Death Date{KTH}

Prologue

“Some ends are another start”

PROLOGUE

When Esther's mother was dying, her eyes were begging her not to get out from behind the sofa. Her father had his head on the floor around the puddle of blood.

Esther was always obedient and listened to whatever her parents instructed her to do with a question or gesture. She's been like that. So she sat further back in the darkest corner of the space between the big grey sofa and the wall. She tucked her knees to her chest and peered with wide, innocent eyes at the floor.

Her mother's lovely blue evening dress was distorted. Her always neat hairstyles are out of place. While she was smiling at Esther, her mouth whispered something.

Esther read the words out of her bruised mouth: "Stay alive."

Then a defeating sound broke her smile apart. A small black hole in her head stopped her every movement. Even in that situation of terror, Esther had no idea how to respond. She stares and blinks.

She had trouble expressing her emotions. Though she is ten years old, she doesn't know how to smile and play around like other kids.

She was always escorted and surrounded by numerous servants in her big mansion. Playmates and friends are for normal people; that's what they said to her. She was taught that she will inherit this enormous wealth and status once she is eighteen years old, and she needs to act properly.

Usually her servants never leave her side, but today she hadn't found anyone. She shrinks backward when the black boots crush against the broken pieces of glass. Fear had gripped little Esther's head, and she felt dizzy.

She covered her mouth tightly and looked up at the killer with fluttering eyes. Through her hazy vision, she made out a man in a long black jacket. The face is masked and difficult to identify. The black shade perfectly covered the big man's eyes. On his right hand was a black ring with skeleton sculptures. Esther stared at it blankly before her vision turned black.

When Esther's eyes reopened, the man was gone. The killer seemed swallowed by the darkness that was persistently growing outside the open garden window.

A siren echoed. Countless marching footsteps were followed by shouts.

The snot of the dog sniffed around her as the animal barked furiously. Although she is frightened to the core, she can't make a single sound. Trauma was already rooted in the child, who was shaking head over heels.

The person who lifted Esther up was the only person with whom she was allowed to talk. He is the son of a family friend and her father's business partner, Kim Hwan's son. His name is Kim Seok-Jin. Esther had a liking for the nineteen-year-old boy from the moment she saw him.

Seok-Jin's secure fingers wrapped around her gently. She put her head on his neck, her face still pale and expressionless. "It's okay; you are safe."