8 Chapter Seven

6:30pm, Lucelia’s birthday. 10/07/2027

Kyle stepped up to his daughter's bedroom door, knocking softly. It had been a couple days since Lucelia came home with him from the adoption clinic. She had settled in very nicely with him and his wife. The two were grateful to finally raise a child, even if Lucelia was a bit old to stay in the nest for long. They met her a couple years ago and quickly grew fond of her. Kyle smiled a little, keeping her birthday present behind his back. Slowly, the door opened and Lucelia stood there.

“May I come in?” He asked.

“Yeah, you may,” Lucelia answered. She had a soft smile on her face when he walked in. Her room was tidy. Even though he made sure she had enough furniture, she still had so few belongings that there was little mess to be made.

He made sure she couldn't see what he held behind his back and sat down on the bed. “How do you like the room?” He asked, smiling.

“It’s spacious and quiet,” She responded, playing with the sheets on her bedding.

“I'm glad to hear that,” he said, “Your mom and I wanted it to be a nice little space you could have to yourself. We know how crowded those adoption places can feel.” He then smirked at her, “We got you a little something for your birthday.”

“Oh? What is it?” Lucelia raised an eyebrow and tilted her head.

Kyle pulled his hand from behind his back. It was holding a small plate with a frosted cupcake on it. The cupcake had a single small lit candle. “Happy birthday sweetie.”

“Aw, thank you, Ky-- er dad.” She gingerly took it out of his hand. Holding it, she watched the candle drizzle wax on her cupcake before blowing on it, watching it fizzle out. “You know, after all these years, I obsessed over where my parents were. I wanted leads, answers, but I didn’t get any. I finally decided to no longer do that. I hope I live a long and happy life with you guys,” Lucelia explained, “So I can forget them even more.”

Kyle reached into his pocket. “We also got you a real gift too.” He pulled out a small necklace with a book-shaped locket and handed it to her. “Here you go, Lucy.”

She put it on around her neck almost immediately, watching it glisten in the setting sunlight. “It’s pretty,” she whispered, “I love you, dad.”

Kyle gave her a hug, “I love you too sweetie.” He then gave her a brief wink, “There's a picture of your mom and me inside, so you can always know we're there and how much we love you.”

Lucelia nodded slightly before yawning, covering her mouth as she did so.

Kyle stood up. “I'll be downstairs with your mom.” He told her, “There are more cupcakes for later too, but I'll give you some time alone.”

“Okay.” She lied down in the fetal position on her new bed, humming quietly.

Kyle smiled and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him and making his way downstairs. He barely made it halfway down the staircase before he heard the sound of shattered glass and a scream.

"Sky, get to the basement!" he shouted to his wife, hurrying back up the stairs. If we've been found, then that's the safest and most defensible place in the house right now. Once he was up the stairs, he threw open Lucelia's bedroom door.

Kyle was greeted to shattered glass and an unconscious Lucelia, spilling blood on the bed, along with a woman in all black. She was clothed in a queenly dress with a witch’s hat crowning her head. Despite her dark appearance, the wings on her back were hauntingly angelic. As the woman unsheathed her weapon, a scythe swiftly slashed Lucelia’s torso. Due to this blow, her body became two wisps which flew out the gap where the window would have been. “Damn it,” she cursed, “They got away.”

Kyle couldn't believe his eyes. “What the hell did you do to my Lucy?!” He asked, his voice shaking with rage and anguish.

“I saved you from what could have been a calamity,” the witch claimed, “Or at least I tried to before they got away. She shouldn’t have been created, or they… I supposed.” She petted the blade of her scythe gingerly.

Kyle didn't believe her. “You just killed my daughter!” He accused her.

“I didn’t kill anyone,” She hissed, “You’re living a fantasy for thinking she was someone to be loved.”

Kyle didn't know who this woman was, but one thing he knew is that she had to die for what she did. I loved Lucy, and that crazy psycho took her away. He then lunged at her, swinging a fist at her head. The woman caught his fist and twisted his arm, forcing him to skid across the glass laden ground.

“I should kill you,” She claimed, “but I think instead I should leave you here to reconsider what little you know.” The woman in black sighed, “I’m doing this for your own good, for everyone’s sake.” Her scythe was tucked away as a blinding light spread across the Ky’Vesh household. When the light faded, and the killer's steps began to drift away, Kyle was left weeping on the floor of his dead daughter's bedroom amongst broken glass and a smushed cupcake. He saw Lucelia’s cracked phone light up from an alarm.

7:00pm

Time to Celebrate.