Revenge After Death

"Leo..." I rushed back to the garden and inquired Leo about Steven's whereabouts. But I didn't know sign language, so I could only gesture.

Leo appeared to have noticed my nervousness, so he pointed at the backyard. I took a deep breath, turned around, and dashed towards the backyard.

The backyard was vast and empty, yet Steven was still nowhere to be found. I had expected to find him in the basement, at that secret base, yet it was also empty. When I came out, I discovered Steven in the corner. He curled up next to the dog cage, cradling Stevie in his arms.

He appeared to be talking to Stevie, murmuring, "Stevie, she doesn't want me anymore..."

I approached him step by step until I was standing right in front of him. "So dirty."

Steven did not raise his head and continued to hold Stevie tightly, his voice trembling with choked sobs. "You don't want me anymore..."

I attempted to speak, yet no words escaped my lips.

"Steve, I'm exhausted," I whispered.

Steven glanced up at me with guilt in his eyes. "I'm sorry."

be

are you apologizing to

imprison you, should not hurt you, or tie you

me, hurt me, and tie me up?"

down and nodded in agreement. I fell silent, unsure of the extent to which his words held truth and which were

stood up and followed me. "Stephie, I'm afraid you'll

tell me the truth, I will leave you even faster. Let's watch the surveillance footage and find out who went to see the murderer who committed suicide by jumping off the building," I whispered as I

followed me closely, reaching out his hand and firmly gripping my wrist. "You go and take some rest. I'll search for it. Once I've found it, I will make a copy and show it

stopped. It would

need to solve." I glanced at him, yearning for him to abandon

said nothing, and I turned and

replied softly, "Everyone has their own secrets and things

were bloodshot, and I gazed back at him. "Are

"Stephie, the one I protect

averted my gaze, refusing to entertain his nonsense. Upon returning to the room, I lay

is the murderer...