Asher originally had planned to enter the house through the back door. Quietly observe the situation inside and see if he can get something useful out of it.


    But sadly the door was closed, so he would need to climb the walls and enter through the windows.


    With a sigh, he slowly started climbing the walls. If someone were to see him right now. He would undoubtedly get branded as a thief. Making sure no one was watching he swiftly climbed through the first floor.


    Peeking through the window he saw no one was present in the old empty corridor.


    With a gentle push, the window frame swung open with a muffled creak that made him hold his breath for a moment. He waited, listening intently for any signs of movement within the house. When he heard none, Asher cautiously climbed inside, his boots making no sound on the dusty floorboards.


    The room smelled faintly of beer and cigars, a faint sweet scent mixed in as well.


    His eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim light filtering through the dusty curtains.


    *creak*


    A creaking sound soon followed his first step, making his eyes widen, waiting for a moment to make sure no one heard it. He once again started moving forward.


    Looking around the first floor, no sign of life could be seen. I made sure not to make any mistakes in this search.


    This building had two floors and I was in the first.


    The corridor was straight with rooms on both sides of the walls and a stair at the end of it.


    Opening the door of the first room.


    All I could see was a broken floor and old walls. It was so empty that I would have mistaken it as an abandoned house.


    But I was sure that someone lived here, cold wind soon came from the broken window frame, the wind rustling my hair, making me feel better.


    One by one I slowly started checking all rooms. Keeping the voice at a minimum, all I could hear was my slow breathing and heart which was beating in excitement and fear at the thrill of the unknown.


    Not finding anything of interest Asher''s heart soon calmed down, the previous thrill now felt ordinary.


    Looking around last time to see if he had checked all the rooms, Asher decided to check the upper floor now.


    The man was still present in the house, so he needed to stay cautioned if Asher didn''t want to get caught.


    With a bit of hesitation, I finally climbed the stairs.


    "Urgh you are useless."


    A shout could be heard from above, crouching down to my knees I reached toward the door from where the lights peeked out.


    "I have given you two bottles yet your limbs have not come back."


    ''Limbs? What is he talking about?''


    With caution, I tried to see what was happening inside. My eyes widened as my heart raced at the sight of a woman tied inside the room.


    Her clothes were shredded and torn here and there. One of her legs was cut off and seemed fresh since bandages were wrapped around it.


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    Her hair open some sticking to her chin, her eyes hollow and empty.


    "I would need to report that this batch of goods was fake."


    The man grumbled as he ruffled his hair, his annoyance clear as he kicked the woman in the legs where her injuries were fresh.


    "Ah!"


    From her mouth, a groan of pain soon followed as she got kicked. The once empty eyes now looked above in dread.


    My hands shook as my breathing quickened. What was I even seeing right now?


    Taking deep breaths to calm myself I waited for a moment to see what I could do. Kairosflow soon activated to give me the time I needed.


    The woman shook her head left and right in pain then– It happened. Our eyes met through the opening of the door.


    Her lips wanted to say something as she let them part away but stumbled between the pain and the attacker''s gaze.


    Her eyes watered as she closed them, sniffing as she was already told to never shout. That her voice was not desired only her silence could prevail in this room.


    Between her sniffs, her lips once again parted away a silent message for someone who she didn''t know– ''Kill...me''.


    Asher''s eyes went wide with horror and anger. The scene before him was something he never wanted to witness. He had expected her to ask for help–to save her. Yet here she was asking for a quick death.


    The man inside the room had still not noticed Asher''s presence. He was busy preparing a syringe with quick droplets outside he turned to face her.


    The woman eyes looked up her eyes watery. She wanted to shout but the relentless beating had taken her voice with fear.


    Her trembling figure was more than enough, Asher was waiting for any hidden moment or traps but decided against it.


    He was unable to watch it anymore.


    ''Now or never''


    With a quick use of static, the man froze. His time was topped by the might of an awakened power.


    The woman who had closed her eyes to brace for her new suffering opened them slowly. Looking at the frozen figure of man, he neither took any breath nor did his eyes move.


    If someone were to describe this scene, it would be like a human life had been taken away turning them into a motionless doll with no purpose, after being discarded by their owner.


    The door opened, and the woman''s eyes darted to the figure now walking inside. He had a dark shade of black hair almost obsidian. And a beautiful pair of silver eyes that glow in dim lights watching everything.


    Even though her condition had been worse for some time now, she felt the tension in the room increase just by his presence alone.


    Asher''s face was calm, yet a surge of anger could not be hidden. He then slowly turned his head towards her, his face etched with worry.


    "Are you alright"


    It was just three words, these words were something she had asked many time to her parents. These three words were also said to her many times as well.


    But this time it was different.


    She tried to say something, anything but no words left her mouth.


    Asher looking at her nodded as he encouraged her. "It''s alright take your time..what''s your name"


    "Uh," A sound finally came through her throat.


    Soon muffled sounds started to happen her throat was dry but she screamed.


    "Ah"


    Tears started falling down her face, her body trembling as Asher gave her freedom to move from these terrible shackles.


    Her figure continued to twitch, as she continued to cry. I tried to give her some water to drink but her body soon vomited it out.


    I wanted to help, but first I needed to deal with the man. I had stopped his time but I doubt I could keep it forever.


    Going near him I first removed the syringe from his hand gently placing it in the drawer from where he took it out.


    Then I kicked him in the stomach as hard as I could.


    *Pa!*


    The time again started moving as he crashed on the wooden chair, breaking it into pieces. Some part of it flew toward the woman on the ground but nothing dangerous to fear about.


    Her figure trembled at the sound as she saw what just happened.


    "Argh"


    The man groaned as he suddenly found himself on the ground. But before he could react someone stepped on his right leg. Another painful groan followed because of it.


    "Who- are you? How did you get here."


    The man demanded.


    Seeing his reaction I kicked his face with full force.


    *Psst-* A tooth rolled out of his mouth by the attack on his face.


    His eyes shook and as he tried to get up.


    "I will kill you! You bastard let me go!"


    He shouted. Not listening to him Asher delivered another powerful kick smacking straight on his face.


    When the man had kicked the woman, Asher had wanted to stop it from happening as well. But his hesitation led to her pain.


    ''I hate that''


    Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I looked behind to see the woman was looking at them with her eyes wide open. Her lips had slightly curled up without her even knowing.


    It was disturbing to look at, but her eyes didn''t wander.


    "Now you will answer my questions. Do you understand?"


    Seeing Asher the man huffed from pain but nodded.


    Asher seeing this once again kicked him in the nose.


    *creak* breaking it.


    "Say yes or no."


    *Argh!* The man''s nose flattened from impact again tried to nod, but the pain reminded him otherwise.


    "Y-yes"