The next day.
??
*"And when I get that feeling
I want sexual healing
Sexual healing, oh baby
Makes
feel so fine
Helps to relieve my mind…"*
??
When Emtt and Juno arrived at Duncan's house, they heard Adam humming the song.
"Wow, soone's in an exceptionally good mood," Emtt teased, his jealousy evident.
"Heh."
Adam pointed to the corners of his mouth. "Sorry, I just can't control this smile."
"This isn't like you," Emtt remarked in surprise. "Was last night that amazing?"
"No," Adam chuckled. "I just got a sudden burst of emotion. By the way, have you guys ever watched *Transforrs*?"
"You an that cartoon with robots that can transform?"
Emtt's expression turned peculiar. "Is that what's got a playboy like you smiling uncontrollably? Did I stumble upon so big secret?"
In 1984, Hasbro collaborated with a Japanese company to release the four-season Arican *Transforrs* cartoon. It was an instant success and later led to the global phenonon of the *Transforrs* animated movie.
"No," Adam replied earnestly. "I just didn't expect Jennifer to also be a fan of *Transforrs*. She said it inspired her love for machines. OMG! Her car repair skills are incredible."
"…What?"
Emtt looked bewildered and turned to Juno. "Did you catch any of that?"
"What's so hard to understand?" Juno smiled. "He's been talking about cars the whole ti. And you call yourself a music-loving Black guy? How could you not recognize Marvin Gaye's legendary song? Don't just look at the surface—look at the essence!"
"(｀ω)"
Emtt snapped, "Just tell
what happened last night!"
"It's not what you think. There's nothing to say."
Adam patted Emtt's shoulder and sighed. "But I might've misjudged you before. Your lack of experience is showing. Keep up!"
Emtt's dark face flushed red.
"Stop gloating," Juno said, rolling her eyes at Adam. Then her expression grew serious. "Be careful."
"Careful of what?" Adam asked, puzzled.
"Karen!" Juno said solemnly. "Don't provoke her. If possible, avoid getting too close to Jennifer too."
"Relax," Adam laughed. "I'm a man of principle. Soone like Karen? Not in this lifeti!"
"Let's hope so…" Juno trailed off, hesitant.
"Hey, let's change the subject. What do you guys think Sheldon's college life will be like?" Adam redirected the conversation away from potentially dangerous territory.
"God help Sheldon's classmates," Emtt quipped. "When they realize they're being completely outclassed by a 'grade-schooler,' the humiliation will be delicious."
"I'm more curious about Peggy and Sheldon's future stories," Juno said with a grin.
"I'm sure they'll be spectacular," Adam murmured, lost in thought as mories of those people and events flickered in his mind.
He imagined Sheldon treasure hunting with a bowling ball. If he ever faced an even smarter Peggy, would he have the courage to shout, "I'm the smartest person in this world!"?
It was sothing to look forward to…
---
**At Jennifer's house.**
"Are you okay?" Karen asked with concern.
"I'm fine. Very fine."
Jennifer lay lazily on her bed, a mysterious smile on her lips. "Karen, you know what? I used to think people who loved studying were nerds, but I realized I was wrong. Knowledge is power!"
"What?" Karen looked confused and worried.
"Adam told
that a famous person once said: 'The more knowledge you have, the more you can manipulate it!'"
Jennifer murmured, "Knowledge is power. Knowledge plus power is double the joy. From now on, I'm going to study hard and improve every day."
Karen stared at her familiar yet unfamiliar best friend, feeling utterly disoriented.
---
**A week later.**
"Hey, Jennifer, are you free this afternoon?"
"Sorry, Karen. I already have plans with Adam…"
"But we haven't spent ti together one-on-one all week."
"Sorry, Adam insists that sunsets, hillsides, and cars make the perfect picture, visually stunning…"
*Beep beep.*
Karen didn't catch anything Jennifer said after that. She stayed in a daze even after the call ended, her mind flooded with terrifying images.
Once again, she was trapped in her imagination.
Everyone was bad.
This ti, that included Jennifer.
In her mind, Jennifer's transformation into a demon played out.
The evil demon Adam planned to sacrifice Jennifer, but she survived and beca possessed by the demon. She began feeding on humans, one man after another, to maintain her radiant beauty.
Karen knew the truth and could have saved them. But to protect Jennifer, she chose silence, believing Jennifer wouldn't harm her.
But Jennifer betrayed her!
The demon-possessed Jennifer seduced Karen's boyfriend and ultimately killed him.
Why?
Why?!
Jennifer knew how much Karen loved her unnad boyfriend, yet she still chose to do it. Karen couldn't take it anymore.
This ti, she decided to save her unnad boyfriend and stop Jennifer, the demon.
Even if it cost her everything.
With newfound determination, Karen donned a red hoodie, slipped a box cutter into her pocket, and left her room.
---
**Evening.**
Jennifer sneaked out of her house, hopped into Adam's pickup, and they drove toward the hillside. Once they left the residential area, Jennifer stuck her head out of the window, shouting into the wind with excitent.
Adam was equally thrilled. This was his tribute to his beloved *Transforrs* movie! And unlike its protagonist, he didn't need a Bumblebee robot's help—he wasn't so weakling!
Unbeknownst to them, a car was quietly following.
In the driver's seat, Karen kept her gaze fixed on the pickup's tailgate. One hand gripped the steering wheel while the other fiddled with the box cutter in her pocket.
Open and close. Open and close. The blade pierced through her pocket, but Karen didn't notice.
Her eyes saw only the two demons: Adam and Jennifer.
As the sun set, painting the sky red, the eerie hue reflected in Karen's eyes like a foreboding on.
When Adam and Jennifer reached the hillside, their shadows overlapped in the sunset. Hiding in the bushes, Karen pulled out the box cutter and silently approached.
She had to stop these demons from harming anyone else.
Just then, a warm hand clasped hers. Startled, Karen looked up to see a radiant, saint-like girl illuminated by the twilight glow. Smiling gently, the girl said, "It's not worth it."
The darkness that Jennifer and Adam had sown in Karen's heart dissolved in the girl's brilliance. The box cutter fell from Karen's trembling hand.
---
*(End of Chapter)*
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