Chapter 1

I heard the sounds of thunder and lightning outside the ballroom.

It's dark in here and I can't see anything. There are so many people here, but where is Mom?

I see her in the middle of the crowd. She looks already drunk and She continues dancing as filthy men surround her.

"What's happening? There are so many people? What are they doing to my mom?" I asked in my confused state.

I watched as those men grope her, forcibly touching every part of her body.

As the filthy men pinned her down to the ground, I saw her face filled with much pain.

They continue raping my mom. I heard her groans and screams all this while, but there's nothing I could do to stop them.

"Mom! Do you hear, mom? Mom!"

I called for her, but my small voice comes out like a muffled sound.

They keep on hitting her, trying to subdue her and stop her from screaming.

Suddenly, my mom lets out a long, loud cry. Suddenly, she stopped and She wasn't moving anymore.

Seeing her motionless, the men scattered and left her.

"Mom?! I'm right here, Mom?! Why can't you hear me?!"

With my tiny feet, I forced a few small steps toward her. As I get closer, I notice her in a state of collapse.

I knelt down as your knees weakened at the sight of your mom. Her white dress was torn and drenched with much blood.

"Mom?! Please answer me. Mom?!"

I hear no response. Then, I press my small hands over her chest, only to notice that she's no longer breathing.

I froze, my heart seemed to stop beating as well. I became horrified upon seeing my mom being abused, molested, and murdered.

"Mooooooommmmm!!!!!!"

I wake up screaming. my heart is racing, and I’m breathing so deeply and fast. I dreamt of my mother's traumatic death.

"A nightmare?" I dreamed about it again. It happened to me years ago. I really pity my six-year-old self.

"Wait…" I hear thunders and there are flashes reflecting on the glass window. It's raining...

I felt extreme fear when I realized I were alone, especially in the dark and during a thunderstorm.

It has been 12 years since that happened but I still suffer from the trauma of such a memory. Every night. My mother's gruesome death still hunts me.

This is the reason why I need comfort during the evenings and more importantly, during a thunderstorm.

I need to calm myself down. The first person I thought of is Luke Witts, who has been with I for more than a decade.

To feel at ease, I always sleep with a cow doll that he gave to me.

He has been good for a father as ordered by the law.

Cuddling up to my cow doll comforts me every night. However, tonight is different.

I curled up to hug my knees and bury my face between my chest and knees.

Nights like this are especially more difficult for I. This time, it is only his presence that can comfort me.

I need more than just a cuddle with a cow doll. I need to see him. I need to be with him tonight.

I grabbed the pillow quilt and the cow doll and I ran to his bedroom.

I knocked on Luke Witts's door and went inside right after.

He was not on his bed yet. Could it be that he's still working? But it's late already.

Luke Witts is the most mysterious big man in B city, and many economic lifebloods are in his hands.

All the big houses in B city know of his existence, but few have seen his face. Only I know him personally.

His room is very spacious. Still, this place feels so warm. Maybe because the place looks and smells like him.

I sit on his bed.

From my place, I heard Luke's cold voice coming from the farthest corner of his room.

"So, you are the rat after all. You know what happens to rats, right?"

I rise to my feet and step cautiously towards his desk.

He's talking to someone through his computer. Could it be that he is having a video conference late at night?

"They are eliminated. Rats are pests, and so are traitors. Say, how would you prefer to die?"

I cannot hear clearly, but I can see men holding a person with knees on the ground on-screen.

"Who was that person? He looks like he's been beaten black and blue... and are those sweats or blood that I see dripping down his face?"