Kill them all

Liora wished the earth would split open and swallow her whole. Her body moved on autopilot, her mind reeling from what had just happened. She reached her class but didn't go inside. She leaned against the wall outside, bending forward, her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. She had run like her life depended on it, faster than she ever thought she could.

Her phone buzzed in her tote bag, startling her. She took her phone out, and the name "Mama" flashed on the screen. She straightened herself, wiping the sweat from her brow before answering.

"Mama, what's wrong? Is everything okay?" Her breathing was still heavy, and her chest rose and fell rapidly. She pressed her back against the cold wall, hoping it would somehow steady her.

"Liora, are you alright? Why are you breathing so heavily? You're not having a panic attack, are you? Where are you? Is Daran with you? I swear if he's not looking after you—"

Liora closed her eyes, shaking her head. "I'm fine, Mama. I just ran to my class because I was running late. That's all."

Her mother's voice softened but was still laced with worry. "Thank God!... But why are you running so much? Don't overexert yourself. "

"Mama," Liora cut her off gently, her tone reassuring. "I'm fine. I promise. I was just late, that's all." She looked at her smartwatch, realising she was already behind schedule."Is there something important you want to speak about? I need to get inside the class. It's almost time."

There was a pause on the other end before her mother spoke again, her voice calm now. "I wanted to remind you... Today is your grandmother's death anniversary. Don't forget to visit the church and light a candle for her."

"Oh... How could I forget?" She leaned her head back against the wall, guilt flooding her chest. "Thank you for reminding me, Mama. I was planning to go to the church today anyway... I have some... sins to wash away."

Liora heard the chuckle from the other end. "What did you do this time, my little troublemaker?"

Liora smiled softly, trying to laugh, but it came out strained. "Nothing major... Just... I need to pray. That's all." Her eyes glanced down the hallway, her heart still racing. 'I need to pray hard.'

"Alright, alright. I won't ask. But don't forget to light the candle, okay? And... take care of yourself."

"I will. I love you, Mama. I'll call you tonight. Bye!" Liora hung up and took a deep breath before walking into her class, her heart still pounding from more than just the running.

Meanwhile, at the parking lot, Donovan's eyes remained fixed on the corner where Liora had disappeared. His jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. His body was rigid, his mind replaying every second of that bizarre encounter. Her touch, her words... the way she had traced his lips.

'And she would have kissed me? What was that, Li?' Before Donovan's thoughts could take a deep dive into Li's actions. He had one very important he needed to address.

His eyes shifted to the group of guys standing by their cars, one of them looking pale, his eyes glued to the shattered remains of his phone on the ground. A bullet had pierced right through the screen, breaking it into pieces. The guy's jaw slips with shock.

Donovan's footsteps were lazy as he approached them, yet his presence was powerful and commanding. The air around him grew tense and suffocating, and his aura radiated danger. He stopped right in front of the guy with long dark hair, his eyes cold and sharp.

"Next time, the bullet won't miss your skull," Donovan's voice was low and calm, but it held a deadly promise. The dark-haired guy's face twisted, his fists clenching in anger, his jaw tightening.

"That... That was my girlfriend's gift, Fucker!" His voice shook, barely holding back his rage. But before another word could escape his mouth, a sharp, deafening sound echoed across the parking lot.

Bang!

This time, the firing sound was louder to get everyone's attention. They needed a reminder of who they were standing in front of.

A bullet whizzed past his ear, cutting a thin line of blood. He screamed, his voice cracking in pain as he stumbled backwards, clutching his ear.

"A-Ahhh! F-Fuck, Fuck, Fuck!" The pain was excruciating as his fingers trembled, blood seeping between them. His legs shook, struggling to support him. Then he looked at his car, and his eyes widened in horror. The bullet had lodged into the front windshield, leaving a spiderweb of cracks that spread across the glass.

The realisation hit him like a freight train. How did he forget....it was the Donovan Magnum, The Capo dei Capi of Valtham City! Where the Trio walked, shadows followed. There were always unseen eyes, more than one sniper hidden in the distance. The Triad group assassins blended into the crowd, guarding the Trios.

They weren't just heirs to empires. Their families were not just about business and politics; they were also the rulers of the underground across Europe—Mafia's heirs allied with the powerful Valtham Royals.

The guy with dark, long hair regretted that he should have recorded the video of that girl while Donovan was not around. He should have done that. What a foolish act. He thought. It was a missed opportunity, he thought to himself.

He had hoped to take a photo of them together and post it online to boost his views and followers, aiming for fame. 'Donovan Magnum with a woman so close to him,' Titled. Donovan was notorious for keeping his distance from women, even his girlfriend, making this encounter a big deal in Valtham City. He wanted to seize this opportunity to go viral.

"That was your girlfriend's gift?" Donovan's voice was low, smooth, dripping with sarcasm. His tone was cold and detached as if he were discussing the weather. Yet each word was laced with venom, sharp and deadly. "Then you should thank me for not shattering your skull instead."

The man's body shook, his knees buckling under Donovan's glare. He tried to look away, but Donovan's hand shot out, gripping his jaw tightly, his fingers digging into his skin. He forced his face upward, locking their eyes together. His grip was iron, his fingers bruising, his strength overwhelming. There was no escape. No way out.

"If you have a girlfriend," Donovan's voice was soft and deceptively gentle, "How dare you even think of taking pictures of another woman?" His eyes darkened, his gaze seething with fury. "You had the nerve to even look at her?"

Donovan's fingers tightened, and the man winced, a whimper slipping from his lips as pain shot through his face.

Donovan pushed the man away roughly, making him stumble. The man nearly fell as he held his bleeding ear, shaking with fear.

Donovan stepped back, his face cold and indifferent. He looked over the group nearby, frozen in place, their faces pale and their bodies stiff with terror.

His smartwatch was at his lips before they could blink, his voice steady and commanding. "If anyone dares to take a picture or video of her again… Kill them on the spot!"

The other students nearby froze, their eyes wide, their faces slack with shock. They looked at each other, their minds trying to process what they had just heard.

Donovan's words were calm and emotionless, but the violence in his command was like a judge giving a death sentence. A promise of blood.

His words echoed across the parking lot, loud enough for everyone to hear. He made sure everyone heard loud and clear.

'Kill them on the spot...?'

The smartwatch crackled, a voice responding immediately. "Understood, Capo Dei Capi."

Satisfied, Donovan glanced at the group one last time, his gaze sharp, his expression unmoved. "If you are that desperate for her picture, ask her permission first." And he walked away in silence.

The crowd was frozen, their eyes wide with fear, their faces pale. No one dared move, no one dared breathe.

Soon, the news spread across the campus via WhatsApp.

"Donovan has a new girlfriend from the law department...

He will kill anyone who tries to take her picture...She must be someone special..."

The news reached Rihana, Harper, and Elena within minutes, their faces twisting with rage and disbelief as they read the message.

'A girl was the reason why Donovan broke up with her....' Rihana's eyes burned with hatred. Her mind was already racing with twisted plans.

During lunch break, Donovan's smartwatch vibrated with an incoming call. It was his mother. He took the iPhone out of his pocket and answered the call.

"Hello, Mom!" Donovan greeted.

"Hello, Son. I hope you three are doing well."

"Of course, Mom, everything is going perfectly." Kai and Logan, who were standing beside Donovan, quietly listened to him speak with their strict aunt, their ears focused on the conversation.

"Nova, remember to go to church today and light candles for your Dad's family who lost their lives today."

"I remember it very well, Mom. I've arranged for prayers in the church for their souls."

Evelyn couldn't have been happier to see how responsible her eldest son was. He was the perfect son that any parent could wish for. "You bring me so much joy, Nova."

Donovan smiled faintly, "You deserve the best, Mom," he replied. He cared deeply for his family, including his younger brother and twin sisters. The fact that he had a large family made him happy.

"Don't tell your siblings,....but you are your mother's favourite!" Evelyn whispered to him, filling Donovan with pride.

"I won't," Donovan replied. He glanced at his cousins, whose ears were tuned to their conversation, "Would you like to talk to Kai and Logan, Mom?" he asked, but his cousins had disappeared from sight. "I suppose they had something to do, Mom; they left. Sorry you couldn't talk to them. Maybe next time!

"They ran away, didn't they? They deserve punishment for this." And Evelyn laughed softly, thinking about Kai and Logan, who spent their childhood at her mansion. Who, alongside Donovan, received punishment for causing trouble.

"Mom, I need to go. Take care!"

"Take care, Nova!"

*

*

*

*

At 4 pm, Liora stood before the grand stone entrance of St. Seraphim's Church, catching her breath as she leaned against the bicycle's handlebars. The bicycle belonged to the university for students to use in exchange for hourly payment to use a bicycle. The ride had been long, her legs tingling from the effort, but the peacefulness of the surroundings calmed her racing heart.

The church looked ancient, its high spires reaching toward the heavens. Ivy curled along the stone walls, and the stained-glass windows glowed softly in the afternoon sun.

Locking her bicycle, she ascended the stone steps, her footsteps echoing softly behind her. Dressed in an ivy-green gown that swept down to her ankles, she pushed open the heavy wooden doors and was greeted by a rush of cool air, rich with the scents of incense and aged wood.

It was peaceful inside the church as she stepped inside. The sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows. In front of the grand cross stood a priest, head bowed and hands clasped in prayer. His whispers were gentle and melodic. When she approached the alter, he turned and warmly smiled at her. His eyes crinkled at the corners.

"Good afternoon, Father," Liora greeted him respectfully.

"Good afternoon, child," the priest smiled serenely and kindly. "Are you here to admire the beauty of this ancient church?"

Liora's eyes wandered over the golden carvings on the pillars, the intricate patterns on the ceiling, and on the flickering candles bathing the room in a soft golden glow.

"I suppose that's one reason, father," she smiled, her gaze returning to the priest. "But I am here to pray for my grandmother. It's her death anniversary today."

A flicker of understanding crossed the priest's face. His expression softened, his eyes gleaming with empathy. Without another word, he moved gracefully to a corner where rows of unlit candles sat in beautiful alignment.

The priest picked up one of the candles. He reached for a pointed metal tool, his fingers moving with practised ease. Turning to Liora, his eyes were gentle as he asked, "What was your grandmother's name?"

"It's Everly San," Liora frowned after giving the name. Should she have said her grandmother's nickname?′ I think the full name should be fine.

The priest carefully carved the name onto the candle, his movements slow and precise. Once finished, he handed the candle to Liora. "Light this for her. May her soul be surrounded by light and love."

She walked to the altar where other candles flickered softly, their flames dancing in the gentle air currents. Taking a matchstick, she struck it against the box, the flame flaring to life.

As she lit the candle, a soft glow enveloped her face. She placed it among the others, her eyes fixed on the flame.

Her lips moved in silent prayer, her thoughts filled with memories of her grandmother—her warm smile, her gentle voice, and the unconditional love that had always made Liora feel safe. "May you find peace and happiness, even in the afterlife. I hope all your wishes come true, Grandma," she whispered.

She had never seen her grandmother. Her mother, Amara, rarely spoke of her, having lost her when she was just a teenager. There were no pictures; everything had burned in a fire when Amara was at school.

After that tragedy, Amara felt alone and lost in the world until she met Liora's father, Mark, who brought her the love and support she desperately needed.

Meanwhile, across town, in another church, Donovan sat in the front pew, his back straight, his hands resting loosely on his lap. His cousins, Kai and Logan, sat on either side, their heads bowed in quiet reverence.

The priest stood before the altar, his voice solemn as he read aloud the names of the departed. Each name echoed through the church, reverberating off the stone walls.

Steve Magnum,

Mary Magnum,

Anastasia Magnum,

Jackson Magnum.

The priest lifted his hands in prayer, his eyes closed as he continued in a voice steeped in faith and compassion.

"O Lord, let your divine light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen."

He listened in silence, his expression impassive, his gaze fixed on the burning candles before the cross. Their flames flickered gently, swaying with each whisper of the priest's voice.

These are names he had heard in hushed conversations. He had seen the pictures his father had in his bedroom. They all looked like happy family. The people who were supposed to be a part of his life were people he never got to meet.

Whenever Donovan had asked about them, his father's face would harden. "They met with a tragic accident," his father would say.

Even Mr Sohn, his father's most trusted advisor, would often fall silent, and sometimes he would say, "Ignorance is bliss."

*

*

*

*

*

*

Back in Europe, under the overcast sky of Italy, the Glacier family's private graveyard stood solemn and silent. The cold breeze rustled the ancient cypress trees, their shadows dancing on the worn gravestones. The air was heavy, carrying the weight of memories and whispered secrets.

Amara stood before Everly San's grave, her eyes fixed on the headstone, her face composed but her eyes betraying the grief she carried. Tears gathered in her eyes, but there was no sobbing, no wailing—only silent acceptance. Her hands were clasped together, and her head bowed in prayer as if hoping her words would reach her mother's soul.

The Chairman stood beside her, his presence as steady as the old stone cross casting a long shadow over them. He was dressed impeccably, his hands clasped behind his back, his face a mask of calmness. Yet his eyes softened as he glanced at Amara. He placed a firm yet gentle hand on her shoulder, his voice low and sincere.

"I am truly sorry you had to live such a lonely life after your mother passed. I did everything I could to trace your family and see if there was anyone left in this world connected to you... but there were no leads, no clues."

Amara shook her head, her lips forming a sad smile. Her voice was soft, carrying a weight of gratitude and sorrow.

"It's not your fault, Chairman. You have always been there for me... for us. After Mark's death, you took us in. You have given Liora the chance to study in prestigious schools to build a future. And now... you've helped her get into Quantam Future. I don't know how I would've survived without your kindness. I'm grateful to have had you by my side, especially after my mother left this world."

Amara nodded, understanding the unspoken words behind his statement. After a few more moments of silent prayer, she turned and walked away, her steps quiet, her back straight as she left the Chairman before the grave.

Once she was out of sight, the Chairman's posture changed. He knelt before Everly San's headstone, his fingers brushing over her name, tracing each letter slowly, almost reverently. His touch was gentle, lingering on the cold stone.

"I miss you, Eve... more than words can say," he whispered, his voice low, almost a murmur. "I hope you know how much I cared for you... how much you meant to me..."

His lips curved into a small, wistful smile, but his eyes darkened, shadows flickering within their depths. His face was a mixture of longing and something far more sinister.

"And I am glad... so very glad... that you came back."