emma ☆

He could already hear his wife saying "Roman, your home late again?" and his daughter pouting that he was gone the entire day.

He was struggling to find shelter, but to his surprise, he stumbled upon a whole town.

He noticed people were home judging by the lights that emitted from the inside.

He chuckled in disbelief before knocking on one of the doors, seeking temporary shelter.

A few seconds passed, and the door creaked open.

The moment it opened, the smell of dinner, and dessert wafted to the man’s nose.

His nostrils flared, and he looked down.

It was a little boy.

He looked up at the man, doe eyed.

He had blonde hair, and a blossoming face.

“Hello!” The little boy then took him inside.

Soon enough, he was invited to dinner with the Kurta Clan.

He has heard of them, but seeing them up close gave him an idea.

A lightbulb appeared above the man’s head when the little boy’s parents’ eyes gleamed a Scarlet red.

When it was time for bed, the little boys’ parents gave him a room to sleep in.

“How kind.” The man thought.

It was only about time when he slipped outside, and into the kitchen.

He took the kitchen knife stored in a drawer, and tiptoed to the parents’ room.

The floorboards creaked underneath his weight, and the thunderstorm crackled outside.

The purple streak of thunder glowed on the man’s face, and before the couple could take another breath in their sleep, they found their eyes dissected by the very man they took in.

The darkness enveloped the man’s mind, and he scooped their eyes, and put it away into a jar.

He was sure he could make a profit off them.

Their eyes could serve as interior decoration, or perhaps an ornament for Christmas trees.

As the man finished his business, he turned to the exit only to find the little boy’s bloody eyes—glaring daggers into his own.

The man would’ve never thought he’d see him again after a couple of years had passed.

Another rainstorm broke out in Yorknew City.

The weather reporter on the TV addressed the incoming storm, and the rainy season continuing until the 30th with the usual monotoned voice.

While the TV played in the corner of the ceiling, Roman was peacefully working in his office—finishing up piles, and piles of paperwork that he was assigned from the government. (Roman had connections from the government officials)

It was just another day of finishing up endless work for Roman.

What's new was when suddenly a thick rope of chains crept down from the ceiling, trapping Roman into tight bondage.

Roman gasped, his eyes widening at the new turn of events.

The pen he held fell in his hand had rolled down on the rugged floor.

Soon enough, Roman was taken into a dark room, strapped in a wooden chair, bound in chains.

He was duct taped in the mouth to prevent him from screaming for help.

He tried to flail his arms around, struggling against the chains that only tightened even further.

Tears were about to fall down his eyes when a flame flickered from a lighter.

Deep, Scarlet red eyes met his plain, brown orbs.

These red eyes were lucent in the darkness.

Their pupils were like waning full moons.

Roman had even caught a glimpse of their lashes coated in subtle tears too.

Roman held his breath when the flame suddenly went away.

"You are going to tell me where the eyes you stole from the Kurta clan are." The bearer of the Scarlet eyes demanded him.

Then the lights were flicked back on, and Roman was met with a boy around his 18-19 years.

He had shoulder-length blonde hair, and a determined, angry—enraged expression plastered on his face.

Then a disgusted, pitiful frown smeared across his lips before he reached down to roughly peel off the duct tape off of Roman's mouth.

A few hairs from his mustache were caught painfully on the sticky surface.

Roman squeaked, his eyes wide in total fear.

"Tell me!" He yelled, making the chains grip around his shoulders, squeezing his body tight into a claustrophobic cocoon.

Roman coughed, and choked from his merciless chains.

"Do you remember me?" The unknown boy’s voice wavered a little.

"Im, I'm not sure." Roman stammered, confused.

His eyes were only adjusting to the newfound light.

"What about the Scarlet Eyes you stole?!" His voice cracked.

Then at that breaking point, all the memories from the past came rushing back into Roman's mind like a strong gust of wind blowing into his face.

The sounds of the kitchen knife he held stabbing, and dissecting a couple's eyes from the Kurta Clan echoed in the back of his mind.

The feeling of slimy, blood-coated eyeballs he cupped in his palm, and shoved in a jar flashed in his head.

The look of the young boy with blonde hair, and bloody eyes gushed back into his chamber of memories.

"Im sorry." Was the only thing Roman managed to choke.

Kurapika's own eyes widened, and for a second, his red eyes turned back into a muted grey.

His tensed shoulders slumped, and the chains slithered away from Roman, leaving him stumbling off the chair.

Kurapika turned his head away from his oppressor, and sighed disappointingly.

Roman grunted, and tried sitting up.

He rubbed his injured head, and looked up at Kurapika.

The tables have turned.

The little boy who once looked up at the man with the bloodied knife that night was now looking down on him.

Kurapika's anger seemed to have subsided, but it was quickly replaced with a look of pity, guilt, and an indescribable feeling of emptiness.

Roman was weak compared to him.

He had no knowledge of the power of nen unlike the Phantom Troupe...

But he was still the man who took his parents' life.

Kurapika snarled, and chained up Roman once again—making sure he wouldn’t escape.

"Your weakness has no excuse for your horrible actions; I will never forgive you."

"And now you will tell me where the eyes are or you will be taken captive." Kurapika warned him.

A deathly gleam flickered in the bright of his red eyes.

He gritted his teeth, and clenched his fist around the chains.

"I'm sorry! I sold them off to a jewelry company for a collaboration..." Roman's voice grew into desperation.

Roman broke into tears when he suddenly thought of another despicable idea.

He wiped his tears then cleared his throat.

"You can take my daughter as a captive..." Roman suggested in a panicky tone.

Kurapika could only gasp at such a proposal.

He raised his hand, and slapped Roman across the cheek.

What a pathetic excuse for a father.

Blood drizzled from Roman's busted cheek.

He coughed up red, and he sniffled his snot.

He weeped, and wiped his tears and trickled snot away.

Kurapika threw Roman, and after being thrown to the floor by the familiar face, Roman tried to manage his breathing.

Coughing, he cried sputtered out; “Please take my daughter, not me." Roman attempted to get up and plead to Kurapika, but was quickly kicked down once again.

Roman cried out in pain, no longer trying to defend himself.

"Fine." Kurapika scoffed irritably, looking down at his mess.

"Give me your daughter, so you could feel the ache I felt when you took my parents away." Kurapika raised his voice at the word “my” before he then suddenly shot a chain with a cross charm into Roman's heart.

Roman yelped, and coughed even more painfully.

He gripped his chest where his heart was located, and cried harder.

"This is my Judgement Chain. It will pierce your heart, and kill you if you decide to deny or violate my issued command." Kurapika explained.

Roman couldn’t believe it.

“Give me back the eyes you stole, and your daughter in the airport by midnight."

"But if you don't, you will certainly die." Kurapika spat angrily.

Roman gasped, and panted in alarm.

He sulked, crying a big puddle on the floor.

And at that moment, Kurapika had disappeared into the shadows.

Roman couldn't get into all the trouble obtaining the eyes back, that much he knew.

He only had his daughter to give.

In your bedroom, reading romance novels, and whatnot, your father knocked on your door.

"Come in!" You teared your gaze from the lettered sheets to the exit.

The door creaked open, and Roman looked at you with a weird look.

You blinked.

You couldn't read his emotions, but something was telling you he had done something wrong.

A weary expression curled in his face as he explained the whole situation to you.

Your eyes widened at the revelation.

But, of course, as kind as you are, you agreed willingly.

You smiled, and patted your father's back.

“I’ll gladly take my dad's place."

And so it was settled.

You were dressed in another set of clothes (suitable for your new life as a prisoner 🥰😂🤍), and walked with your father to the airport before the clock struck midnight.

You walked inside, and when your father's eyes met Kurapika's...

Roman fell headfirst into the floor, dead.

He didn't bring the eyes.

No, not at all.

But he did bring you.

Then Kurapika’s eyes met yours,

unblinking, reddened furiously.

You couldn't believe your father just died from a beast.

🌹

Seeing your father lying on the floor, you felt a shock of terror run through your body.

Remembering the details your father had given you, you started to run away while also fumbling with your stubborn phone a few times before calling the police.

Tears started to pool in your eyes, and looking back caused a blur of colors to appear.

You could make out the colors of security guards, but the most prominent of all was Kurapika following behind you.

A calming melody played behind you, filling your mind with ease.

You stopped running, and even though tears still streaked down your face.

You turned around with your eyes squeezed closed, ready to face the beast—with bravery, and determination.

Opening your eyes, you were met with an unfamiliar face standing in front of Kurapika.

The stranger with a unique appearance started to talk. “Come with me.” she told you in a quiet tone. Even if it was such a short sentence, her voice relaxed you, which made you give in to their plan.

Kurapika glared at you.

The two of you skipped the basic introductions.

He already made up his mind about what your name was.

You were the monster’s daughter.

Arriving in a black car—sheen by rain, Kurapika entered the driver’s seat while the stranger sat in the back.

Assuming you take the passenger seat, you went around the car to enter.

Buckling up, you felt the tense atmosphere crushing down as the tranquility left you.

Awkward silence floated in the air; the only sound present were the tires screeching against the cement.

While you thought of it, you felt the anger that radiated from Kurapika’s body.

You fearfully took a peek at his hands that gripped at the steering wheel.

He was furious, it was clear.

You could read him like a book.

A sad, tiny frown curled in your lips.

You wondered how much pain he endured.

You weren’t sure what to do.

You felt your phone vibrate in your pocket.

Going to take it out to see who it was, Kurapika gave you a quick side eye to see what you were doing.

The screen displayed “Neon”, a friend who you knew because of your father's connections.

“How do you know Neon? “ He inquired suspiciously.

“She's my friend, I know her because my dad is co-workers with her dad.” You answered timidly, finger hovering over the ‘decline’ button.

“Answer the call, and put it on speaker.” Kurapika ordered, keeping his eyes on the road while occasionally glancing at your phone.

Hesitant, you press answer.

“Hey, it's been a while!” Neon cheerfully exclaimed. You could feel her smiling from the other side of the phone. “It's me, Neon! We haven't talked in foreverrr!” She chirped, dragging out the last part of her sentence.

“Hi…” You mumbled awkwardly. “... how have you been?” You questioned, trying to put a little more energy in your voice.

“I've been alright, but you know that auction? My dad won't let me go! He says ‘it's dangerous’,” Neon mocked his deep voice, “but I really wanna go! I literally begged him, but he still said no!” Neon rambled. You could hear her pouting through the speaker.

“Anyways, since he won't let me go, I was wondering if you wanted to have a sleepover! My father already said yes, so come over!” Neon urged you playfully.

“Uh…” You looked at Kurapika for confirmation. He shook his head ‘no’. Tentatively, you spoke out. “Well my schedule is kind of full. It's not a good time right-” You were cut off by Neon's squealing.

“Kurapika? Did I hear that right? Kurapika is with you? I didn't know you were dating Kurapika!” Neon gasped.

The lady in the backseat looked abashed, rubbing her neck awkwardly. It seemed like she had whispered Kurapika's name a little too loudly. Kurapika gave her a sharp side eye.

“No…?” You were a bad liar.

“I don't believe you!” Neon exclaimed in a teasing manner.

Kurapika shook his head in disbelief, “Yes, I'm here with her.” He sighed in defeat. “She can't go to your sleepover.”

“But why not!” Neon whined. “Pleaseee?” She groaned.

“No, she can't stay today.” Kurapika pinched his nose bridge in annoyance.

Neon got defensive. “If I'm not able to have a sleepover with her, I guess I'll just have to ask my dad to fire you.” She threatened him.

“Fine. She can stay.” Kurapika exasperated. You wondered if Kurapika was a bodyguard for Neon, since your last call with Neon ended with her telling you her dad was looking for bodyguards for her.

“Yay, thank you! I'll see you guys soon!” she optimistically said before promptly hanging up so no more argument could happen.

Kurapika took a hard turn, letting the Nostrade's family mansion come into view.