Chapter 865:

Driven by curiosity, she circled him. His face remained elusive, though he struck a familiar chord.

Kneeling to match his height, she asked, "What's your name, little one? Tell me, and I'll take you somewhere exciting."

The boy clutched a book, ignoring her, lost in its pages.

Annoyed by his indifference, Elyse reached out to pinch his cheek, her voice rising. "Why are you ignoring me?"

Her fingers barely grazed him when he seized her hand.

Looking up, Elyse found the boy had aged into a towering teenager. Despite his youth, his presence was imposing. His unclear visage now emanated a threatening aura, unsettling Elyse.

Cocking his head, he challenged, "Are you afraid?"

Elyse was stunned, speechless. He lunged, pinning her to the ground, shouting, "Why are you afraid of me?"

Although just a teenager, he stood nearly six feet tall. Beside him, Elyse looked small.

Overwhelmed by his presence, Elyse shook with fear, yet sensed he felt even more pain and fear.

Gathering her courage, Elyse said, "I'm not afraid of you. You've got the wrong idea."

"The wrong idea?" he repeated, laughing dismissively. "That's a weak excuse. You don't like me. You hate me."

Elyse shook her head. "How could I hate you? You're mistaken."

"Really?" His tone was skeptical.

As Elyse tried to rise, he forced her down. He screamed, "No! You're lying! You don't care about me. You're a liar, and I'll never trust you again!"

Elyse winced, striving for composure. "I mean it. I'm not lying. You can believe me." She swallowed hard, awaiting his response.

A haunting silence fell. He slowly helped her up, standing behind her, his hands on her shoulders. He whispered, "You say you're not afraid and that you like me. Prove it."

Elyse shivered. After a brief silence, she asked, "How can I prove it?"

"Turn around and look at me. If you're not afraid, I'll believe you," he said compellingly.

Hesitating, Elyse nodded.

He released her.

As Elyse slowly turned, her eyes widened in shock. She covered her mouth and stepped back in horror.

The boy had become a monstrous, enormous, sinister figure. . . .