The Horrifying Family

was working away from home, inexplicably sent me a text mess

had already opened t

taring at me with a chilling gaze t

hould

1

just about to open the door to hea

hen I heard his voice on the other end, "Lily,

why Conor would say

tood before me, coldly staring a

ehead as I recalled the message,

reathing so heavy?" came the quest

him; the situation

he instinctive reaction was s

everal ways out. I glanced at the path ahead;

to run, Anna's voi

t time I came over, the kitchen knife broke, so I boug

the knife in her

, the sweat on my

ife," she exclaimed, her v

lly, but I knew Anna had never b

ekeeper, resigned, she wouldn't

on your forehead? Come inside, w

line, Conor's voice trembl

aid. "Lily, don't be

ce was

d as to why he would call

made me wary of th

good to me over the years, and I c

son in the world to me, and I w

sponse made Conor feel

happens, text me. I'll try to get there as s

ing as Conor described. On the contrary,

roke my head and softly asked, "Lily, wh

ized I had been standing at

calling, but something inside me

e calling, asking me to g

rea

ned, which

moment she asked, "So, Lily, are you going

dn't bring myself to associate her with

ul, adorable, and playful mother always t

u lost in thought

n thought for several minut

arm me, but I also believe

om. I was just thinking about college applications. Now that you're here, of c

f, I finally opene

my phone in front of her, pr

the knife, watched

I held the phone, and I turne

r the uncle who was with Anna? He's a pervert. She wants to

my phone, stealing

cold as she spoke. "What did that

y threw the cup besid

is scene many

there was always the sou

t time I had ever wit

I was t

en. Mommy won't hurt you. Lily, you have to trust Mommy. Cono

p her shirt

esembling burns, others like whip marks, and

who was always so gentle in fron

d her, hoping it would

e. No mother in the wor

kept buzzing

elieve anything Anna says. Wait for Dadd

2

glanced at the message a

a bit frig

marks Conor left on her. If i

ws how to talk. But do you

en aback

et? Is it about th

s an absolute no-go zo

and and led me

os. Don't you think the people

ere was indeed a sense of fami

photos stirred a sense

? Doesn't it

and the woman in the photos s

these photos look

But don't you think you

to the photos and realized

stirring in my he

n in these photos

r mom and Conor were college sweethearts. Back then, Conor was still poor, but your mom insisted on being with him, even cutting ties with her family. But parents

nd smart. She must have been killed. Otherwise, she wou

ese words shook my

found out. It was that brute who killed my sister. I've handed the evidence over

her earnest g

orld was turne

tag

ck, but I wanted to he

had been so good to me all my life

entle and refined

t Dad a messag

g with her now. If you can come back befor

ds, I receiv

't hurt you. Don't believe h

, said nothing, and del

o are you

my room door, watching m

nt. I wasn'

fore I could react, she

, fearing she might

omorrow's celebration

sage from my best friend, feeling

r with that menacing stare and her forceful demand to check my

packing, hoping to give C

my things tidy, so

gging my suitcase, and

the sound of keys t

nor had c