chapter 6

Let's not dwell on the past, shall we? We're family now, and family sticks together," she said, her words a gentle reminder of the bonds that united us.

With a sigh, I relented, realizing that now wasn't the time or place for confrontation. But deep down, I knew that the issue with Alec wouldn't be resolved so easily, and that our paths would inevitably cross again in the future.

After my mom's gentle reminder about family bonds, the atmosphere at the dinner table lightened, and we all spent some extra time catching up and sharing stories. Despite the initial tension, I found myself enjoying the company of my newfound relatives, feeling grateful for the opportunity to connect with them.

As the evening wore on, my mom and I eventually bid farewell to our uncle and his family, promising to visit again soon. The ride back home was filled with a comfortable silence, the events of the day replaying in my mind as I stared out the window, lost in thought.

Upon arriving home, however, a sense of unease settled over me once more. The familiar scent of something foul lingered in the air, and this time, I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.

Suppressing a shiver, I followed my mom into the house, trying to brush off my growing sense of unease. But as we settled in, the smell only seemed to grow stronger, permeating the air with its sickly-sweet odor.

"Mom, do you smell that?" I asked, my voice tinged with concern.

My mom paused, her brows furrowing as she took a deep breath. "Yes, I do," she replied, her tone mirroring my own apprehension.

Panic began to gnaw at the edges of my mind as I realized that I wasn't imagining things. Whatever was causing the strange smell was real, and it was happening right here, in our own home.

Fueled by a sense of urgency, I quickly made my way through the house, searching for the the source of the foul odor. But no matter where I looked, I couldn't seem to pinpoint its origin.

Just as I was about to give up hope, I heard a faint scratching sound coming from the basement. Heart pounding, I made my way down the stairs, my every instinct screaming at me to turn back.

But when I reached the bottom, what I saw nearly stopped me in my tracks. There, huddled in the corner of the basement, was a sight that chilled me to the bone.

A pile of rotting corpses lay strewn about the floor, their decaying forms emitting the same foul smell that had permeated the house. My stomach churned at the sight, and I felt bile rising in my throat as I struggled to comprehend what I was seeing.

Beside me, my mom gasped in horror, her hand flying to her mouth as she recoiled from the gruesome scene. "Clara, we need to call the police, but we should call your uncle first" she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Numb with shock, I nodded mutely, my mind reeling from the realization that danger had been lurking in our midst all along. As we made our way back upstairs, I couldn't shake the feeling that our lives would never be the same again.

My heart hammered in my chest as I raced up the stairs, my mind consumed by a single thought: I had to get help, and fast. With trembling hands, I fumbled for my phone, my fingers slipping on the screen as I struggled to dial the emergency number.

But as I reached for the basement door, my blood turned to ice in my veins. The door was locked from the inside, a heavy bolt securing it shut with an ominous finality. Panic surged through me as I realized that my mom was still trapped below, her life in imminent danger.

"Mom!" I cried out, my voice echoing through the empty house as I pounded on the door with all my strength. But there was no response, only the muffled sounds of a struggle emanating from the other side.

With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I pressed my ear against the door, straining to make out any words amidst the chaos. And then, amidst the cacophony of noise, I heard her voice, faint but unmistakable.

"Clara, run! Go to your uncle's place, now!" she shouted, her words filled with urgency.

Terror gripped me as I realized the gravity of the situation. Whatever was happening in the basement was beyond my control, and the only thing I could do was heed my mother's warning and get to safety.

Without a moment's hesitation, I turned and bolted from the house, my heart pounding in my ears as I raced down the street. Every instinct screamed at me to run faster, to put as much distance between myself and the danger as possible.

As I sprinted down the street, the voice pierced through the chaos of my thoughts, freezing me in my tracks. "Are you gonna run away again as you always do? You're going to let your mom die. Turn around, get back in that house, and help her."

For a moment, time seemed to stand still as I grappled with the conflicting emotions warring within me. Fear and panic threatened to overwhelm me, but beneath the surface, a flicker of determination sparked to life. I couldn't abandon my mother, not when she needed me the most.

Summoning every ounce of courage I had, I turned on my heel and raced back toward the house, my heart pounding with renewed purpose. With each step, my resolve solidified, driving me forward with a single-minded focus.

As I reached the front door, adrenaline surged through my veins, fueling my actions as I threw myself against the basement door with all my might. With a resounding crash, the door splintered and gave way, the wood shattering under the force of my blow.

The scene that greeted me on the other side was one of utter chaos. My mother lay crumpled on the ground, her face bruised and bloodied, while three menacing figures loomed over her, their features twisted into grotesque snarls of rage.

The men were unlike anything I had ever seen before, their bodies monstrous and inhuman. Long nails glinted in the dim light, their pointed ears twitching with anticipation. Hulking muscles rippled beneath their taut skin, and tufts of hair sprouted from their faces in wild, unkempt tangles.

As I took in the sight before me, a surge of anger welled up inside me, banishing the last remnants of fear. These creatures had dared to harm my mother, and they would pay dearly for their actions.

With a defiant roar, I launched myself at the nearest assailant, my fists flying in a flurry of blows. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, heightening my senses and sharpening my reflexes as I fought with everything I had.