Episode 4 – The First Lesson

LILYPIE: NIGHT IN THE CITY

Night falls fast here at the house on the hill.

Right after the evening prayers, the sky turned pitch black. The only light came from the half-moon hanging above and the faint blue glow radiating from the fireplace — serving as the main illumination throughout Henry’s home.

“Stand up,” Henry said, his voice low and serious.

I stood before him in the living room, the cool wooden floor touching my bare feet. He had changed into long-sleeved black clothing, and tied his hair loosely back from his face. He looked like a retired soldier who may have left the battlefield, yet still remained sharp, alert and battle-ready.

“Are you truly determined to learn?” he asked once again, as if giving me one last chance to back out and change my mind.

I lifted my chin, holding my head high. “Do you really think I came all the way here just to be another pretty decoration in this velvet-filled house?”

A thin, faint smile appeared on his lips. Then suddenly, he tossed something straight toward me.

I caught it quickly — a small knife, heavy and icy cold to the touch. This was no ordinary kitchen tool. Etched into its surface were intricate carvings, stained with traces of dried old blood.

“Do not tremble or shake your hand. If you drop this, your own legs will be the ones paying the price.”

I stared down at the blade, then raised my eyes to look at him. “Are you out of your mind, giving me something this dangerous on my very first day?”

“You said you no longer wish to be a helpless victim,” he replied firmly. “So hold it properly, and hold it well.”

The training began with the most basic and seemingly trivial things — learning how to stand correctly, how to grip the knife without accidentally cutting myself, and how to listen closely to even the faintest sound of footsteps against the wooden floorboards.

Henry was strict and fierce as an instructor. Every time I leaned slightly or shifted out of position, he would smack the back of my knees with a thick heavy book.

“Fix your posture immediately. Do you plan on dying while looking stylish and graceful?”

I almost cursed out of frustration, but managed to hold my tongue and endure it. Because strangely, every time he corrected my stance or guided my movements, I felt… safe. Like there was finally someone who genuinely wanted me to survive and stay alive.

Just as I was beginning to focus and get into the rhythm, the sharp sound of shattering glass rang out from outside.

Both of us fell completely silent instantly.

Henry raised a hand, signalling me to stay quiet and still. He walked toward the window, pulling the heavy curtain aside just enough to peek through. His red eyes glowed brightly in the darkness, sharp and watchful.

“Three men,” he whispered softly. “I can smell them — they are not part of my group.”

My blood ran cold and my heart tightened. Could these be the same people who came for me that night back in my apartment?

Henry turned around to face me, his expression grave and urgent. “Listen carefully. Go into your room, lock the door from the inside, and do not come out no matter what sounds or noises you hear, no matter what you think is happening.”

“What? No way! You promised to teach me how to fight and defend myself!” I protested immediately.

“You are not ready yet,” he cut me off sharply. “These are no ordinary humans, Lilypie. Even a single scratch from their claws will change you forever — you will never be yourself again.”

I tried to argue further, but looking at him, I realised his appearance had shifted. His face was half human, half something wild and beast-like. His breathing grew heavy and ragged, and an intense, terrifying aura radiated from him.

I understood clearly now — this was not the Henry who had brought me warm toast this morning. This was the same Henry who had snapped a thick baseball bat into pieces with nothing but his bare hands.

I ran into the room and locked the door tight behind me, my heart pounding so hard it felt as though it might burst right out of my chest.

From outside, rough, deep voices echoed clearly through the walls.

“Come out, Gurney. Our leader wishes to see you.”

Henry did not answer. The only sound I heard was the scraping noise of a wooden chair being dragged across the floor.

“You think you can hide that girl forever?” a second voice spoke, even harsher and more menacing than the first. “Her blood carries such a sweet, fragrant scent, Boss. We could smell it all the way from the city.”

I gripped the small knife tightly in my hands, my palms becoming damp and slippery with nervous sweat.

Suddenly, the sound of violence erupted — furniture being overturned, glass shattering, and loud, pained screams filling the air.

My instinct screamed at me to open the door and rush out to help him, but I remembered Henry’s warning clearly: “If you scream or cause trouble, I will throw you straight out of this house.”

I swallowed my fear and bit my lip hard enough to draw blood, forcing myself to stay silent and still.

What felt like five long, agonising hours was actually only five minutes before everything fell quiet again.

There was a soft knock on my door.

“Lilypie. Open up.”

It was Henry’s voice, but rough and hoarse, sounding as though he had just fought a brutal battle against ten enemies all by himself.

I unlocked and opened the door slowly.

Henry stood before me. His clothes were torn and ragged, and a long fresh cut ran along his arm. Yet, there was a satisfied, triumphant smile on his face.

“All settled,” he said briefly.

I peeked past him into the living area. Three bodies lay motionless on the floor, their eyes empty and lifeless, skin pale and colourless like thin paper. They were neither human, nor did they look like Henry.

“What… what exactly are those things?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“Hunters,” he answered plainly. “People hired and paid to kill beings like me. And anyone I choose to protect — including young ones like you.”

I looked at him, noticing blood slowly dripping from his wound onto the wooden floor. This time, fear truly crept into my heart. I quickly grabbed a clean cloth, stepped closer, and began gently wiping away the blood just as I had done the very first night we met.

He did not flinch or pull away this time. Instead, he stood still and let me tend to his injury quietly.

“You are such a stubborn girl,” he murmured softly.

“You are just as stubborn yourself,” I replied in return.

We stood facing each other in the dim light, the blue glow from the fireplace flickering gently around us. But this time, a faint warm golden light seemed to shine beside him too — that familiar glow, slowly growing brighter and stronger.

Henry took a long, deep breath, letting the tension leave his body. “Today’s training ends here.”

“Did I pass the lesson?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood with a little joke to stop my hands from shaking.

For the first time that day, a genuine, warm smile spread across his face.

“You didn’t run away. That alone means you have passed.”

That night, I chose to sleep on the sofa in the living room, not wanting to be far away. Henry sat in his usual chair nearby, keeping watch, the knife resting in his hand, his eyes wide open and alert, refusing to close even for a moment’s rest.

Just before I drifted off into sleep, I heard him whisper so quietly I almost missed it:

“This time, I swear… I will never let anyone take you away from me, Lilypie.”

And for the first time since that terrifying night in my small apartment, I felt certain that the darkness lurking out there could no longer reach or hurt me.

Because within this house, there was a light shining bright enough to keep all shadows away.

[To be continued]

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