***
The moon looked peaceful, its light illuminated the surroundings, casting a dark, dull glow. The trees were rustling while the wind passed by, and the stars twinkled upon them. Those indeed looked astonishing that night, but at the Mansion's current standing, it did not match with nature's moonlit scenery.
Everything was unexpected. No one had thought that the peace the Mansion once gave them would be destroyed almost instantly. Most of them who lived at there were children, youths who cherished every moments encountered-- yet, it seemed that their last memories were them being beaten to near death by uninvited and covered strangers.
It was dreadful. Those men had no intention to show mercy upon the children who had done no sins upon them. Their small bodies ached and the pain stinged, their skin full of bruises turning violet, and their faces swollen. The men kept punching, kicking, abusing the poor children.
"Stop what you are doing!" said a man in a black suit who just arrived, his hair dishevelled. The other masked men looked at him, confused and shocked, and they all stood and gathered in front of the man.
"Are they still alive?" The suited man asked.
"We don't know. We kept doing what you told us to do." said one of the group.
Damn it. The man in black pushed his way through the group and went ti check each of the children's pulse. They're still alive, he thought, making a sigh of relief. But aren't there 22 children here?
"One's missing." said the suited man, now circling back and forth after checking each of the children. The others looked and mumbled at each other, apparently confused. The man was getting irritated.
"I said one's missing! Have you seen one of them run away!?"
"N-No, sir." The man stuttered when he grasped his collar.
"Then find that child!"
The group searched and scattered to the Mansion and the woods surrounding it. The man looked at the motionless children layed upon the grass. What the hell am I doing? He thought while pulling his own hair.
He sat down looking tired and stressed, and looked above. He stared at the sky and saw the twinkling stars. The man admired them, and his mind went clearer. Should I let these children live?
"Sir, we found him."
"Where is he?"
"The others are currently carrying him from the forest."
"Is he in good shape?"
"The child was struggling and tried to run away, so they made him unconscious. But he's still breathing."
"Good. When he gets here, put him in the basement of the Mansion." ordered the man. The other nodded, and turned to leave. But after a few steps he stopped.
"Sir, what if anyone finds out about this? Won't you get imprisoned?"
"Don't worry, no one will find out. From now on I will live here, and you, with the others, will go back to your residences. I'll pay you later."
"Understood, sir. But what about the children? Didn't you order us to kill them?"
"I changed my mind," he sighed. "And no more further questions please."
"Yes sir."
***
"Ow! Let me go!" said the little boy when the men captured him. "Where are you taking me!?"
