The honey-colored walls of the room appeared darker in the dim light.
The space stood empty - no extra furniture, no clutter.
On the bed, its white linens now marred by crimson bloodstains, lay a body adorned with cuts and wounds. His frame trembled with pain as silent tears escaped the corners of his eyes.
*"Get up and pull yourself together, Tai. Can't have you looking like shit tonight."*
A man with wild gray hair and furious red eyes stared at Tai before pressing his hand against the boy's open chest wound and squeezing.
Tai's eyes bulged with agony, yet he made no sound.
The man paused, then spoke in a voice that would freeze anyone's blood:
*"Or would you prefer to sleep next to Mousa tonight?"*
The boy's eyes widened in terror as he stammered:
*"I-I... I'll—"*
*"Good,"* the man interrupted, his tone softening. With heavy footsteps, he exited the room.
Tai drew a shuddering breath, attempting to calm himself before whispering through the pain:
*"Y-you're such a... fucking terrible father..."*
A bloody cough wracked his body as he collapsed back onto the stained sheets.
- - - - - - - - -
Walking through the mansion's red-and-white hallway with Nova, Tai moved with measured steps, smiling as he listened to her chatter.
Nova: *"Want to watch a movie tonight?"*
He opened his mouth to reply when the appearance of a smiling man froze his words.
Nova: *"Hello, Mr. Parkson."*
The man's grin widened at her. *"Hello, young lady."*
For just an instant, fury flashed in Tai's eyes before he plastered on a fake smile.
Tai: *"Hey, Dad."*
The man's leather-clad hands settled on Tai's shoulders.
*"You're needed in my office. There's a problem... and you're the only solution."*
He leaned close to Tai's ear, whispering softly:
*"Unless you'd rather see Nova's head on a platter?"*
Tai's smile didn't waver as he gave Nova a reassuring glance.
*"Let's go..."*
---
The office loomed before them - floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a desk the color of spilled oil.
His father's terrifying smile made Tai's blood run cold.
*"Ready?"*
Tai met that mocking grin with dead eyes.
*"Guess so."*
The smile vanished, replaced by blank indifference. *"Perfect."*
Almost cheerfully, the man kicked the desk's leg.
The floor vanished beneath Tai as he dropped onto a waiting bed below.
The man's excitement grew as he pressed a blue button.
*"This might hurt a bit."*
First one rat appeared. Then hundreds. Then thousands.
Their screeching filled the air as they swarmed over Tai, teeth tearing into flesh.
His screams became part of the horrific chorus as the man watched with gentle amusement.
Just before the rats reached his eyes, a faint light flickered across Tai's vision - then darkness.