Revenge After Death

As soon as I arrived home, I hurriedly got out of the car and dashed toward the basement.

Stevie had been incessantly barking in his cage, clearly sensing his owner's danger and restlessness.

My heart raced with panic as the wounds on my foot reopened, causing me to stumble down the stairs. Pain surged through my body, and tears welled up uncontrollably. Despite the pain, I limped toward the basement, consumed by fear.

If the basement was noisy, I wouldn't have been as worried because it would have meant Steven was still smashing things.

It was the silence that terrified me, remembering Joel's words about Steve's tendency to harm himself.

I didn't know why I was so anxious. It was as if there was a voice inside me urging me to save him, to go and rescue him...

With trembling hands, I gripped the doorknob and twisted the iron wires on the outside, pushing the door open.

As soon as I opened the door, the smell of blood filled the air, sending shivers down my spine.

Terrified, I stood at the doorway, taking in the sight of the room. Everything was smashed, with traces of blood splattered everywhere. It was evident that Steven had lost control. Steven lay on the couch, his fingers still dripping blood, appearing exhausted from the rampage.

He was hurting himself.

called his

open his eyes, and when he saw me,

a surge of strength, he pulled me into his arms, murmuring, "Stephie...

though it wasn't his fault, he always felt the need to

you wouldn't hurt yourself." My voice still

myself... " Steven lowered his head, acknowledging

his wrist; the wound on the back of his hand was still

removing Joel's jacket from my shoulders, and replacing

on my ankle, evidence of Bobby's assault. Luckily, a policewoman had given me a skirt on the way here, covering the

the bloodstains under my foot, he knelt on the ground, his

own doing." I held Steven's face up, forcing him to look at me. "Stephanie... she was hurt by the people

they had drugged Stephanie before, trying

touching my swollen cheek, his eyes filled with

drugs," Steven whispered. "Yasmin was the one who lured you over.

would I go along with her plans?"

those bastards have been using the same method

a deep breath,