"How... unappetizing." You hear someone chuckle darkly. "You've been tasting quiet bland recently huh... Louise?"

That voice sounded familiar, but it was off. This person sounded... dangerous and toxic. Aiden's mom whimpered. You couldn't really see was was going on, but you could hear the sound of struggle.

"Oh stop that. Give up. Your husband didn't make my deadline. He's been hiding lots from you hasn't he?" The figure lets out a deep chuckle. "How sad."

Lightning strikes, lighting up the whole room. Whoever was holding up Aiden's mom was tall. You brain couldn't process who it was. All you saw was blood. Time seemed to slow as you made eye contact with the mysterious man. His eyes were red ... they were crimson.

Something heavy landed on the floor... along with a pained yelp. The whimpering began to die down and then they disappeared entirely. Aiden's mom either passed out, or she was dead. Either way... she wasn't your problem at the moment. Suddenly, you could feel breathing on your neck.

"And who might you be?" A deep and silky voice whispers in your ear.

You didn't answer.

"Won't speak. That's fine. Maybe I'll take a bite out of you... although... I doubt you'll taste good. I can't even smell you. You smell of rain more than anything else." The man moves closer, placing his lips upon your bare neck. "Oh?" He paused, humming in delight. "So familiar... passed the smell of rain is hidden richness. Maybe you'll make a tasty treat after all."

"Is that so?" You say. Words could finally escape your mouth. It was hard to speak and you didn't know why. There was something about this person that made your feel... jittery. You were visibly shaking, but you were sure it wasn't out of fear. It had to be something else... perhaps it was nervousness.

The mysterious man pauses for a moments.

"I can hear your heart beating. Why is it so steady? Death is standing right in front of you, yet you aren't scared? How odd."

He pull you off the bed, forcing you to stand. He circles you, dragging his gloved hand along you shoulders, back, and collar bone. He was silent the whole time and you were sure that you couldn't even hear the sound of him breathing.

The static... the horrible horrible static.

All outside noises were being shut out and all you could hear were the man's slow footsteps as he walked around you. You could feel his eyes roam all over your body.

"You are amazing. I'm surprised you aren't begging for your life by now. Such a calm and steady rhythm... such a calm and steady heart." The man laughs.

This laugh was surprisingly wholesome. It was a kind laugh, probably not meant to be heard by you. You couldn't really see it, but for a second, the man was smiling fondly like he was remembering something that made him happy, but it quickly vanished. He caught himself and his hearty laugh left along with his smile.

" (Y/n)..." The stranger sighs. "Listen... I have places to be. So I'll make your death quick. Unfortunately for you, that means it's going to be quite painful." The man chuckles. "Sorry—"

"Cain." You interrupt him. You weren't sure if the man was actually him. You didn't remember what Cain's voice used to sound like and you couldn't connect a name to a face because you've never seen Cain's face. It might've been the fact that the only two people that would say your name in such a caring and tender way was your deceased mother and Cain.

"Louise!" John yells from downstairs.

You couldn't hear him. The whole world didn't exist right now. No one else mattered. It was just you, this man, and the static.

"Say that name again." The mysterious man commands.

"Cain." You say calmly.

"I haven't been called that in years. It's such a odd feeling... it truly is. How do you know that name?" The figure asks, curiously. The edge in their voice was gone and it was replaced by softness.

"It's the name of a friend." You say. "My first friend. I thought you would know that... Cain."

"Ah, a friend. You..." He pauses, his eyes widening slightly. He didn't have to wait after all. "You still consider me as such? A friend?Such a faint smell you have... (y/n)." Cain wraps his arms around you, your back pushed again his torso. "I waited for you. I waited at that park for you every night and you never showed up."

"Was that what you were going to do after you killed me?" You say. "I wasn't allowed outside Cain."

"You would sneak outside if it was to see your dear ol' mother though... right?" Cain says angrily. "She was much more important than me, even though you claimed to care about us both equally."

You frown.

"She's dead." You murmur. "Mother... is... dead."

There was a silence. It felt long, but in truth, it was not.

"Would you care if I died?" Cain asks, tightening his grip around you. "Would you?" He whispers.

"Forever and always." You answered without hesitation. "You are all I have Cain. If you die... I die, but then again... I wouldn't mind dying now." You couldn't keep your voice steady. You don't know why you felt the need to cry. Crying was bothersome and it's too hard to control. All emotions were way too hard to control. They were worthless and an inconvenience, but it comes with being human and being alive in general.

"I'm... sorry Cain."

"Sorry isn't enough for me now... (y/n)."

"Louise!" John yells again, banging on the door.

"Mom!!" Aiden shouts.

"What do you want me to do?" You ask, your eyes glossed over with tears. You were being pathetic... it was disgusting. You were disgusting. "Do you want me to visit more?"

"Visiting me more often won't be enough..." Cain laughs bitterly. "I want you to stay with me... forever."

He turns you towards him, his back towards the window. You couldn't see his face... just like always. He had his hand out, waiting for you to grab it. Your remember your brother, your father, and your real father, Thomas. Your choice now will decide whether or not you'll ever see them again. Honestly, even if your father and brother were treating you nicely now, you wouldn't be able to live in that house anymore without your mother there.

It wouldn't be the same, their kindness would be out of pity, and the warmth that you enjoyed so much would be completely gone. What would be the point in going back?

"Don't you want me to forgive you (y/n)?"

"I swear, if you are the one causing this shit (y/n), I'll rip you head off your body!" Liam threatens, banging in the door. His threats meant nothing. You were saving his family by doing this, saving him, and his brother, and his father, and maybe his mother too. He should be thanking you.

"Hold on! I'll get you out of there Louise!"

It was easier to grab Cain's hand than it was to even get close to Thomas's. You didn't even notice that your hand had moved to grasp his until your hand had touched his cold gloves. His hands were cold even though they were covered, but you didn't feel it that way. His cool skin brought you what your were craving. It was warmth... That feeling that you've been missing... that feeling that would only be around when your mother was. The one that helped you remember that your own heart was beating.

Cain opens the window. The storm wasn't as bad as it was earlier. The rain was much lighter and there was no lightning. He wraps you up in his cloak, pressing your form against his.

"You made the right choice." Cain chuckles, looking down at you lovingly. "Now rest up. Sleep, (y/n)." He coos. "Sleep."

And with that, you eyes closed and you fell asleep. You didn't realize how tired you truly were...

You've lost everything and gained something new all in the same time span. You just experienced several life changing events so it was understandable why you had fallen asleep so quickly.

The banging on the door was getting louder. The sound of thumping was replaced by the sound of cracking wood and finally, the door giveaway, flying open while bits of the lock broke away.

Liam, Aiden, and John stood there in the hallway. They stared at Cain, and since you were hidden in his cloak, they were unaware that you were present. It's not like you would hear much of their conversation though.

"Who...who are you?" Aiden stutters. He looks down at his mom, who had passed out on the floor. "Mom!"

As Aiden was about to go help his mother, but John stops him, pulling his son back.

"It's too dangerous." John takes a shaky step forward. "I'm sorry I missed the deadline... please... just leave my family alone."

"You were supposed to bring me the girl... I didn't expect her to come to me on her own." Cain cackles. "You made it sound like I was a grotesque monster didn't you?"

"You... where is she?" John asks. "Whatever you are going to do with her... take me instead." Poor John was wracked with guilt and shame.

"Don't try to act heroic just because your children are here. You knew what you were doing from the start. You sad sad man. I got what I want, but you didn't meet my deadline. I'll give you family a week long break and then it's back to feeding." That was a bluff. John's blood tasted bad, his wife's blood– though her's was slightly better– also tasted bad. He wanted John to live in fear though and paranoia was far worse than certain death.

"But... but... you got the girl!" John cried. "You got what you want! You wanted her for a meal right?! Shouldn't... shouldn't she be enough!?"

"Dad?" Liam stares at John, horrified by what was coming from his own father's mouth. "What are you—"

"John... what are you talking about?" Aiden asks, looking at the man in disbelief.

"Such a heartless man you are. You thought I was going to eat her the whole time, yet you still tried to persuade her to come with me. This whole time you were prepared for me to kill her." Cain snarls. "You disgust me."

John almost broke down crying. He was pretty shitty for that wasn't he? He was basically trying to convince a young girl to kill her self just to save his wife. A life for a life, but who was he to decide who should live or die.

"I'm horrible..." John said, scratching at his head

Cain moves he cloak away from your face, revealing your sleeping form.

"I was hoping to leave before you actually got in, but I suppose this was how things were meant to be." Cain glances out the window behind him for a second. "There is a little rat outside that happened to hear and probably see everything. He saw (y/n) walk in here and I bet he could hear your son yelling about ripping off her head. I wonder how he'll feel when (y/n) doesn't come out?" Cain says, turning towards the window.

Standing in the front yard was Thomas. He looked angry. Glowing red eyes met with Thomas's empty (e/c) eyes.

"You are in big trouble John." Cain chuckles, before jumping from the window. He held onto you tightly, making sure that you wouldn't fall from his grasp. You were finally his.

Thomas felt something land near him, but he couldn't see it. All he saw was a tiny flash of red. He could smell blood. He hoped it was not yours. He didn't like that you didn't leave the house yet. He saw the power go out so what else is there to do in there? He looked up at the second story window again. There was someone else up there earlier wasn't there? He saw John, looking down at him with a horrified expression. Thomas smiles up at him, his empty eyes tearing poor John apart.

Thomas was sure that he would have to kill John.