**Breaking News: Child Abductions on the Rise**

“Good evening, citizens of Maridia. Authorities have reported a troubling increase in child abductions in the city of Morville over the past few weeks. Investigations suggest that the abductions are linked to a child trafficking ring targeting young children in various neighborhoods. Police are urging parents to remain vigilant and not leave their children unsupervised, especially in public spaces. Families are also advised to secure their homes and immediately report any suspicious activity to authorities.”

The anchor’s voice grew more somber.

“We cannot stress this enough—please, keep your children close and stay alert during these difficult times.”

*Click.*

The screen went black.

Shin sat in silence for a moment, his fingers gripping the remote tightly. The rising wave of anxiety washed over him, but he took a deep breath and set the remote down. It was time to get Talia ready for school.

“Talia, wake up already! You don’t want to be late for your first day at the new school.”

Shin got up from the couch, navigating the room effortlessly despite his blindness. His feet moved in sync with the memory of the space around him, as though his surroundings were etched into his mind—no cane needed. He made his way to Talia’s room and opened the door.

“Talia?” he called out, but there was no response.

Frowning, he stepped further inside. His hands moved across the bed, but she wasn’t there. A flicker of panic lit up in his chest.

“Where did she—?”

Suddenly, two tiny arms wrapped around his waist from behind.

“Ha! Got you, Daddy!” Talia’s giggle filled the room, and Shin sighed in relief, a smile spreading across his face.

“You little devil,” he said, scooping her up and holding her close. “You’re getting sneakier. I didn’t hear your footsteps at all.”

Talia beamed as he hugged her tightly before setting her down.

“Come on, let’s get you ready for school,” Shin said, remembering why he’d come in the first place.

After helping her get dressed and a quick breakfast together, the school bus pulled up in front of their house. Shin walked Talia to the door, listening carefully to her footsteps.

“Bye, Dad!” Talia called, waving as she boarded the bus.

“Bye, Talia! Have fun!” Shin waved in the direction of her voice and stood there for a moment, his hand lingering in the air as her voice faded.

As he turned back to the house, a familiar voice called out from across the street.

“Good morning, Mr. Shin! How are you today?” It was Fiona, his neighbor—a woman in her late twenties who had become a regular part of his daily routine.

Shin smiled politely in her direction. “Good morning, Miss Fiona. I’m doing well, thank you. How’s everything at work?”

Fiona’s smile faltered, frustration creeping into her voice. “Ugh, don’t ask. The work culture is toxic, and I’m constantly dealing with micromanaging bosses. I wish I’d done better in literature and became a writer like you. At least you can work from home.”

Shin chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Trust me, it’s not all sunshine and freedom. Publishers have their own unrealistic demands and deadlines. Toxicity exists everywhere, just in different forms.”

Fiona laughed lightly, though a hint of embarrassment. “I didn’t mean to downplay your work. It’s just been a rough week.”

“I understand,” Shin said with a nod. “Maybe it’s time to change paths. Who knows? You might be a better writer than me one day.”

Stolen story; please report.

She shook her head, smiling. “Nice try, but I’ve read your books, Mr. Shin. When it comes to suspense thrillers, no one can beat you. Not even Steven Queen.”

Shin smiled at the compliment. He’d always been modest about his work, but praise like that never failed to lift his spirits. “Thanks, Fiona. But I should get back to work before my editor hunts me down.”

“Of course,” Fiona said with a laugh. “Have a good day, Mr. Shin.”

“You too,” Shin replied as they both went their separate ways.

Once inside, Shin closed the door behind him and leaned against it for a moment. The silence settled around him, familiar yet slightly unsettling after the news broadcast. He shook it off, focusing on the day ahead. First, he cleaned the kitchen, then tidied up the house. His movements were swift and methodical, each task done with precision.

Finally, he sat on the couch, picking up his phone and recording voice notes for his next novel. Ideas swirled in his mind, but every now and then, a nagging thought interrupted—*the news*, *the disappearances*.

He pushed the thought aside, focusing on his work.

Finally, at quarter past two, the sound of the bus horn echoed through the neighborhood.

Shin rushed to the front door just as Talia came running toward him, throwing her arms around him in a big hug. He smiled, taking her school bag from her as they entered the house together.

Talia was bubbling with excitement, eager to tell her dad all about her first day at the new school, but Shin gently told her to freshen up first. Today, he had made her favorite—Schezwan Noodles.

Talia pouted, wanting to eat the noodles right away, but Shin remained firm. After a bit of grumbling, she finally relented, heading to her room to wash up and change. Once she was done, she rushed back to the kitchen, ready for her favorite meal.

Shin served her a modest portion, taking a more generous amount for himself. Talia frowned, pouting at the smaller portion, but Shin knew he couldn't let her indulge in too much junk food.

“So, how was your day, sweetie?” Shin asked with a gentle smile.

“Good,” Talia replied, her tone a little sulky.

She slyly tried to steal some noodles from Shin’s plate, but he quickly caught her hand and guided it back to her own plate.

“Just ‘good’? Aren’t you going to tell me all about your adventures today?” Shin asked, using the soft, playful tone he always used when Talia was in a mood.

“If Daddy gives me more noodles, maybe I’ll tell him,” she teased, flashing him a mischievous grin.

“No chance,” Shin said, cutting her off.

“Then I’m not telling you anything,” Talia retorted, crossing her arms.

Shin sighed in defeat. “Alright, alright, just a little more. But only this time. Now spill.”

Talia’s eyes lit up, and she grinned from ear to ear as she launched into a lively recount of her day’s adventures. Shin listened with a smile, savoring every word. In the whirlwind of his life, nothing gave him more joy than hearing his daughter’s excited stories.

Their conversation continued well after lunch, Talia’s tales spilling over until it was time for her nap. Shin glanced at the clock—it was already past her usual nap time. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to her bed, tucking her in with care.

As Talia snuggled into her blankets, her eyelids drooping, she murmured, “Dad, can I ask you something?”

“After your nap, sweetie,” Shin replied softly.

“Why are there no pictures of my mom?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, sleep tugging at her.

Shin sighed. This wasn’t the first time she’d asked about her mother, and he knew it wouldn’t be the last. Each time, it became harder to dodge her questions.

“She left us when you were born, sweetie. She went to be with God and became a star. When night falls, I’ll show you which one.”

Talia’s face lit up in sleepy wonder. “Dad, how will you know which star is Mom?”

Shin smiled gently. “Because she’s your mom, sweetie. The one that shines the brightest—that’s her.”

“Wow, I can’t wait to see Mom,” Talia said, her voice trailing off as sleep finally overtook her.

“Sleep well, sweetheart,” Shin whispered, sitting by her side until she was fully asleep. Only then did he rise quietly and leave the room.

As he closed the door behind him, a dark, familiar voice echoed in his mind.

**How long can you stall until she finds out?**

“As long as I can,” Shin muttered under his breath, his fists clenching. “Even after I’m in my grave.”

The voice chuckled darkly. **You think you can play the hero forever? One day, you’ll slip, and when you do, she’ll see the truth. She’ll see the monster inside you—the one you’ve been hiding all these years.**

“Shut up,” Shin growled, his voice low but sharp. He slapped a hand over his mouth, realizing too late how loud he’d spoken. He pressed his ear to Talia’s door, listening carefully. Silence. She was still asleep.

Relieved, Shin headed to the living room and sat down at the small study table. He pulled out an old, worn journal with a blood-red reverse pentagram on the cover. Opening it to a fresh page, he picked up a pen and began to write.

"The voices still haunts me even today, that night will stay forever with me, I will never be able to forgive myself, the voices started to became faint but with these recent cases of abduction the voices are becoming stronger again, I hope the cases aren't related to them, even if they are the ones behind this I will protect Talia, saving her life and raising her with love is the only thing I can do to atone for the sin of being born."

After jotting down the entry, he put the journal away in a hidden compartment and stepped out onto the balcony. Removing his sunglasses, he turned his face toward the town, eyes closed, but somehow seeing everything clearly in the world he had been blinded.

He was lost in his thoughts but suddenly he felt something trickle down from his right eye he wiped it but it wasn't a tear it was thicker, a drop of blood.

"What the-"

Crack...A loud noise of something breaking came from the kitchen followed by screams of Talia.