Signs of a Storm

Chapter Forty-One

Chapter 41: A New, Unwelcome Visitor

My uncle's body wasn't moving.

His eyes were shut, and for a second I thought he was sleeping. But when I screamed, his eyes didn't flutter open. He was dead.

Just below his heart was a stain of blood on his flannel shirt that would've looked nice, and given him a mature look. His face was just how I had seen it on the newspapers. There was no doubt that it was him. And I promised that I would find whoever did this to my uncle. He was probably my only source of information, my past. But most importantly, he was one of my only family figures left. And now he was just... gone.

I forced myself to look away.

When I turned, I was about to walk out of the study, and hopefully find someone, anyone. Sadly, I got my wish. But it wasn't who I wanted.

"Going so soon?" A familiar voice hissed.

I looked behind me quickly, and saw the face of the assassin that was supposed to kill me. The Blackrider. I hadn't even thought it would've been him. But the minute I saw his satisfied face, I knew it was. He had killed Dillon.

"I'm going to kill you." I spat, and drew my dagger, letting it gleam in the dark light. He was going to pay for what he had done.

"Sorry, but I think it's the other way around." His dark face was illuminated only by my blade as he leaned against the doorway by the study where my dead uncle was. He took out his own weapon; a three inch dark silver sword.

It made me feel as if he had murdered everyone with that very same blade. "What's your sword's name? Cold-Murder? Bitch-biter? Or is it as simple as; The-Filthy-Bastard-Who-Killed-My-Uncle?" I sneered as he came closer.

He chuckled in a way that had no humor inside of it whatsoever. "Good guess. It's actually named Thanatos' Apprentice." He said, meaning the blade's name was "death's helper." He spoke again, "I'd like to keep you around, but sadly, the boss won't have it. You have to understand its either you or me. So, I'd rather it be you."

"Why did you have to kill my uncle? He wasn't on your hit-list." I asked, trying to think of a way to escape. He had moved around so now he was blocking the stairwell. And my petite dagger didn't do much when it was against a giant sword. "Or were you just trying to make me the most possibly miserable you could?"

"Oh, aboutthat, I was ordered to make you desperate, and then kill you." He took a step towards me. I backed up more, until I hit a wall. Shit.

Blackrider chuckled evilly. "I see you're trapped. Where's your heroic brother? Or is he too busy almost dying because you were too selfish to go help him?" He put his sword to my throat. I could barely breath like this.

"Don't you dare speak about him like that. You're no better than I am, killing people for the fun of it. You're the pathetic one here." I sneered, but he pushed the tip to my throat even more. I could barely swallow my spit.

"That's a not a very good thing to say to someone who has your throat at the tip of his sword. But do you think I do this because I want to? I'm forced to. I got a bad rep one day, and now I can't get out of it. I made a deal with Death." He sighed, and glanced quickly down at his shoes. His sad face turned back into a snarl. "But after this task, I'll befree." He said and began to smile again. I decided to ask what he meant by that.

"A long while ago, I offered my soul for a girl I was in love with. She betrayed me, and now I'm basically indebt with Death. He needs me to collect souls to repay the ones I have sold. You're worth more than average, Miss Evelyn."