The sky hung heavy and dark over the house.
Lilith approached silently, her presence like a shadow, carrying out the grim order that would steal the mother and daughter's precious moments.
Knock.Knock.
"Mom, are the police officer and the pretty lady back again?"
"Hmm, could be them, I guess."
"Okay, I'll open the door to greet them. Mom, just stay in the kitchen. I'm sure they'll be happy to be treated to dinner.Your cooking is wonderful!"
"Okay, dear. Go greet them."
"Alright, mom."
She swung the door open, excitement shining in her eyes.
"Eh—"
TWACK
Lilith's strike sent her crashing to the floor, unconscious.
"You got lucky today, kid. I'm not taking your life… but your happiness"
She glided toward the kitchen, cold and unyielding.
"Hello, ma'am."
"Who… who are you?" Clara stammered, fear creeping into her voice.
"Oh, please… don't give me that look. I'm the one who paid money to the brothel to free your daughter."
"W-Where is my daughter?"
"Oh?" Lilith gestured casually. "There, she's lying over there because I knocked her out."
"What do you want from us? If it's money, I'll pay!"
"Oho? No… I don't want money."
"Then what do you want?"
Lilith's eyes narrowed. The dagger gleamed coldly in her hand.
Slice.
The blade sliced across Clara's throat. She collapsed, her fingers stretching desperately toward her daughter, her vision blurring as life drained from her.
"L…Lucy… I'm sorry… I can't watch you growing u—"
TSHK.
Her final words were swallowed by silence.
Lilith stood over her, impassive. "Rest in peace, ma'am."
The mother's gaze had been locked on her child until the very end, love and regret frozen in her eyes.
Lilith turned away, the shadow of a grim reaper walking from the house, ready to report back to Catherine.
"Hahh… I'm such a sinner," she whispered, as the night swallowed her figure.
The sky was still heavy with darkness as Sebastian, Julian, and Wendy walked briskly through the quiet streets of Starkville. After the chaos at the mother and daughter's house, they needed to report everything to the police station, but Wendy had a sudden idea.
"Oh wait, before we go to the station, how about buying something for the kid and her mother?" Wendy suggested, her voice bright despite the tension.
"Great idea, Wendy," Sebastian replied.
Wendy froze for a second, stunned. She had never seen Sebastian genuine smile .
"Ahem… then I'll buy some candy for the kiddo," she added, cheeks warming.
"Aaa… yeah, that would be nice. I'm pretty sure she'll like it," Julian said, trying to keep the mood light.
"Alright, let's go to the store before it gets crowded," Sebastian said, taking the lead.
"Understand, sir! Let's go!" Wendy and Julian replied in unison.
Sebastian shook his head slightly as he glanced at them. "I guess they really suit to be siblings in another life… yeah, they are."
They reached the small candy shop, grabbing some treats and small goodies for the girl. After a few minutes, their arms were full of bags, and they set off again toward the mother and daughter's house.
On their way, Wendy frowned. "Why didn't they close the door? It's dangerous nowadays; there's been so many robberies—"
Sebastian cut her off, voice firm. "Don't mention it."
"Ah… I won't mention it again," Wendy said, confused
.
Sebastian glanced at Julian.
"What now? Why are you looking at me like that? I'm not a kid anymore. Come on, man, we've grown up. You see?"
Sebastian turned away,
As they approached the house, the streetlight flickered overhead. Their hearts sank. Lucy was lying on the ground, motionless.
"Hey, hey, wake up! Can you hear me?" Wendy called, shaking the girl gently.
Sebastian and Julian ran into the kitchen. Julian froze, unable to comprehend the sight before him. Clara lay on the floor, still. Sebastian knelt beside her and checked her pulse.
"Rest in peace," he murmured, voice low.
Julian's mind went blank. His chest felt tight, heavy, like a weight pressing down on him. For a moment, he couldn't think at all.
"I'll go report this," he muttered, breaking the chaos.
"Are you sure? If you can't, I could—"
"I can," Julian cut him off sharply. "If anything dangerous comes, you can protect Wendy."
"Sure… you may go," Sebastian sighed. He stepped back, knowing Julian needed to act.
Wendy's voice shook. "Well, the kid is safe, but… how do we tell her about her mother?"
"I don't know… this is going to be difficult," Sebastian admitted, shaking his head.
"Why must this happen to them… I don't think they've done anything wrong," Wendy whispered, unable to hide her sorrow.
Sirens echoed faintly down the street. Officers arrived, securing the area while the forensic team began collecting evidence.
"Inspector, leave this to us. You've been investigating this case since morning," one of the officers said.
"Alright… then I'll wait. I look forward to the results from forensic," Sebastian replied.
"Wendy, let's go," he said, motioning toward the street.
"What about the kid?" Wendy asked, concerned.
"The medical team will be here in a minute. Don't worry," Sebastian reassured her.
Wendy glanced around. "Oh yeah, Seb… I didn't see Julian come back."
"This is bad," Sebastian said, tension creeping into his voice.
"Huh?" Wendy asked.
"Let's go find him," Sebastian ordered, and the two of them ran down the street.
After a few paces, they spotted him. Julian was standing under a streetlight, hand tapping his chest, eyes unfocused.
"Julian—" both called out as they sprinted toward him.
He turned to look at them, but his vision blurred. Before they could reach him…
THUD!
He collapsed to the ground.
"Hey! Hey, Julian! Wake up!" Wendy shouted, panic rising in her chest.
"Oi! Don't make us scared!" Sebastian added, kneeling beside him.
Julian groaned, weak and trembling. "Mom… I'm sorry…"
Wendy gasped, and Sebastian's jaw tightened.
"Hahhh… I already sensed that before… I should've stopped him from entering the house," Sebastian muttered.
"Let's take him to the hospital and get him treated. He fell headfirst," Sebastian said urgently.
"Yeah…" Wendy nodded, her voice quivering as she and Sebastian carefully lifted Julian.
The three of them ran through the empty streets, hearts pounding, every second stretching unbearably. Panic clawed at them with every step. Sebastian's grip was firm but tense, Wendy supporting Julian from the other side, and Julian weakly leaning on both of them.
Every shadow seemed dangerous. Every passing car made their hearts jump but they didn't stop.
The hospital lights appeared in the distance, shining like salvation. They pushed forward, adrenaline and fear mingling with grief for what they had just witnessed.
Julian's breathing was shallow. "Mom… I'm sorry…" he whispered again, voice fading as tears welled up in his eyes.
Sebastian tightened his grip. "You're going to be fine… just hold on."
Wendy whispered, almost to herself, "Hang in there… we're here, Julian. You're not alone."