Chris's wide smile didn't waver as he looked at her. "Hello, Hazel," he said softly.
"Hi... " Hazel muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Chris watched her intently, unwilling to let even the slightest expression escape his notice.
Though he had compelled her the previous night, yet suspicion gnawed on him—she might still know something.
"Hazel, why don't you come over? Let's unpack this things together," Riley suggested with a happy grin.
"I... I feel a bit sick, Riley. I'd better lie down for a while" Without waiting for a response, Hazel hurried to her room.
Riley turned to Chris surprised.
"Is she okay... ?" Chris asked worriedly.
"i'll go check up on her," Riley muttered slowly then head upstairs.
She pushed the door open and saw Hazel lying on the bed, her figure buried in the folds of the duvet.
Riley sat down carefully beside Hazel.
"Hazel... is something going on?" She asked slowly.
"No... why would you ask that?" Hazel muttered.
Riley frowned.
"Because you're different whenever Chris is around. Do you... hate him? Or does he make you uncomfortable?" Riley pressed, her voice laced with concern.
"I'm okay, Riley. Just a little weak—probably falling sick. Besides," Hazel chuckled faintly "I thought I'd give you and your lover boy some space."
"Hazel!" Riley exclaimed, her face flushed.
"We weren't even being lovey-dovey! You didn't need to run off. Anyway, don't you dare fall sick, or I swear I'll force every pill in this house down your throat." With a playful glare, she straightened and adjusted Hazel's duvet.
"Rest up, okay? I'll go make dinner. Come down if you feel better. " Riley said then left.
Hazel stared at the closed door, a shadow of sadness flickering in her eyes.
Telling Riley the truth about Chris wouldn't change anything. Riley wouldn't believe her, it would only seem like she was trying to ruin Riley's relationship with him.
Chris's presence could only mean one thing—he was here for a reason. The thought made Hazel's blood run cold. She sprang up from the bed, hurriedly locking her door and shutting the windows with trembling hands.
Lying on the bed, her eyes fixed on the door as she anticipated a knock, Hazel didn't realize when sleep finally claimed her.
*****
The night was silent, yet as the girl lay in bed, her ears caught faint—unsettling sounds and slicing noises downstairs that chilled her blood. It seem as though someone was being butchered.
She slowly rose up from the bed,
"Mom... ?"
"Mom... ?" The girl called softly as she emerged from her room, descending the stairs. Reaching the kitchen, she stopped dead in her tracks, frozen at the scene before her eyes.
There, a man stood with an axe in his hand, its blade dripping red. Blood was splattered across the kitchen, and on the floor a woman lay motionless—her body butchered beyond recognition.
"Dad... Daddy?" The girl called out, her voice quivering, eyes wide with terror at the sight before her.
The man's lips curved into a bright smile as his eyes locked on hers.
"I thought you were fast asleep, my dear. Come here," he coaxed gently. But she stumbled back, shaking her head in horror.
"Y—You... you killed Mom... " She whispered, her voice trembling.
"Don't be afraid, my darling. It's all over now—Mommy's gone to rest," The man said almost cheerfully, stepping toward her. The girl staggered back, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"M—Mom... You killed Mom... Why?" She whispered, her voice breaking. At her words, the man's smile faltered, his gaze darkening.
Before she could run, he moved faster, yanking her back and hurling her across the kitchen.
She crashed onto the floor with a cry.
"No...!"
"Forget it, forget every thing you saw. You saw nothing," He muttered coldly, his eyes locking onto hers with chilling intent.
But she shook her head, sobs breaking through as tears streamed down her her face.
"Why did you kill Mom?.... What did she ever do?!" She cried desperately.
His expression shifted, darkness clouding his features.
"Impossible...what has that bitch been feeding you..?" He muttered under his breath as he rose to his feet.
The instant he raised the axe, a piercing scream tore from her throat, echoing through the house.
******
"Ah—!" Hazel gasped awake from her dream, her body was drenched in sweat, her heart pounding violently against her ribs.
Though the room was dim, her brows furrowed when she noticed the window she had shut earlier—now open.
"Hello, Hazel."
Hazel flinched, her heart skipping as her gaze snapped to Chris standing right beside her.
"W—What do you want... ?" She asked, her voice trembling with fear.
"God, you look so damn sexy tonight... I feel like taking you right here," Chris murmured, lowering himself.
"I said I don't want you, please leave me alone!" Hazel pleaded fearfully.
"But I want you!" Chris said, his voice dripping with hunger.
"No—!" Hazel's protest broke off into muffled screams as his hand suddenly covered her mouth.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you darling. Come here, I have a gift for you" Chris murmured darkly. He yanked her up and dragged her out of the room, her muffled cries echoing in the dark.
"Ta-da! " He said cheerfully as they got to the sitting room. Two girls sat motionless on the couch while Riley sat on a stool, their gaze dull and blank.
Chris shoved Hazel down onto the couch, making sure she had a clear view of everything.
"You know, Riley's life is now in your hands. So you move—she dies" Chris said coldly. Moving toward one of the girls on the couch, yanking her up, he sank his fangs deep into her neck, sucking and biting her neck.
Hazel felt her breath quickened. He wants her to sit and watch this again...
Pushing the girl aside as she fell lifeless on the floor, he pressed the other girl onto the couch.
"Keep watching Hazel, do not take your eyes off." Chris warned coldly.
Hazel gritted her teeth, forcing her gaze ahead, her entire body trembling.
Chris loomed over the lady, his grip merciless. With a twisted smile, he lowered himself, sinking his fangs deep into her neck. The lady's muffled cries filled the room, growing weaker as he drank greedily, draining the life from her. Hazel's stomach churned, tears stinging her eyes as she listened to the sickening sound of blood being taken.
He stood up, flinging the girls lifeless body aside.
"Now who do we have here... ?" Chris said with a wide smile.
Yanking Riley up and pulling her towards the couch, Hazel felt tears welled up in her eyes.
"P—Please don't... Don't hurt her," She pleaded tearfully.
"I want you, Hazel... I want us to start seeing each other. Don't worry—your friend won't find out, she won't suspect a thing," Chris said calmly, his eyes gleaming with a strange hunger.
"I don't want you. " Hazel's voice was firm, but her heart pounded in terror.
Chris's gaze darkened. Without another word, he turned to Riley, his lips curling back to reveal sharp fangs. In one swift motion, he sank them deep into her neck. Riley's muffled cries filled the room as he bit and drank, her body trembling in his grasp.