Amanda rushed to her father, untying him with shaking hands. Her father, still reeling from the violent events, looked at Henry with a mixture of fear and gratitude.
"Who are you?" her father asked, his voice trembling.
"I'm Amanda's classmate. Nice to meet you," Henry said, his usual calm voice contrasting sharply with the bloody sword in his hand.
"What do you want from us?" Amanda's father asked, stepping back to shield Amanda.
"Huh? Is that how you treat your savior?" Henry stated, raising an eyebrow.
"Why did you save us?" Amanda asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
"I have my reasons," Henry replied evasively. "We don't have time. Surely, they are coming back here. It's not safe."
"Who are these people?" Amanda asked, her voice rising in panic.
"They are bad people who want to harm you, Amanda, and you need to stay safe," Henry said firmly.
"Harm me? Why? What did I ever do wrong to deserve this?!" Amanda broke down, clinging to her father, who tried to comfort her.
"Mr. Fred, you have to leave this city for a safer place. You can't stay here," Henry said, turning to Amanda's father.
"But we don't have money for that," Amanda's father said, his voice filled with despair.
Henry pulled a pile of cash from his jacket and handed it to him. Amanda's eyes widened at the sight of the large sum.
"Where did you get this money from?" Amanda asked in disbelief.
"Let's say I worked hard for it," Henry said, scratching his head with a nonchalant smile.
Amanda's thoughts raced, imagining the kinds of jobs Henry might have done to acquire such money, but she knew they had no choice but to accept it.
"Let's go, Dad. We have to leave," Amanda said, desperate to get her old life back.
"No, Amanda, you are staying with me. Going with your father is only going to put him in danger. They just want you, and I will protect you," Henry said with a steely resolve.
"I'll go wherever Dad goes. It's none of your business!" Amanda snapped, her voice filled with defiance.
"Amanda, you should go with him," her father said softly.
"But Dad, I want to be with you," Amanda said, her eyes filling with tears.
"Despite his questionable methods, he can protect you better than I can," her father continued, his voice breaking. "Please, protect my daughter," he said, begging Henry.
"I promise I will," Henry said, his voice unusually gentle.
"Once this is over, I'll come to you, Dad," Amanda said, her voice choked with emotion.
"Take care of yourself, Amanda," her father said, pulling her into a tight embrace.
They hugged tightly, both unwilling to let go, but knowing they had no choice. Finally, Amanda's father stepped back, his eyes filled with tears.
"Be safe, my little girl," he said.
"I will, Dad," Amanda replied, tears streaming down her face.
Her father left, casting one last, longing look back at Amanda before disappearing into the night. Amanda stood there, feeling an overwhelming sense of loss and fear, but also a determination to uncover the truth and protect the people she loved.
YOU ARE READING
Bloodlust Curse
Mystery / Thriller"The language of pain is spoken fluently by those who have danced with darkness." Blood and deaths everywhere... Where did I go wrong in my life? That's what Amanda thought when her normal ordinary high school life turned into a bloodbath. It all be...
