The warm sunlight streaming through the window highlighted q a gentle smile on Thornes' face as he expertly flipped pancakes on the griddle. The sweet aroma wafting from the kitchen tantalized Sander's taste buds, making his stomach growl with anticipation.
"Hey, kiddo! Finally up, eh?" Thornes asked, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Sander rubbed the sleep from his eyes, his messy brown hair sticking up in every direction. "Hey, Thornes, thanks for making breakfast."
As Thornes chuckled. "Anytime, kid. Now, what's on your mind? You've got that look again."
Sander hesitated, his eyes searching for the right words. "I just wanted to ask, why do you care about me so much? We're not even related."
Thornes' expression softened, and he set the spatula down. "You're my family, Sander. We may not share blood, but you're like a little brother to me. I'd do anything to take care of you."
Sander's face flushed with emotion. "Thanks, Thornes. that means a lot coming from you."
Thornes smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Now, how about some pancakes? You're going to need fuel for your day."
Sander grinned, and the two shared a warm moment before Sander asked, "Can I go play with my friends after breakfast?"
Thornes nodded. "Go have fun, kiddo. Just be back for dinner."
Sander wolfed down his pancakes, then rushed out the door to meet his friends. As he walked by, he noticed a figure watching him from across the street – a man with a hooded cloak,
It's like his face was covered in utter darkness, his face was completely dark.. Then Sander felt a shiver run down his spine, but he pushed the feeling aside and continued on his way.
***
Twenty minutes later, Sander joined his friends in the town square. They were playing a lively game of tag , laughing and shouting as they chased each other.
"Hey, Sander! Join the game!" Liam called out, grinning.
Sander grinned back. "I'm the oldest one here, so you guys are going down!"
Lucas snorted. "Oh yeah? I'm way faster than you, Sander!"
The game intensified, with Sander and his friends running and laughing together. But as the sun began to set, Sander knew it was time to head back home.
***
"Im home-"
His mood was ruined as he saw..
Thornes' body laying on the ground, his face was in total shock as he saw Thornes the one that took care of him at birth was dead,
A figure was eating Thornes body like it was his meal, his hood fell as sander saw his face.. a crazy demonic creature that was out of this world
Sander's body trembled in fear, He stumbled forward, his eyes fixed on Thornes' lifeless body. The figure turned to face him,
His face showing a disgustingly monstrous and ravagous face,
its eyes glowing with an otherworldly red energy, then the monster decided to walk past sander.
sander tried to hit the figure, not so long until the figure vanished into thin air.
Sander's breath hitched in his throat.
Each inhale brought the metallic tang of blood, each exhale a silent sob he couldn't quite suppress.
The image of Thornes' vacant eyes flashed behind his eyelids, a horrifying slideshow he couldn't turn off.
The laughter from the town square, just hours ago, now echoed in his ears like a cruel mockery.
Then he heard the sounds of approaching footsteps echoing through the street, growing louder within each passing moment
Sander's mind reeled as he stared at Thornes' body. He felt a hand on his shoulder, spinning him around to face a group of armored soldiers.
"You're under arrest murderer." one of the soldiers growled. "For the murder of this man, and for being a Jagan.."
Sander's eyes widened in shock. "No... it wasn't me! it wasn't me!"
"Don't try to justify your actions, you murderous Jagan, you will be executed by tomorrow ."
As the government soldiers dragged Sander away, he caught a glimpse of the demonic creature watching him from the shadows. The figure's eyes seemed to bore into Sander's soul, filling him with a sense of dread and foreboding.
Sander in his mind responded to this with a mind full of revenges and hate.
"I'll kill you, I'll pull your body limb by limb, when I find you, tear your demonic beastly face that killed my only family.. I'll do anything, to wipe your ugly face off.."
Sanders' face was in utter despair looking at the creature, with utter hatred.
The soldiers pulled Sander through the crowded streets, his feet stumbling to keep up. People pointed and stared, their faces filled with a mix of curiosity and condemnation.
A young boy, no more than ten years old, his name "Liam" tugged on his mother's hand. "Mom, that's the kid I was playing with..." he said, his voice filled with concern.
The mother's expression turned stern. "Honey, why were you playing with a criminal?"
The boy looked up at her, his eyes wide with conviction. "Deep down, I know he didn't do it. He's a great, kind guy..."
The mother's voice was firm, but laced with a hint of uncertainty. "If the government soldiers arrested him, then it means he's already a bad person. People like him, honey, should not live."
The boy looked down, his voice barely above a whisper. "But-"
The mother's grip on his hand tightened. "You shouldn't grow up to be like him.
Liam responded with a sad tone..
"Alright, mom..."
As Sander was pulled further away, the crowd's murmurs grew fainter. He saw people in the cells. There were stealers, murderers, gamblers and people who've done sins, none of them were anything like sander.
Until sander was thrown into his cell, The cell was dimly lit, the air thick with the stench of mold and decay.
Sander's eyes adjusted slowly, taking in the figures huddled in the shadows.
A man with a short, brown hair looked up from his corner of the cell. His eyes narrowed as he took in Sander's youthful appearance. "You look awfully young to be in here, kid. What'd you do?"
Sander didn't respond, his eyes fixed on the stone floor.
The man's expression turned thoughtful. "Not saying anything, huh? That's alright. At least tell me your name."
Sander's voice was barely above a whisper. "Sander."
The man nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Oh, quite a unique name, huh? My name is Son Elrick, but you can just call me Rick if you'd like."
Sander's gaze flickered up, his eyes meeting Rick's. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken questions.
Rick broke the silence, his voice low and even. "Are you getting executed tomorrow?"
Sander's expression remained neutral, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of fear.
Rick nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, man, if you don't wanna talk, then suit yourself."
The two sat in silence, the darkness closing in around them like a shroud.
Then tomorrow was finally today
Sander ropes around his hands the public finally seeing an execution he saw twenty people looking at him all of them screaming…
"KILL THE JAGAN!" repeatedly over and over again…
All of them had to choose between a 1st degree murderer or a so-called young "jagan", but they chose the "jagan" criminal that is yet to grow a lot more older
**
"I hate you people.."
**
Sander said hating them, a glimpse of the demonic monster came in his image, Despair and hatred were the only things that came to mind..