Chapter 762:

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Dear god. That was terrifying.

Had some monster possessed him?

And what about Mum?

Oh no.

Was the monster eating her?

This was bad.

She had to tell Mickey.

He was cleverer, he’d know what to do about monsters.

Once she climbed back down the ladder, it took a good bit of pleading, bargaining, and outright nagging before Mickey finally agreed to come with her.

Together, they climbed back up and crept toward the bathroom.

Mickey didn’t believe in monsters, but the part about Dad having four legs did sound a bit suspicious.

𝗤𝗎аl𝗶𝗍у 𝘁𝗋аnѕl𝗮ti𝘰𝗻𝘴 о𝗇 𝘨𝗮lոove𝗹ѕ.𝖼o𝘮

Minnie, fearless as ever, opened the bathroom door again.

The movement inside stopped instantly, just like before.

The shower curtain stayed closed.

Minnie pointed underneath it and whispered, “Look, four legs.”

Mickey peered down where she was pointing, and nearly choked.

“Um… the front two legs are obviously Mum’s, you know.”

“What? Mum’s?” Minnie crouched to look more closely.

Sure enough, the two legs further in were thinner than the ones nearer the front.

“You’re right, they are Mum’s.”

“Get out!” Dad’s furious roar came from behind the curtain, so loud it made both of them jump.

Minnie tugged at Mickey’s sleeve. “You’re not scared of Dad, are you? You go!”

Mickey stared at the curtain, at the narrow space behind it, and then thought about those four legs.

A sudden, uncomfortable understanding dawned on him.

“Maybe we should leave.”

“Leave? Why? Aren’t you worried something’s wrong with them?”

“Um… not really,” he said, scratching his head, unsure how to explain what he half-suspected. “I think they’re fine. Physically, I mean.”

From behind the curtain, Mum’s weak voice came through. “Minnie, Mickey, could you two go out for a bit? Mum and Dad will be out soon.”

Her voice was faint, breathless.

Minnie frowned, worried. “Mum, are you sure you’re okay?”

“Do you ever listen?” Dad barked. “Get out. Now!”

Minnie had never heard her father shout like that. The sheer force of his voice frightened her. She grabbed Mickey’s hand, and they bolted from the room.

As she shut the door behind them, she thought she heard Mum’s voice again, soft and trembling. “Enough, you’re killing me. Let’s stop and go out.”

And Dad’s voice, rough and low: “You can’t be done already. I’m not finished yet.”

Minnie swallowed. She didn’t quite understand what they meant, but the way Dad sounded, so commanding, so fierce, it was as if he really was eating Mum alive.

Not long after the two kids went downstairs, the couple who hadn’t left their room for three days finally came out.

Mum looked pale, her steps unsteady. She sank straight into the sofa as soon as she reached the living room.

Dad, on the other hand, had a dark look on his face. He glared at the children the moment he came down.

Seeing how weak Mum looked, Minnie rushed to her side, undeterred by Dad’s mood. “Mum, are you alright?”

Mum smiled faintly and patted her head. “I’m fine, sweetheart.”

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