Invictus

01: Blood is Thicker than Water

There had always been monsters lurking around in the dark, sharpening their claws to get a hold of their prey. The monsters speak and act like the people around them, trying to build up a rapport with those they want to target.

Those monsters conceal themselves behind a mask of normalcy and being good actors to the unsuspecting while hiding their alarming malevolence. The living sometimes possesses more power than the dead because the dead could never be as abhorrent as what the living could do to unwary souls.  

If they could be chained and dragged to the deepest part of hell, people would have done so but death can sometimes be cruel as it takes the innocence first before taking the cruel ones second.

Emily would have loved it if the world didn't have those kinds of people walking around as though the world was their oyster. But she couldn't wish for such a thing because she lives with those monsters. They would have smelled the defiance from her if she were to go against them and any signs of independency would result in having them nip that problem in the bud.

Usually, the morning light that cascades upon Emily's bedroom would be the reason why her eyes would open but today her room was dim due to the dark clouds outside. Emily was usually a morning person. She didn't like sleeping in nor does she think of trying to. She liked mornings no matter what the weather.

Emily stretched her arms and sat up. The silence in her room was making it easier for Emily's mind to break her.

Deciding to ignore her gloomy self, she stood up and walked towards the window. The clouds were dark and the usual song of birds and the gentle breeze that goes through every trees to make that rustling noise was gone. Silence. She never liked the silence. She'd prefer noise, she'd prefer the chaotic life, the hustle and bustle of people. She sighed in disappointment before grabbing her knitted shawl and wrapping it around her.

The manor looked haunted. The hallways were dark with only the light walls illuminating the place. But even then, they were dim, making the halls look like there'll be a woman with a dark wedding dress walking in one of the open rooms. Emily wasn't afraid of ghosts, she was afraid of people and what they could do to hurt others. The monstrosity they hide under their innocent facade is what makes her shudder in fear.

"Why are you up so early, monkey?"

Emily jumped at the sound of her brother's voice. Her head whirled around to see Vincent leaning against the doorframe of their library. That lofty form of his had that silent force and grace that was certainly crafted under the meticulous craftsmanship of dedication and time. He was always an enigma—a puzzle— that people couldn't help but want to solve. But nobody could solve the man because he doesn't want to be put together like a perfect puzzle, he wants his pieces scrambled.

Vincent's arms were crossed but Emily could see the efforts he did to make his physique look like a Greek God.

Emily knew women flock to him like a moth to a flame, and she knew those who flock him would end up like Icarus who drifted too close to the sun.

Her brothers were wolves in sheep's clothing. Vincent was no different. He's a snake in the grass. A two-faced bastard.

Emily smiled a little at her brother. She knew her role in this family. They want her to play the innocent little sister who would turn a blind eye to the sins they commit. A pretty doll they could dress up and use. But, maybe that's not a bad thing. Emily was willing to be a puppet with strings attached to its limbs. "I woke up early." She answered. "Why are you up so early?"

Vincent shrugged, his gaze, like a persistent lighthouse piercing through the darkest of nights, bore into her soul. Emily always despised that look. It was as though she was an open book laid bare for him to examine. "I couldn't sleep." He answered her before smiling warmly. "Want to accompany me, Lu?" He asked and she couldn't help but feel warmth blossom in her chest at the familiar nickname.