Smith slowly walked out of the room, his every movement cautious and deliberate, as if the slightest sound could awaken the horrors lurking in the shadows. His senses were on high alert, straining to detect any lingering presence, any whisper of danger that might threaten him or the fragile sanctuary he had created for Emrys.

As he stepped into the dimly lit corridor, the reality of the tragedy that had unfolded hit him like a sledgehammer to the chest. His eyes fell upon the lifeless forms of Lance and Isabella, their bodies sprawled in an ugly picture of violence and despair. Blood adorned the walls like gruesome art, each crimson streak a stark reminder of the brutality that had shattered their peaceful existence.

A choked sob escaped Smith's lips as tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision with a veil of grief. The weight of loss bore down on him, crushing his spirit beneath its relentless burden. Lance and Isabella, his dear friends, and his chosen family, lay before him, robbed of life and love in a senseless act of brutality.

He knelt beside their lifeless forms, his trembling hands reaching out as if to touch them one last time, to erase the cruel reality and bring back the warmth of their presence. But all he felt was coldness, the chill of death that clung to their bodies like a haunting specter.

Tears streamed down Smith's cheeks, each drops a silent lament for the shattered innocence, the stolen moments of joy, and the dreams that lay broken at his feet. In that moment of raw anguish, he felt utterly alone, a solitary figure in a world that had turned dark and unforgiving.

The weight of grief pressed down upon him, threatening to suffocate him with its unbearable heaviness. He longed to scream, to rail against the cruelty of fate, but all that escaped his lips were choked sobs and whispered apologies to the lifeless forms before him.

Emrys' ears caught the sharp, gut-wrenching sound of Mr. Smith's anguish, a cry that pierced through the silence like a dagger. Curiosity mingled with dread, pulling him out of the safety of his room and into the harrowing reality that awaited him in the corridor. As he stepped into the dimly lit space, his heart clenched at the sight that unfolded before his young eyes.

The once serene corridor was now a canvas of despair, painted with streaks of blood and the shattered remnants of a life torn asunder. Emrys' breath caught in his throat, his steps faltering as he took in the devastating scene. His mind struggled to comprehend the brutality that had visited their humble sanctuary, leaving behind a trail of destruction and sorrow.

Confusion clouded his thoughts, his eyes wide with disbelief as he gazed upon the lifeless forms of two people he had known and loved. His trembling hands reached out involuntarily, as if seeking reassurance that this was all just a nightmare, a cruel trick of the mind. But the cold touch of reality shattered any lingering hopes of denial.

"Wh-what... no... who are these people?" Emrys' voice quivered with fear and disbelief, each word a struggle to articulate the horror that unfolded before him. His world, once filled with innocence and play, now crumbled around him, replaced by a haunting tableau of death and despair.

Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring the ghastly scene before him. The weight of loss pressed down on his young shoulders, threatening to crush him under its unbearable burden. He wanted to run, to escape this nightmare, but his trembling legs refused to obey.

Smith's gaze met Emrys', a silent apology and a plea for understanding reflected in his eyes. But Emrys' mind was a whirlwind of emotions, a storm of confusion, fear, and heartache. He struggled to make sense of the senseless, to find solace in a world suddenly devoid of warmth and safety.

In that moment, innocence was lost, replaced by a harsh reality that no child should ever have to face. Emrys stood there, trembling and alone, his heart breaking with each passing second as he grappled with the harsh truth of mortality and the fragility of life.

“I know this might be a lot… but they’re dead Emrys… your… parents…”. Smith said as tears ran through his sorrowful face.

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“This is all a part of the game… right?”

Emrys let out a hollow laugh, a feeble attempt to mask the overwhelming sorrow and disbelief that threatened to engulf him. His laughter held a tinge of desperation, a fragile facade to shield himself from the harsh reality of his parents' untimely demise. Deep down, he knew that laughter was a feeble defense against the crushing weight of grief that threatened to suffocate him.

Drawing a shaky breath, Emrys forced himself to push aside the painful truth, if only for a moment. Ignoring the stark evidence of tragedy that surrounded him, he clung to the fleeting comfort of denial, choosing to focus on trivial matters like the cake waiting for him on his birthday. It was a desperate attempt to grasp at normalcy in a world that had been shattered beyond repair.

His eyes drifted to the kitchen table, once a place of joy and celebration, now a haunting reminder of the chaos and destruction that had befallen their home. The remnants of a shattered cake lay scattered across the wooden floor, their vibrant colors stark against the muted tones of despair. The scene mirrored the anguish in Emrys' heart, a stark contrast between the innocence of childhood and the harshness of reality.

As he stood there, torn between denial and acceptance, Emrys felt a wave of sorrow wash over him. The laughter faded, replaced by a heavy silence that echoed the emptiness of loss. He longed for the simple joy of celebrating his birthday with his loving parents, but the cruel hand of fate had robbed him of that precious moment.

With a heavy heart, Emrys turned away from the shattered remnants of his birthday cake, the bitter taste of reality lingering on his tongue. The once cheerful room now felt suffocating, each corner a painful reminder of what he had lost. In that moment of quiet despair, Emrys realized that there was no escaping the harsh truth that his parents were gone, leaving behind a void that could never be filled.

Are they really… ‘dead’?

Emrys questioned.

Mr. Smith approached Emrys with a heavy heart, his steps weighed down by the immense sorrow that filled the air. As he reached out to Emrys, his arms enveloped the young boy in a tight embrace, a gesture of solace in the midst of overwhelming grief.

The embrace was more than just a physical gesture; it was a silent offering of support and understanding. Mr. Smith held Emrys close, as if trying to shield him from the harsh reality that surrounded them. His embrace was warm and reassuring, a fleeting moment of comfort in a world suddenly devoid of warmth and security.

With each heartbeat, Mr. Smith conveyed a silent message of empathy and compassion. His presence was a steady anchor amidst the turbulent storm of emotions that threatened to consume Emrys.

Emrys started to cry as he couldn’t understand the emotions he was feeling in his heart, body and mind. His tears fell to the ground as both of them hugged each other.

…

After a few agonizing minutes filled with tears and heartache, Mr. Smith composed himself enough to take action. With a heavy heart and trembling hands, he carried the lifeless bodies of Emrys' parents outside into the quiet embrace of the forest.

Emrys, still overwhelmed by shock and sorrow, remained indoors, unable to bear the sight of his parents' final journey. He sat on the floor, his eyes fixed on the flickering candle beside him, its soft glow casting shadows of memories on the walls.

As the flames outside consumed the remains of the ones he held dear, Emrys closed his eyes, allowing the warmth of the candle to wash over him. In the silence of that moment, he found himself engulfed in a whirlwind of memories.

Images of laughter and joy flashed through his mind, memories of playful moments with his parents that now felt like distant echoes of a happier time. He recalled the birthday celebrations, the shared meals, the bedtime stories – each memory etched in his heart like a bittersweet melody.

The candle's gentle flame danced in the darkness, casting a soft glow on Emrys' tear-streaked face. In the quiet solitude of the cabin, he allowed himself to immerse in the nostalgia, savoring every cherished moment he had with his parents.

The crackling of the flames outside mingled with the soft whispers of memories inside, creating a poignant symphony of love and loss.

Smith came into the cabin to sit beside Emrys for a while in silence.

They sat until the night ended, Smith fell asleep because he was an old man, however Emrys stayed awake with darkness under his eyes.

The new morning was a dark one. It had rain and storms that filled the sky. The sunlight was unseen and Emrys' heart…

was dead.