painful death

Chapter two

"Then you leave us with no choice," the man said coldly, his voice laced with menace. He turned to the other men standing behind him. "Kill them," he ordered without hesitation.

The two men nodded, their expressions emotionless as they removed their gloves. George and Danielle’s faces went pale as they watched in horror. The men’s nails elongated into sharp claws, their movements becoming more animalistic and swift. 

George stepped forward, determined to protect his family. He fought valiantly, punching and kicking in a desperate attempt to fend off the attackers. But it was futile. Their claws tore into his skin, blood staining the floor as they savaged him. Danielle screamed, her voice piercing and filled with despair as she witnessed the brutal scene unfold.

In her panic, Danielle tried to run, but the men were unnaturally fast. They caught up to her in seconds. One of them grabbed her by the throat, silencing her scream with a swift, brutal motion. Her lifeless body crumpled to the floor, blood pooling beneath her.

"Search the house," the leader barked, his voice sharp and commanding.

The two men nodded, immediately dispersing to search for their target.

--

Upstairs, Rhea and Sam sat in their shared room, oblivious to the true horrors unfolding below. The muffled sounds of struggle and chaos reached their ears, and Rhea’s stomach twisted with unease. Something wasn’t right. 

"Sam, stay here," Rhea whispered, her voice trembling. She stood to investigate, but before she could take a step, Sam darted toward the door.

"Catch me if you can!" Sam giggled, his youthful innocence shielding him from the gravity of the situation.

"Sam, no! Come back here!" Rhea called after him, panic lacing her tone. She followed, her heart pounding in her chest.

Sam raced down the stairs and froze at the bottom. His small eyes widened in terror as they landed on the scene before him. The living room was a gruesome mess, his parents’ bodies torn apart, blood splattered across the walls and floor. He stood frozen, unable to comprehend the horror before him.

"It's okay, little one," a man’s voice cooed mockingly, pulling Sam’s gaze upward. One of the intruders crouched down, his sharp claws dripping with fresh blood. A sinister smile curled on his lips.

"What did you do to Mom and Dad?" Sam stammered, his tiny voice shaking as tears welled in his eyes.

The man chuckled darkly. "Mummy and Daddy were naughty. This is what happens to naughty people."

He began to approach, and Sam instinctively stepped back, his little hands trembling.

"Now, tell me where—" The man’s words were cut off as a vase shattered against his face, sending shards flying. He stumbled back, groaning in pain.

"Let him go!" Rhea screamed, standing at the bottom of the stairs. Her hands shook, but her voice was fierce despite her fear. Her silver eyes glistened with tears as she stared at the monster before her.

The man’s smile returned, darker this time. Without a word, he lunged at Sam, his claws plunging into the boy’s small body. Blood spurted from the wounds as Sam gasped, his tiny frame collapsing lifelessly to the floor.

"No! Sam!" Rhea screamed, collapsing to her knees. Tears poured down her face as she stared at her brother’s lifeless form. 

The two other men charged toward her, but she was faster. Fueled by adrenaline and fear, she bolted out of the house into the cold, dark night.

"Help!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the quiet town. But no one answered. The streets were eerily silent, as though the life had been drained from the town. Her stomach twisted in horror as she noticed lifeless bodies scattered along the road. Blood painted the cobblestones, and the once-vibrant town now reeked of death.

She ran blindly, her heart pounding as she searched for safety. She ducked behind a nearby house, her chest heaving as she tried to silence her sobs. Her hands shook violently, her mind racing. Who are these people? Why are they after me?

The sound of footsteps drew closer. Her breath hitched, and she pressed herself against the wall, willing herself to be invisible. 

"Got you!" A hand yanked her hair, dragging her out from her hiding spot. She screamed in pain, her scalp burning as the man pulled her with brutal force.

"Thought you could escape, didn’t you?" the man sneered, his grip unrelenting. He dragged her along the rough ground, her body scraping against the dirt. She struggled, clawing at his hand, but he was too strong.

Her fingers found a sharp stick, and without thinking, she drove it into his leg. The man howled in pain, releasing her immediately. She scrambled to her feet, but before she could run, he grabbed her again, flinging her against a nearby wall. Pain exploded in her back as she collided with the hard surface.

"You’re a feisty one," the man growled, approaching her. He grabbed her by the hair again, forcing her to look up at him. A jagged red scar stretched across his forehead, and something about it stirred a vague memory in Rhea’s mind.

He wrapped a hand around her neck, cutting off her air supply. She clawed at his arm, gasping for breath as her vision blurred. Pain shot through her stomach as he drove a knife into her abdomen. Her scream was muffled, her body writhing in agony as blood poured from the wound.

Desperation surged through her, and she realized she still held the sharp stick. Summoning her remaining strength, she plunged it into the man’s eye. He let out a guttural scream, releasing her as he staggered back.

Rhea took the chance to run, clutching her bleeding stomach. Every step sent searing pain through her body, but she pushed on. She skidded to a halt as two of the men appeared in front of her, blocking her path. The third man approached from behind, trapping her.

Rhea’s knees buckled, and she sank to the ground. Blood seeped through her fingers as she clutched her wound, her breaths shallow and uneven.

"What do you want from me?" she rasped, her voice barely audible.

The men didn’t answer. They advanced toward her silently, their eyes cold and unyielding.

Rhea closed her eyes, bracing herself for the end. But instead of succumbing to despair, a surge of energy erupted from within her. A scream tore from her throat, raw and primal, carrying with it a powerful shockwave. 

The force was immense, sending the men flying backward. Trees snapped and fell, and the ground trembled under the sheer intensity of her cry. When the wave subsided, the men lay motionless, their bodies broken.

Rhea collapsed, her strength drained. Tears streamed down her face as she recalled the horrors of the night. Darkness enveloped her, and she slipped into unconsciousness.

---

Rhea stirred faintly, her body heavy and unresponsive. Voices echoed around her, muffled and distant. She felt hands lifting her, the sensation foreign and unwelcome. Panic surged, but she was too weak to fight back.

"She’s alive," a voice said. 

"Take her," another replied.

Rhea’s mind screamed, but her body refused to obey. She prayed silently, begging for mercy as she was placed into a vehicle. The rumble of the engine was the last thing she registered before a deep voice spoke.

"Sleep." 

The word seemed to command her very soul, and she succumbed to the darkness once more.