Monsters!

Before Luke could react, the bodyguard delivered a punch so brutal that Violet flinched, her father's body crumpling to the ground in a heap. He choked and coughed violently, the sound so harsh and wet it seemed as if he might cough up his lungs.

Luke writhed on the floor, clutching his stomach as his entire body convulsed with pain.

The man whom Luke had referred to as Mr. Flint, the obvious leader among the men turned around with an air of nonchalance, brushing his clothes as if shaking off invisible dust. His cold eyes scanned the room, landing first on Violet and June, her mother

The sheer horror etched into their faces seemed to amuse him. His gaze shifted, catching sight of Oliver, Violet's brother and Sarah her sister who had also stepped closer with pale faces, terrified, their wide eyes locked onto the man who had effortlessly reduced their father to a groaning wreck.

"What?" Flint asked, his lips curving into a grin that somehow made him look even more menacing. He moved slowly, his plump frame settling into the room's only couch with a subtle expression of disgust on his face as though the very act of sitting in such a place irritated him beyond words. His nose wrinkled slightly as his gaze roamed over the room before shifting towards them. 

"You all are looking at me like I'm one of those red-eyed or yellow-eyed human monsters the media warns about on TV," he chuckled, leaning back into the couch as if he owned it.

"Oh, wait. Silly me! I forgot—you lot can't even afford a proper TV, can you?" He threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing mockingly through the cramped space.

The tension in the air was suffocating. Fear and dread seemed to cling to every corner of the room, wrapping around each family member like a shroud.

No one dared to move or speak, too stunned by the brutality they had just witnessed. Luke, the supposed head of their household, lay crumpled and helpless on the floor with his head lowered—a pitiful sight that only amplified the family's collective sense of hopelessness.

Yet, amidst the oppressive silence, Oliver took a shaky step forward. His fists were clenched tightly at his sides, his knuckles white with effort. Though fear radiated off him like a tangible force, there was also defiance in his gaze.

"A-all th-the so-called Vampires and Wolf-beasts were killed in the war!" Oliver stammered, his voice wavering but determined. His eyes flickered nervously to the two imposing bodyguards who stood behind Mr. Flint, their expressions as impassive as stone.

"Yo-you're just a bu-bully wh-who invaded our—" but Oliver's words faltered as Mr. Flint began to move.

The man rose slowly, his smirk never leaving his face as he took deliberate steps toward the trembling young man. The room seemed to shrink with each step Flint took, the air growing heavier with his oppressive presence.

"I don't care for the opinions of a poor boy who lives in the trenches," Flint said, his voice sharp and laced with contempt. He stopped mere inches from Oliver, towering over him despite his plump build. His eyes, now much colder and crueler, bore into all of them one after the other with a predatory intensity.

Oliver's courage which he had so valiantly summoned moments ago, died a quick and sudden death right under Flint's withering gaze.

Satisfied, Flint turned his attention back to the room. He spread his arms wide as if addressing a captivated audience, though his words carried the weight of a death sentence.

"Luke owes me three million in borrowed money and two million in interest fees," he announced cheerfully, his tone almost conversational. "The due date is today, and I'm here to collect."

The statement hung in the air like a guillotine blade poised to drop. Flint's sharp gaze swept across the room, lingering briefly on each family member before finally settling on Violet. His grin widened, a grotesque parody of charm that sent chills racing down her spine.

"If he can't pay," Flint continued, "the contract allows me to use every part of his body to cover the sum."

A collective gasp erupted from the family. June's hands flew to her mouth, stifling a cry. Sarah clung to Oliver, her eyes brimming with tears, while Violet stood frozen, her mind racing to process the horrifying words. All eyes turned to Luke, who remained slumped on the floor. His head hung low, and he refused to meet anyone's gaze, the shame written all over his battered face.

"He—he wouldn't!" June stammered, her voice barely audible. She took a shaky step forward, her tear-streaked face turned pleadingly toward Flint. "There must be something—something we can do!" she begged, her voice breaking as she sank to her knees.

Flint tilted his head, regarding her with a bemused expression. "Of course, his body alone wouldn't be enough," he said smoothly, reaching into his pocket. With a dramatic flourish, he pulled out a folded piece of paper and waved it in the air. "That's why I added a small clause to the contract—one that allows me to use his family, too."

His laughter rang out, chilling and devoid of humor. The sound sent a shiver down Violet's spine, and she felt her stomach twist painfully.

"Tha—that's impossible!" Violet snapped, stepping forward despite the trembling in her legs. She snatched the paper from Flint's hand, her fingers shaking as she unfolded it. Her eyes scanned the document, each line filling her with mounting dread.

"This…" She faltered, her voice cracking. "Organ selling is illegal! This paper isn't bound by law!"

Flint raised an eyebrow, his expression one of exaggerated surprise. "Illegal? Really?" he said, his tone dripping with mock innocence. "Well, I guess I could always wait until each of you steps out of the house. Kidnapping you one by one would be just as effective."

He chuckled at his own twisted joke, the sound cold and cruel.

"Please… Please...Please don't!" June sobbed, crawling closer on her knees. Her hands clasped together in a desperate plea. "Spare my children, at least! Take me instead! I'll work for you—I'll do anything you want!"

"Anything?" Flint repeated, his tone almost playful. His dark eyes sparkled with amusement as he studied her trembling form.

"Anything!" June cried, her voice raw with desperation.

For a moment, Flint seemed to consider her offer. They all held its collective breath, the tension in the room was so thick it was suffocating. Then, with a slow, deliberate smile, he leaned closer.

"Interesting," he murmured, his tone dripping with malice.