Amusement Park.

When Lyon excused himself to step outside, the reason he provided wasn't quite the truth. Instead of simply needing some fresh air, he had a different destination in mind, a place that had held a special place in his heart since he was a child.

The town of Halloween was a magical and delightful place, especially for children and anyone still young at heart. It was a destination that beckoned to those below the teenage years with its enchanting allure. Lyon, however, had been oblivious to this captivating town until now. He belonged to the category of children who would yearn to visit an amusement park, whose longing cries would echo in the ears of their parents.

With the guidance of Jim, a long-time resident of Halloween, Lyon navigated the town's streets and alleys with ease. Jim was a treasure trove of information, knowing every nook and cranny of the place, and he was more than willing to show Lyon the way.

As Lyon entered the amusement park, a sense of nostalgia washed over him. Memories of his childhood came rushing back, like a movie reel playing in his mind. Lyon had faced unique challenges in his youth due to a rare illness that had aged him beyond his years. Discrimination and bullying had been constant companions, and his frailty prevented him from defending himself. In fact, Lyon had been forced to abandon school because of these relentless struggles. What hurt the most was the lack of support from his own family during these trying times.

Lyon vividly recalled the days when he'd plead to be included in family outings, only to be met with indifference. He had felt like an outsider, unable to partake in the joys other children experienced. The scars of those painful experiences ran deep, etched into his heart.

As Lyon gazed at the various rides and attractions in the amusement park—the towering Ferris wheel, the dizzying rotor, the exhilarating long slides—he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. He sighed and muttered to himself, "I missed out on so much during my childhood. It was agonizing to watch other kids having fun while I stood on the sidelines, helpless. It wasn't my fault; it was all because of that wretched disease!"

His frustration boiled over, and he impulsively struck a nearby parked car, sending it teetering on the brink of toppling over. Lyon's own strength surprised him, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of power coursing through him.

"That was something," he remarked, giving himself an acknowledging nod as he ventured further into the amusement park.

Strolling along the park's winding paths, Lyon's mind continued to revisit his past. The disease that had set him apart had been a relentless adversary throughout his life. School had been a nightmare, as he was singled out and tormented. The memory of having to leave school due to his vulnerability still haunted him.

But the most painful aspect of his childhood was the indifference of his parents. Lyon recalled how he would plead to be included in their plans, only to be brushed aside. It was a loneliness that cut deep into his soul.

His gaze settled on the happy families around him, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. Lyon clenched his fists, making a silent vow to himself. He was determined to grow stronger, to work tirelessly so that no child would ever have to endure the isolation and pain he had experienced.

Seating himself on the rotor ride swing, Lyon attempted to savor the moment, but his emotions got the better of him. He found himself seething with anger, directed at his parents.

"You better be ready because when I confront you, you'll pay for being neglectful," he seethed inwardly, his hand striking out impulsively at the air.

However, his raging thoughts were interrupted when the image of a girl flashed before him like a holographic projection. A warm smile tugged at his lips.

"She's the only one who ever cared for me, regardless of my condition," he thought, his heart momentarily soothed by the memory.

Just then, a familiar scent wafted in from behind him, breaking his reverie.

"Stupid zombie!" Lyon muttered in frustration, his anger reignited. He turned abruptly, only to come face to face with a small blond-haired boy, who stared at him in bewilderment.

Lyon quickly realized that there were no zombies in the amusement park. The unexpected mention of a "zombie" smell had him on edge. Instinctively, he readied himself to strike, but something about the boy's gaze gave him pause.

"What?" Lyon exclaimed, taken aback by the boy's calm demeanor.

"Why don't you kill me?" the boy asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lyon's eyes widened in disbelief. "You can talk?" he sputtered.

The boy remained silent, instead turning and darting away from Lyon. It was as if he sensed danger and was creating distance between them.

Without a second thought, Lyon gave chase. The boy was surprisingly swift and agile, managing to stay one step ahead. Lyon was determined not to let him escape, though, and soon he closed the gap.

"You're quite fast for a little zombie, but I'm faster," Lyon muttered to himself as he leaped into the air, aiming to tackle the boy. However, the boy had other plans. He leaped high into the sky, narrowly evading Lyon's grasp and landing gracefully on the ground before continuing his mad dash.

Lyon persisted in his pursuit, closing the gap once more. He was determined not to let this mysterious boy slip away. With a smirk, he commented, "You may be quick, but I've got the advantage."

As the boy leaped into the air again, Lyon was ready. He grabbed the boy's foot in mid-air, preventing his escape.

"I hope this keeps you grounded," Lyon quipped before slamming the boy forcefully onto the ground.

Surprisingly, the boy managed to use his hands to break his fall, absorbing the impact. However, this time, Lyon was prepared. He swiftly followed up with a powerful kick that sent the boy crashing to the ground.

A resounding thud echoed through the amusement park as the boy hit the ground hard.

"That should do it," Lyon said, panting but victorious.

He watched as the boy struggled to regain his footing, but Lyon could see the exhaustion in his eyes. However, Lyon wasn't aware that the boy was far from defeated; he was merely biding his time.

With a sudden burst of energy, the boy used his hands to gather the force of Lyon's blows, channeling it into his own body. With surprising agility, he propelled himself back into the air, soaring higher than before.

Lyon was taken aback by this unexpected turn of events. He hadn't anticipated the boy's resilience and resourcefulness.

As the boy soared through the sky, Lyon couldn't help but admire his tenacity. However, Lyon was determined to end the confrontation. With a swift movement, he extended his arm, a praying mantis wing-like appendage sprouting from his back. He aimed a powerful kick at the boy, knocking him out of the air.

The boy plummeted to the ground, his body crashing with a deafening thud.

"Gotcha," Lyon declared, a satisfied grin on his face.

To his surprise, the boy was still conscious, though clearly in pain. Lyon could see the boy's will to fight diminishing, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.

"Why don't you just finish me off?" the boy whispered, his voice barely audible.

Lyon smiled, his expression tinged with both amusement and curiosity. "I know what you are, and I know you're not afraid of death. But something tells me you don't truly want to die. Besides, I have someone who wants to meet you before we decide your fate."

With a sense of purpose, Lyon lifted the boy from the ground, realizing that the boy's body was no longer responding to his commands. Unbeknownst to the boy, every bone in his body was broken, a testament to the ferocity of their battle. Lyon marveled at the fact that the boy's skull had miraculously remained intact.

"Relax," Lyon said reassuringly, even though he knew the boy couldn't understand him. "We're going to meet someone very interesting."

As Lyon carried the injured boy, muffled cries for help escaped the boy's gagged mouth. They moved quickly, making their way to a hidden workshop nearby.

Before long, a group of five people arrived at the scene. One of them, Potter, voiced his concern, "This is where he should be. What's going on?"

A muscular man took charge and barked orders, "We can't afford to waste any time. We need to find him before sunset."

Just as they were about to continue their search for the missing boy, a sudden, earth-shaking roar emanated from the depths of the amusement park, causing the ground to tremble beneath their feet.

"What in the world is that?" Potter exclaimed, his voice tinged with panic.

The unexpected roar left the group of searchers bewildered and filled with dread. Unbeknownst to them, Lyon's world was about to become even more entangled with the mysteries of Halloween.