Found Obsession

Chapter 59: Greco's Case X: Amour and the Rescue Mission

That's what Rose did-she ran. Brianna's silent sobs vibrated against her, a soft tremor that only added to the dread mounting within her.

"Your mommy and daddy will be so happy to see you," she soothed, though her own voice wavered. "Just...please, don't cry. Not now."

Rose's hands clenched tighter around the gun as they pressed forward. She raised her weapon, scanning the area, and noticed Levi and Margaret were nowhere to be seen. The shattered window ahead told its own story: the glass was strewn inward, a sign someone had broken in rather than out. Swallowing down the tension, Rose quickly chose to avoid the window and made for the stairs.

As she descended, a haunting sight met her-several men sprawled across the steps, their throats neatly cut, still and lifeless. Rose fought back a shiver, tugging Brianna's hood further down and feeling the girl's cold nose press against her neck in frightened trust.

Then, a chilling laugh drifted down the corridor.

Following the sound, Rose moved toward the exit. She found Margaret on the floor, held tightly by Levi, her face a mixture of hysteria and anger as she laughed uncontrollably. Behind them, a nun frantically pounded on a closed door, her voice thick with desperation.

"Margaret, I'm going to hit you once I get out!" Sister Adara's voice came muffled, laced with fury, from the other side. From within the locked room, low, unsettling groans seeped out-a sound that made Rose's stomach twist.

It didn't take a genius to understand. The tea...the guards... Margaret had led them inside and locked them in with the drugged nuns. Rose's hand shook as she pieced it together.

Margaret's laughter tore through her own mind, her vengeance all-consuming. It was shredding her, and Levi, too; he stood ashen beside her.

"Margaret called the guards and told them the nuns were...expecting them," Levi muttered, his voice barely a whisper.

Rose only nodded, her words failing her.

"Is Mr. Jones dead?" Margaret asked, her eyes alight with something dangerous. "Is he finally dead? He said he'd kill him for me."

Rose swallowed. They met Golden knight?

Rose set the gun down, leaning closer to touch Margaret's face. "Margaret..." she whispered gently.

But Margaret slapped her hand away. "Don't touch me. Whether your family knows or not, this is on you. Levi was right-I was stupid to ever trust you."

Rose's hand hung in mid-air as she swallowed hard, guilt twisting within her. Levi looked away, unwilling to meet her eyes.

And then it hit her-the warmth returned, searing through her veins with a maddening intensity. She had no choice but to keep moving.

The other children.

With a steadying breath, Rose grabbed the gun and rose to her feet, locking eyes with Margaret and Levi. "If hate is what it takes for you to survive this night, then fine," she said, voice firm. "But now, move."

They hesitated, staring at her with confusion and resentment, but they knew better than to argue.

Rose turned away, trying to mask the guilt that tore at her insides. Levi helped Margaret to her feet, and she clutched the cloak around her like a fragile shield-it was all she had left to wear, and her grip tightened around it.

Swallowing the ache, Rose guided the children outside, her face a mask of calm that belied her inner turmoil. The grounds were eerily quiet, the main house now cleared.

"Levi, puncture the tires on those cars," she instructed, her voice low and urgent.

Without a word, Levi sprang into action, crouching by the vehicles and slashing the tires with sharp, efficient movements. Once done, Rose hurried them away from the house, leading them toward the closest warehouse. Cold air bit at their skin, their breaths visible in the frigid night. The grass beneath their bare feet prickled, a harsh reminder of how unprepared they were, dressed in nothing but thin, inadequate clothing.