The kids started crying even louder, their voices cracking from fear.
Man (smirking): Cry as much as you want.
He stepped forward, his shadow stretching across the floor.
Swish.
In one clean motion he slashed the mother.
She collapsed, hands shaking, blood spreading beneath her like spilled ink.
Her breath rattled… broken, uneven.
Mom (gasping): H-Help… c-child…ren…
Her fingers twitched… reaching… then slowly fell to the floor.
Her eyes widened.
Her chest rose once more… then stopped.
Mom: S-sor…ry…
She went still.
Lifeless.
Cold.
The man lifted his hand and tossed a dice into the air.
The tiny cube spun under the flickering lamplight.
Man: Now… let's see who's next.
Clack.
The dice landed.
One.
Man: Oh… one.
The older brother was standing nearest.
Man (grinning wider): You're the one.
He grabbed his katana and lunged.
The steel gleamed.
Swish!
The blade pierced straight through the brother's chest.
Brother (choking): M… me…?
Blood bubbled from his lips as he fell to his knees.
His body trembled as warmth drained from him.
Brother (voice fading): A… Arata… don't… die…
His eyes glazed over.
His body sagged and fell to the floor.
Lifeless.
The man threw his head back and laughed — a twisted, jagged sound echoing through the house.