The Boy Next DOOR.

Looking back, they spotted Kelvin and Jordan approaching, and Ortho fumed in frustration.

How did these bastards get here? How did they know? he thought angrily.

"Where the fuck are you taking him?" Kelvin demanded, his voice steady as he moved closer, his mind racing at the sight of Dave unconscious in the arms of the cloaked figures.

"You want to know? Then why not follow us," Ortho replied, standing firm.

"If you value your lives, hand him over peacefully," Kelvin warned, his steps unrelenting.

"Ha! Really, Kelvin? Give him to you? That's impossible. But you've saved me some trouble by showing up here. I'll just take you along now—no need for my original plan. You came willingly," Ortho said, his voice laced with malice.

"Ortho, I'm warning you. Don't let this get out of hand," Kelvin cautioned.

They laughed mockingly. "Really? And what can you, an unclaimed, do?" Ortho taunted.

Unclaimed? Jordan thought to himself. What does that mean?

"Don't tempt me. Don't call me that," Kelvin snarled.

"Still, if you want your sweet lover back, you'll have to come with us. We'll trade him for you," Ortho said smugly.

"And I've got a surprise for you. Do you remember the name Drusilla?" Ortho asked, watching as Kelvin's eyes widened.

" Does the name ring a bell" Ortho asked smiling.

Yes it does, it's his mother's name.

"Don't you dare mention her name with your filthy mouth! You have no right to even say it!" Kelvin snapped, emotions swirling within him at the mention of his mother.

"Ha! But what if I told you she's still alive? If you want to see her, you'll have to come with us," Ortho baited.

"Don't joke with me. Don't joke with me! I won't tolerate you playing with me like this. Release Dave, and we'll part ways without anyone getting hurt," Kelvin said, his voice tight with restraint.

"I knew you wouldn't believe me," Ortho said, pulling out his phone. He played a video.

Kelvin's breath hitched as he saw his mother, Drusilla, tied up and tortured. Her lifeless expression made his heart clench.

"What have you done to my mom? Why is she with you? How? She's supposed to be dead," Kelvin said, his voice trembling.

"Yes, you thought she was dead, but she's been alive all these years, and with us. If you want to see her, you'll have to come. Deal or not? Or I'll kill this precious one right here, and your mother too," Ortho said with a menacing smirk.

"No, don't! I… I'll go with you. Just give Dave to me," Kelvin relented.

Ortho handed Dave over, and Kelvin carried him to Jordan.

"Take him home. Take him to my parents. Please, make sure nothing happens to him," Kelvin said urgently.

"What about you, Kelvin? What if this is just a trap? Don't go with them, please!" Jordan pleaded.

Kelvin smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Jordan. Nothing will happen to me. I'll come back safely," he reassured.

With that, Kelvin turned back to Ortho, and in an instant, they vanished like smoke.

Jordan stood frozen, shocked and scared. He quickly carried Dave to his car.

"Good Lord, what's going on? This makes no sense. Who are these people? What the hell is happening?" Jordan muttered in frustration, running his hands through his hair.

"I wish I could do something. Only God knows where they've taken him. What should I do?" he asked aloud, starting the car.

"I need to hurry. I don't even know what they did to make Dave unconscious. How foolish of him to follow Ortho into the woods. Sigh. Well, it's not his fault. He trusted his friend," Jordan said, his voice tinged with regret.

---

A few hours later, Kelvin arrived with Ortho and the cloaked figures in an eerie, unfamiliar town—a dark enclave reeking of malice. From the architecture and atmosphere, Kelvin recognized it as one of the clans within the Upside Down.

I've been here before… before my parents' demise. They're just like the others who wanted to use me for their own gain, he thought bitterly.

He was led to a grand red door adorned with black skeleton heads. The door creaked open, revealing a man seated on a throne at the far end. Kelvin immediately recognized him: Arthur, the leader of the Dark Water Clan.

"Oh, oh, look who we have here," Arthur said, a smile spreading across his face. "Finally, Kelvin, all to myself. Well done, Ortho," he praised, rising from his throne and walking toward Kelvin.

"Well done, Ortho. I knew you wouldn't disappoint me," Arthur repeated, placing a hand on Kelvin's shoulder.

"You've grown well, Kelvin. Look how big you've gotten," Arthur said, his tone almost patronizing.

"I didn't come for idle talk. Where is my mom?" Kelvin demanded.

"Ah, of course. Ortho, take him to see his mother," Arthur instructed.

Ortho led Kelvin to a dark, oppressive underground dungeon—a place for the vilest criminals.

Why would they put her here? I won't spare any of them, Kelvin vowed silently.

At the cell gate, Ortho opened the door. Kelvin stepped inside, his heart racing. He flicked on a nearby switch, dim white light illuminating the dark room.

His heart sank as he saw a woman chained to the wall. The chains were unlike anything he'd seen before—enchanted, powerful. He approached cautiously, his emotions roiling.

Is this really her?

When he saw her face, recognition hit him like a bolt.

"It's her…" he whispered, his voice breaking as he fell to his knees.

Tears streamed down his face as he gazed at the woman before him—his long-lost mother, Drusilla.

"Mother," he called softly, moving closer to her. His steps faltered as he noticed blood dripping from her mouth.

"Mother, what have you done to yourself?" His voice cracked, trembling as his gaze shifted to her hands. Her palms bore deep wounds, self-inflicted with her nails, laced with the faint residue of a poisonous substance.

She had summoned just enough poison, unwilling to harm anyone else to escape her torment or save herself. She'd rather die than be used as a pawn to harm her son. She knew too well that they were using her as bait.

"Mother, please, look at me. Stay with me!" he begged, his tears falling freely as he cradled her frail form.

"Kelvin..." she whispered weakly. "My child."

"Yes, Mother. I'm here," he said, placing his trembling hand on her cheek.

"Why?" He sobbed. "Why did you do this to yourself? You could've held on a little longer. I was coming to save you." Desperation filled his voice as he tried to pry the chains binding her.

"Kelvin, listen to me," she rasped, her voice interrupted by a coughing fit that sprayed blood across her lips. "I know why I did this. Don't let their threats deceive you. You are powerful, my child. No one can bring you down."

"Mother, no! I'm not powerful. I can't even control myself. How can you say that? I can't do this without you. Please, don't leave me again. I can't bear it." His voice broke as he clung to her, his tears soaking her tattered gown.

"You can, Kelvin," she said, her voice faint but resolute. "You're strong. The poison is taking its toll. I can't last long." She paused, catching her breath. "But promise me... don't spare them. None of them. Unleash the power within you. Make your father and me proud. I want to watch from the afterlife as you bring Selvara to her knees."

Her bloodshot eyes bore into his, unwavering. "You're no weakling, Kelvin. The child I bore is the strongest, the most powerful of them all. Avenge me, your father, and your sister. Do this to honor us."

"I love you so much, my son," she said, her voice softer now. "Every day, I thought of you. Seeing you now... so strong, so handsome. I'm so proud." She coughed violently, blood staining her lips.

"Mother, please stop talking. Let me free you!" Kelvin tugged at the chains in frustration, anger fueling his strength until the metal links snapped apart. She collapsed into his arms, her body growing limp.

"Live a happy life, Kelvin," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I heard you have a boyfriend. What's his name?"

"Dave," Kelvin choked out, clutching her tighter. "His name is Dave. Mother, open your eyes. Stay with me, please."

"Dave..." she repeated softly, a weak smile forming. "What a beautiful name. Promise me you'll cherish him. No matter what happens, be happy. Don't let your life turn out like ours."

Her head fell against his chest, her body utterly still.

"Mother? No, no, no! Open your eyes! Don't leave me again!" Kelvin's cries echoed through the dark chamber. "Mother! MOTHER!" He screamed, his agony shaking the walls as he clung to her lifeless body, his tears falling like rain on her pale face.