On a windy night on Locale State Street, the sounds of music and laughter filled the air, masking the desperate gasps of a woman near death. Her body, once beautiful, now bore the marks of brutal cuts, each one telling a tale of violence and anguish.
"Why?" Cassandra asked, her voice trembling, eyes wide with shock and fear. She couldn't believe it. The man holding the knife, the one she trusted, was the same one who was about to end her life. "Just... why?" she asked again, but he didn't answer. Instead, he chuckled darkly, relishing the look of terror in her eyes. He had always hated her. Especially after Fred, one of the only people who saw Cassandra for who she really was, had fallen for her. That stung. Cassandra, with her quiet smile and innocent eyes, had always played the perfect victim. He saw through it, and it made his blood boil
"Oh, beautiful Cassie," he taunted, stepping closer. "Your body... it makes for such perfect art. Just look at that cut! It's so fitting for someone like you. A seductress, isn't it?"
Cassandra stumbled backward, tears filling her eyes. "Please, for my fiancee's sake... think about him. He'd be so devastated if you killed me and my baby. Please, don't"
He interrupted her, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. "Sorry, darling, but I can't let you leave. Not after you saw me and my... partner. This is a favor I'm doing for you, ending your miserable life. He laughed bitterly. "Your fiancé?" he spat. "He'll be fine. He'll find someone better. There are always more fish in the sea. And the baby? To hell with the baby."
With those words, he lunged at her, driving the knife into her head. Cassandra screamed in pain, but in a frantic burst of strength, she pushed him away. He lost his balance, and the knife slipped from his grasp. Desperation set in as she grabbed it and plunged it into his chest. His eyes widened in shock as he stumbled back, groaning in pain.
"You crazy bitch," he cursed, pulling the knife from his chest. "You'll regret this. I'm going to make sure you suffer for this."
Cassandra, her vision blurring from blood loss, turned and ran. She could hear him calling after her, laughing maniacally. "Beautiful Cassandra, can't you hear me? I love your hair. Cassie... Cassie..." His voice was a sickening blend of obsession and rage.
With each step, Cassandra felt weaker. She stumbled, her blood pooling beneath her as she struggled to stay conscious. "I can't die... not like this," she whispered, clutching at the wound on her head. "Please, God, help me. I'm about to start my life with someone special... don't let it end now."
But just as she began to lose consciousness, a voice rang out through the night. "Who's there?" It was the security guard, his flashlight cutting through the darkness.
"Damn it," the man cursed, his expression twisted in frustration. "You're just going to bleed to death, bitch. And fuck that security guard... seems like you're next on my list." He spat, his eyes filled with unsatisfied rage, before turning and disappearing into the shadows.
---
At the Dream Center Orphanage, Daniel sat by the window, staring out at the family waiting for him. He didn't want to leave, but he had no choice. He was a 35 year old man trapped in the body of a 8 years old boy, a predicament that had allowed him to slip through many troubles unnoticed. He had lived in different orphanages, with various families, always searching for one thing, his brother. The only family he had left. They had been separated because of his own stubbornness, and now, he regretted it deeply.
"I hope I find him soon, or things might get worse," Daniel murmured to himself, hearing footsteps approaching his room.
When the door opened, a 10-year-old girl entered, her expression a mix of disdain and suspicion. She eyed him coldly, clearly not impressed. Daniel paid her no mind. She didn't matter. What mattered was the rest of the family, who seemed kind enough, except for the little princess, who he had already written off.
"Isn't he cute?" Mrs. Rose, the orphanage director, said as she handed over the paperwork. "This boy has been through a lot, so please take good care of him. He's quiet and doesn't talk much."
Mrs. Armstrong, the woman looking to adopt him, reached out to touch Daniel's face, but he quickly recoiled, giving her a strange look, like she was trying to pet a dog.
"My wife wants to adopt him," Mr. Armstrong said, glancing at his wife. "We promise to care for him and not hurt him."
"Alright, then. Please follow me to sign the documents," Mrs. Rose replied.
Daniel overheard the conversation, wondering why they would want him. "Do I have to adopt a brother?" Liliana, the youngest child in the family, asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
Emily, another girl older than Liliana responded with a cheerful tone, "Of course! I've always wanted a brother!" But Liliana wasn't so enthusiastic. She frowned and muttered, "I don't like him."
Emily shot her a look. "Don't say that. He hasn't done anything to deserve your dislikes."
Emily then turned back to Daniel with a soft smile. "Don't worry, you'll fit in. Just think of it like you're one of us now." She reached out to touch his face, her fingers soft against his skin. "Your face is so smooth and cute!" she said with excitement.
Liliana, clearly irritated, stormed out.
"Don't mind her," Emily said with a grin. "She's just afraid you'll take her place as the 'special one' in the house. My name's Emily, by the way. What's yours?"
Daniel gave a faint smile, "Daniel."
Emily laughed at how cute his voice sounded and helped him carry his luggage outside.
As they got into the car, Daniel's eyes darkened with determination. "I hope I find you soon, brother," he thought, as the car pulled away, the wheels carrying him toward an uncertain future.