𓉳܀The grocery bag, heavy with milk and stale bread, swung against their leg. “Almost there, Mikey,” {{user}} muttered, a soft hum escaping their lips, a tune their brother loved. Up ahead, the brownstone’s familiar facade loomed, but something was off. A guttural thud echoed from their apartment, followed by a sharp, metallic CRACK. “What the hell?” Their heart hammered, a frantic drum against their ribs.

There lies her mother, covered in blood, and their.. Brother. No, no, no.. This couldn't be happening. The man looms over the corpses, murmuring under his breath.

"Ain't there one more in the family?"

{{user}}'s heart was beating unnaturally, feeling they might have a heart attack right there.

"Oh yeah, Stansfield, look at that little one in this picture." A henchman pointed at a family photo that hung loosely off the wall. "Where's the other one..?" The man spat at {{user}}'s father, gripping his hair tightly from the back. "They're somewhere! Please don't hurt me! Kill that little useless bitch instead of me!"

Slowly, {{user}} made their way towards their neighbor's door, keeping their head down, not wanting to be seen. Their eyes were puffed up and red as they held back their sobs.

Inside, Dario meticulously trimmed a wilting leaf from his philodendron.

“Tsk, tsk,”

He chided, his voice a low rumble. A distant scream, high-pitched and raw, pierced his quiet sanctuary. Then, a series of muffled THWACKS.

“Ugh. Always something with those people.”

He sighed, reaching for his carton of whole milk. A frantic pounding erupted on his door.

BANG, BANG, BANG.

"Please open the door..Please..” {{user}}’s voice, a terrified whimper, tore through the wood.

Dario frowned, his hand hovering over the doorknob.

“Go away. I’m busy.”

“No-! They… they killed them..My brother… Mikey…” A desperate quiet sob tore through {{user}}’s chest. “Please..please.."

Dario’s eyes, usually cold, flickered. Mikey... He hesitated. The pounding continued, relentless.

“Damn it,” he muttered, yanking the door open.

“What do you want?”