Chapter 61

Mr. Thomas looked at Elena in astonishment. "What? He's your son?"

David swiftly intervened, dragging Mr. Thomas out of the room. "Trust me, you'll like the meat," he said, pulling Mr. Thomas away. Meanwhile, I turned back to Elena, my mind reeling. "Son?" I managed to utter.

Elena avoided my gaze, her hand stretching towards me. "What?" I asked, confused. "Money for the meat?"

"No," Elena replied, shaking her head. "There's no rice, and you don't have a rice cooker. Will you let them starve?"

I stared at her in disbelief. "I should go buy some stuff," she continued, a hint of pleading in her voice. "Some allowance would be nice too, for your dear mother."

I exhaled slowly, still processing everything she had said. "Please," she added, smiling softly.

I shook my head, speechless, as Elena left to buy groceries. Meanwhile, Mr. Thomas had made his way to the room where Annabelle was staying. He knocked, and she opened the door, greeting him politely.

"Hello, sir," Annabelle said, stepping aside to let him in.

"I just came by to see how you were doing," Mr. Thomas replied, glancing at Jade.

"I see," Annabelle said, nodding. "Thank you for helping us yesterday."

Mr. Thomas shrugged. "Don't mention it. I wasn't of any help fifteen years ago."

Annabelle hesitated before speaking. "By the way, how is your sister?"

Mr. Thomas's attention shifted immediately to Jade. "I'm fine," she said with a smile.

Annabelle explained, "She injured her head when she was kidnapped. I'd like for her to receive a checkup. May I ask you for a favor?"

"Sure," Mr. Thomas replied, willing to help.

"Could you drop us off at the hospital?" Annabelle asked.

Jade interjected, holding Annabelle's hand. "No, it's okay. I'm fine."

Annabelle insisted, "No, you should go. It's too dangerous for us to go alone."

Mr. Thomas agreed, addressing Jade directly. "You should listen to her."

Jade hesitated, unsure. "How about we head out right now?" Mr. Thomas suggested. "Get ready and come out."

He left the room, and Jade turned to Annabelle. "Will you be okay?" she asked, concerned. "Didn't you say we shouldn't trust the police?"

Annabelle nodded. "Yes, you're right. But I think we can trust him. Jade, go downstairs first, okay?"

Reluctantly, Jade agreed. "I'm really fine," she insisted, but she followed Mr. Thomas out of the room.

Annabelle smiled as she closed the door behind her. Everything was falling into place, but she couldn't shake the feeling of unease.

Annabelle sat down on the bed, pulling up her trouser leg to inspect her bruises. Memories flooded back of the vampire dragging her leg tightly just yesterday. She winced at the recollection, then remembered our pact. I had promised to help her find a way to kill him, and in return, she would aid me until the deed was done. "You will help me, and I will help you too," I had assured her. "Until I kill him, I will let you live as a human."

Shaking off the memories, Annabelle stepped out of the room just as I emerged from mine. I was about to walk past her when she called out, "Hey," causing me to halt.

"I'm going to the hospital with my sister and Mr. Thomas," Annabelle informed me.

"Mr. Thomas?" I echoed in surprise. "Then you don't need to go. They can go without you."

"No, I need to go too," Annabelle insisted. "I have to get some stuff from home."

"Forget about that," I urged. "They're all useless."

"They're not useless," Annabelle countered. "They're all I have to remember my mom and sister by. Like family photos."

Turning to face her, I argued, "That's why they're useless. They're not your family. They were just unlucky people who reincarnated as those close to you."

Annabelle scoffed at my words. "Unbelievable. You just made me want to go there even more."

She turned to leave, but I quickly grabbed her hand and pushed her against the wall. "Do you still not get it?" I demanded. "You're not going anywhere without me. The moment you asked me to kill Black Soul, you became mine. So do as I say."

Annabelle's expression turned sad as she replied, "No, you must be mistaken. I'm here because I want to. You're the sword that I found. The sword that can kill him."

I locked eyes with her, my voice firm. "Don't you dare go back. He'll be waiting for you with a knife in hand."

Black Soul wandered through Annabelle's former house, his eyes scanning every corner. He picked up one of her clothes and brought it to his nose, inhaling deeply. He examined everything meticulously, his gaze lingering on the pictures adorning the walls. When he came across a photograph of Annabelle, a devilish smile spread across his face.

"You've been running away so well, Annabelle Keys," he murmured to himself. His fingers traced the edges of the picture before his attention was drawn to a note lying nearby. It read, "The sword that can kill Imoogi Vampire."

Black Soul's expression darkened as he read the words. "Would you look at that," he muttered, his hands trembling with anger and sorrow. He clenched the paper tightly, trying to suppress his emotions, before finally collapsing onto the bed with a heavy exhale.

Meanwhile, back at my house, Jade sat inside Mr. Thomas's car, urging Annabelle to join them. Annabelle shook her head, declining the offer. "You can go with Mr. Thomas. Don't worry about me," she reassured Jade.

Mr. Thomas, who had been observing them, smiled gently. "Don't be too serious. You don't need to worry," he said to Annabelle before turning to Jade. "Shall we go?"

"Sure," Jade replied eagerly.

Mr. Thomas started the car and drove off, leaving Annabelle behind. In another vehicle, David and Elena sat together in a truck. David called out to Annabelle, drawing her attention. "I'll buy lots of good food. Don't fight with him. Be cordial," he advised.

Elena shot David a disgusted look. "Shut it," she muttered.

Annabelle smiled at David's words. "All right, be safe," she replied, then turned to Elena. "Drive safely."

Elena rolled her eyes in response, starting the truck and driving away. David waved enthusiastically at Annabelle, who waved back before watching them disappear down the road.