Jerry's body trembled with unspeakable rage. His lips twitched. His eyes grew cold, and the sight before him was nothing like he'd ever expected. The cackling sound of a woman echoed in his mind, followed by the image of a burning house. He could feel it — the weight of those haunting blue eyes staring back at him. His fingers balled into fists, his breathing growing uneven. The tension in the room thickened, his aura screaming danger.
The mother-daughter pair could feel the coldness emanating from him, both too stunned to move.
Jerry moved slowly, his gaze fixed on Dydra who trembled beneath his stare. His hand shot out, grabbing her arm and dragging her away. Dydra made no attempt to resist. She had learned long ago from her late grandmother not to confront the master. She didn't know the reason, but she had made a promise. Everytime she saw him — whether in the mansion, by the stream, or anywhere else — she would run. She knew the master didn't accept her as a part of his family, and though she didn't understand why, she didn't question it. She didn't resist.
"Honey? Jerry!" Agatha, offering from behind them, but her words fell on deaf ears. Dydra's eyes, filled with unshed tears, lingered on the back of the home she has secretly lived in for years. She had known this moment would come, but never this soon. What would he do to her now?
She turned to Agatha, offering a calm nod, mouthing the words, "It's all going to be alright." Agatha reached out, her arm extended, but Dydra didn't take it.
Distracted by her mother, Dydra missed the stairs they were descending. Her feet tangled, and she lost her balance. Jerry's grip tightened, but he didn't flinch, yanking her back up without sparing her a glance.
"Jerry!" Agatha cried, but her voice had no effect.
Maids had began to gather, watching with puzzled expressions. Their eyes widened in shock as they saw their fellow maid being dragged out of the house by the master. The sight of her pretty dress sparked whispers.
"She must have been caught stealing," a maid murmured, her voice filled with gossip-fueled excitement.
"Really?" another asked, growing closer.
"Last night, I saw Madam go to her room," the first majde continued, speaking in a hushed tone.
"In the servants' quarters?" a maid questioned, doubt creeping into her voice.
"Yes, I saw her too," another confirmed, "She must've gone to confront her. Maybe she denied it, and Madam reported it to Master."
"But if that were the case, why is Madam crying?" another maid pointed out, glancing at Agatha, who was desperately chasing after Jerry.
"Madam has a kind heart," the first maid concluded, with the others nodding in agreement.
Jerry's gaze landed in a sword hanging from the wall. Without hesitation, he grabbed it, his eyes narrowing as he spoke coldly to the maids.
"Hold her back."
The maids froze, confused. His gaze swept over them, and fear took root in their hearts as they noticed the sword in his hand. Agatha's heart skipped a beat. "Jeremiah! Please, I beg of you, don't door this! Please! JEREMIAH!" Tears streaked down her face.
The mads hesitated, unsure of what to do, until Jerry's eyes locked onto theirs with chilling coldness.
"Do your ears need cleaning?" he barked.
The maids snapped to action. They grabbed Agatha, their grip tightening around her arms. She fought back, her strength fading as she fell to her knees, desperately trying to break free. They blocked her view, the only sound the creaking of the door opening.
"No! Noo! Dydra! DYDRA!!" Her cries echoed, but the door closed with a finality that drowned her pleas.
Dydra's heart raced as she saw the sword in Jerry's hand. Fear coursed through her. Her voice faltered, barely a whisper. "Where are you taking me?"
Jerry shopped. His grip loosened slightly, and Dydra breathed a small sigh of relief.
He slowly turned to face her, his teeth clenched, his eyes burning with hatred. Without warning, his palm lashed across Dydra's face eugh a force that sent her crashing to the ground. The sting of his slap radiated through her skin. Blood filled her mouth, the metallic taste overwhelming her sense as her fingers touched the corner of her mouth. She pulled her had away, her eyes widening as she saw the blood.
Letting go of the sword, Jerry grabbed her arms and yanked her to her feet. He shoved her against a nearby tree, his eyes filled with disgust.
"Your kind needs to die," he sneered. "Creatures like to need to return to the pit of hell where you came from."
His words pierced Dydra's heart like a dagger. She stared into his cold, merciless eyes, desperately searching for any trace of remorse. But there was none. Only hatred. She trembled, unable to speak, her face burning.
A thought flickered in her mind — escape. But all she saw around her was a sea of trees. There was nowhere to run. Then, suddenly, she felt his grip tighten around her throat. Panic surged through her as her hands scrambled to break free. The harder she fought, the tighter his hold became.
She looked into his eyes, and then she saw it — red glow creeping into his pupils. Her heart skipped a beat as she stared, paralyzed by fear.
Fang. He had fangs.
His voice dropped to a low, menacing whisper. "Do you know what I am, child?_
Dydra managed to shake her head, her breath shallow. The sinister smirk that curled on his lips sent a chill down her spine.
It was then that she saw it — his fangs, sharp and dangerous, gleaming in the faint light. Her mind raced, and memories flooded gr. Her grandmother's voice echoed in her mind: "If you ever encounter one, find something wood. Dig it into their heart. Don't be afraid, honey. In this world, you do what you have to, to survive."
Dydra's heart pounced in her chest, the blood rushing to her head as she fought for air. The words replayed in her mind like a mantra: Do what you have to, to survive.
With the last of her strength, Dydra reached out, her fingers searching for a branch. Anything.
"I thought I ended you years ago," Jerry muttered, his voice about a whisper. "But you're a persistent vulture, aren't you?"
His voice fell faintly in her ears. Her strength was slipping away. Her hands fell limp, her vision blurring. Darkness overtook her as her consciousness faded, her last thought a desperate wish for survival.