"Where are you trying to run? I told you already there is nothing you can do to escape me. If you have any sense left in your brain, you won't try to excite me even more by running."

Mary warned as she looked at her prey.

It had been some time since she had played with a human like this, and she wanted to know how this one would entertain her.

Would he run away from her? Or would he come closer to her in an attempt to kill her off? Humans were interesting creatures because they had such responses.

'Ah, but my young miss was different. Not only did she not feel scared of me, but she also accepted me for who I am. Seeing her expressions when she thinks I am not listening is also funny.

Mary's thoughts revolved around Layla more often than not, but that was a given given how much time the pair spent together.

"You are a monster! There is no way I am going to stay here for any longer! I need to run-"

The man tried to run from Mary, but he could not even take a step before a shadow hand grabbed his leg, preventing him from running away.

Another shadow hand reached out to clasp the man's other leg and make him fall.

There was no way for this man to escape from Mary's grasp tonight.

"Hmm, it is bad manners to try and walk out when someone is talking to you. Tsk, it looks like I will have to teach you manners first. But before that, why don't you tell me all about these slavery kidnappings you have been carrying out in this town?

Ah, don't bother trying to say that you are not a part of it. The karma that sticks to you tells me all of it. You are a core member of what is happening, right? If you tell me enough, I might let you live this time."

Mary spoke in an ambiguous voice, giving this man a chance to come clean. All she needed was for this man to speak up once, and she would make his death painless…relatively.

But the human was foolish and did not understand generosity when he saw it. Instead of speaking the truth, he decided to play dumb in front of Mary.

"I don't know what you are talking about. Kidnapping? Slave trading? Don't you know that it is illegal here?"

The man asked, and Mary sighed.

"I allowed you to come clean, but you chose to play dumb. Now, I will need to take care of you. Ugh, I wonder how much fun it will be. Don't worry! I will make sure *your* body is found out by the town tomorrow."

Mary promised, and her tone made the kidnapper shiver in fright.

He finally realized he had made a mistake coming out here alone with Mary. The pleasure-filled expression on Mary's face had no other indication.

...

The door to her room was knocked for the second time, but Layla knew it was not Mary this time.

She did not bother going to the door or opening it.

When the door opened, Liam entered the room with his mother. He looked uncomfortable to see Layla in the room, but he did not address her.

He walked toward his bed and pulled the covers up to his head to hide it.

On the other hand, his mother could not help but worry about the impression she left on a kid.

She quickly walked toward Layla and stood in front of her bed. She did not move until acknowledged, and Layla decided to get it over with.

"What do you want from me? Since you came here, I assume that you have something to talk to me about."

Layla asked as she looked up from where she was sitting.

Her eyes met the older lady's, and her gaze's intensity made the female flinch.

"I…this is…my husband is not a bad man! He might have made some…questionable choices, but that does not mean he is evil. So please, tell me if you know anything about him-"

"I don't know anything about what happened to him. I only know that he tried to kidnap me and sell me, but his plans were foiled when his partner died. Now, will you leave me alone before I retaliate against you?"

Layla asked in an annoyed voice.

Her attitude caused the older lady to feel ashamed. The fact that she had asked an almost-kidnapped victim to forgive her criminal made the female look away quickly.

"Don't talk like this to my mom! So, what if the father kidnapped a few kids and sold them? It would give them a better life than they were currently living. At least, these kids would have a full belly if they became slaves."

Liam spoke up, sounding fully convinced.

The more he spoke, the paler his mother went. She looked ashamed that her son was speaking in such a manner.

"Liam, that is enough. You don't need to speak up anymore. Young miss, I am sorry! My son is a little bit…undereducated, but we are working on it. He also misses his father a lot, so he is lashing out.

Please, don't hold it against him."

The mother asked, and Layla fell quiet. She did not want to hear anything anymore, and it also seemed as if the kid in front of her would not hear anything she said.

Layla had a soft spot for struggling mothers, so she turned her head around and pretended she did not hear what the lady and Liam said anymore.

It was a quiet night, but that stalemate did not remain long. Within ten minutes of everything falling silent, the door to their room was knocked before it was broken into.

A rough-looking man entered the room before looking at the haul before him.

"Hmm, looks like we have quite a collection here. Listen, you all! From this point onwards, you are all property of us slave traders. Don't try to run, and don't try anything funny. Or we will be forced to knock you unconscious and take you away."