2021-08-05 00:22:24“Hey, where are you going?” The girl tugged the man’s coat.
Rick sighed as he knelt on his knee and faced the girl.
“I told you already, didn’t I?” Rick smiled softly and began to gently stroke her hair.
Maru bit her lip as not to cry.
“Hey, why are you crying?” Rick looked alarmed.
Maru puffed her cheeks.
“I’m not crying!” She pouted.
Rick chuckled.
“I promise I’ll be back soon!” He stood up and gave the girl a quick head pat.
“Promise, promise?” The girl turned to him as he began descending the stairs.
“Promise, promise!” He shouted with a wave goodbye.
As she heard the door close, the girl let out a whimper.
This was the first time the two of them would be separated since they met.
*
“Morning, shrimp!”
A tall man opened the door to the apartment. Maru turned her head to look at the man.
“Chris...?” Maru questioned, looking up.
“What’s with the co
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
246: A Killer's Promise Pinky Promise
The weekend had come after a busy beginning at Wildwood Elementary.Maru and Rick were seated on the couch, watching cartoons as they heard a sudden knock at the door.“Rick?”Rick looked up, half asleep."Chris?” He sleepily replied.The door flung open.“Hey! Are you trying to break my door down!?” Rick cried angrily.“Rick,” Chris began.“That certainly is my name.” Rick let out a sigh.“You’re not going to believe this.”Rick sat up.“What am I not going to believe?” He asked.Chris brushed his hair back.“Experiment Labs,”Rick’s eyes widened at the name.“Well,” Chris continued.“There was a rebellion by a few of the patients, they kidnapped the boss’s son, and now the labs are in ruins.”Rick quickly turned to Maru, whose eyes we
246: A Killer's Promise Beneath the Rubble
“Chris, sir?” A man knocked on the door. “Clark?” “Y-yes, sir.” “C’mon in.” The man opened the door. “Sir,” Chris shot him a dirty look. “...Chris,” the man corrected himself. “Get on with it, Clark.” Chris raised an eyebrow. “W-well Chris,” Clark stammered. “Before we came the other night to investigate the Labs, we set up cameras.” Chris sat up a bit. “And?” Clark handed him a camera. “Well, this...this isn’t one of our men.” As Chris pressed play, his eyes widened. “Is that...” * A man wandered the rubble whistling, swinging his keys. “Yeesh.” He sighed as he kicked a tiny piece of the ruin. “Glad I wasn’t on shift during this shitstorm.” The man suddenly froze. He looked around cautiously. There’s no way. Before the man could take another step, something grabbed at his leg. Startled, the man dropped his k
246: A Killer's Promise Bandaged
“A child...?” A woman questioned.“Clearly.” The man huffed in response.“Yeesh, what are you in such a mood for, big brother?” Another girl chimed in.“Tea is ready.” A third girl said as she walked into the room.The three girls and Norio sat around a table in silence.“What do you think mother will think, Nori?” The eldest girl began.“What does mother care?” Norio sighed.“It’s not like she’s ever around anyway...” He grumbled as he went to take a sip of his tea.“Big brother has a good point.” The youngest of the three girls said.“Yui, let us handle this, please.”Yui puffed her cheeks in annoyance.“Faye?” The eldest turned to the middle child.“Eh?” Faye looked up.“Hiromi,” she began.“I personally think mother would b
246: A Killer's Promise Warmth
Norio closed the newspaper and huffed. “Looks like I’m officially out of a job.”He sighed as he sank back into the couch.“I’m surprised," Faye began.“I didn’t think you would be upset about it,” she continued as she placed tea down on the table.“You’ve said several times that you didn’t enjoy working at such a place.”Norio picked up the tea and blew on it a couple of times before taking a sip.“Weren’t you working there because you had heard rumors your bro-”Norio turned with a glare.Faye let out a sigh.“What’s got you in such a bad mood this morning, baby brother?” Hiromi questioned as she sat on the arm of the couch, ruffling his hair.“I didn’t sleep well, I guess.” He muttered.“Oh!” Faye exclaimed as if she had just remembered something.“What&rs
246: A Killer's Promise Teachings
A few weeks had passed since Rick had begun teaching at Wildwood Elementary. Rick has always had a soft side for kids; teaching a subject in his field of knowledge was also a nice bonus.As night began to fall, Rick was busy grading his class tests.“Hey, Rick?” A small voice called out.“Mm?” Rick answered, not picking his head up.“What are you doing?” Maru came over, attempting to get a glimpse.“Nothing,” Rick replied, too, into the grading.Maru puffed her cheeks.“Liar!”Rick turned his head, quickly coming out of the trance.“Huh?”Maru glared, still puffing her cheeks.“Oi oi, take it easy.” He chuckled, patting her head.Maru finally gave up on puffing her cheeks and took a deep breath.“What do you need?” Rick asked, twirling her hair.Maru pointed.“What does that say?
246: A Killer's Promise Emersyn
Just as Norio was about to sit on the couch, he heard a knock at his door.He let out a groan as he walked over to the door.“Who’s there?” He questioned.“It’s your sister.”Norio scratched his head.“I have three; which one?”Hiromi opened the door.“Do you not know our voices by now!?” She huffed as she entered.“Come on in, I guess.” He sighed.“What are you freaking out for?” He asked, taking a seat.“You know mother is coming home today, right?”Norio slapped his hand to his head.“Crap...” He growled.“Nori, what are you going to tell her?” Hiromi looked at him.“Hah?”Hiromi pointed over to the room where 247 was napping.“Oh, right.”Hiromi huffed.“You can’t just be so nonchalant about everything
246: A Killer's Promise Nightmare
"Emersyn?" Masa asked while washing the dishes."Yup," Norio replied."I see," she then turned to the girl."I think it's a lovely name." She smiled."Anyway, do you mind if I go grab a drink?"Masa turned around."Well...as long as you're responsible, what will you do with Emersyn?"He turned to Emersyn, who was napping once again."She'll be fine; you don't mind?"Masa nodded."I trust you greatly." She said, stroking his cheek."Thank you, Mother." He turned toward the door to leave."Nori…?"Norio quickly turned."Where are you going?" Emersyn questioned as she sat up, wiping her eye."Uh, I'll be back later."Emersyn held out her arms.Eh?"Carry me?" She looked up."F-fine..." Norio grumbled.*After tucking her in, Emersyn quickly fell asleep once more.Norio sighed."Yeesh, what a handful you are." He
246: A Killer's Promise Roomies
As morning came, Keren found herself awake in a strange environment.She pulled the blanket off her head quickly."Not again..." She let out a sigh.Then she promptly remembered the man from last night.“Wait a minute..." Before she could finish, she heard a man and a girl talking.She quickly pulled the blanket back over herself."What's that?" Emersyn asked, pointing at a lump on the couch."A person." Norio nonchalantly replied."Eh!?" Emersyn turned to him."Is it dead!?" She cried out, swinging at his stomach.Norio grunted as he bent down, placing a hand on her shoulder."Relax. Relax!” He cried.Emersyn stopped and sniffled."Listen," he began."She'll be staying with us too, but temporarily."Emersyn looked up teary-eyed."I think." He quickly added.Come on, Keren, make a good entrance, Keren thought to herself.Suddenly, the bla
Latest Chapter
Bonus Story 8 - Final Confession
Mikael stared blankly for a moment at Larkin's open palm. "If we dance, will you explain what is going on?" "Of course." Larkin smiled. Mikael blushed as he took Larkin's hand into his own. * As they stepped onto the dance floor, a soft classical melody filled the room. The two proceeded to dance. Suddenly, both men's appearances changed. The two looked as they did back in their days as members of The Organization. "You look..." Mikael began, his eyes twinkling. Just as they spun, he noticed his physical changes in a reflection as well. "So," Larkin cleared his throat. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions..." He chuckled. "Yes, well, will you answer them, or will you proceed to dodge them?" "Ouch!" Larkin let out a hardy laugh. "I suppose I deserved that, huh?" "Mm." Mikael nodded unenthusiastically. "First," Mikael paused. "Am I dead?" Lar
Bonus Story 8 - Vacant Dancefloor
As night fell, Mikael was busy tossing and turning in his bed."Why am I so restless..." He muttered to himself."Damnit, I wish I could fall asleep already..."*After a few minutes passed, the world around him slowly faded out as he successfully drifted off to sleep."Ah, so you've finally made it..." A familiar voice whispered.Mikael quickly opened his eyes.Upon opening them, he noticed he was not in his bedroom; instead, he was in a vacant, dimly lit room with only a dance floor."What the..."Suddenly, he remembered the familiar voice he heard."L-Larkin...!?" He cried out."There's no way..." He chuckled nervously."This is...""A dream?" Another voice intervened.Mikael quickly looked up.As he did, Larkin was standing in front of him wearing a tuxedo."W-what are you..." Mikael stammered.Ignoring his confusion, Larkin gave a soft smile as he extended a ha
Bonus Story 7 - Passing the Torch
“Eh!?” Cole cried.“W-what…” Larkin muttered.“So, Rick stole your name!?”Larkin furrowed his brows.“Well, not necessarily; I suppose he put a unique twist on it is all.” He said.“Though…” He whispered.“I wonder how Rick knew what my name was during my days in The Organization…” He frowned.“Perhaps Mikael told him…?” He thought aloud.“Bah!” Cole cried.“What is it now?” Larkin glared.“I’m so bored now that storytime is over!” He cried.He then turned to Larkin.“I don’t like that look on your face.” Larkin huffed.There was a moment of silence.“Alright!” He cried.“What is it, Cole!?” Larkin demanded.“Can we go visit Rick?” Cole beamed.Larkin fell over
Bonus Story 7 - Mr. Reaper
“Hey!” A voice called out.“Hey, kid!” It called out once more.The boy slowly began to stir.As he opened his eyes, he jumped up at the sight of a man hovering over him.“I have to say…” The man began.“Killing my partner…” He paused.“Color me impressed, kid!” He grinned.The boy glared at the man.“Now, now…” The man chuckled.“No need to be afraid of me!” He beamed.“In fact,” His tone suddenly shifting.“Since I’m now out of a partner, thanks to you,” he sighed.“And you’re out of a mother thanks to him…” His eyes then suddenly softened.“Why don’t I give you shelter in exchange for your services?” The man asked.The boy looked the man up and down.“Fine,” the boy said quietly.&ld
Bonus Story 7 - Lifeless
Running through the thickness of the heavy smoke was a boy.The boy, huffing and panting desperately, trying to catch his breath. However, nonetheless, he continued to run."Mama!" He cried out."Where are you, mama!?" He desperately pleaded.As he continued running, the boy tripped and fell to the ground.As he sat up, he realized what he had tripped on.His eyes widened."N-no..." He whispered."M-mama...!" Tears filled his eyes."PLEASE NO...!" He shrieked, grabbing the corpse's hand, gently pressing it against his cheek.Just then, a man hovered over the boy and the corpse."Crap, I guess we missed one..." The man narrowed his eyes."Boy," The man began slowly, unsheathing his sword."Grab that knife from that lady's abdomen."The boy looked up at the man, horrified."Now!" The man barked.The boy began to tremble as he slowly reached for the knife lodged in his mother's
Bonus Story 7 - How it Began
Sitting under the shade of some trees in the Ocleau Forest were the spirits of Larkin Olsen and Cole Hoffman."Say, Mr. Larkin...?" Cole began looking up at the man."I've wanted to ask this for a while now...""Huh?" Larkin replied, seemingly uninterested."Why did you kill people...?" He frowned.Larkin quickly turned to the boy."W-why...?" He stammered."Mm!" Cole nodded."Well, it's a long story..." Larkin mumbled."Tell, tell!" Cole chanted."W-what no...!" Larkin cried."Why not!?" Cole cried, sticking his tongue out at the man."For starters..." Larkin began, standing up."It's not a tale I like to tell, especially to a child." He frowned."Lame!" Cole pouted."I bet you've told Janine and Mim, though!""Perhaps, but is that any of your business?" Larkin glared."Uh-huh, it is!" Cole whined."How so!?" Larkin barked."Because I'm a part of this
Bonus Story 6 - True Strength
As Kari and Tammy arrived at the park the next day, a whistle blew.“You two are late!” A voice exclaimed.“Eh!?” Tammy cried.“You said to get here by nine, and we did just that!” She frowned.“Yeah, I even got up earlier than usual…” Kari muttered, wiping her eye.“Well, you were two minutes late!” Rick exclaimed, trying to hide a smirk.“Anyways, welcome to Mr. Summers’ training camp, girls!” He beamed.Maru tugged on Rick’s shirt.“Rick, I don’t have to do this, right…?” She whimpered.“Of course not, silly!” He laughed.“Just sit back and relax,” he assured, petting her head.“Now then!” Rick blew the whistle.“Ten jumping jacks, go!” He instructed.“That’s not so bad…!” Tammy giggled, as the two did th
Bonus Story 6 - Willing
“When we were planning to break into your hideout, I remember the others saying how I should be the one to watch Maru because, well…” She smiled sadly.“I’m not the strongest or most reliable, I guess…” She whispered.“Then when the others were fighting off enemies, all I could do was dodge them…” She bit her lip.“Those moments haunt me…” She whispered.“Big sis…” Kari whimpered.“I guess what I’m trying to say is…”“I can relate to you wanting to become stronger because I want the same!” Tammy exclaimed.Kari stared in awe, then gave a hard nod.“I wonder how we can become any stronger…?” Tammy questioned aloud.Just as she said that, Rick walked by with Maru.“R-Rick!” Tammy cried.Rick and Maru quickly turned around.“Oh!&rd
Bonus Story 6 - Not Strong Enough
As Kari lay wide awake in bed, she could not help but get lost in deep thought.Tears welled in her eyes.I wasn’t strong enough to protect papa, big sis Janine, or big brother Mim… And now they’re all gone… She thought to herself as tears trickled down her cheeks.“I want to become stronger…” She whimpered, as she closed her eyes.*“Kari?” A voice called out.“Yo Kars, Tammy’s here, you ready?” Another voice questioned.“Ah!” Kari exclaimed, rolling out of bed.“I must’ve overslept!” She cried as she began rushing to get ready.“Honestly…” Abbey sighed as Kari came barreling out of her bedroom.“Leave her be Abbey, she’s still growing.” Sena giggled.“I guess…” Abbey mumbled.“More importantly,” Sena began.&ldqu
