House of Cards || Daerin

10. Blood That Haunts

A scream ripped through the silence, sharper and louder. Our heads turned back toward the living room, even as Hanni whispered for us to stay hidden. I couldn't look away.

The masked man now held a knife, its blade catching the light as he turned it slowly, almost admiringly.

"I took care of your guards, Alistair. They won't be coming." He took a step closer to my parents, the knife glinting in the dim light. "Let's get started, shall we?"

"Take everything—please, at least tell me what I've done wrong," Dad chokes out.

"This is revenge with benefits, Marsh. You die. My company finally gets the status it deserves. You die, I get the revenge I deserve." He said.

I felt Hanni tense beside me, her breath hitching as the man raised the knife, a twisted smile on his lips. The world around us faded as I focused on the unfolding horror.

"Please!" My mother's voice broke through the air, trembling with fear. "Just let us go! We can make this right!"

"Right? You think you can fix this?" the man spat back, his eyes narrowing. "This is for the both of us, Siyeon. He deserves it."

"No, I don't care, let him go!" my mother cried, her voice shaking.

The masked man took a step closer. "Now you're getting on my nerves."

Before she could respond, the man raised his gun, firing a shot that rang out like a deafening bell. My mother's body jerked back, her mouth opening in a silent scream before she crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

"No!" I screamed too loud, my heart breaking as the reality of the situation crashed down on me. The world felt unreal, as if I were watching a nightmare unfold before my eyes.

"Danielle, we have to go!" Hanni shouted, gripping my arm, trying to pull me away. I felt her panic, her fear lacing the air, but I couldn't move; I was rooted to the spot, paralyzed by the horror of it all.

But my father, Alistair, wasn't done fighting. "You monster!" he shouted, his voice thick with fury and grief. "You'll pay for this!"

They didn't hear me.

He surged forward, breaking free from the ropes that bound him, desperation fueling his movements. The masked man turned, surprise flashing across his face for a brief moment. But Dad lunged, trying to reach for the man, to confront him head-on.

In a swift motion, the masked man moved, the knife gleaming as he plunged it deep into my father's side. A guttural groan escaped my father's lips, and he staggered back, shock etched across his features as he fell to his knees, blood spilling onto the floor. It all happened so fast.

I felt Hanni's hands cover my eyes a little too late. Hanni pulled me tighter against her, shielding my eyes before dragging me with her. "We have to get out of here, Danielle. Now!"

It felt like a nightmare. I couldn't wake up from

___

But I woke up.

And I woke up choking, gasping for air, my vision blurred, my clothes drenched in sweat. I groaned, struggling to sit up, forcing myself to calm my breathing.

I remember it all in so much detail—every word that came out of that man’s mouth, the terror in my parents’ eyes, how petrified Hanni and I were. I remember everything. And I hate that.

The nightmares had faded for a while; they said they'd go away, but no. It’s carved into me, an unshakable part of my mind, something I can never erase. I have to live with it.