Like seeing a savior, the fat woman with a bloody nose and a bruised, swollen face clung to her man, crying and screaming, “Ethan Lane, help! Save us!”

She grabbed Ethan Lane’s arm, pointing at the bruises on her own face and shrieking, “William Carter is going to kill us! That damned bastard…”

“I remember, I already told you.”

Heavy footsteps sounded from the stairs as William Carter walked into the hall, holding a baseball bat he’d pulled from the wall.

Originally a decorative piece hanging on the wall, the bat still bore someone’s signature. After the frenzied William Carter yanked it down, it was quickly stained with blood—whose, from the couple, it was hard to tell.

Maybe both? Either way, William Carter wouldn’t care about such details.

Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, William Carter asked coldly, “Didn’t I tell you to get out?”

Looking at the trembling couple hiding behind Ethan Lane, his eyes showed a savage, undisguised ferocity. “Do I need to repeat myself?”

On the sofa, Ethan Lane turned to look at her tear-streaked ‘second aunt’ behind her, her young face still puzzled and indifferent.

Amid the couple’s pleas, she carefully pulled her arm free from the woman’s grip, said nothing, and lowered her head to continue eating dinner.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

On the TV, the midnight horror movie seemed to reach its climax. The disheveled woman on screen let out a breakdown scream in front of countless writhing snakes and bugs.

And that scream finally broke the last line of defense in their hearts.

With William Carter closing in, they screamed and ran out of the hall, disappearing into the night outside the door.

With a ‘clang’, William Carter tossed the bat to the floor and winked at the little girl on the sofa. “All done.”

Seeing his expression, Ethan Lane couldn’t help but burst out laughing, even her ponytail swaying gently behind her.

For the first time since her uncle and aunt passed away, William Carter saw a smile on her face.

As if she’d seen something funny, Ethan Lane hugged the still-warm family bucket, laughing so hard she bent over, almost unable to breathe.

Then, at some point, her laughter turned into faint sobs, tears tracing down her cheeks and dripping onto William Carter’s hand.

Gently wiping away her tears, William Carter hugged Ethan Lane’s trembling shoulders tightly, whispering, “It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m here, don’t be afraid.”

In William Carter’s arms, Ethan Lane choked out, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

“There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

William Carter shook his head gently, patting her back. Suddenly, he paused, surprised, and asked, “Ethan Lane, you didn’t really eat my share, did you?”

Shaking her head hard, Ethan Lane sobbed softly in his arms, “I won’t trouble you anymore, I’m sorry…”

“What are you saying, kid?”

William Carter laughed. “Isn’t that what family is for, to trouble each other? I’ve troubled you for three years, so if you trouble me for a day or two, it’s no big deal.”

After a long while, Ethan Lane finally stopped crying. She timidly raised her head in his arms, her eyes red. “Really?”

David Carter sighed helplessly. “Have I ever lied to you?”

She nodded seriously. “Yes, many times.”

“Uh… let’s not talk about that. Let’s eat, let’s eat!”

William Carter laughed a little awkwardly, turned, and picked up the family bucket from the sofa.

He examined it seriously for a moment, then sighed helplessly. “This isn’t nearly enough.”

Ethan Lane wiped the tears from her face, climbed off the sofa, put on her shoes, and sniffled as she asked, “I remember there’s still some rice in the fridge. I’ll heat it up. Do you want some porridge?”

Seeing her serious expression, William Carter smiled and nodded. “Give me more, I’m really hungry.”

Though her eyes were still a little red, Ethan Lane seemed much more at ease, as if a weight had been lifted.

With a serious face, she said, “Then you have to finish it all. I don’t like seeing leftovers when I cook.”

“Okay.”

……

Leaning wearily on the sofa, William Carter watched the busy figure in the kitchen and couldn’t help but smile softly.

After resting for a bit, he fished a phone out of his pants pocket—a Nokia ‘brick’.

Even though smartphones were everywhere now, William Carter’s phone was still one of those old blue-and-black screen models, only good for calls and texts.

He found a number in the phone book by the TV, dialed it, and listened in silence to the ringing.

Soon, the call connected, and a sleepy voice answered, “Hello? Who is it? I have patrol tomorrow, so make it quick.”

“Is this Brother Olivia Smith?” William Carter glanced at the busy figure in the kitchen and spoke quietly, “It’s William Carter.”

The policeman on the other end seemed half-asleep, thinking for a long time before remembering, “William Carter… Oh, I remember now, the kid from Dr. Lane’s family!”

“Yeah, that’s me.” William Carter nodded and said softly, “Here’s the thing, today I…”