"How many times do I have to tell you not to stay out late. Do you want this old woman to die of worry?" Just as the boy plunged the key into the keyhole leading to his room, a voice came from behind him.
"Oh, it's you, madam Cynthia. Were you waiting for me to return?" The boy forced a smile, tilting his head in the direction of the old lady.
"How could I bring myself to sleep when I didn't know where you went this late at night. And what's that in your shirt?" The old lady pointed at the blood stains decorating his green top.
"Oh, It's blood, don't worry, I'll wash up soon." The boy smiled again as though he was discussing the weather.
"Don't joke about things like that. I can't believe you still spill juice in your shirt at this age." The old lady frowned, convinced the blood in his shirt was red juice.
"Sorry about that, I'll be careful next time."
The old lady studied the boy for a while and gave deep sigh.
"Shower and come to my kitchen after, I'll warm your food while you bathe."
"Madam Cynthia, you're my Landlady not my mother. There's absolutely no reason for you to go through all that trouble." He called after the old lady who had just turned around, heading towards the kitchen.
"Did I just hear you say you want me to bathe you? I don't mind though." The woman said, turning her head slightly. The boy met her gaze and could tell she was ready to hop into the shower with him if he denied her food.
"No you did not." The boy turned the key to the left, opening the door quickly.
"Zane," The old lady called before the boy could set foot in the room.
"Yes, madam Cynthia."
"I'll be leaving your food on the table, make sure to eat every single vegetable. Don't press your phone late into the night and leave your laundry out first thing in the morning."
"Will do."
The boy quickly entered the room. It was as though he wanted to escape from the old lady's constant lecture.
"I thought my ears were going to bleed out. Honestly, she talks way too much."
…
Zane entered the kitchen after taking a bath. Just as the old lady had said, there was a steaming food on the table. Rice with vegetable stew stuffed with lots of meat and a juice set aside in a big jug.
"Too many veggies." Zane stared at the food for a while before pulling the chair back.
He sat and ate quietly, after which he made his way towards his bedroom.
He lay on the bed, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.
"Has it already been two years since I left the house?"
Just then, his phone buzzed beside him.
"Who's calling at this hour?" He studied the unknown number with furrowed brows.
For the past two years since he left the house, he had been receiving unknown calls which he ignored every single time. At first, he thought it might have been his little sister trying to find his whereabouts. But after it went on for more than a year, he began to think otherwise. He even changed his phone number multiple times.
After contemplating for a while, he answered.
"Hello?" He got no reply.
"Hello?" He repeated, but Instead of a reply, he heard soft sobs.
'It sounds like the voice of a little child, but why are they crying?'
"I'm sorry but I think you have the wrong person." He was about to hang up when the person spoke.
"Big… brother. Sob. Sob. "This time, the sobs grew louder until they started crying.
Zane was all too familiar with this angelic voice.
He quickly sat up, his expression changing without him having to force it for the first time in a long while. "Ariel?"
On the day he left the house, Ariel was out with his twin brothers. He had timed it perfectly. If she had been present, she would've followed him no matter what anyone said. 'I didn't want to drag her into this act of patricide. I wanted to finish quickly before she found out. So how in the hell did she get a hold of my new number. No, that's not what is important right now.'
"I'm sorry that you had to be the one to reach out first. So, please don't cry."
"I… was so worried. Dad blocked your bank account, and I didn't know if you ate well or slept well. I searched but couldn't find you. I thought you were dead, or maybe you've forgotten about me since you didn't call." She burst into tears again.
Zane was silent for a while, waiting for her to finish crying.
"I'm sorry." 'I made sure to erase my presence, to think she still managed to find me despite that. Don't tell me she was the same person calling with different unknown numbers because I didn't amswer her calls. I knew I shouldn't have picked up but my curiosity got the best of me. Now that she's found out, there's no need to hide anymore.'
"Big brother, why did you leave?" After crying for what seemed like an eternity, she asked.
"I had to."
"Do you remember the promise you made to me? You said you'd never lie to me. I'll now ask a differen't question. Big brother, why do you want to kill father?"
Zane nearly dropped the phone. This was the second time he was genuinely surprised. 'How did she find out? I knew she was smart, but that doesn't explain the how she found out. I made sure not to leave any clues. What is she going to do if I answer truthfully?'
"Don't worry, I'm alone, Dad went out with big brother Jason to a press conference to discuss matters related to the country. The twins also went out to buy a new video game that just came out. So please, answer in honesty." The voice sounded a little soft this time.
After a lot of contemplation, he answered. "Because I'm sleepy."
There was silence after which she asked again. "Will it end with the death of our father?"
"No. I'm too sleepy for it to end with only father."
There was another silence, however, it was Zane's turn to ask this time.
"How long have you known?"
"Before you left." 'He said he's sleepy. I can't figure out what he means, but I'm sure he'll tell me in due time.'"
'That long? She's just a little girl, yet her perception is sky high.'
"What do you plan to do now that you know my intentions?" Zane's voice was serious now. This was the part where she was supposed to make her stance clear.
"If you're asking whose side I'm on, you should already know the answer. A sin of yours is a sin of mine, a blessing of yours is a blessing of mine. Whoever you want dead, I shall also want them dead. Even if that person happens to be our father." Though the voice that spoke was that of a little girl, it was full of resolve and determination.
"I don't mind sharing my blessings with you, but you see, I'm quite greedy when it comes to death and sin. So please, leave that part to me. Anyway, how have you been, little angel? Has father been treating you well?" Zane spoke, trying to lighten the mood.
"You wouldn't believe just how much taller I've grown since the last time you saw me. I've grown this big." From her words, Zane could tell that her arms were outstretched in an attempt to show him her height.
"You know I can't see you right? Either way, I can't wait until I see for myself."
"How much longer is that going to take?" Ariel asked, her voice sounding a little disappointed.
"It's a simple task to assassinate father, but my problems won't disappear that way. For me to be able to sleep, I need to be the one to pull the trigger. All preparations have been completed, the only task remaining must be carried out in school." Zane explained in details.
"You're… going to school? But you've never gone to school before." This time, it was Ariel's turn to be surprised