Chapter 121
The collapse of the house intensified, and the entire staircase area caved in.
"I know."
It doesn't matter!
Seeing her crazed expression, Randy grabbed her face harshly. "Look at me! Your world hasn't collapsed, because I'm still here. You're mine, and the police won't take you away from me!"
After speaking, Randy moved Margaret's body aside and pulled Carrie away.
Carrie seemed to regain some hope, but after taking only two steps, she stopped. "Randy, my mom..."
What a nuisance.
But Randy understood that now was not the time to let Carrie carry any guilt, and it was also a good opportunity to win her over.
So he immediately turned around, lifted Margaret's body onto his back, and dragged Carrie by the hand, leaving the house just as it completely collapsed.
"Boom!"
Dust flew everywhere, and Carrie's home was gone.
Catherine, standing by the door, still looked shocked.
"What are you standing around for? Call the police and an ambulance."
Randy snapped at her, prompting Catherine to quickly pull out her phone. She called the fire department, hospital, and police station, then hurriedly climbed over a tree trunk, stumbling as she rushed toward Carrie and Margaret's bodies.
"Margaret…is she…?"
Randy didn't let Carrie respond. She was too dazed to say anything anyway.
"She's dead. I don't know why the house suddenly collapsed, maybe an earthquake, but a falling stone hit the back of her head."
Catherine's heart tightened. She had great respect for Margaret, so she bowed her head in prayer.
Randy didn't stop her. Instead, he turned to check on Carrie's condition. The wound on her neck wasn't fatal, but the psychological trauma was severe.
"Stay here and watch. I'll take Carrie next door to change clothes and treat her wound."
"...Alright."
Catherine was a bit annoyed—why did Randy personally help Carrie with her injuries? But she only thought about it briefly, and then her sympathy and pity for Margaret took over, and she continued praying.
Randy led the dazed Carrie next door.
"Tell me, how are you feeling right now?"
Carrie shook her head. "I don't know."
"Then you're still doing alright."
Randy checked her injuries briefly without treating them. He led her to the bathroom to clean off the blood, then brought out bandages and other supplies to do a simple dressing.
He handed her a clean set of clothes to change into.
"Remember, Carrie, you still have family, and that's me. I'll also find you a better guardian, but first, you need to make sure not to say anything you shouldn't."
Randy began to indoctrinate her: "Your mother died because of an earthquake, hit by a falling stone."
Carrie's eyes wavered. "No, I killed my mom."
"That's not true."
Randy shook his head. "Tell me how she died."
"It was because of me..."
"Then go ahead and carry that truth with you. If you're not willing to listen to me, what use do I have for you?"
Carrie panicked instantly.
"I was wrong. My mom was killed by a falling stone."
Only then did Randy smile.
"That's right. Be obedient. Telling the truth is worse than lying, understand?"
Carrie nodded submissively.
Randy continued to coach her on what to say, ensuring she wouldn't make a mistake. Only after that did he lead her back outside.
Catherine had finished her prayers and looked at the two of them, particularly noticing that Carrie had changed into a new outfit.
"You cleaned her up?"
"We're neighbors. It's only natural."
Catherine gritted her teeth but didn't say more. She recalled Randy's selfless act of rushing into Carrie's house to save her, and her respect for him grew to a new level.
He truly was brave and selfless.
Soon, the rescue team arrived.
They were also baffled by Carrie's house collapsing so suddenly—it hadn't seemed like it was in danger before.
A few police officers approached Carrie for information. Catherine pointed out Randy's heroic actions, so he was questioned as well.
"It was terrifying. The stones were falling everywhere, and Carrie's neck was injured, so I quickly bandaged her. Unfortunately, Margaret wasn't as lucky. Even the empire couldn't protect her this time."
The officers thought Randy had a close relationship with Margaret and comforted him.
"You were very brave. Don't be sad."
They also asked Carrie if there were any valuables in the house worth searching for.
Carrie shook her head. Her house was practically empty, and any money was held by the church. Whether she could retrieve it was uncertain. The only asset was a tailor shop in the city, but Carrie didn't know how to make clothes.
Seeing her weak and vulnerable state, it was unlikely she'd pursue any claims or compensation from the government. The rescue workers felt relieved.
Once the situation was clear, the medical team carried Margaret's body to the ambulance. Since Carrie was also injured, she needed to go to the hospital as well.
Before leaving, she glanced at Randy, then bit her lip and got into the vehicle.
Randy had promised her that after she was discharged from the hospital, she would have a new and happy family.
"Oh, and Catherine," Randy turned to the nun, "could you help look after Carrie? Margaret was a regular at the church and always contributed."
Catherine looked at the pitiful Carrie and couldn't refuse, though she felt morally cornered.
It was emotional blackmail.
She was supposed to be a nun, after all!
Catherine picked up a container. "And these seeds..."
"No rush. Plant them at the convent, then go to the hospital to take care of Carrie."
"...Alright."
After the ambulance left, Catherine followed in her car.
Randy still had more to do.
Back at home, he continued refining the blood lotus.
In the middle of this, Pennywise came by to report that Dave had gone mad at school.
"It doesn't matter. Dead is dead. As long as the body isn't cremated, it's still useful."
There were graveyard rats in Derry's cemetery helping to transport materials.
Dave's large body would make excellent fertilizer for those seeds.
However, Randy took some time to call Beverly, mainly to check on her situation and discuss follow-up matters.
In short, Beverly wouldn't be affected at all. Her reputation might even improve.
But the police department could face some trouble. Sheriff Brook and his team were cornered by pigs at the pig farm, four of them were bitten, and they had to kill over a dozen pigs.
Then there was Jackson. That guy ran his mouth a bit too fast. His remarks, made during a live stream that hundreds of people watched, would soon spread throughout Derry.
When the next class convenes, Jackson might end up at the police station before anyone else and possibly get fired.