Blood Runs Home

CHAPTER 5 : Family Breakdown

Toby stood tensely at the gate, his eyes constantly scanning the dark street, hoping for an ambulance to arrive soon. However, the sound of hurried footsteps in the distance made him turn his head in alarm.

When the figures of Young Master Piku and Zyne emerged from the darkness, Toby was shocked. They ran quickly, their breaths ragged, and their faces filled with worry, as if they already knew something bad had happened.

“Young Master Piku!” Toby exclaimed, his voice trembling with panic. “Why are you here?”

Piku, still out of breath, asked bluntly, “What happened, Toby? I heard Mom and Dad were hurt. Is that true?” His voice reflected deep anxiety, while his piercing eyes demanded an immediate answer.

Toby was silent for a few seconds, hesitant to speak, but he knew there was no point in hiding the truth. In a heavy voice, he said, “Yes, young master. Mr. and Mrs. Grayhusk were attacked. I called an ambulance, but they’ll be fine. Please don’t worry.”

Zyne, standing beside Piku, stared at Toby with a serious look in his eyes. “Who did it? How could this have happened? Security in this mansion should be tight!” he demanded coldly, trying to grasp the situation.

Toby shook his head, his face reflecting frustration. “I don’t know who did it. It all happened so fast. The Master and Madam were found seriously injured in the dining room, and the perpetrator disappeared without a trace.”

Piku clenched his fists tightly, feelings of emotion, anger, and guilt overwhelming him. “I don’t care what happens. I have to see Mom and Dad!” he said determinedly, running past Toby toward the mansion door.

“Piku, wait!” Zyne called out, trying to catch up with his friend who was already burning with emotion.

Toby remained standing where he was, his eyes fixed on the road again. His face was filled with worry. "I hope nothing worse happens..." he muttered softly, hoping an ambulance would arrive soon to save the Grayhusk family.

Meanwhile, Garren continued to explore the Grayhusk mansion, which was now illuminated again. His face was filled with worry, and his sharp eyes scanned every corner of the room, searching for any sign of Andrew. "Andrew, where are you?" he called, his voice echoing through the deserted hallways.

He checked the meeting room, the kitchen, even the basement, but found nothing. His steps paused as his gaze fell on the slightly ajar door to the library. Garren immediately remembered Andrew's habit of using that room to compile important notes or simply calm down. Cautiously, he approached the door, his hand poised to grip the handle.

As the door slowly pushed open, Garren froze, his gaze fixed on the room. An overturned chair lay near the table, while several books were scattered on the floor. The soft light from the library lamps cast faint shadows, revealing what appeared to be traces of a small struggle.

“Andrew?” he called again, this time in a more worried tone. Garren stepped in, his gaze focused on the table as he scanned every corner of the room.

However, as he descended the small staircase in the room, something slippery caught his footing. Garren lost his balance and fell with a thud that echoed across the wooden floor.

“Agh!” he groaned, pain shooting through his knee as it hit the floor. With a sigh, he felt around the floor to find what had caused him to fall. His hand finally reached for a small, cold object.

When Garren picked it up, he realized it was a silver pen, the same one Andrew used. “This pen… is Andrew’s,” he murmured in a low voice, his gaze turning sharp.

Garren's mind immediately began to spin. The pen's presence was a crucial clue to him. "He must have been here," he thought thoughtfully, his eyes scanning the room once more.

However, as Garren tried to take another step, his steps stopped abruptly. His gaze fell on something lying on the floor, not far from where he stood. His eyes widened, and his body suddenly stiffened as realization began to sink in.

“It can't be...” he whispered, barely audible in the quiet room.

Right in front of him, Andrew's body lay lifeless. The wounds on his body left a trail of dried blood, forming a dark circle on the floor. Andrew's expression was frozen in fear, as if he realized his death had come cruelly and suddenly.

Garren knelt slowly, his eyes filled with grief as he confirmed what he saw. His fingers trembled as he gingerly touched Andrew's shoulder, hoping for a miracle even though he knew it was impossible. There was no movement. No breath. Not a pulse of life left.

He stared at the lifeless body with his jaw clenched, emotions churning in his chest—grief, guilt, and anger all mixed together. “Whoever did this… is unforgivable,” he said in a deep voice, hoarse from holding back his emotions.

Meanwhile, Piku walked briskly toward the dining room, his face reflecting an uncontrollable sense of anxiety. Fear and worry mixed together, shadowing his every step. Zyne followed behind, remaining silent, understanding the increasingly tense situation simply from the look on his friend's face.

As Piku opened the dining room door, he stopped dead in his tracks. His vision froze, his body seemingly unable to move. “What… is happening here?” he muttered in a trembling, barely audible voice.

The sight before him was worse than he could have ever imagined. Both his parents lay in pools of blood. His mother was badly injured, her body trembling slightly as she struggled to breathe, while her face was ashen, as if exhausted. His father looked even more horrific—in addition to the lacerations that ripped through his body, his right ear was missing, leaving a horrific scar that added to the tragic atmosphere of the room.

The room, usually filled with warmth, was now in disarray. Chairs were overturned, broken plates and glasses scattered everywhere, mixed with dried blood stains in the corners of the floor.

“Piku, stay calm,” Zyne said softly, approaching Piku who seemed to be losing control of his emotions.

Without saying a word, Piku knelt on the floor, approaching his mother with trembling hands. “Mom… Dad… who did this?!” His voice broke, tears flowing uncontrollably.

His father tried to open his eyes with all his remaining strength, his voice weak and broken. “Piku…” he said before collapsing again, his breathing growing weaker.

Zyne moved quickly. “We have to get them to the hospital immediately. Piku, they need help now!” he urged, his eyes assessing their condition seriously.

However, Piku seemed frozen, trapped in a vortex of grief and anger he couldn't control. Zyne, realizing the situation, gripped Piku's shoulder firmly. "Piku, I know this is hard. But if you want them to survive, we have to act now. There's no time!"

Hearing Zyne's firm tone, Piku finally nodded slowly, though tears continued to flow. His face was still filled with deep sorrow, but he tried to concentrate. "Okay... we have to save them," he whispered, as if speaking to himself more than to Zyne.

"Mom, Dad, hang in there! The ambulance will be here soon," Piku said firmly, though his heart was filled with anxiety. He tightly gripped his father's hand, which was growing cold, trying to convey warmth and hope. "Zyne, ask Mr. Toby if the ambulance has arrived yet!"

Zyne nodded without hesitation and immediately ran out of the room, leaving Piku kneeling beside his parents. His eyes glinted with the panic he was trying to suppress, his voice fading to a whisper as he spoke again, more to himself than to anyone else. “Mom, Dad… please hold on. I won’t let you go…”

Meanwhile, outside, Zyne found Toby still standing by the gate with a tense expression. His breath hitched slightly as he approached. “Toby! Has the ambulance arrived yet?” he asked urgently.

Toby turned quickly, his eyes full of worry, then shook his head. “Not yet, but they should be close. I’ll try contacting them again!” he replied, hurriedly grabbing his phone.

Toby suddenly caught a familiar scent coming from inside the mansion. “This smell… just like Andrew’s,” he muttered, as a bad feeling began to creep into his mind. He quickly stepped into the mansion, following the scent as it grew stronger.

Zyne, noticing Toby's change in demeanor, immediately followed suit. "Toby, what do you mean? Do you smell something?" he asked warily, his eyes narrowing as he tried to read his suddenly tense expression.

Toby nodded without looking away. "I recognize this scent. If it's Andrew... then something must have happened to him," he said gravely, his pace quickening. His nose continued to sniff, following the increasingly pungent smell of metal. His heart pounded, and a bad feeling gnawed at the back of his mind.

Toby froze in the doorway, his eyes widening as he saw Garren standing in the middle of the room with Andrew's bloodied body in his arms. Blood was still dripping from the wound on Andrew's back, forming a small puddle on the wooden floor. The pungent smell of metal filled the air, making Toby nearly choke.

"Garren… what happened?" Toby's voice trembled, though he already knew the answer. His chest felt tight, and his breath was shallow.

Garren took a deep breath, his face tense and sorrowful. "I found him on the stairs... he was dead," he answered in a hoarse, barely audible voice. His eyes were red, but there were no tears—just a deep emptiness.

Toby clenched his fists, his jaw clenched in anger. "Damn... this can't be happening. Andrew..." His mumble broke, his voice caught in his throat. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to take a deep breath to calm himself. However, the fresh smell of blood only made him more anxious, as if reminding him of the harsh reality he couldn't escape.

Outside, the sound of ambulance sirens began to wail in the distance, bringing a glimmer of hope that might be too late. Toby glanced out the window, then back at Garren. "We have to help the others. Mr. Victor and Mrs. Fiona... they’re seriously injured," he said, his voice trying to be firm even as it broke inside.

Garren nodded slowly, carefully placing Andrew's body on the floor before standing. "Come on," he whispered, his voice thick. The two of them hurried out of the room, leaving Andrew lying lifeless, as the ambulance sirens grew closer.

In the dining room, Piku was still kneeling beside Victor and Fiona, his hands clutching the blood-soaked cloth tightly. His eyes kept darting toward the door, waiting for help that never came. "Please... don't go," he whispered, his voice trembling, as if hoping his words would stop the blood that continued to flow from his parents' wounds.

Zyne, who was standing by the window, suddenly turned toward the door. "The ambulance's coming!" he shouted, his voice breaking the tense silence. Piku immediately turned, his eyes sparkling with a sudden glimmer of hope. "They're coming..." he murmured, his voice barely audible, as if afraid his hopes would be dashed the moment the sirens died away.

Toby and Garren arrived in the room, their faces pale and filled with anxiety. "The paramedics are out front!" Toby called, his voice hoarse. He ran toward the front door, waving his arms to signal the newly arrived paramedics.

As soon as the ambulance stopped, several paramedics jumped out with stretchers and medical supplies. Their pace was fast, but to Piku, it all felt too slow. "Quick! Over here!" Zyne shouted, his voice almost lost in the roar of the approaching ambulance engine.

"The victim is inside! They've lost a lot of blood!" Toby screamed, his face pale and his hands trembling as he pointed toward the dining room. His voice cracked, almost uncontrollable.

The paramedics rushed in, through the narrow, increasingly suffocating hallway. Victor and Fiona were still lying on the floor, surrounded by a widening pool of blood. Piku stood stiffly, trying to make room, but his heart felt like it was being squeezed. His breath was ragged, and every breath felt like a knife stabbing into his chest.

“Please give us some space!” one of the paramedics said firmly, but Piku couldn’t move. His feet felt like they were rooted to the floor. He could only stare, his heart pounding, as the paramedics quickly checked his parents’ condition. The clock on the wall in the room ticked loudly, each second feeling like torture.

“His pulse is weak! We have to get him out of here immediately!” one of the paramedics shouted, his voice breaking the tense silence. Piku clenched his fists tightly, his nails cutting into his own palms. He wanted to scream, wanted to ask if they were going to be okay, but the words were caught in his throat.

As Victor and Fiona were lifted onto the stretcher, Piku felt the world spin around him. He wanted to run, to hold their hands, but his legs felt paralyzed. “Help…” he whispered, his voice barely audible, as the ambulance prepared to take his parents away, leaving him in agonizing uncertainty.

"Officer, help me, there's a body here," Garren called out sternly, breaking the tense silence. His hand pointed toward the room where Andrew lay lifeless, his blood still pooling on the floor.

A paramedic who was busy preparing stretchers for Victor and Fiona turned to Garren, his expression shocked. "A body?" he asked, making sure he hadn't misheard. His voice was thick, as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.

Garren nodded solemnly, his face stiff and sorrowful. "He's here. He was dead when we arrived," he replied, his voice hoarse but full of certainty. His eyes never left Andrew's body, as if still hoping this was just a bad dream.

One of the paramedics immediately rushed to the location Garren had indicated. He knelt beside Andrew's body, his latex-gloved hands quickly checking for vital signs. His fingers pressed against Andrew's neck, searching for a pulse that was no longer there. After a few seconds, the paramedic let out a soft sigh and then shook his head at his colleague. "There's no pulse. The victim is dead," he said in a flat voice, though with a hint of sadness.

Garren clenched his fists tightly, his jaw clenched. "Whoever did this will pay with their lives," he muttered, his voice low but filled with rage. His eyes gleamed with terrifying determination, as if he had already decided what to do.

Other paramedics quickly retrieved body bags from their equipment. One of them spoke over the radio, contacting the police. "The victim was found dead inside the Grayhusk mansion. We need a forensic team for further investigation," the officer reported, his voice firm but full of urgency.

Garren simply stood there, his eyes staring blankly at Andrew's body as it was being loaded into a body bag. His hands trembled, but he tried to suppress his flaring emotions. This wasn't the time to be angry—it was the time to act.

Meanwhile, Piku, who had just emerged from the dining room, immediately saw what had happened. His gaze fell on the body bag being carried by the medical staff. His chest tightened, and his breathing became shallow. "Who is it…?" he asked in a low voice, but clear enough for Garren to hear.

Garren turned to Piku, his expression unreadable. "Andrew," he replied curtly, his voice heavy. His eyes were filled with an unspoken burden.

Piku frowned, his jaw clenched. This wasn't just an ordinary attack—it was a premeditated m******e. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself amidst the chaos unfolding in his own mansion. His hands clenched into fists, and his eyes gleamed with the same determination as Garren's. "We're going to find out who did this," he whispered, his voice barely audible, but full of conviction.

Piku fixed Garren with a firm gaze, his eyes gleaming with unwavering determination. "Garren, get the car. We'll follow the ambulance," he ordered, his voice trembling.

Garren looked at Piku with hesitation, as if questioning his decision. However, seeing his young master's unwavering expression, he could only nod slowly. "Yes, Young Master," he replied curtly before turning and running out of the mansion toward the garage. His steps were quick, but his heart was filled with anxiety.

Toby, still standing over Andrew's body, finally recovered from his shock. His eyes blinked a few times, as if trying to process everything that had happened. "I'm coming with you," he said quickly, clenching his fists tightly. His voice was firm, but there was a subtle tremor that betrayed his vulnerability.

Piku didn't turn around, but his voice was clear, "Okay, let's make sure we don't lose that ambulance." His hands were shaking as he walked toward the door, but his resolve was unwavering. He wasn't going to let his parents face this alone.

Zyne, standing next to Piku, took a deep breath. His eyes met Piku's with concern, but also support. "I'll come too. I won't let you go alone like this," he said, his voice soft but confident. He knew this wasn't the time to hesitate.

A few seconds later, the roar of a car engine could be heard from outside. Garren had pulled the car up to the front of the mansion, its engine revving like a wild animal ready to pounce. "Come on, get in!" he shouted from inside, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

Without a second thought, they all got into the car. Piku sat in the front passenger seat, his eyes glued to the ambulance as it slowly began to pull out of the Grayhusk residence. Toby and Zyne sat in the back, their faces tense and worried.

As soon as the ambulance began to accelerate, Garren immediately pressed the accelerator. The car sped off, cautiously following the medical vehicle. The dark and deserted road made the atmosphere even more tense, but their determination to follow the ambulance remained unwavering.

"Don't lose them," Piku whispered, his hands clenched in his lap. His eyes kept staring straight ahead, as if afraid the ambulance would suddenly disappear from view.

Inside the ambulance speeding toward the hospital, the atmosphere was tense. The medical staff worked tirelessly to save Mr. Victor and Mrs. Fiona's lives. The heart monitor continued to beep monotonously, as if time were passing more slowly than usual. Victor, despite his critical condition, remained aware of his surroundings. His weak hand slowly reached for Fiona's, which was starting to feel cold. His grip was weak, but full of meaning—a final attempt to convey that he was by her side, until the end.

"Fiona..." Victor whispered, his voice barely audible. His eyes were watery, but no tears came. His body felt heavier, his breath shallower. He knew his time was running out. But, as long as he had the chance, he wanted to make sure Fiona knew how much he loved her.

When the ambulance finally arrived at the hospital, the back doors swung open, and paramedics rushed out a stretcher. Doctors and nurses were already waiting outside the emergency room, ready to take over. Victor and Fiona were immediately taken to the resuscitation room, where a team of doctors immediately assessed their condition.

The doctor on duty immediately took his stethoscope and placed it against Victor's chest. His eyes narrowed, trying to hear something—anything. But all he heard was emptiness. No heartbeat, no signs of life. The doctor took a deep breath and then examined Fiona. The results were the same.

"They're gone," the doctor said flatly, though there was a hint of sadness in his voice. His eyes glanced at the nurses standing around him, signaling that their efforts were over. "We're too late."

The room suddenly fell silent. The nurses looked at each other, unsure of what to say. Outside, Piku, Garren, Toby, and Zyne, who had just arrived at the hospital, immediately noticed the blank expressions on the faces of the medical staff as they emerged from the resuscitation room. Their steps were heavy, and their eyes avoided making contact with anyone. It was a clear sign—one Piku didn't want to accept.

Piku felt his chest tighten, and his legs seemed unable to support him. He stepped forward, approaching the doctor who had just left the room. His eyes were filled with tears, but he was trying hard not to cry. "This isn't true, is it, Doctor? You're just kidding, right? There's no way they..." his voice broke, unable to finish his sentence. His hands were shaking, and his breath was ragged.

The doctor looked at Piku with sympathetic eyes. "I'm sorry, Young Master. We've done everything we can," he said in a soft, but sure voice. His eyes showed genuine sadness, but Piku refused to accept it.

"No! You're wrong!" Piku screamed, his voice breaking the silence of the hospital hallway. His hands clenched into fists, and tears finally spilled over. "They can't leave! They can't!" He nearly fell, but Garren caught him, hugging his trembling body tightly.

"Piku, calm down..." Garren whispered, his voice deep. But Piku couldn't hear him. He continued to struggle, trying to free himself from Garren's embrace.

"No! This isn't true! They can't leave me!" Piku shouted again, his voice filled with despair. Toby and Zyne could only stand aside, their faces pale and filled with grief. They didn't know what to say, for no words would be enough to ease the grief that gripped them.

The doctor sighed, then nodded slowly to Garren before turning and leaving. He knew there was nothing he could say to comfort Piku right now. The grief was too great, too deep.

On the day of the funeral, the sky was gray, as if mourning. Piku stood at the edge of the grave, his eyes fixed on his parents' coffins as they were slowly being covered by the earth. His hands were clenched tightly, his nails almost cutting into his own palms. His chest felt tight, but the tears had stopped flowing. All that remained was a deep hatred, burning in his heart.

"Don't worry, Mom and Dad," Piku whispered, his voice low but determined. His eyes burned with unbridled rage. "I will avenge your deaths. I will find the person who killed you, until he begs for mercy before us."

The wind blew softly, as if carrying his parents' final whispers. But Piku no longer heard it. His heart was already filled with one goal: revenge. He knew that asking the police for help would probably be useless. The legal process was too slow, too complicated, and too often failed to deliver true justice. This was his business now—and he would settle it his own way.

He stared at the newly installed headstone, their names clearly engraved: Victor Grayhusk and Fiona Grayhusk. Piku took a deep breath, then turned and walked away from the cemetery. His steps were firm, but his heart was filled with dark shadows. He knew the path he was about to take would not be easy. But for his parents, he was willing to become anything—even a hunter.

Before Piku left the cemetery, Garren approached him with slow steps. "Young Master, let's go home," he said softly, trying to calm his young master, who was overcome with anger and sadness. He carefully guided Piku to the car, offering support without needing a word.

Zyne, standing nearby, remained silent. His eyes followed Piku and Garren as they slowly drifted away. He knew his friend was in turmoil, and words wouldn't be enough to calm the storm of emotions engulfing him. Zyne sighed, then bowed his head, silently praying that Piku would find peace someday—even if the path ahead was filled with darkness.

On the way home, the atmosphere in the car was heavy and silent. Piku sat in the back passenger seat, his eyes blankly staring at the road ahead. Suddenly, his phone vibrated, displaying a news notification that had just been released. Without thinking, Piku opened it—and was immediately transfixed by the headline that appeared: "Eternal Fang Pharmaceutical Company Owner, Victor Grayhusk, Dies in Bloody Tragedy."

The news anchor on the mobile television also began reporting the incident. "We have just received some devastating news. Victor Grayhusk, owner of the renowned pharmaceutical company Eternal Fang, died on the way to the hospital after a mysterious attack at his residence. His wife, Fiona Grayhusk, was also reported to have died in the same incident. Police are currently investigating this case as a possible premeditated murder."

Piku stared at his phone screen, his eyes burning with uncontrollable anger. His hands trembled, and before he knew it, the phone had been thrown onto the car seat, the screen cracking from his overly forceful grip. The cracking sound shattered the silence in the car.

Garren, who was driving, immediately turned to Piku. "Is Young Master okay?" he asked in a concerned voice, his eyes trying to read Piku's dark expression.

Piku didn't answer right away. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself so he wouldn't get carried away by his anger. His eyes stared at the cracked phone screen, then slowly clenched his fists, though this time with more control. "I'm fine, Garren. Don't worry," he said, his voice calm but heavy. Despite his reassuring words, his expression still betrayed the depth of his hurt.

Garren stole a glance at Piku, his eyes full of concern. "If Young Master needs anything, or wants to talk, I'm here," he said softly, trying to be supportive without being pushy.

Piku nodded slowly, his eyes still fixed out the window. "I know, Garren. Thank you," he replied simply. Anger and sadness still simmered inside, but he tried hard not to show it.

On the other hand, one of Eveil's subordinates, Kaiman, rushed to his Boss's room. His steps were fast, and his face showed unusual anxiety. Without knocking, he immediately opened the door to the room, attracting the attention of his Boss who was sitting behind the work desk.

"Boss... You have to see this news," Kaiman said, his voice breathless. He held out his phone, the screen displaying the news that had just been released.

His Boss, a man with a stern face and sharp eyes, raised an eyebrow. "What news, Kaiman?" he asked, his voice calm but full of curiosity. He picked up the phone, his eyes immediately fixated on the headline that appeared: "Eternal Fang Pharmaceutical Company Owner, Victor Grayhusk, Dies in Bloody Tragedy."

Kaiman stood at the desk, anxiously awaiting his Boss's reaction. "This could be a big problem for us, Boss. If the police start investigating, they might trace it back to us."

The Boss sighed softly and placed his phone on the table. His eyes narrowed, as if considering his next move. "Calm down, Kaiman. Talon has everything well prepared. There's nothing that can link us to this."

“But, Boss—” Kaiman tried to protest, but his Boss immediately cut him off.

"There are no 'buts'. We've already cleaned our tracks. Victor and Fiona Grayhusk were just victims of a botched robbery. That's what everyone will believe," he said coldly, his eyes full of conviction.

Kaiman nodded, though doubt still lingered on his face. "Okay, Boss. But we have to stay alert. If anyone suspects us—"

"We'll handle them," the Boss interrupted again, his voice firm. "Now, go out and make sure everything goes according to plan. Don't let your panic ruin everything." Kaiman nodded again, then turned and left the room.