Page 96 of Scornful

The joy on my sister's face is beautiful and heartbreaking.

Young love in the middle of all this chaos.

As they prepare to leave, I notice the brothers starting to gather subtly.

Dad, Emil, Oskar, Tor, and Geirolf exchange looks, like they’re getting ready to head out for the night.

The party continues around them, but I see the shift—from family men to hunters.

The night goes on, kids crashing from sugar highs, movies playing on the big screen.

Perfect cover for what's about to happen.

I watch as the men prepare, each man checking weapons discreetly, focusing on the battle they’re about to bring to the Patriot and his men, and this Marcus fellow.

I find Geirolf in our room, strapping on weapons.

His movements come second nature to him, sliding a knife in his boot, checking the gun at his hip, and he puts another under his arm.

I don’t know what it is, but him strapping up with all of these weapons changes him.

He’s no longer the gentle man I saw with the kids. Now he’s a predator, a monster the club summons whenever we’re being attacked.

"So, you’ll bring that guy to the basement?" I ask quietly.

He nods, checking his gun's chamber. "Yep, straight there after we’re done."

"And then?"

"Then we get answers." His eyes meet mine. "About the explosion. About their plans. About everything."

I cross to him, straightening his cut.

The leather is worn soft from years of wear, the patches telling the story of his time in the club.

"Give me something to come back to," he murmurs, echoing my earlier words.

I kiss him deeply, pouring everything into it—love, fear, even praying to the Gods he’ll come back to me safe and sound.

I follow him to the main room, watching as the hunting party gathers.

Dad, my brothers, Tor, Geirolf—they all head out, saying goodbye to their women if they have any, and disappear into the night.

As soon as they’re gone I notice the children sleeping peacefully whileHocus Pocusplays on the TV, sleeping in piles like puppies.

This is our life, has always been our life, but seeing it like this is making anxiety coil in my gut.

The kids had their Halloween magic, complete with candy and costumes and games, but I know what real darkness waits outside our walls, and it unsettles me.

Tonight, my family will drag one of those monsters into our basement.

And by morning, we'll have answers—or we'll have another body to dispose of.

And I'm okay with that.

Because this is who we are. Who I am now. And when Geirolf comes back with blood on his knuckles and the answers the club needs, I'll be waiting for him with open arms.

Just like the woman I've become, just like a true ol’ lady should.

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