A man with blue eyes strolled down the street.
“Wow, this really isn’t the best time,” he thought, running his hands through his hair.
Glancing down, he let out a groan; the night was older than he had anticipated.
He lifted his head, feeling a new sense of determination. “Alright,” he said to himself, “I’ll find a place to crash for the night, or at least manage to beg for some water.”
His home was too far away, and there was no chance he could make it now. “Mom would be furious with me,” he chuckled, thinking back on how long it had been since he last saw her.
He adjusted the backpack on his shoulders and continued walking with a smile.
By 4 AM, nothing around looked inviting.
He paused in front of a small house, releasing a breath.
Bringing his hands together and closing his eyes, he whispered, “God, if there’s a serial killer in there, just teleport me back to Tenstrow.” And yet, he remained right where he was.
But it's not like he had any other choice.
He stepped on the balcony, and there wasn't any creaking sound from the floors.
"Maybe I'm actually safe".
He walked to the door, and took a deep breath, smiling as he knocked slowly, hands in his right pocket.
He had a knife in there.
"A visitor?, By this time?", He heard from inside, a female voice, a bit cute.
He quickly diverted to his left pocket, pulling out a rubber band.
He gathered his hair back, allowing a few loose strands to fall, and unbuttoned two buttons on his white shirt.
Not even a serial killer could resist a handsome guy—at least that was his hope. The door creaked open a crack, just enough for the homeowner to peek out. A woman with black hair, wide eyes, and dressed in white stood there.
"Who…" she started, her gaze fixed on his blue eyes, "are you?"
"A passerby," he replied, trying to unfasten another button. "I'm looking for a place to sleep tonight."
"The inn is quite a distance from here," she mentioned, poking her head out and gesturing ahead. "If you turn left at that tree—"
He shook his head, interrupting her. "I’m aware of that."
Crossing her arms, she asked, "So why did you ask me?"
He leaned casually against the wall, stepping a little closer.
Gosh, he really didn't enjoy flirting.
"Can't you let this place," he said, letting his finger glide along the wall, "be my inn?"
Her expression hardened as she opened the door wider. "Is this what you knocked for?"
His elbow retreated from the wall, as he stood upright, buttoning his shirt to the top. "Well if you don't like bad boys", He dug his hand in his bag, bringing out a watch and a pair of glasses.
"Maybe you like classy ones".
She raised her eyebrows, "What are you?-"
He cut her short, "Maybe that wasn't to your taste, understandable". He kept the watch and glasses, rummaging through his bag.
And then he brought out a clown hat.
And that red nose.
He put it on, pressing the nose, "Maybe you like comedians".
She looked at his face for a while, no words willing to come out of her mouth.
She placed a hand over her mouth, her inflated cheeks revealing she was holding back a laugh.
"This is my first time", She told him, "Seeing a grown-up man humiliate himself intentionally".
“Anything for some shelter,” he said.
She smiled and opened the door wide. “Come in, but can I at least get your name?”
He stepped inside, tossing his bag over his shoulder. “Chad.”
“Nice to meet you, Chad. I’m Rhiida.”
“Lead the way,” he replied eagerly. “You won’t regret this.”
He removed the rubber band, ruffling his hair.
Finally, Peace.
But then, there it was: Liam’s body.
Chad’s bag hit the floor as he froze, watching Rhiida skip happily toward the kitchen.
“Li…am?” he stuttered, trembling and confused.
Why was Liam here? Why did he look lifeless? What was happening?!
His shaking knees buckled, and he knelt beside Liam, reaching out to touch his face. No way could this be real.
“Who is this?” he asked her, the confusion clear in his voice. Whether it was Liam or not, this was still a person.
“The man who killed my daughter,” she answered happily, raiding the drawers.
Chad turned back to the figure, noticing that Liam’s eyes were shut, his clothes soaked in blood, and a knife plunged into his chest.
But there was still a pulse.
He closed his eyes, gritting his teeth, "Is that why you killed him?"
"What more reason do you need?"
"What's his name?", Chad asked, eyes still closed, Liam wouldn't hurt a fly, it couldn't be him.
She turned to him now, hands on the kitchen counter, "And how does this matter concern you?, Please give that body some distance", She turned back again sighing.
Chad knew there was only one other way.
He placed his fingers on the man's eyes, slowly opening them, if this were Liam they would be...
And he fell to the floor.
Orange.
He rolled his hands into a fist.
Then he released it.
"Ah, Geez", He threw his head back, chuckling, "I always come home to someone's death anyway".
He brushed the dust off his trousers, standing up and walking in her direction.
He was never really close to Liam.
If anything, he didn't like the guy one bit.
He was always around his sisters, laughing, smiling.
He didn't trust him.
But...
He grabbed a knife from the counter, and grabbed Rhiida's wrist, "That man didn't kill your daughter".
Rhiida grabbed his hand, trying to push it away, "Are you mad?!, Let go of me!".
"Why did you kill him?"
"Are you stupid?!", she screamed looking around for a weapon, "Do you want to join him?!".
Liam.
Chad still couldn't understand.
How did she find him?
How did he get here?
Why does she keep saying he killed her daughter?
And why did he just have to be the one to find out?
"Talk!", He exclaimed.
"He's not dead!", she said. "He just seems to be".
"Fix him, I'm taking him with me", Chad said, letting go of her hand.
She rubbed the area, placing a finger on the table, before grabbing his collar.
"This matter does not concern you".
Then she smiled, interlocking his fingers with hers, "But if you want him that badly", She looked at the purple liquid, now soaring through Chad's body.
"And if you wish to save your soul.... You'll have to beat me first".
Chad looked at his skin, the purple liquid contaminating him.
She came closer, placing a hand on his neck, as she whispered, "Snake Venom".
"You like it?", She smiled, shifting back a bit.
"What sort of game do you wanna play?", Chad asked, her poison was the least of his problems.
She placed a hand on her chin, tilting her head to the left, "Mmm.. Have you ever played 'Till Death Do Us Part?"