Chapter 6 - The Silver Blade
Julian froze, the breath catching in his throat as he stared down at his two-year-old son holding the heavy silver carving knife with terrifying steadiness. The festive sounds of the wedding reception continued unabated behind the boy, a surreal soundtrack of laughter, clinking glasses, and cheerful chatter that clashed violently with the frozen tableau in the doorway.
"Leo," Julian said, his voice dropping an octave into a low, trembling command that Clara had never heard before. "Drop the knife right now. Drop it."
The toddler didn't blink. His dark eyes, usually so soft and childlike, looked ancient, cold, and utterly devoid of fear. He tilted his head slightly, mimicking a gesture Clara had seen Julian make a dozen times when deep in thought.
"She told me to bring it to you, Daddy," Leo said, his voice carrying an eerie, resonant echo that didn't belong to a toddler. "She said you forgot to finish what you started."
Clara stepped back, her heel catching on the edge of the cream-colored invitation still lying on the floor. She grabbed the doorframe to steady herself, her eyes darting between her new husband and the small child blocking their exit. Every instinct she possessed screamed at her to run, to scream for the guests, to tear off her heavy lace veil and flee into the night. But her legs felt like lead.
"Julian," Clara whispered, the panic clawing at her throat. "What is he talking about? Who is 'she'?"
Julian didn't answer. He slowly reached into his suit jacket, his fingers sliding beneath the silk lining with agonizing slowness. Clara watched in mounting horror as he withdrew a small, black-handled revolver, the metallic finish catching the dim hallway light.
"Julian, no!" Clara screamed, lunging forward to grab his arm. "He’s just a baby! What are you doing?"
May you like
Before Clara could reach him, the banquet hall lights suddenly flickered and died, plunging the entire estate into total, suffocating darkness, followed immediately by the terrifying sound of a woman’s cold, mocking laughter echoing from the rafters above them.
---
