Chapter 29 – The Chronicles of Suo (4) Prologue (3)
The candle danced on the table, casting flickering shadows across the walls of the inn. The stew steamed in the plates, and every smell seemed more intense than Suo would have liked. He sat down slowly, his eyes scanning the room and its inhabitants. Nathalie, as always, bounced almost on her chair, talking nonstop, while Morena poured coffee with calm, methodical precision, and Arnold watched every movement nervously.
"Finally, Eric," said Morena, placing a hand on his. "The meal was waiting just for you."
"Thank you…" replied Suo, his fingers brushing the surface of the wood, "but I'm not very hungry."
Nathalie practically jumped in her chair. "Not hungry? Impossible! Look at what Mom prepared! You have to try it!"
Arnold frowned. "Here, refusing to eat is almost an insult."
Suo let out a small sigh. "I don't want to offend anyone, but I'd rather stay light tonight."
"Light?" exclaimed Nathalie, leaning toward him mischievously. "Are you afraid you'll disappear before finishing your plate?"
Morena shook her head gently. "Nathalie…"
Suo let out a small smirk. "Maybe she's not wrong."
Arnold slid the plate toward him. "Come on, one bite. Just one bite."
He brought the spoon to his lips; the strange metallic taste sent chills down his throat. "It's… different," he murmured.
Nathalie tapped the table lightly. "Different? No! It's perfect! You have to say perfect!"
"Nathalie…" Arnold began, but Suo interrupted him, fixing both adults with a stare. "Listen to me. Tomorrow, I'm leaving. You'd better leave too. This village… no longer inspires trust in me."
A heavy silence fell over the room. Nathalie opened her mouth in shock, while Morena lowered her gaze and Arnold tightened his jaw.
"What are you talking about?" asked Morena. "This village is not bad at all."
"Then why does everything seem… so fake?" replied Suo, his voice cold. "Everything is too perfect. Don't you see it?"
"Eric…" murmured Arnold, nervousness in his voice, "be careful what you say."
Nathalie stood up, tears in her eyes. "You… you want to leave… you're leaving me… you're lying! Everything is normal! Why are you saying that?!"
Suo looked at them, his fists clenched. "I'm telling the truth. I've seen what's hidden behind it all. And if you don't leave, you'll be the victims, and I… I don't want anything bad to happen to you."
Morena stood as well, trying to calm the young girl. "Eric… you're too anxious."
"No! Listen to me!" shouted Suo, his voice echoing through the room. "You don't understand. There is danger here."
A heavy silence followed, broken only by the crackling of the candle. Every gesture, every breath seemed amplified, every shadow a threat.
Suo felt his stomach knot. He rose abruptly and headed upstairs to the restroom. The gag reflex hit violently. He vomited uncontrollably. And when he looked at the contents, his blood ran cold: a human finger floated in the liquid.
Breathless, he stepped back. Behind him, a howl ripped through the night. When he turned, the inn was unrecognizable: the walls were black and moldy, the beams creaked, and a stench of rot filled the air. He ran and hurried down the stairs, his veins ice-cold…
Three bodies lay on the floor: Morena, Arnold, and Nathalie. Gray, decomposing flesh, glassy eyes, hands frozen in grotesque positions. Suo's heart stopped for a moment.
Then a silhouette appeared in the hallway behind Suo. A tall, thin man with streaked black hair and piercing violet eyes advanced slowly.
"Good evening, Hunter…" he said, his voice low and icy. "You may call me Loki… if you like."
Suo stepped back, his hand instinctively going to his knife. "Who… who are you?"
"Loki." The man advanced further, his steps silent and measured. "And what you see… these bodies… it's not my fault."
"Not your…" stammered Suo, still in shock.
Loki raised a finger, staring at the corpses. "It's Skulls' fault. He caused this. Me? I would only… eliminate you."
"Eliminate me?" Suo asked, his voice hoarse, torn between horror and disbelief.
"Yes." Loki smiled, a cold smile. "I was simply going to end your life. These… incidents… Skulls is responsible. But you… you are here now, and your fate is… how shall I say? Sealed. That's it."
The air seemed to charge with electricity, the candles flickering. The motionless bodies twisted slowly, their hands rising as if to reach Suo.
"Prepare yourself," said Loki. "I must admit I don't particularly enjoy fighting, but I have a mission and that fool Skulls also refuses to fight. Well… I will finish you, Hunter." A mischievous and demonic smile appeared on his face.
Suo felt his heart race. Every shadow, every movement around him became a threat. He had no choice. The night had turned into a trap, and Loki was its master.
À suivre...