniel nodded. One thing was clear — Noah trusted people too easily. And that was his greatest weakness.
"My dear friend, what are you doing on this wall?!"
The voice belonged to Betty. She was walking toward them with Nancy. Noah jumped down from the wall.
"See you tomorrow. I don't want Betty to eat you alive."
"She's just as annoying as your brother," Daniel muttered with a smirk.
Betty stepped closer, looking at Daniel with open disapproval.
"Don't tell me you're making friends with this charity case. Once filming ends, your paths should go separate ways."
"Does coming from a poor family make him worse?" Noah asked coolly.
"That sounded harsh," Nancy interjected.
"I didn't mean anything bad by it," Betty replied, putting on an innocent expression. "I'm just concerned. Noah has a good heart, and people like Daniel could take advantage of that." She wrapped her arm around him. "Don't be mad. I care about you."
"I can take care of myself. You and Mason don't have to treat me like a kid."
"Noaaah," she chirped, resting her head on his shoulder.
Noah felt awkward, especially with Nancy watching.
"I'm not mad, Betty. You know I always let things slide."
"And that's why I adore you," she said with a smile.
May 2024
Silence filled one of the hotel rooms. Everyone was staring at Daniel, who had unexpectedly shown up among them. Only Jake sat by the window, deep in thought.
Was his grandfather one of the founders of this place? What tragedy had he been responsible for? Was their presence on this island connected to his family's past?
He wasn't sure he wanted the answers.
Mason hadn't taken his eyes off Daniel. Rage flickered in his gaze.
"Stop looking at me like that. If you want to confess your love, go ahead." Daniel grinned wickedly. "Oh wait, I forgot — you're a homophobe."
"Mason, don't react," Noah said. "Just ignore him."
Mason clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes.
"Poor boy, where did you come from?" Betty asked. "You weren't invited. Did you bring us here?"
"Seriously? Me, the poor guy, came up with this whole plan?" Daniel laughed. "I have no idea why I'm here either."
"Then how did you get here?"
"I was at the party. Mason invited me," he said, nodding toward him.
"What? Why don't I remember that?" Betty murmured.
"Mason invited him under the pretense of an apology," Nancy explained. "And then you all wanted to humiliate him even more."
"I'll never forgive him! This is all his fault! If you hadn't wanted him in the film..." Mason shouted, glaring at Daniel.
"Stop. You know it's your fault," Noah said calmly.
"Whose side are you on?"
Daniel smirked.
"Mason, you're eaten up with guilt."
"One more word and I'll kill you," the brunet growled.
"Enough!" Jennifer stepped between them. "These arguments won't change anything. We're trapped and no one remembers how we got here. Nancy? Did you recall anything?"
Nancy brushed back her hair and sighed.
"I remember we were on a yacht. Mason was humiliating Daniel. You were all laughing. We were high. But I didn't take anything. Maybe someone already wanted to hurt us back then."
Everyone fell silent, glancing at each other uneasily.
Will noticed Jake had gone pale, and was staring at a fixed point.
"Hey, what's up with you?" He shook his shoulder.
Jake looked at him with a dazed expression.
"What?"
"You've been acting weird ever since you left that room. Did something happen?"
All eyes turned to Jake.
"This might sound crazy, but... I saw something. Not ghosts. Demons. Bloodthirsty ones."
Mason turned pale.
"I saw something in the hallway. The light was flickering. There was a silhouette. It moved."
"Did anyone else see anything?" Will asked.
The rest shook their heads.
"Stop... I'll die if anything shows up," Betty whimpered.
Jake looked at Mason.
"Why only us?"
"Because you're descended from witches?" Will tried to joke, but no one smiled.
"Maybe you've done something wrong," Daniel said. "Demons love dark souls."
A noise echoed from the hallway. Betty grabbed Will's arm.
"Do you think something really wants to kill us?"
"It's no coincidence we're here," Jake replied.
Night was falling — a night none of them would ever forget.