Descent into Madness [3]

"Leo…! What are you doing!?"

Jeanne's voice broke the stillness as she slid open the glass door, stepping barefoot onto the lawn.

Leo turned, his eyes blinking at the sight of his mother hurrying toward him.

His expression lit up.

"Mother!"

His smile was bright, almost too bright for the grotesque contrast it held against the scene before her.

Jeanne's breath hitched.

She froze, her hand trembling as it hovered over her mouth.

"Leo... w-what... is the meaning of this?"

"...?"

In his right hand, he held a kitchen knife, its edge smeared with blood.

In his left, a crow lay limp, its wings twitching helplessly, feathers slicked with blood.

Its feet… they were gone.

Jeanne's stomach twisted violently as her eyes darted to the tiny feet discarded on the grass.

The crow shrieked, a sound so agonizing it seemed to claw at the very air, but Leo just stared, oblivious to its torment.