Chapter 67: Threat

"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." —Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

"Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them." —Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." —Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

***

Even after stabbing himself to heat himself up and get his legs moving, treading on the pile of snow was harder than he initially thought. In the end, Xenia relied on his and Crowley's remaining strength to drag Mr. Lagman to the nearest house.

In the obscurity of the blizzard, they saw a vivid glimpse of light from not too far. It was a light in a house where they could possibly take shelter to escape certain death. Being out in the winter cold, restraining their movements instantly, Crowley wanted to weep but he could not, for the weather was too cold and his heart won't burn the desire to do so.

"J-Just a... a little bit more!"

Every ounce of strength they used. Every drop of energy they poured. And every hope they put upon their backs added to the burden. A frozen man in his 30s, thrice the children's size, depleted every last bit of life they have as they pushed through death's doorstep, which closed on them a while ago.

Cleverly, Xenia and Crowley used a wooden board like a shield to prevent themselves from getting buried and for them to easily stride through swallowing the height of the pile of snow.

"I'm... not giving... up!"

Even though their minds were still fighting for survival, it was their own bodies that betrayed them, eventually giving up without their consent. Their legs and knees shook; their numbness played a crucial part in their death.

The two kids suddenly dropped to the ground. None of their nerves were moving, so they were forced to stop in their tracks as they gradually got buried deep in the snow. As the vague light shining through their eyes dissipated and disappeared in their sights, something, no someone, kept digging from the surface and pulled them away from the pit of freezing water that death set up around them.

In that split moment when they lost their strength and were unable to get back up, Crowley lost his will to live. At that time, he accepted his fate and wished his mother and sister a safe and peaceful life.

"Ah, huh?"

From the ground, buried in the snow 5 feet, they rose and were lifted up in the air along with Mr. Lagman's freezing body. Their unknown savior suddenly pulled them all inside the house, which they unconsciously reached, with unbelievable strength.

After being out in the cold for a whole 30 minutes, they were finally feeling the warmth of the fire burning wildly to give heat to everyone. Slowly, they opened their eyes, still feeling extremely numb and their body heavy.

"Thank... you—"

Xenia's lips were utterly frozen and dry from the extreme cold and his vision blurry but it became clear and he felt a sudden rush upon laying his eyes on their savior.

"Mmph!"

"Guh!"

Things inside the house quickly transpired when Xenia realized that he was dealing with Mr. Lagman's attacker. A single horn had sprung on this man's forehead while the rest of its face and body was rotting, wherein frozen maggots were falling off. It was truly a horrendous sight, but Xenia found the sudden surge of strength to deflect the kitchen knife that was flying in his direction.

Clang was the sound of two weapons clashing and parrying each other's attack. Xenia's movements were practically stiff since he still hasn't recovered at all. It hurts a bit all across his body but he bears it. If he does not, it will cost him Mr. Lagman's and Crowley's life, who he owns a month of peace of mind.

His actions are his way of repaying his debt, which he didn't borrow from them, but was given to him. Still, even if he was not borrowing anything from the family, Xenia won't overlook their kindness.

"Jah!"

My mouth's stiffening! I can't speak! Shit, is he going after Crowley?! Thought Xenia, completely aware of what was happening, though he was not sure about Crowley because he looked like he passed out.

Despite having a hard time speaking, Xenia grunted when the undead-looking man lunged and managed to strike him directly in his chest. The undead man had put all of his weight on the attack that both of them fell on the floor, thudding loudly but it didn't wake up Crowley.

Roughly, the undead man twisted the knife inside Xenia's chest, which delivered him to an undeniable series of excruciating pain. Upon screaming in pain, blood trickled from the side of Xenia's mouth as the merciless undead man painfully caused Xenia severe pain.

"X-Xenia..." Crowley's blurry vision disallowed him from fully witnessing what was actually happening as he wondered why his adopted brother was writhing in pain. "Dad... Xenia... I'm so cold..."

Smelling the fear in his voice, the undead man creepily crawled his way toward the unaware Crowley.

The latter, still having no idea of what was actually occurring, thought that the person in front of him was his father.

"Is that you..., Dad? Will you give me a... blanket? I'm feeling cold..."

Like a baby, reaching out for his father's embrace, Crowley put out both of his hands. His vision was still fuzzy and he does not have a clear picture of what the undead man was about to do to him.

Before the undead man could stab Crowley through his heart, out of nowhere, Xenia popped up and cut off both of his arms.

"Rahh!"

It was a raspy tone and a mouthful of dead maggots came out of his mouth seconds after uttering that single word. Truly, it was a disgusting sight. Therefore, Xenia did something about it before the undead man could bite him.