《A/n: If you are un-pleased with this ending, go ahead and read the other (if you want).

Please read the authors note that was published before these endings.

THIS IS THE BAD ENDING.》

It was unnoticeable at first, and you continued on with life because you were clueless.

•°•

“Aww, they're so big now! I remember when they were so small… ahh, but they're still adorable.” Leah laughed, she looking towards the two toddlers who chased each other around the legs of their father, Elena chasing after Elier.

Amélia hums in agreement, turning to you, her eyes gleam. Unable to see, yet your awareness of what possible scene was present, was keen, to say the least.

•°•

“Yeah, they've definitely grown a lot…” You smile, shutting your eyes in contention. You knew Michael could handle it if they went too far, Elena wasn't the best when knowing when to stop her playing. Elier, not wanting to be tackled into a hug by his sister, continued to try and hide from her behind their dad.

“You never really realize how much time has passed until you see how much other grow.” Amélia comments. “I'd spoil them but I don't want their behaviour to be spoiled as well…”

“Aw, give ‘em a toy or two, or a cute plush! You know, I doubt they'd decline that.” Leah chirps, looking over as Meg pads into the room. “Hey Meg,” the British woman greets. You had invited them all over for the twins birthday, sometimes it almost felt like mere days had passed, other times it felt like years. In reality, it had only been three. Four years for time to fly, for you to adjust to the consequences, and for Michael to learn where he felt comfortable in the house. As well as the time for Elena and Elier to grow.

“Hey.” The woman replies with a wave, a grin on her face as Claudette walks after her. The two had decided to room together after Meg got a job and Claudette could finally deal with school. Both were now living steady lives, slowly the troubles of nightmares in the realm had died down into memories.

“Meg! You know we gotta get the things!” Claudette grabs the athletes shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.

“Detty! I just wanted to drop by first to see them!” She replies with a grin, Michael was unmoving when she approaches, and scoops up Elena. The young girl gasped, looking to see it was her ‘Auntie Meggo’ and began to laugh.

Elier finally came to a halt, hugging one of Michael's legs as he watched Elena be hugged by Meg. Michael patted his head, and the boy looked up to his father with uncertainty. Elier had always been a bit reluctant about any contact from those who aren't his parents. Michael nods, gesturing for the boy to greet his family friend.

Elier puffs his cheeks and walks over in a way that is almost trudging. He accepts the short hug from Meg, who was aware he wasn't the social type so she gave him a squeeze before letting him bounce back to his dad. Michael glanced your way as he picked Elier up, yet you had a distant look on your face.

“Megan,” Claudette tapped her foot, her familiar firm mother-like tone setting in. “Come on, we'll see them later.”

“But Detty…” Meg pressed her cheek to Elena's as she gave Claudette a set of puppy dog eyes. Elena giggled. “I know you wanna hug them too.”

Claudette’s expression falters, mumbling her breath, “well yeah but…”

Leah gives a laugh, “I can come help if you'd like me to as well.” The brunette suggests. “Amélia can chill here.” She swings an arm around the woman.

“I'd love to help with what I can.” You offer, a smile on your lips. Yet a single long look at you let Michael know your mind needed a distraction. From what, however, he wasn't certain of.

“Hey now,” Leah stops you, “you gotta stay with the birthday twins. We'll get the preparations done.”

“Mommy stays with us!” Elena exclaims, being put down from Meg's arms and stumbles over to you.

Elena hugs your waist on her tippy toes. You smile, returning the hug and patted her head. “Okay, okay. I'll stay.”

“We’d appreciate your help.” Claudette smiles to Leah, “if you don't mind carrying some things.”

Michael still feels out of place in the room, slowly moving to your side. Three years pass yet he can still be rigid around others, though he is accustomed to the few visitors who were your friends, he was glad you both could agree on a small party only.

Still, he's held together this far. He's bound to get used to it at some point.

“Get your coat, and meet me outside,” Claudette said to the two who'd help out, Meg and Leah both grinned with a nod.

Michael tilted his head down, Elena tugged at his pants to gain his attention. “Up! I want uppy!” She raised her arms, hands grabbing at air as she demanded to be picked up.

Amélia snickered, “you have needy children.”

Michael sent her a glare, which the (quite [sometimes] cold) woman shook off easily. You laughed instead, making the man calm his annoyance. He did though, pick Elena up in his other arms. His daughter letting out a squeal of joy from the height. The twins enjoyed being carried by him if they got to be 6 feet off the ground.

Elier huffed, irritated from his sister, twisting his body to hug Michael's neck and hid his face.

“Elier, Elena.” You called out, “would you like to go outside to play in the snow?”

“Really!?” Elena exclaims, Elier even perking up at the idea.

“Ah oui, now would be a good time, it isn't particularly cold out, and there is plenty of snow.” Amélia agrees to the idea, “I'll eventually have to get the cake me and Leah baked for their celebration.”

“Yeah, we'll get dressed and we can go out a bit past the backyard.” You tell them and was aware that there was a forest nearby there. You doubted many would find a family suspicious, unless they somehow recognized Michael, of course. You doubted it though.

Michael reluctantly nodded, carrying the twins to the living room to get their coats and snow pants on.

You were aiding by Amélia, all and all being able to manoeuvre around the house quite well as long as no one moved any furniture. Your mind was acquainted with the mental map of a layout.

You made your way to the couch without any problems, sitting down. You yelped when a jacket landed on your lap.

“Michael.” You heard a quiet snicker leave him.

Michael kneeled in front of Elier, helping him with his snow pants, a sweater, jacket, gloves, and a hat. Knowing if he didn't bundle the two up properly, you'd surely be upset if they were to get sick.

With the two finally bundled up, Michael stretched out his arm to grab your scarf and beanie (courtesy of Nea) off a couch pillow. Shifting over to you as Elena tackles Elier with the best of her abilities.

You hummed with content as he wrapped the fluffy (f/c) scarf around your neck. Plopping the hat onto your head, earning a chuckle from you. The distant look in your eyes no longer evident.

“Thank you, Mikey.” You tilted your head slightly, expectantly. Michael raised a brow, knowing what you wanted of him. He pressed a chaste kiss to your lips.

“Eww!” Elena muffled a laugh, Elier puffing his cheeks at his sister. Otherwise not reacting as she did.

“Daddy hurry up!” Elier pouted, ushering Michael to get his own jacket.

•▪°○°▪•

The brisk winter’s wind tickled and cooled your cheeks. Snuggling your nose deeper into your (quite comfortable) scarf. Your covered hand held tightly onto Michael's, who you had realized didn't care to put on a pair of mittens or gloves.

While the sound of Elena and Elier’s laughter reached your ears, your mind was preoccupied once more. An eerie feeling that made your skin crawl and the wish that you could see your surroundings. You slowly regretted leaving the safety of the home, yet, you had gotten the same feeling prior to leaving.

“Lollipop.” Michael squeezed your hand. Your trail of thoughts broke in the span of a second.

“Sorry… was distracted, it's nothing.” You tell him, not convincing him or yourself. You avoided paying any attention to his stare, instead, trying to focus on Elena and Elier. Your lips pressed together, forcing on a smile a little too much. You wished you weren't.

“They're having fun... Sometimes I forget how fun snow is.” You whisper, letting out a slow breath.

Michael watched you concerningly. Elier noticing his parents silence, even Elena had looked to their mom and dad with a strange look.

Still, you tried to ignore the eerie feeling you received. Focusing on the cheer that filled the twins as they played in the snow.

Michael pulled his scarf over his nose, eyes flickering to you every so often, wanting to be sure you were truly alright.

You assured him you were, still unconvincing.

Elena shrieked when Elier threw snow in her face. The small boy snorting a laugh, something that made Elena pause and she laughs too.

"Make snowman!" Elena fell back onto her bottom, patting the snow around her. "Help Eluur!" She slurred his name. "Mommy and daddy help too?"

You smile, "I can start a snowball for you two. Then daddy can help you roll the snow, okay?" You nudge Michael's side.

Michael nods, watching as you crouch down and scoops snow into your hands. Packing it together into a ball that you held out for Michael to take as you stood.

Michael took the ball into his hands and patted your shoulder, walking to the two children who barely reached his knees. "Big snowman?" He asks in a mumble.

"Yeah!"

"Yeah."

The two answered simultaneously, with Elena being more enthusiastic than Elier. Michael nods, nearly kneeling as he begins to roll the snowball, letting it gather the snow that layered the ground. Gradually it grew in size, only until it got right above his knees did he stop.

A glance around, he noticed two women by a park bench near one of the trails that led into the forest, not that far away.  One had pointed to them, saying something to the other.
Michael had turned his head away, ignoring them.

You had made another snowball, giving it to Michael who repeated the process while the twins watched with eager faces.

"Can we find stuff for the face?" Elena asks you, tugging your hand.

"Are there fallen leaves and sticks close by? Where daddy can see us?" You ask, wanting to go with them, though, due to the feeling you had gotten (yet at this point was unnoticeable), you didn't want to go far.

Elier hummed, "mhm yeah."

"Okay, lead my way." You smile down to them, letting them tug your hands.

One step...

Five steps...

You were stopped at eleven, hearing the crunching of snow in front of you. Elena and Elier were picking up thin sticks to use.

Your mind stopped for a moment, the sounds of Michael's footsteps approaching.

"You're children are so cute!"

You gasped, startled. The person wasn't Michael. Instead, a passerby. Or at least you hoped was a passerby.

"Ah um..." You struggled to speak for a moment, your children rushed to your sides in caution. "Sorry, I didn't realize you weren't my husband..." You mumbled.

"Huh?" The person seemed to step back, "ah sorry for sneaking up! Your kids are just too cute!" You flinched back. Looking towards your south-east where you guessed Michael would be. This woman was coming off way too overwhelming for you.

"Sorry, I have to agree that yes, my children are cute and I appreciate you think that but ca-"

"Hi! My name's (Woman/n) nice to meet you!"

You stepped back, keeping the twins behind you. The woman was oblivious to the discomfort that radiated off you. Before you could ask her to leave you three alone, you heard another pair of footsteps. Relief filling you as a hand was placed onto your head.

"Lollipop," Michael says, as though it were a greeting.

Michael approached you immediately after a moment of observing. Placing a hand on your head for reassurance.

After muttering his favourite nickname of yours, his eyes glare at the woman. She acknowledged him as soon as he approached. Eyes wide as she had to look up to meet his narrowed eyes.

No longer ignorant to your discomfort to her, she glanced at you, then Michael who had gestured for her to shoo.

She shuffled away, left intimidated and nervous by the killer. Then Michael turned to you, “all okay?”

“Yes, thank you Mikey.” You breathed out in relief. You tilted your head to where Elena and Elier stood behind you. “Do you have everything?”

“Yes mommy.” Elier said before Elena could.

“Okay… let's finish that snowman, alright?”

•▪°○°▪•

The encounter was something you shook off easily, you were put off by the suddenness sure, but overall you, Elena, and Elier were okay.

Michael did however keep an eye on the woman, she was one of the two who were sitting by the bench. And it seemed she was trying very hard not to notice his glare.

As Elena added the final touches to their snowman, Elier nodded his head in approval. A smile of pride on both their faces even though the face was a little crooked, but Michael wouldn't tell them that. They were already proud of their masterpiece.

“I'm sure it looks great,” you told them, patting their heads when they hugged at your legs. “We should go inside now. It's getting much colder.”

“We wanna stay out longer!” The corner of Elena's lips pulled to a frown, like rocks heaved them down.

“Elena…” She froze, hanging her head in disappointment.

“Okay, sorry mommy.” She mumbled, while caused a pang of emotion in Michael chest.

“There will be cake for you two.” Michael crouches down to meet Elena’s eye.

“Really?” Her eyes lit up immediately. Her mood flipping like a switch when Michael grabbed her sides and lifted her up and over his head. Placing her on his shoulders. Elena yelped, grasping his blonde hair.

You tilt your head to the side with a smile, “alright let's go inside now.” You accept Elier's hand who eagerly wanted to go inside to have cake.

You four returned to your close friends and your family cheering happy birthday in celebration.

And while your ears listened to the cheerful voices, your mind wandered back to the feeling you had gotten.

•▪°○°▪•

Gone and back, like an erratic cycle, one moment you feel it, the next it's gone.

And like the feeling, time had come and gone.

It seemed to have only eaten your mind from the inside, ever so slowly it felt like your sanity crippled. Paranoia seemed to blanket your shoulders ever second it can get.

Your hand trembles, the side of your pinky smudges a blob of paint by accident.

You whisper a curse under your breath. Michael didn't need to accompany you, the both of you were aware. Though he did insist.

There was something wrong. It was oh-so clear with each expressive abstract painting you create.

And if he was completely honest. He was becoming increasingly scared for you. For you health. Yet, you came no closer to indulging him as to why you were so concerned, so… scared.

Striking grey and red streaks popped out against the black background. An almost golden yellow mixed with orange splotches looked like it was nearly thrown onto the canvas like it was a last minute decision. The style was like the slow 180 turn in your behavior.

You pressed your lips together. Scooting your chair back and getting up.

You were quiet as your cleaned up, Michael returning your brushes and helping you by bringing your towel.

“Thank you,” you told him quietly, hearing as the bathroom door shut almost silently as he left. All the while, a part of you didn't want him to leave. Scared that if he did, you'd be faced with the thing that was causing your insanity.

But you showered alone, sight left in the darkness while you prayed that nothing would happen.

You stepped out, hand against the wall as you came to the door. The bathroom was diagonally west to your shared bedroom. Having rearranged a few days after you finally got home.

“Lollipop.” You were picked up, and dropped onto the bed. Clutching your bath towel as sleepwear was thrown your way.

“Time?” You ask in a weak voice, putting on your pajama shirt.

“8:27.”

You nod solemnly, a pregnant pause in the air before you spoke again; “how’s Elena and Elier?”

“Okay… asleep.” He replies, laying down next to he spot you sat. The bed dipping and you didn't resist as gravity pulled down onto his back. You deflated, letting (more like forcing) your muscles to relax as you laid over him.

“I'm sorry I've been so distant Michael.” You sat up to move next to him, having an arm wrap over your waist. You were pulled to his chest as he turned to hug you.

“It's okay, just rest well.” You felt his chin rest atop your head, fingers brushing your hair in a soothing manner.

“Thank you, love.” You yawned, “sleep soon Mikey, I know you rarely do.”

You shut your eyes, your breath slowing as your mind drifted off to sleep.

“Sleep well…”

•▪°○°▪•

It was cold, why was it so cold?

“How long has it been?” You let out a shaky breath. “Four years in your world it seems. You were by far the easiest to trace. Since you work like a string from one can to another. It was quite easy after my recovery.” It was mocking, teasing.

“Sleeping well will be surely difficult from now on won't it?” Laughs of several voices echoed around you as though you were in a cave.

“Perhaps I should thank you… although all presents have a payment... and I need some recruitment.”

•▪°○°▪•

The dream was brief but overwhelming.

As was the moment you shot up with wide eyes. Open eyes, that it felt blinding for a single moment. The light that poured into the room from the hallway was far too bright for being dim.

Your winced when you looked to the digital alarm clock on the desk; 2:48 am.

Throwing yourself out of bed and stumbled out of your bedroom. You didn't hear Michael sit up as you left. Dread filling your soul like an overfilled glass. Your eyes were squinted, the light hurting your vision as you got into the hall.

You nearly tripped on one of Elena's stuffed animals when you rushed into the room. The sound you made would describe the feeling of having your soul leave you.

The word ‘no’ fell from your lips. Reaching out to Elier who had eyes that reflected your horror.

Then they were both gone.

The claw-like appendages vanished into the ceiling, leaving black spray painted-like markings.

A choked sob broke the silence. Michael rushing to your side with knitted brows and a visible frown.

“It… took- them.” You brought your hands to your mouth, muffling the broken cry that left your lips.

The initial adrenaline from your panic faded to undeniable fear and sorrow. Two feelings that Michael caught on to. Realization flooding to him as his head fell to your shoulder as you both sank to the ground.

“(Y/n)?!”

Keith stood at the door, his eyes leaving you and Michael to the clearly missing twins. His eyes widened, fingers twitching to a clenched fist as he saw the familiar dark spots.

Like deja vu hit him, a flash of seeing your empty bedroom all those years back. “Oh God…”

He backed away from the door, leaning back against the wall of the hallway and fell to his bottom.

Leaving you two to recover in the room of your now stolen children.

•▪°■°▪•
(Years later)

A claw patted the top of Elier’s head, “kill them for me.”

Elier opened his eyes, glancing around the winter wonderland of a map.

Elena was by his side, a smile on her face. While his expression was nowhere near matching hers, he gripped the kitchen knife with blood lust.

“Of course!” Elena exclaimed to the sky, a knife matching Elier’s was in her hand as she threw her arms up in a stretch.

Elier was silent, following his twin sister to scout each generator.

Stumbling upon the next generator, Elier snuck up upon the survivor. Pulling the woman off the gen and let Elena carry her onto her shoulder.

“Why do you always have to carry that mask with you Eli? You already have your own.” Elena asked with furrowed brows as she hooked the survivor. Gesturing to his deer mask.

“It's special…” Elier muttered, glancing down to his other hand. The white faced mask was being held by the dark brown hair on its head.

It was different from his, and from Elena's fox mask. It reminded him of something, and yet, the Entity never allowed him to know why.