The city of Sacramento moved on as though nothing had happened.
Except for the collosal crimson portal suspended above the sky
Below it cars drifted lazily through the evening streets.
Neon signs flickered to life one after another.
Restaurants filled with laughter.
Couples strolled along the sidewalks.
Somewhere nearby, a child begged his father for ice cream.
Life…
Was painfully ordinary.
Lucas walked through the crowd with his hands tucked into his pockets.
Every step made him feel farther away from Westbridge University.
Farther away from Parker.
Farther away from the nightmare.
Gone.
A faint smile crept onto his lips.
“…Mum’s going to scold me.”
He could already hear her voice.
“Lucas, how many times have I told you to take better care of your things?”
He laughed quietly.
“…Guess I’ll need another excuse.”
The warmth of that thought settled over him.
Home.
It had never been a grand place.
Just a small apartment.
A leaking faucet.
Old furniture.
Walls that needed repainting.
But to Lucas…
It was enough.
Because she was there.
His mother always left the porch light on whenever he came home late.
She always waited.
Sometimes pretending she wasn’t worried.
Sometimes pretending she hadn’t looked out the window every five minutes.
Lucas smiled to himself.
“…She probably made too much dinner again.”
She always did.
Even when money was tight.
Even when she claimed she wasn’t hungry.
She always made sure he ate first.
“…”
His smile slowly faded.
A strange heaviness settled in his chest.
“…”
He couldn’t explain it.
Nothing looked wrong.
The streets were peaceful.
The neighborhood was quiet.
Yet…
Something felt…
Off.
Lucas stopped walking.
His eyes slowly scanned the street.
Everything looked exactly the same.
The old convenience store.
The bus stop.
The apartment complex standing quietly beneath the orange glow of sunset.
“…”
His heartbeat quickened.
“…Why…”
“…do I have such a bad feeling?”
He shook his head.
“…I’m just tired.”
After everything that had happened…
Anyone would feel uneasy.
He continued walking.
The closer he drew to the apartment building…
The heavier his footsteps became.
Almost…
As if his body itself wanted to stop.
No. Not stop.
Turn around.
Leave.
Run.
Lucas frowned.
“…What’s wrong with me?”
He forced himself forward.
One step.
Then another.
Finally…
He reached the front of the building.
The familiar porch light glowed softly against the gathering darkness.
“…See?”
He forced a smile.
“Everything’s fine.”
He climbed the short concrete staircase.
The hallway was silent.
Too silent.
Normally, Mrs. Henderson from next door would be watering her flowers.
Old Mr. Collins usually sat outside reading the newspaper.
Tonight…
Neither of them was there.
Only silence greeted him.
Lucas reached his apartment door.
His hand stopped inches from the handle.
“…”
He stared.
The door…
Wasn’t closed.
It stood slightly open.
Just enough for darkness to spill into the hallway.
Lucas’s smile disappeared.
“…Mum?” Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
No answer.
A cold knot twisted inside his stomach.
He slowly pushed the door.
Creeeeak…
The apartment was dark.
The lights were off.
“…Mum?”
Still nothing.
Lucas stepped inside.
His shoes echoed softly against the wooden floor.
Something crunched beneath his foot.
He looked down.
Broken porcelain.
Pieces of his mother’s favorite teacup.
“…”
His heartbeat became louder.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
He took another step.
The living room was in complete disarray.
A chair lay overturned.
Books were scattered across the floor.
The family photograph hanging on the wall had shattered.
Glass glittered beneath the faint light leaking through the doorway.
Lucas swallowed.
“…No…”
He hurried toward the kitchen.
Every cabinet hung open.
Utensils littered the floor.
A knife was embedded deep in the cupboard door.
Then…
He saw it.
A tiny crimson drop.
On the white kitchen tile.
Another.
Then another.
His breathing stopped.
Blood.
Fresh blood.
“…Mum…”
His voice barely escaped his lips.
Silence answered him.
Then…
Very faintly…
From somewhere upstairs…
Creak.
Lucas slowly lifted his head.
The second floor.
Something…
Was still there.