Chapter 4

Chapter 4

[1]

Children are innocent and often speak the truth without thinking.

Earlier, we indulged in a feast featuring a legendary fish from the Mesmerizing River, known for its mystical soul-expelling properties. This fish, despite its monstrous appearance with bulging eyes and sharp teeth, was considered a divine delicacy in this realm. Long-term consumption of it was rumored to fatten up one's bones, which led some characters in folklore to become incredibly gluttonous.

Domenic blinked in confusion, alternating his gaze between Lisette and me. "What pig slop? Didn't we just eat chicken, duck, and fish?"

I forced a smile. "Lisette has a very particular taste. The food we cherish doesn't suit her palate, so she often jokes that our meals taste like pig slop."

Finally, Domenic relaxed, offering a tentative smile to Lisette, who didn't bother to hide her distaste.

I frowned at Lisette. "Go back to your room and rest."

Lisette was reluctant. She had always been closest to me, having grown up attached to my side.

As we were in a standoff, a sleek black cat leaped down from the windowsill. Except for its bright orange eyes, the feline was as dark as midnight.

Lisette exclaimed with delight, "Dumpling! There you are!"

The black cat named Dumpling glided gracefully around us, sniffed Domenic intently, and then rubbed its head against my leg. After its inspection, Dumpling nestled into Lisette's arms, flicking its tail contentedly as she carried it back to her room.

In my absence, Dumpling was Lisette's constant companion.

But the next morning, Domenic's parents appeared with scratches on their faces, trying to conceal them, looking rather guilty.

When my parents asked about it, Domenic's parents sheepishly explained that they had accidentally stepped on the cat's tail while getting up during the night and received a lesson from Dumpling.

Skeptical, I reviewed the security footage. It showed the elderly couple getting up in the middle of the night to raid the fridge, nibbling on the leftovers. To avoid detection, they took only two bites from each dish.

I wasn't surprised; instead, I chuckled.

"Pig slop" indeed had its own irresistible charm. Once you taste it, you just can't stop.

[2]

Clint was enjoying his meal when he sensed something was amiss.

He turned just in time to see a shadow dart towards him, latching onto his face. Sharp claws dug into his skin, nearly tearing it apart.

Dumpling was a stray kitten Dad had found a few years back. Fiercely loyal to our family, it had the courage of any guard dog.

Kimberly grabbed a broom and charged, shouting, "Let go, you beast!"

Just as she was about to strike, Dumpling nimbly dodged, and the broom hit Clint's cheek instead. Seeing Clint in pain, Kimberly was horrified. Dumpling's eyes gleamed menacingly as it swiped at her with its claws...

During the day, Dumpling sprawled out on the sofa, licking its sharp claws, almost as if issuing a challenge. Clint glared at it with an intense hatred, wishing he could rid us of it. There seemed to be a profound enmity between Clint and Dumpling.

Lisette sat on the couch, absentmindedly grooming Dumpling with a massage comb while watching an old black-and-white cartoon. Domenic, fondly remembering the cartoon from his childhood, walked over, hoping to strike up a conversation with her.

Lisette shifted slightly, ignoring him.

Frustrated by her indifference, Domenic clenched his fists, hiding his anger.

The dining table was still covered with an array of meat dishes. The Elliott family's belts were growing tight as their stomachs swelled from the feast.

I watched them with satisfaction.

After seven days of carefully crafted meals, I could finally claim their souls.

"Domenic, I've been having terrible headaches lately and can't seem to focus. Do you think I'm not adjusting well, or could I be cursed?"

Hearing Domenic's concern, I froze.

Confusion, dizziness, and lethargy-these were telltale signs of a soul on the verge of departure.