The world seemed to slow down for a second. The ground seem to shake and explosions can be heard.
"What th—!" father almost almost his balance which while I just leaned against the wall.
"What on Earth happened?" he exclaimed as the shaking stopped. Screams can be heard outside which made us hurriedly walk out of the door.
I let out a gasp as I saw a part of the head quarter wrecked. People are scattered all around the wrecked area. Some are panicking, some are wounded.
"We are being attacked." father said as a group of people ran towards him to report, "Prepare for another attack. I need reports on the number of casualties. Immediately disperse surveillance..."
Are we being attacked? I once again looked at the exploded area and noticed something... the area where Jennifer's room is located seemed to be also damaged by the explosion. Fire and smoke can be seen in that area.
Without hesitation, I quickly left and ran. I heard my father screamed my name but I just ignored him. Even though I am still confused about everything, all I can think about is Jennifer's safety.
As I arrived in the area, medics are being deployed and they are asking the workers to leave the area immediately.
"Aaron! What are you doing here?" uncle Sam, father's trustworthy right hand, asked. He's one of the people who are helping the workers to leave the area.
"I-I need to check something." I simply said and ran, ignoring his warning.
I quickly made my way towards her room. Since most of the workers are already evacuated, the building became deserted, none of them even helped Jennifer.
When I arrived on the front of her room, I noticed something... the door is open... I walked slowly towards the door and a heated argument can be heard.
"W-why are you here?" a woman asked. I quietly peeked at the door and my eyes widened.
"Just stop complaining and drink this." the man who is wearing a cloak replied and handed her, Jennifer, who is leaning against the wall, a bottle.
W-who is this? Is he the one who is responsible for the explosions?
Jennifer slowly gulped the liquid from the bottle. I was distracted when I heard a groan then I saw a what seems to be an unconscious man lying on the ground...
D-Derek!? What is he doing here?
"Don't move too much. The effect of the medicine is just temporary... we have to leave as soon as possible." the man said which made my attention shift back to them. Jennifer slowly raised her hand and suddenly, a scythe, her scythe, appeared out of nowhere.
"WHAT IS HAPPENING, AARON?" father screamed while approaching me. Alongside with him is uncle Sam and some of the workers.
In an instant, I felt my self slowly float towards the room, unable to move. When I entered the room, my eyes met with the man's glare and my body shivered out of fear.
"A-Aaron!" they ran inside, but as soon as they entered the room, they all collapsed to the ground.
What is this!?
"W-who are you!?" my father muttered. He slowly floated and the man looked at him.
"Are you their current ruler?" the man asked with his deep, growly voice.
Father didn't respond. All of a sudden his expression changed. He started gasping for air as if he's being strangled.
"N-no! P-please! J-Jennifer!" I shouted, but he still gasped for air.
"I-I'll make a deal with you Jennifer! Just please! Do not kill them!" I pleaded. Jennifer's forehead furrowed, she bit her lip and looked down, avoiding my teary eyed gaze.
She whispered something and in an instant, father fell on the ground, coughing and gasped for air.
"I won't kill them if you comply with what you have to do." the man said which made Jennifer flinch. Still staring at the ground, she breathed heavily with her eyes closed.
"N-no, Aaron. I won't allow you to make a deal with these demons!" father shouted as he regained his composure.
"I'm sorry, but I can't make a deal with a person... twice..." Jennifer interfered which earned a lot of reaction from the people in that room.
"What!? You traitor!" father shouted. My lip trembled. I'm confused...
"I-I di-didn't! W-what a-are you talking about?" I replied. Jennifer smiled. Not the smile that I used to see, but perhaps, it came from Jennifer's side that I didn't know. Where are you?
Before replying, she raised her pinky finger.
"You made a promise, right?" then she chuckled, "I'm disappointed that you forgot about it."
"Y-you're a traitor! I can't believe that you will betray your own family!" his body trembled, his eyes burned with anger. No, father. I didn't.
I shook my head and looked at the ground, tears escaping from my eyes.
"But don't worry..." Jennifer said with her sweetest voice, "... I won't kill them... after all, they gave me shelter and protection for almost a decade... aside from that..." she smiled as I looked at her, "they're going to die anyway..." then she laughed.
My eyes widened once again, I tried to shout... but this time, my voice seemed to disappear. I tried to struggle from the invincible force that keeps me from moving, but I can't.
One by one, I saw them, even my father, stop moving. Before my father closed his eyes, I felt his anger, as if his glare is slowly killing me. I once again shook my head and cried. No.. no... please!
I sniffled as Jennifer walked towards me...
"You're coming with me." she whispered and nudged my forehead.
Afterward, I saw her walk towards Derek, who is still unconscious. She seem to ask something to the man and she sadly sighed at the man's reply.
W-what? What's happening?
Jennifer noticed that I'm staring at them. She mouthed some words that I can't comprehend or even hear...
Then I feel my body start to calm, my heart beat slowly and my breathing became stable. I feel like I'm being devoured by darkness and I feel too tired to fight it. My eyes feel heavy. And all I can think about is giving in to the tranquility that the darkness is offering...