FIRST GIFT

“Instead of 18 roses, I'll give you 18 red gifts..."

–Anonymous. 

…….

“~Living life is fun and we've just begun~” a singing voice was heard from a private room, wiping its axe with rugged clothing.

“~To get our share of this world's delights~” that person sings even if the maid she brought is slowly waking up from the sound of that person's voice. “~High~ High hopes we have for the future~”

The kitchen manager grunted, her head spinning until she finally saw what was in front of her. 

“Mm—” she was about to say when she realized she couldn't shout because she had a cloth in her mouth. She became concerned... only to notice the person in front of her singing as if nothing had happened.

The kitchen-maid pleaded with her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks as she watched the person in front of her practically clean the axe.

“~And our goal's in sight~” That person smiled instantly looking directly at the maid leaving her startled and frightened! The person paused to put down the instrument it was holding and asked, “Good morning, darling Sophia, Remember that song?”

Sophia, the kitchen maid, shuddered when she saw someone approaching her with an axe kissing the floor, making a rusty sound that burned her ears. “Mmm!”

“No? Then, your brain is useless so does your head.”  An axe went to Sophia's neck and sliced it in an instant, her eyes bulging with panic as her time stopped.

The person huffed and snatched up a Polaroid camera, which that person had prepared and used to capture Sophia's moment. “Despite what you did, you are a good girl. As a result, I gave you instant death.” 

“But of course, you’ll be the first and last one I’ll have mercy on. They don’t deserve easy death.” That person smiled as it grabbed the photos that printed promptly. “And I hope she’ll love my gifts from now on.”

TIKTOK TIKTOK KRRIIING!

With a bright sun shining in the window, Zelle woke up with a great smile. She got to her feet and look in the mirror, “Only 18 days left! Teehee~” She exclaimed as she twirled around in her long gown with so much excitement!

The maids began their planning months ago, slowly but steadily, and she will choose the final menu for her special day today!

Zelle twirls her gown once more only to be drawn to a box near her bed. She tilted her head, ‘Where did this come from?’ She thought as she walked over to the box, wondering who had given it to her while she was sleeping at night.

A letter was affixed to the box, which was neatly wrapped in a completely red birthday wrapping. She took a closer look.

“Instead of 18 roses, I'll give you 18 red gifts, one for each day leading up to your birthday! And on your birthday, I'll create a gigantic cake for you to blow! Enjoy, my sweet birthday girl.” 

 

‘18 gifts?’ With a tilt of her head, Zelle commented in her mind preventing herself from squealing. ‘This is incredible! I'm curious as to who sent it.'

Her face lit up with joy as she took a deep inhale and unwrapped the box...

She slid the box open...

Her happiness, however, vanished replaced with her regrets...

Inside the box, a human head with dry blood greeted her! A person so close to her… Sophia. The one who takes care of Zelle’s meals every single day.

And that individual was merely a head, with a pale face and a big open mouth, her eyes bulging out with dry blood beneath them. Besides the head, there were printed photos of Sophia’s headless body!!!

“Ahhh!!!” Zelle screamed and passed out while clutching the note she had received.

Her screams were heard outside her room, and a maid passing by run towards her  room to discover her unconscious self on the floor. “Miss Zelle!” The maid exclaimed.

The maid approached the unconscious Zelle, but when she kneeled beside her, she discovered the bloody present that no one had expected. “Aahhhhh!”

When more than one scream was heard, everyone nearby became worried and looked around to see what was causing the noise. Two of them were Aaron and Zach. “What's the matter?”

“What's going on?”

Everyone noticed the terrified maid, who pointed to the package. More screaming could be heard shortly after that.

Zach hurriedly pulled Zelle away from the box, while Aaron quickly called their father.

…….

At the kitchen, a maid ran excitedly towards Zelle, “Happy Birthday, Miss Zelle!” 

Sophia grinned as she gave the red box to the Miss. “Thank you, Sophia!” Zelle exclaimed as she accepted the gift. 

When Zelle received the box, Sophia had left, and the scene quickly transformed into a quiet room, with Sophia's headless body lying on the floor and the box shaking in Zelle's hands.

The crimson box opened, and Sophia's face was filled with fear! Sophia welcomed Zelle with her eyes bulging out and dried blood all over her and a harsh voice, “H-hap-py B-irth-d-day M-mis-ss...”

“Aahhhh!” Zelle awoke in a state of terror and began punching those around her while screaming.

“Zelle! It’s alright!” Zach embraced her despite the pain. “Don't worry, we're here.”

She finally got a grip of it with Zach's arms covering hers. She was with Zach and Aaron, as well as Raine, at her uncle's office.

Tears streaming down her face and she asked, “W-where’s Sophia?” 

Raine covered her mouth and knelt on her knees, sobbing quietly to avoid making a sound.

Aaron, who stood next them, shook his head.

Zach, on the other hand, did nothing but embrace her and caress her shoulder.

Zelle sobbed as she remembered Sophia's head... the present she had received early morning. “W-who w-would do such a thing?” 

“We don't know yet,” Zeppelin said as he tapped his finger on his table, “But the detective I asked to come, just came over and started checking things. When you're ready, he'll ask you questions.” He looked at Zelle with worried, “I'm sorry, Zelle. We had no idea something like this would happen.”

Zelle remained silent and let herself be suffocated in Zach's hug, her mind blank. Everything happened so quickly... It was just last night when she last tasted Sophia’s cooking. It was just yesterday when she last saw her smile…

But now, all she could remember was Sophia’s frightening face inside the red box.

“I'll check with the detective; you all stay here and be with Zelle,” Zeppelin said, leaving the four people alone in the office with grieved expressions.

Zelle was clutching Zach's clothes when she felt a piece of paper in her hand... it was the red box's greeting card.

Zach stated, “You were gripping it so tightly that we couldn't get it out of your hand.”

“Can we see it?” Aaron asked as he approached them, caressing Zelle's head.

Zelle didn't say anything else after giving Aaron the greeting card, and Zach clung to her, refusing to let her go.

“Instead of 18 roses, I'll give you 18 red gifts,” Aaron began reading aloud from the crumpled letter. “You'll get one each day leading up to your birthday...” He frowned, “...and on your birthday, I'll make a gigantic cake for you to blow. Enjoy, my sweet birthday girl.” Aaron gritted his teeth as he looked at her terrified face. He felt helpless.

“W-what does it mean?! T-there will be m-more?” Raine shivered as she heard what Aaron said.

“Shh,” Zach said as he hugged Zelle tighter and stroked her hair. “We're here. Nothing horrible will happen to you.”

“I'll give this to father. He has to know,” Aaron said, leaving the room without waiting for an answer before following Zeppelin.

Zelle murmured, “Z-zach...”

"I'm here." Zach reassured her.

Meanwhile, Zeppelin, accompanied by the detective, summoned all of the workers at the mansion and issued a warning to them all. “Do you remember the first rule before hiring you all? Before I sent you all here?”

All of the employees nodded.

“Whatever you hear, see, or do, leave it here,” Zeppelin said with his finger on his lips and made a hush. “Even if a dead corpse was discovered earlier, I expect none of you let anything out... right?”

Everyone, including the new staff, remained motionless and indifferent. After all, they were trained for a month before being transferred here and are familiar with the dos and don'ts.

“Good,” Zeppelin said, straightening his collar. “Now, I don't know who did it to her, but I WILL NEVER TOLERATE IT. I'll kill the person who caused such a fuss in this mansion if I find out who did it.”

“I hired a private detective to handle this matter,” he continued. “And I'd like for all of you to cooperate with him. I assume none of you lies unless you want me to think you’re murderer.”

A formal-dressed private detective stepped forward from the crowd. “This is detective Val, be honest with him, alright?” Zeppelin he introduced him to everyone. 

All of the employees gave a modest bow to the detective before straightening up again.

“You may all be dismissed,” Zeppelin stated, as everyone formed a line and returned to their original location.

“I checked the room where the event occurred,” Detective Val said. “Neither the door nor the window were forced to open.”

“Insider,” Zeppelin stated the obvious.

Detective Val nodded, “Yes, and all of the footprints I discovered belonged to the people who lived in the mansion.” He added, “It would be difficult to figure out who from that. However, we know it was aimed at the little miss; I simply don't know why. Was it with the intent of torturing her to death? Or is it retaliation for the little miss?”

Aaron opened the door and greeted Zeppelin with, “Father,” before handing him the crumpled letter.

Detective Val remarked, “Hmm, this isn't simply a menacing gift anymore; it's a serial murdering. Should we be on high alert? Is the little miss prepared to speak with me?”

“She's traumatized,” Aaron said, shaking his head. “She screamed while sleeping, and when she awoke, she wasn't herself, and she wasn't responding properly.”

“Leave the child for now,” Zeppelin said, “She's shocked just like the rest.”

“What do you plan to do with her, sir?” Detective Val inquired.

"I'll talk to her myself, see what happens," Zeppelin sighed.

"This case has something to do with her," Detective Val said with a nod. “But all I know is that when her parents died, she was alone... Do you know anyone who is infatuated with her or who is related to her? This is a large mansion, but not a whole city, anyone who comes to your mind?”

"I know one," Zeppelin said, and walked away, leaving the detective and Aaron curious.

Zeppelin sent a message to call for the maid and waited in his room. She arrived not long after that.

“S-sir… you called me?” A trembling maid entered the room.

"Did you kill Sophia, Raine?"

_______

KircheLeaf

SEASON ONE

_______

~ END of CHAPTER FOUR ~