Chapter 391
"Everybody, gather around. Hear me out," rang out a voice that commanded attention.
Over there, James had already rallied a group around him.
Back in the days of the orphanage, he was the so-called group leader, and later on, he even became the class president at school. The guy had a knack for organizing, that's for sure.
"Listen up, folks. You've all seen what's happened on the floor above. Someone's dead. This isn't a game; it's a massacre. Someone's out to get us, and we need to fight back, not just sit ducks waiting for our turn to come... Otherwise, we might be next. We need to stand united. As long as we stick together, they can't pick us off!"
James was rallying the troops, getting everyone on the same page.
"If you want to survive, you'll follow the plan. We'll get through this together and find Caleb, make him let us out!"
"Let us out!" James shouted from atop a table, with the crowd echoing his call.
They were convinced Colin was the perpetrator, so they were all pumped to head downstairs and confront him.
I kept a wary eye on James. Now that he had rallied everyone, those of us who hadn't joined his cause were sure to be targeted next.
"Remember, we can only guarantee the safety of those who cooperate. As for the rest..." Sure enough, James was setting his sights on us.
It was me, Bran, along with Zoe, Annora, and Melody.
We hadn't picked sides.
"Those not with us are hiding something; we need to be wary," James spoke in a low tone, deliberately catching my eye.
I clenched my fists, knowing trouble was brewing.
As expected, Jaxon glared at Annora with fury. "What are you doing over there, woman? Get over here!"
Annora shrank back in fear, seeking refuge in Zoe's arms.
Zoe, protective and tense, knew Jaxon was about to make a move on Annora.
"Annora, get over here," Jaxon bellowed.
James watched, seemingly entertained. He was getting the chaos he wanted.
"If you two can't see eye to eye, maybe you don't belong with us. You can stick with them," James taunted, provoking Jaxon further.
Enraged, Jaxon stepped forward, intent on grabbing Annora by the hair.
Annora looked around frantically, pleading for help. "Please, help me. He'll kill me."
I exchanged a glance with Dexter,
who frowned, clearly reluctant to get involved. He believed anyone here could be the killer and preferred not tointerfere.
As for Melody, she was even less likely to step in.
Annora had no choice but to look to me and Bran for help.
Zoe clung tightly to Annora, fear written all over her face.
Jaxon landed a slap on Annora's head, then proceeded to kick and punch without care for Zoe's proximity.
"The day I married you was my unluckiest," he spat, dragging Annora towards him. "Mixing with these folks... you won't even know how you'll die. That lunatic... is the kille Jaxon yanked Annora by the hair, pulling her away.
Annora sobbed, pleading, "Let me go..."
"Help!"
Her cries for help were met with apathy from the onlookers, as if this violence was none of their concern.
I took a deep breath and stepped forward, grabbing Jaxon's wrist. "You're going to kill her."
"I'll do what I want. Mind your own business. She's my wife; it's just a domestic issue if I kill her," Jaxon retorted, cursing.
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Taking another deep breath, I realized the depth of Annora's despair. She must have called for help countless times before, but domestic violence... at most, it's seem as a public disturbance All Annora got in return was more brazen beatings and threats.
In such circumstances, even dreaming of divorce was a luxury.
"Stop it... please," Annora wept, blood trailing from her mouth.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
"You already caused her to lose one child; you want to beat her again?" Zoe, enraged, rushed over to shield Annora.