Chapter 27

The 'warehouse' they mentioned was one of many locations where slaves were held under Redart's control.

Only one of its kind existed in a city, so the Capital’s warehouse was especially important—as well as large.

“The ‘Special’ place, right? We remember.”

Slaves were valued differently based on various factors.

Some slaves—like random beggars who were kidnapped in the streets—were common commodities that weren’t worth much.

Women were priced higher than men when it came to regular folks, since the pleasure that was associated with a female slave seemed to outweigh the labor that a male could provide.

Those who had special abilities—Skills or a useful Class—were valued even higher.

They were taken to the ‘Special’ area of the Warehouse, where only the best of commodities were kept.

“Seems you already know what to do. I’m off to take a shit. When I come back, we’ll get going.”

Everyone in the room knew what Gus was truly going to do in the restroom, but no one said anything.

They just watched him leave.

While Gus' back was turned, one of the men noticed a gleaming white ring on the floor.

It was the same man who had desired the waitress the most

He recognized the ring as the one that the lady called Alicia had worn when she entered the shop.

The same one that Billy had flung away in rage.

‘Hehehehehe…!’

It seemed luck hadn’t fully abandoned this man yet, considering how valuable the ring seemed to be.

While no one was looking, he yanked it from the ground and licked his lips in greed.

“I won’t be long, don’t worry!” Gus's voice echoed, making him tremble as he hastily pocketed the ring.

In a famous mental hospital known as The Haven, there was an old man with long white hair and long white beard sitting on a wheelchair facing the window and the light, staring into nothing in particular with his head bent abnormally.

The room was a small and simple space with white walls and a window that allows natural light to filter in. It is sparsely furnished, containing only a hospital bed with crisp white sheets, a small bedside table, and a reclining wheelchair where he sat alone.The room is quiet and still, with the only sound being the soft hum of medical equipment.

A click sound was heard and his door opened, followed by a female voice. “Mr. Blackwood, you have a visitor.” His nurse announced but he just remained the way he was since he was not in a position or mental state to reply.

“Thirty minutes, Mr. Blackwood. No more, no less.” The nurse told the visitor and allowed him entrance.

The visitor nodded and he entered the room toward where the old man was seated, half conscious.

The visitor was a striking eighteen-year-old guy with an athletic build. He has jet-black hair that falls in a messy style around his face, with a few unruly strands often falling into his bright green eyes.

He walked toward the window and stood in front of the old man, blocking the light. “So how are you doing – grandpa? Remember me? It's your one and only grandson Devon. Remember?” He said innocently.

But there was no response.

Devon sighed, his teeth gritted and he looked away, his gaze facing the white wall and at the same time, feeling something growing in him.

“It's my birthday today, grandpa. I'm eighteen already. Do you believe I get to live this long? No one does. Not even my own adoptive mother. She's always so scared when I do that all the time.” He said and looked back at his grandpa, his once innocent face turning hard and cold.

“You’re here, completely out of your mind. Failing to answer the questions so deep in my heart. Questions that only you could answer.” He kept talking, hoping deep down, he was listening.

“Why did you kill dad?” He asked, getting all emotional once again. “Why did you kill your one and only son? What came over you?” He questioned and a shaky breath escaped him. “And me too. You almost killed me. Almost.”

Still no response.

Devon tilted his head at his grandfather with furrowed brows. He just stayed there without even a blink of an eye.

Nine years ago, he remembered it like it was just yesterday. He was only nine when the Blackwood tragedy happened. It was a known case that blew the whole city.

As Devon Blackwood was the only one who survived.

“Hmm.” He monotonically said as he kept staring at his grandfather. “You – became something else. I know what I saw. I'm not a kid. I was not a kid. I was nine and I know what I saw. I know – yes I know what I saw.”

His body shook as his phone began ringing, causing him to revert his gaze away from his grandfather. He looked at the phone and saw it was his mother.

He sighed and answered, “Hello, mom.”

“Devon, where are you?!”

“Chill, mom. Why? Did Trevor spill the beans? That bastard!”

“Devon!” His mom called in a warning tone. “You know what? Leave where you are and come back home this instant! There's nothing there for you except that murderous psycho you call grandfather! Come back home now!”

Devon angrily cut the call and looked back at his grandfather. “You see – everyone sees you as a murderous psycho. You suddenly went on a rampage that destroyed my life even till the future to come. But here you are – lost in your own mentality.”

He walked further toward his grandfather so he could be face to face with him. “Look at me. LOOK AT ME!!” He yelled and grabbed his head in anger. “Why don't you just die?! If you're gonna be this useless, just die!!” Then he pushed the chair which rolled and hit the bed in the room.

The door opened and the nurse looked at the patient and at Devon with furrowed brows. “Is everything okay here?”

Devon blinked and nodded before looking at the nurse. “Yeah. I was just – having a moment with my – grandfather. I'm actually done with him. Time for me to leave.”

The nurse nodded and opened the door widely for him.

However, as Devon was about to walk away, a hand grabbed him causing his eyes to widen in shock. He looked at his grandfather whose eyes were suddenly on him in a scary manner.

“It's – in – you.” His voice came out huskily.

Devon frowned. “What?”

“The – dark – ness.”

Devon snatched his hand away with the frown still on his face. “What the hell are you yapping about?”

“Ho – me. Ho – me. Go.”

The nurse was intrigued and walked toward the old man. “Oh my God. We haven't been able to get him to talk. This is a miracle!”

Devon huffed and said, “Yeah, whatever. I've got a fucking life to live.”

Then he walked out.