The necklace was hooked over Big Shrimp's finger.
The pendant swung a few times, then gradually came to a stop.
The woman's cries stopped with it. She stared at the necklace without even blinking.
The noise outside stopped, too.
That's right!
Big Shrimp's heart leapt with excitement.
But after holding that pose for a while, the NPC made no further move, leaving Big Shrimp at a loss again.
The clouds outside the window shifted, and the moonlight grew brighter.
Moonlight fell across the woman's face. She pressed the little boy's head tightly against her chest. Her entire hand was trembling, and her expression had twisted out of shape.
Watching her, Big Shrimp slid one foot back, ready to flee at any moment.
"Did he hire you? Did he send you here?" The woman's voice was dark and frightening. Suddenly, she began to laugh, louder and louder, until it became a shrill, inhuman sound.
Only then did I notice that it wasn't the woman's hand that was trembling. It was the boy in her arms.
The woman pushed the boy away, got out of bed, and walked toward Big Shrimp, step by step.
All Big Shrimp could do was hold up the necklace and back away.
As one retreated and the other advanced, they left the bedroom.
"You're too late. He's already dead," the woman said ominously.
Big Shrimp passed the kitchen doorway. The woman turned and went into the kitchen.
The boy clung to the doorframe, watching the hallway without expression.
The refrigerator door opened, and its little bulb cast a soft glow.
The woman took something from the refrigerator and threw it down in front of Big Shrimp's toes.
Splat!
Blood seeped from the raw meat.
There was no doubt it was a piece of meat, but it was