Under one roof

Lillian and Nira stepped inside, only to see Elrick staring at them.

"Now what? We have to stay here?" he asked, annoyed.

Lillian took one step forward. She gestured with both hands in front of her, then spoke.

"Alright. As of now, we'll all stay under one roof.

Let me assign each of you to your rooms."

She turned slightly, as if giving a tour.

"Well, as you all know, this is my hall.

There are five blocks in total, one square right in the middle of the entrance.

There's a fireplace and some chairs, perfect for afternoon tea or just talking."

She pointed to the right.

"Over here is a small room with a dining table. That's where we'll have our meetings.

It's connected to the kitchen beside it, and the kitchen is linked to another hallway."

"That square includes three helpers' rooms, which belong to Mikael, my personal butler, and the other two maids.

Another room on the left has the staircase going up and down.

That concludes Level One. All five blocks."

She moved her hand upwards.

"Upstairs is Level Two. Just one long hallway in the middle, with a dark green carpet.

Surrounded by six doors in total. That will be your rooms. Take one each.

Mikael will assist you with the keys to assure safety."

"Level Three is just two rooms.

One for me, and one for my Grandpapa.

It's off-limits for guests."

"And the last one the basement.

That's our leisure place.

There's a long, comfy sofa, you can read or just hang out.

A piano. A music room. And a library."

She smiled gently.

"Please, make yourself at home."

"Well?! At least you have a huge mansion that might keep us entertained.

Since we're all here... why don't we try to get to know each other better?"

Everyone turned to Elrick as he spoke.

He pointed at the wall.

"Is that a picture of your parents, Lillian?

It's funny how the mayor of this town died when we were all still young.

We never even got to know your father.

Mayor Severin Corvin Wilson, was it?"

He continued.

"And after he and your mother's death... this town stood on its own.

Your grandfather Ambrose just kept everything running smoothly,

following what your father had built.

Sheriff Wesley Cain maintained the peace, and Dr. Edwin Meson kept the town healthy.

Everyone worked together."

Nira narrowed her eyes.

"What are you trying to imply?"

Elrick curled his hand to his chin.

"I've always been suspicious of this family.

I do not trust the Wilsons."

Lillian nodded gracefully.

"I respect your opinion.

The Wilson house is far from the town,

and we've never mingled with the townsfolk much.

After my grandfather fell ill, he rarely went outside.

But I promise you... 

I'll bring back the light to this town.

Starting today."

Elrick stood up from his seat.

"Well, first catch the murderer.

If it's Robert... then I want justice for my baby.

A life for a life."

Mikael stepped forward, holding keys for each guest.

One by one, they took them and headed to their rooms.

Lillian stood on her front porch,

breathing in the fresh air.

Flowers danced in the breeze, stroked by a gentle wind.

She whispered,

"Mom... Dad... what should I do?"

Suddenly, from a distance, she saw a figure 

A small boy standing beside the big tree.

"Who... is that the same boy from before?"

The boy figure waved at her beckoning.

She swallowed the lump in her throat

"Is he wanna tell me something?"

She stepped forward.

Toward the shadow.

Slowly, it moved deeper into the forest.

"Hey, wait up!" she called, trying to follow.

Step by step, she entered.

The forest grew darker.

She stopped.

"This isn't right..."

She took one step back yet her eyes never left the trees.

Suddenly

Her back bumped into something.

A shiver ran down her spine.

The shadow behind her... 

overlapping hers

was huge. Not human.

She froze.

Sweat dripped down her face.

She didn't move, but her eyes slowly tried to look behind.

She could feel it.

A heavy breath brushing her back.

No not just her neck.

Her whole body.

What is that? she thought.

What could breathe like that across your whole body?

Then a voice.

Deep. Heavy. Inhuman.

"LILLIAN WILSON... YOU SMELL DELICIOUS...

BUT TOO BAD... WE BET NOT TO EAT YOU."

Her hands trembled.

Something sharp run to her neck.

From her back slowly move upwards 

She wanted to turn, but her body was frozen.

"DO YOU KNOW?

ROBERT HE NEVER LOVED YOU.

HE JUST USED YOU.

JUST PLAYED WITH YOU."

Lillian spun around.

"Why would I believe in—!"

Her words caught in her throat.

Her eyes widened.

"W-What—?!"

She stared at the creature.

A wolf-like face... but flat, almost human.

A long smile.

Teeth the size of her fingers.

Golden, glowing cat eyes, surrounded by black shadow.

Its fur rippled alive at the edges.

It stood tall.

Twice her height.

She had to tilt her head just to look up at it.

"W-What are you...?"

But before she could say another word

BANG!

A gunshot rang out.

A bullet phased through the creature's head.

It turned.

"SHERIFF!"

Its claw swiped nearly touching Wesley's skin.

But it stopped.

Wesley's eyes gleamed.

A smug grin on his lips.

"We meet at last, demon."

The gun still in his hand, ready to fire.

The beast hissed, growling like thunder.

Curling into black smoke.

And vanished.

Lillian stood frozen.

Her legs shook.

They could no longer hold her weight.

She collapsed into the sheriff's arms.

"What do you want with her, filthy creature?!"