Lionel's Diary

The third incident

Days passed quickly after adopting "Silver," and the household became more lively and active. The siblings took special care of him, while they remembered the large debt they owed to the bookstore owner, "Joseph." However, something strange was happening in the neighborhood. Everyone had heard about the person who bought the old, run-down house at the end of the street, and rumors spread about this stranger coming to the neighborhood.

The house had been abandoned for years; even the windows were broken, the wooden floors made unnatural sounds, and creatures slipped between its walls. No one could believe that someone would buy this dilapidated house until someone began cleaning and repairing it. Soon, the glass was replaced, the floor was fixed, and the dark rooms turned into bright spaces.

A week passed, and all the neighborhood residents started noticing the house, wondering about the identity of the new person. Then came the strange day when an unusual letter arrived, carrying an official invitation to a party at the house of "Sam," the new neighbor. The message was simple but had a strange signature: "Hello, I'm Sam, your new neighbor, and I'd like to invite you to a party at my house tomorrow at 7 p.m."

Everyone was puzzled, as the rumors were accelerating, but no one knew the truth about this mysterious person. After a long debate among Lionel's family members about who would attend the party, a final decision was made: Lionel and his brother Lucien would go, while Geoffrey and Martin would stay at home.

In the evening, as the clock neared seven, the family dressed in their best clothes and headed toward the house they had long wondered about. They entered the house and found it more spacious than they had imagined. The decor was unexpectedly luxurious, and none of them could believe the extent of the transformation in this place.

Then "Sam" came to the middle of the staircase, addressing everyone: "Welcome, I'm Sam. I used to be a sous chef in a big city, but I decided to move here to start my own business. Don't worry; prices are affordable, and I'll make sure each of you feels like you're dining in a fancy restaurant."

The dishes were incredibly delicious, and the food kept flowing, even though the prices were lower than expected. Everything was perfect, and people began to feel comfortable as the party progressed smoothly.

Everyone immersed themselves in the atmosphere, but there was something strange looming on the horizon. They felt that everything seemed normal, but, in reality, this calm was a warning of a storm that would destroy their lives.

Days passed, and "Sam" became the talk of the neighborhood. His restaurant became crowded, and people flocked to his food in a strange way. Over time, some began to feel something odd that they couldn't explain. People started experiencing severe itching, then contracted smallpox, and the fever rose unusually high. As the weeks passed, the epidemic spread quickly, and with it, people's anxiety grew.

One day, Sam expressed his sorrow about the epidemic and started selling a medicine he claimed was a cure for the disease. People were skeptical but desperate for a cure, including Lionel's family.

The medicine was expensive, but contrary to fears, the itching subsided, and the pain disappeared. People believed they would recover if they continued using it, despite its high cost.

Due to the current circumstances, the government intervened, deciding to impose a quarantine on the village, preventing anyone from leaving and sending doctors and investigators to find the cause of the disease and eradicate it.

During the investigation, before the arrival of the doctors, Sam left, claiming he had been summoned by the chef he had previously worked for. The villagers refused to let him go, especially since he possessed the medicine and delicious food. However, his insistence planted doubt in their hearts, so they surrounded him and prevented him from leaving until the investigators and doctors arrived. But he suddenly disappeared. The villagers rushed to the investigators upon their arrival and told them their suspicions.

The investigators decided to raid "Sam's" restaurant as a first step to dispel all doubts. Upon entering, they were shocked by what they found. The restaurant was in complete disarray, and horrifying evidence was found.

They discovered that the meat Sam was serving was spoiled meat from dead rats and cats, but it was mixed with drugs and spices that masked the bad smell and improved the taste, making people continue eating without stopping. As for the medicine, it was a strong painkiller that had been discontinued long ago due to causing paralysis, and it had been banned.

But the worst of it all was that the investigators discovered that "Sam" was nothing but a dangerous con artist, wanted by the authorities for similar previous crimes.

After significant efforts, the doctors managed to treat the villagers, and the epidemic quickly began to subside. Fortunately, the epidemic was in its early stages, making it easier to eradicate. However, as everyone in the neighborhood tried to recover, the truth was bitterer. "Sam" had disappeared entirely, leaving behind a huge mess, and more importantly, a feeling of betrayal and intense shame at being deceived by the neighbor they believed was their friend, especially after spending enormous amounts of money.

The village gradually regained its peace, but they never forgot "Sam." They were determined to take revenge on him, no matter how long it took, and would not rest until he was held accountable for all he had done.