A Demon's Tale

Owls and crickets filled the dark sky with sounds of their own as time continued to pass.

There was not a single being that interrupted the oddly harmonic song created between the two.

None had interfered.

…Except for one.

Within the song of dusk, was a hidden trace of an extra sound altogether.

At a specific location, at that specific moment, a being joined in with the two.

The slightest sounds of snickering could be heard within the rhythm.

The reason as to why this had occurred remained unknown to the other beings.

All that was known…was that this addition enjoyed the beautiful night.

△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼

In the large bedroom of a luxurious castle was a beautiful woman by her lonesome. With a glass of water in hand, the woman proceeded to slip a pill into her mouth before anxiously drinking from her glass.

Unbeknownst to her however, was that there had been one other person who had peeked into the room, and had now decided to enter.

???: [Are you sick, Mama?]

Yoro: [AH! Ghk….Kah…]

Shocked by the stealthy response that slithered into the room, Yoro began to choke as she turned to face the door. Regaining both her strength and her composure, she gazed at the small individual.

Yoro: [Vari! You've finally come out for the night! Well I guess I did hear about your encounter with Shiro earlier…but still. Your Mommy is alright, dear. This is just a pill to help her!]

Walking up to the bed, the little girl dressed in black sat beside her smiling mother.

Varius: [A pill to help? For sickness?]

Yoro: [No, no. Varius, I promise you. Your Mommy is just fine! This pill does something different than fighting off sickness.]

Varius: [What does it do?]

Yoro: [It's a pill that makes siblings for a little sweet girl named Varius!]

Varius: [Wow! It can do that?!]

Yoro: [Yup! It's like magic!]

Varius: [Cool! Papa should take that pill too and then I can have double!]

Nervously scratching her head, Yoro found herself stuck on how to explain things to the explosively excited child.

Yoro: [Well…I'm not sure he could take it. It…It's a special magic for women only!]

Varius: [Oooooh. Papa can't take that then.]

Yoro: [Exactly! You should also keep it a secret from him. It’s another birthday gift.]

Nodding in agreement, Varius moved her fingers across her mouth as if zipping it closed.

Yoro continued to smile at her daughter for several seconds before speaking once more.

Yoro: [Did you like meeting Auntie Shiro?]

Varius turned her head away, as if shy to provide a response to her mother.

Varius: [...I like her. She’s nice.]

Yoro: [She’s just what you expected her to be like, right?]

Varius: [...Yeah.]

Following her quiet response, Varius turned to look at her mother’s crimson eyes.

Varius: [...Can she come over again?]

Yoro’s eyes began to widen in surprise and a giggle was quickly released after she accepted what Varius had to say.

Yoro: [Of course! However, I have one condition. If she comes over, then Auntie Kōkatsu will come over as well. I want you to introduce yourself to both of them.]

Varius: [...]

Varius had started to fiddle with her fingers with her eyes glued onto them.

Yoro: [I know it’s hard, sweetie, but you need to build your confidence. Those two are incredibly nice, Kōkatsu especially. She’d sooner hug you to death than hurt you.]

Varius: [I don’t wanna die!]

At the sight of the panicking daughter, the mother had begun to panic in tandem.

Yoro: [Ah–Well, it’s just an expression! She won’t actually do that! All I’m saying is, the love your mother gives, Kōkatsu would probably give as well. I’ve always told you about how she used to play with you when you were only a few months old, haven’t I?]

Varius: [...Yeah. Ok! I accept!]

Yoro: [Eh? Just like that?!]

Varius: [Mhm! I’ll say hi to Auntie Shiro and Auntie Kōkatsu all by myself!]

Delighted by the words she had heard, Yoro’s face began to light up in joy.

Yoro: [Wonderful! I’ll be sure to let them know then! Oh, and Shiro will have a surprise for you when she does. She seems to have thought of a good strategy to get you out of your shell.]

Varius: [What is it?]

Yoro: [Ah, ah, ah. It’s a secret for now. You’ll see when she comes over.]

Waving her finger in Varius’ face with one eye closed, Yoro provided her reasoning as to why she would not speak of the details.

In response to this, Varius began to pout her cheeks toward her mother in frustration. This resulted in the opposite effect that she had hoped for, as Yoro began to laugh again.

Yoro: [Could you do me a favor, sweetie?]

Varius: [...Mmmm…]

Yoro: [I promise you’ll see what I’m referring to soon! Could I please get your assistance for just this small task, Vari?]

Varius: [...Ok.]

Yoro: [Could you check in on your father? I’d just like to know if he’s ready for bed yet.]

Varius: [Okie dokie! I’ll go check on Papa!]

Yoro: [That’s my girl! Thank you, sweetie!]

Making a dignified dash out the door, Varius charged to find her father within the large castle.

Through the start of their conversation all the way to the present, Yoro continued to smile at her daughter.

Yoro: [I feel honored to be the one to give birth to you, Varius.]

Looking down at her own body, Yoro started to caress her stomach as she pondered more on what she had spoken of.

Yoro: [A brother or a sister. Which would she prefer?]

△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼

Within one of many living rooms of the castle was a man clad in black. Focused on the task at hand, he continued to clean off the room after a long night of celebrating. Whilst he adjusted items within the room, a small girl walked into the room.

Detecting the girl before she could speak, the man turned around and spoke to her.

Nero: [Vari, are you alright?]

Varius: [Mhm. Mama wants to know if you’re going to bed soon.]

Nero: [Ah, I see. She’s waiting for me. I suppose I should not waste time then. The two of us must get our rest after all. As should you, Vari.]

Varius: [Nuh-uh! I’m strong and I can stay awake forever!]

Seeing his expressive daughter’s response, the man closed his eyes and smiled. He moved over to one of many couches, sitting down on one of the cushions, and tapped the one beside him while facing her.

The girl rushed over and sat beside her father. She proceeded to give a small hug around him as she flattened her cheek onto his chest. Looking down at his daughter, the man began to gently stroke her hair.

Nero: [If you’d like to, we can go fishing tomorrow before I need to focus on my duties. Does that sound fun for you?]

Varius: [Yeah. I wanna catch a big fish this time.]

Nero: [Then I’ll make sure it’s the biggest fish that you can ever catch!]

Twirling his fingers around her black locks of hair and gently rubbing his thumb along the red tips, Nero kept his focus on his daughter’s hair.

Nero: [Are you happy with it?]

Varius: [Hm?]

Nero: [Your hair, I mean. You often request haircuts from your mother every so often. If you would also like to do something special with it, you should let us know. We’ll provide you with exactly what you need.]

Varius: [I like my hair right now. It’s like Mama and Papa’s together.]

Nero: [Hm. I see, I see. Well, let us know when you need one. Your mother would be happy to help.]

The room went silent as both observed the space around them. Another question however broke that very silence.

Nero: [How is school?]

Varius: [Okay I guess…No one talks to me that much.]

Nero: [Hm. I suppose I experienced that when I was your age as well. Don’t worry, you’ll find your place in the world eventually.]

Varius: [My future friends will be super cool just like me! They’ll shoot beams and breathe fire!]

Nero: [Your future friends sound fun. Will you perhaps let me meet them one day?]

Varius: [Yeah! Papa will meet my cool friends without a doubt!]

The girl excitedly cheered towards her father’s face above her. Gripping tighter on her hug, she began to smile with her eyes shut as she continued to rest on him.

Nero: [Are you tired from today?]

Varius: [A little, but I’m too not sleepy to sleep. Mama told me that Auntie Shiro is gonna come back soon, and I’m excited!]

Nero: [Oh? So you heard then? Yes, she mentioned that she wanted to come back and see not only us, but you as well.]

Varius: [I want Auntie Shiro to teach me how to fight…Papa never teaches me that…]

Nero lowered his head as a wave of sadness washed over him. He knew exactly why he could not teacher her anything

Nero: [I’m sorry, Varius. I sadly cannot do so, and likely never will be able to. I’m sure Shiro would not mind teaching you, or even Kōkatsu for that matter, but you’ll need to be nice towards them when that time comes.]

Varius: [I’ll be super nice next time…and then I’ll say hi…to Auntie…]

Nero: [I believe it’s time for bed, sweetie.]

Varius: [Noooooo….Five more….minutes…]

Seeing his daughter slowly fall asleep, Nero pondered a question whilst viewing the resting child. It was a question a parent did not need a truthful answer to, nor should one feel the need to ask at any point. However, it was the only one in existence that many had asked, no matter the time of day or the place, regardless of the response. One that Nero and Yoro had asked her every day, no matter how much time passed or where she had been.

As Varius drifted off, Nero spoke his question to her.

Nero: [Varius, do you love your Mama and Papa?]

Varius: [I love…Papa and Mama…a bunch…]

Nero: [Hm. Good to know. Perhaps we shall get ice cream tomorrow as well. How does that sound?]

Varius: [Mmmmmmm….Hnnnngghhhhh….Ppbbwww….]

Nero smiled as small mumbles and snores were produced from Varius’ mouth. He picked up his daughter and allowed her to rest on his arms as he brought her to bed.

Traversing the large castle, he eventually reached her room. A place that had been blasted with pink along the walls while multiple teddy bears of the same color surrounded her bed and the floor below.

Tightening his grip ever so slightly as to keep her held while also not harming her, he used a now free arm to uncover the bed. Gently placing her down, he adjusted her hair, kissed her forehead, and brought the blankets back up to her shoulders.

Exiting the room, he prepared to go meet with his wife as requested. He roamed around the castle for one last clean up, turning off the lights as he went, before reaching the last hall. The hall leading to the door labeled with the number one, where Yoro currently resided.

As he turned off the hall light and began to move, a knock occurred at the front door. Hearing this, Nero quietly spoke down the hallway so Yoro would understand where he had been.

Nero: [Apologies, Yoyo. I’ll answer the door and then head right back up. I don’t mean to keep you waiting to sleep.]

Yoro: [It’s alright. I’ll wait as long as it takes, even if it’s an hour or more!]

Nero: [That makes me glad, though I don’t think I’ll be speaking for an hour. Well then, let me go get it.]

The spurs of his boots began to jingle as he descended down the stairs.

Closer and closer, Nero resumed his march towards the front doors of the castle.

Finally being at a distance to reach the handles before him, he moved his arms forward.

Who could it be? After all, it was rather in the night for such an occurrence.

Perhaps a guest from before had forgotten something on their way out.

It would be odd, seeing as Nero had been cleaning the palace just moments prior, but it did not matter.

If they had forgotten a belonging of theirs, he would kindly find and retrieve it for them.

His hands grasped the golden levers.

He then saw it.

A woman with long black hair, burning in agony as she gazed at him

Nero: [Hk!]

Nero grinded his teeth as the sight displayed before him for merely a second.

His true sight had returned to him, that being the very doors he stood in front of all this time.

However, this did not change his current state of being.

Sweat dropped down his face profusely as he continued to shake.

That person.

That person he had seen.

He knew them very well.

Nero: [Mo…Mother…That was Mother just now…Why…]

The woman who had raised both him and his sister when they were young.

The woman who had given birth to the two.

The woman who had burnt away along with their home

That was Nero’s mother.

As to why she had shown up at this very moment, he was unsure.

Before he could even gather his thoughts however, another knock was produced from the other side.

Cautious of his own circumstance, Nero spoke before opening the door.

Nero: [May I ask who is there?]

In an instant, a response was provided.

???: [We’re here on behalf of Her Highness, Devi Bloodfire. We would just like to ask some questions if that’s alright.]

Nero: [Devi Bloodfire? Why would someone as high up as her in status request something like this so late in the night?]

Confusion began to rise within his head as he tried to provide a response. After dwelling it over, he came to the appropriate question to provide.

Nero: [I don’t wish to be rude, but could this perhaps be postponed to tomorrow? My daughter is currently sleeping and my wife will soon be doing the same.]

???: [Apologies, sir. We unfortunately cannot delay things as you would hope. However, we can promise you that this will be merely questioning and surveying of the area. Once that is done, we shall be out of your hair.]

Though the idea of surveying was odd, Nero hesitantly accepted the idea of these terms.

Nero: [Very well. I shall open the door for you.]

Humans, Nero. Humans did this.

Choking for only a moment at the sight once more, Nero slowly turned the handles of the door, opening them towards himself.

Past the doors were a large group of people that awaited him. Tied around them and placed on their backs had been long flintlock rifles.

Nero began to increase the output of muscle his body had provided at the mere sight of them.

Nero: [For a simple questioning, it’s rather odd to be carrying weapons.]

Bloodfire Captain: [We apologize sir, but for the sake of safety, they were provided.]

Nero: [Safety is also something odd in that regard, but I digress. There were questions your group wanted me to answer, correct?]

Bloodfire Captain: [Yes. If it’s alright, we’d like to just start right from the get go.]

Nero: [Very well. Fire away.]

Pulling out a clipboard, the soldier upfront began to speak to Nero.

Bloodfire Captain: [We’re aware that you are Nero Virtuoso and that you were raised in the Onigashima District. A current god of the world at that, who acquired the title of God of Virtue and Justice. Your house that you had once stayed at was burnt to the ground, correct?]

Nero: [Yes. Along with my mother unfortunately. Following that, my sister and I moved to an old cabin by the human village that was near.]

Bloodfire Captain: [From there, you stayed with Inkra Sezmani.]

Nero: [That is also true.]

Bloodfire Captain: [Are you aware of her past?]

Nero: [I both am, and was.]

Bloodfire Captain: [And it did not bother you as an oni yourself?]

Nero: [There were certainly things about it that once bothered me, but she proved to be a woman who had changed very much from her dark past. Along with that, she had spoken to me about how she did not know what she was getting into.]

Bloodfire Captain: [Did she teach you anything that she had known?]

Nero hesitated to provide an answer.

It was clear as day what they were getting at.

If he had lied, they would likely show the proof needed.

From there, it would be unknown what course of action they would take.

Perhaps an arrest? Or possibly an execution?

On top of this, Nero did not enjoy the idea of lying as it stood.

Therefore, there was only one true choice.

Nero: [...Yes. You’re asking due to the Black Rose Style, correct? I was indeed taught it, albeit for a means of self defense.]

Bloodfire Captain: [You’re aware of what that style’s history is, correct?]

Nero: [I am. Does this mean that an action will be provided?]

Bloodfire Captain: [This is merely just an questioning, sir. We did not lie with our description. We will report back to Devi Bloodfire herself and have her decide what to do from there.]

Nero: [Very well. If there is more, please continue.]

Bloodfire Captain: [Around ten years ago, not only was a large group of oni and humans killed, but Inkra Sezmani herself, correct?]

Fear rose inside Nero’s body at that very question.

How?

How had they known what had happened?

He hesitated to speak once again, but he already deduced how these questions had worked just like before.

Though it was something he wished to forget about.

Though it was not something he was proud of.

Though it pained him every night to think about.

He spoke.

Shutting his eyes and reluctantly swallowing, he opened his mouth.

Nero: [Yes. Inkra had been killed by that very same group of oni, and in a fit of rage, I killed that group. Along with that, I killed the group that had tried to take the life of my own wife.]

Bloodfire Captain: [That helps to move into our next question–]

Nero: [Next question…? Wait a minute, does that mean they also–]

The realization struck him.

Bloodfire Captain: [Your wife, if she is currently still awake, would we be able to speak to her as well?]

Nero: [That…That is something I am unsure I can–]

Bloodfire Captain: [We will follow you if needed. If she is not, we will leave the question as one for a later time with Devi herself, assuming it is information she would require.]

Though he hesitated twice before, this time, Nero had refused to move.

What were they planning?

Even if it was merely a questioning with the answers already being known, did they perhaps know who his wife had been?

Shiro mentioned that she had connections for such things.

Thus, Yoro received a change in last name as quickly as possible without any oddities for others to view.

None had seen her appearance, thus none knew who she was just based on looks.

It was only those who entered her now destroyed castle who were likely able to gauge that she was Yoro Kobi.

To the rest of the world, she was merely Yoro Virtuoso. The wife of the god, Nero Virtuoso, and a mother of a four year old daughter, Varius Virtuoso.

There was no reason why her identity should be known.

Before Nero, stood a corpse with a black, rough ponytail who was missing their eyes and arms. They continued to bleed as they stared directly at his soul without the ability to see.

Nero: [Gah!...]

Bloodfire Captain: [Are you alright, sir?!]

Feeling a sharp pain in his chest, Nero knelt down while grasping at the agonizing area.

A hand provided to him, the soldier assisted Nero with his footing.

Nero: [I…apologize for my reaction. Just for a moment, I felt a little bit off.]

Bloodfire Captain: [Should any medical care be provided for this?]

Nero: [No, no…I’m alright. I must ask, you were being quite honest with the request of questioning and nothing more, correct?]

Bloodfire Captain: [Yes, sir. It is merely just questioning. Our only other action is a slight survey of things, which involves the very question we brought up now.]

Nero: [In that case, it is rude, but I must ask two questions in response. Firstly, is this the final one that will be provided?]

Bloodfire Captain: [Yes. After this, we will report back to Devi Bloodfire on what was mentioned, and that will be it for the time being.]

Nero: [Very well. Secondly, if I were to present my wife, you would promise me that no harm would be provided, correct?]

Bloodfire Captain: [We would place our lives on that, sir. To do such a thing would be a disgrace to our force.]

Though he did not wish to, he accepted their request.

Nero: [Alright. I shall check to see that she is awake. You may follow closely behind, but please keep some distance so as to not disturb her if she is not. I would like to ask her to come over myself.]

Bloodfire Captain: [Understood. Lead the way.]

Slowly walking towards the stairs, Nero moved towards his very own bedroom.

Tapping his boots against the stairs once more, he made his way down the long hall in order to reach a door on the opposite side.

As he continued to move–

I begged for forgiveness, but they still took my life. I didn’t want to cause any harm to them, but they still did this to me. Nero, they didn’t listen. They didn’t accept the change I had made.

His veins began to protrude from both his arms that clutched his aching head. Smoke started to emerge from the edges of his mouth.

Bloodfire Captain: [Are you sure you’re alright, sir?]

Nero: [Yes…Just fine. Let’s keep moving.]

Walking down the hallway, further and further, he felt the pain grow inside him.

It was as if his internal organs were being locked by chains.

His lungs felt tight, his heart felt as though it had stopped pounding, his brain began to writhe in pain from every corner.

Why was something like this even occurring in the first place?

You already know, don’t you?

Both figures from before emerged in front of him.

For a brief moment, the pain had stopped, only to start up again.

If they reach that place, you know exactly what will happen.

His eyes became a beaming white as he turned around.

Nero: [IF THEY SO MUCH AS TOUCH HER–]

He then noticed it.

These thoughts were not thoughts.

They were words spoken aloud.

His actions were not that of imagination.

They were real.

Nero had turned around and displayed true aggression towards the group.

At the sight of a wild beast, the soldiers drew their guns towards him.

All except for one, the captain that spoke to him seconds prior.

Bloodfire Captain: [Lower your weapons, lower your weapons! This is not a justified means for such an action!]

Bloodfire Soldier: [Sir! He displayed a difference in personality from before, that of an aggressive one at that!]

Bloodfire Captain: [We have reports on record that give a plausible cause to these things! On top of this, we were told to only act if something were to go wrong! That is an order from Her Highness herself!]

Bloodfire Soldier: [This is a justifiable action as is! As it stands, we’re unsure if he will attack!]

Nero continued to shake at the fear of his own actions, and fell to his knees. Staring up at the bickering captain and soldiers, he watched as the rifles in before him continued to aim directly at his body.

More than dying, he feared the grief that his wife and child would go through should he pass.

Why?

Why had he chosen that as the right thing to do?

Why had those two continued to show themselves through his mind?

Nothing had truly made sense.

He continued to stare up towards the weapons, ready to cry over the thoughts of his family’s reaction.

Nero: [Please…just don’t harm my wife and daughter…That is all I ask…]

He spoke to the soldiers who continued to argue with their captain.

His words were ignored, they had not heard them in the slightest.

What should he do…

What would be the correct action here…

Was protecting his family the priority?

That would merely make them an enemy.

Was complying with them the right choice?

Perhaps he or Yoro would die. Possibly even Varius.

There was no middle ground.

No chance of reasoning with them.

No, there was, however Nero was not skilled at such a thing.

To those who did not know him, he was unsure of how to gain their trust.

From his birth to even now, those who had helped him grow had trusted him from the start.

All except one, the very woman who poured the love in her heart right back into him, Yoro Kobi.

At a singular point in time, she did not trust his words.

And yet, he proved that very trust to her.

He had done so much for his wife, but he was unsure of how to repay her.

He had taken away the sadness and anger she once had, and filled it with love and joy.

The once shut in lord that many regarded as a monster, became a loving and caring wife, mother, and friend.

Yoro had changed so much due to the assistance of her husband.

…Thus, her time to pay him back had arrived.

He was unaware of the sounds of steps being produced behind him.

He was unaware of the change in reaction from the group in front of him.

He merely kept looking down at the floor in front of himself, until eventually…

…He saw the same black heels and dress that he remembered so fondly.

He looked up, to see a woman with her arms spread out, yelling towards those that stood before her.

Yoro: [Nero is not a bad person! I’m sure the things you’ve heard or seen in your reports sound as though he is evil, but I promise you that he is far more kind than you could ever hope to be! I was a monster once! I will admit that! I am the very same Yoro Kobi that you have likely heard of! And yet, it’s thanks to this man that I changed! There are things that are far more powerful than power or wealth, and he has taught me that! For the past ten years, I have spent every day of my life being a loving, caring, wife to him! Not once did I focus on harming those around me, nor those who opposed me! It’s all thanks to him! My love for him, his love for me, it’s the very reason I am who I am today! Yoro Kobi is dead! The woman who stands before you is a new being entirely, that of Yoro Virtuoso! I ask of you, please! Lower your weapons! I will not lay even a finger on one of you, but I would like to request that you do the same of him! I beg you!]

At the loud speech provided, the captain of the group began to lower one of the weapons of his own soldiers. The other soldiers began to follow by their own choice, and soon, almost no weapons were held up towards them.

Nero continued to look up towards the beautiful wife of red and black standing in front of him, and finally spoke.

Nero: [Yoro…]

Spinning around with a smile on her face, she spoke to her husband.

Yoro: [I don’t mind admitting things. There’s only so far you can run in life. But, if it means we can restart back from square one, I don’t mind speaking of the past. Besides, I have you and Varius. I’m as happy as I could possibly be!]

Nero: [Did you…hear–]

Yoro: [Yeah. I’ve been listening in a bit, and heard what they had said. But even so, I’ll still hold true to my own beliefs no matter what happens! You’re an incredible person, Nene! There’s a reason that I love you after all! On that day, the day that you saved me, I felt like a different person entirely. I felt free, I felt happy, and that’s where my love started! It’s all thanks to you! You shouldn’t put yourself down in any regard, because no matter what, I believe in you! You’ll get stronger, smarter, and much better with time. We all do, but I know you’ll be the one to do it best! You’re the one who taught me to live in the present after all, and just like I started doing so, I want you to do the same with me. Let’s live together from here on out as just ourselves! Me, you, and Varius! Maybe not even just that, after all, we might have more to our family than we might expect.]

As her excitement and joy continued to grow, she closed her eyes to settle down, before speaking again.

Yoro: [I know this isn’t the right place or time to ask, but if we had another child, Nene, what do you think would be a good name for the–]

BANG

Without warning, a loud sound screamed through the halls.

What followed with that sound was something traveling past the open area between Nero’s right ear and shoulder.

Not a single injury was caused to his body.

And yet…

Blood was splattered across both of his cheeks.

What stood in front of him was the very same wife he loved.

The very same joyful wife who had spoken to him less than a second before.

The same wife…who now had a small hole firmly planted in her chest, right where her heart had been.

Behind her was a soldier who continued to panic before finally dropping their gun. The captain of the group quickly grabbed onto the collar of said soldier’s clothing and started to scold him.

Bloodfire Captain: [When the rest of the force drops their guns, your immediate thought should be to drop your own! What have you done here, soldier?!]

Bloodfire Soldier: [I-I swear I didn’t mean to! My hands…I didn’t have control of my hands and I–]

Bloodfire Captain: [WHAT EXACTLY IS THAT EXCUSE SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!]

The same as before, Nero looked up at his wife. Her eyes that were once so joyful were now shaking in fear.

Nero: [Yoro…]

She turned down to face the hand that she had subconsciously moved over to the wound, and noticed the blood that covered every ounce of her palm.

She looked towards her chest to see the gaping, open wound that now rested within.

Blood started to rise in her throat.

A searing hot pain was released from inside her body.

And soon after…

Nero: [YORO!]

Her legs could no longer support her, and she fell forward, her fall being caught by her now panicking, screaming husband.

△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼