5 5: Steely Resolve

"Shhh, don't talk." Caleb raised his finger to his lips, a gesture to make Patricia silent. This time, even though he has experienced a lot as an adult in his past life, he still felt terrified at the notion of impending death. Although he has already died once.

Dying wasn't pleasant once you experienced it, the idea of it would make you crazy. Of course, Caleb wasn't sure if there were really others who got reincarnated after dying. He stared at the red empty bucket in front of him, his palm sweaty and his mouth dry. 'What if they pull out our cover? Damn, Am I really going to die without enjoying this second life of mine?'

When it comes to it, Caleb knew that he could only fight or die. But what could his mere five-year-old body do? Just pulling the bucket of water was enough to make him struggle. What's more, fight a bunch of adults?

Patricia looked at her brother beside her and covered her mouth. Her eyes turned misty and could only shift her eyes helplessly in front of her without understanding what was happening.

THUD!

Just like that, the silence was broken when the door of their house was blasted. Caleb consciously held his breath and didn't dare to do anything.

'This is it.' As he thought of this, Caleb tilted his head slightly and saw her sister covering her mouth. 'Well, this girl isn't that stupid after all.'

"Hahaha! Finally! Eduardo, we saw each other again! So, did you enjoy your life?"

"James, leave us alone. I have a family."

"Family? We're your family, James. How about coming back to us? The boss would surely welcome you back."

"No. I won't go back to that line of work again! I don't want to stain my hands with blood again!" Eduardo's voice became aggressive.

"How hypocritical of you... Well, if you say so."

'Just as I thought. The parents of this kid have some drama in their past. Are they some kind of mercenary or what?' Caleb took a deep breath. Although he couldn't see their face while inside the chimney, he was sure that Eduardo was seething with rage at this time.

Suddenly, another person broke the silence, his voice hoarse. "Since you won't join us, then die!"

In a few minutes, Caleb forced himself to remain calm. He even took the extra steps to cover his sister's ears. Because in the next few moments after the conversation. The sound of fighting broke out.

Woods being broken, grunts of pain, Erica's scream, and the sound of falling on the floor. Caleb was very familiar with such sounds. Just from them, he managed to make a graphic scene on his head on how the scene played out. At least, Celeb was sure that Eduardo and Erica were dead by now. There are three strong men equipped with knives. Eduardo managed to break one of the enemy's arms, but that's it.

Erica died from a laceration of a knife on her neck. Caleb wasn't surprised because, based on the memory he received, Erica wasn't a fighter. Caleb didn't know where she got her bravery. 'Is it because of us? Did they die to protect us? Well, a mother's love is really touching.

Although he knew that it wasn't time to think about this. He still couldn't help but feel complicated. Fortunately, Patricia didn't scream or cry in the process.

"This is the Will of the D! Did you see mongrels? The result of betraying the boss? He not only got himself killed, but also his wife." A distinct voice interrupted sounded. Interrupting Caleb's train of thought.

"Praise the Will of the D!!"

The laughter of the three men echoed.

'Will of the D? What the spell?' Caleb knew that things weren't that simple. 'Just what did Eduardo get himself to in the past?'

"Are we done in here, boys?" The voice of the first man who confronted Eduardo was so distinctive that Caleb immediately recognized who was talking.

Caleb clenched his fist. 'That's right, go away! Damn, bastards!'

"Let's go! There's nothing here anymore."

Then Caleb heard the three footsteps slowly go away. However, before Caleb could breathe a sigh of relief... He heard a voice that made his heart jump.

"Wait!"

"What is it?"

'Bastards, leave! Why are you still talking to each other in front of the door?'

Caleb managed to estimate the distance between them and the three invaders based on the volume of their voices. That's why he knew that the three goons were still in front of the door of their house.

"There's something wrong. Eduardo has kids, right? So where are they?"

"That's right! Hahahaha! They must be hiding!"

'Crap, things are about to get worse,' Caleb readied himself. He put his hand under his white shirt, then turned his head to Patricia and whispered. "Go climb three meters upwards. Use the space between the bricks. Do it slowly."

Caleb's eyes sharpened. He didn't know if Patricia would be able to climb and grip the spaces between bricks with her tiny arms. But that's the only way for her to survive.

Patricia didn't ask anything, her mother told her to follow her brother's instructions. She raised her head and took in the sight. The width of the tunnel was enough to fit two kids. Using her fingers, she probed the rough edges of the bricks and gripped them tightly. Caleb used his two small hands to propel her. Then Patricia began to climb, albeit slowly, with Caleb's support.

When Patricia reached two meters upwards, she almost slipped, even with Caleb's support due to her weak grip.

"Kids, where are you hiding? Show yourselves. This uncle will treat you with candies." A menacing voice filled with a sadistic tone reached Caleb's ears, making him shudder.

With a grimace, Caleb steeled his resolve. No matter what, he will die fighting. He decided to take the initiative into his own hands rather than wait for his death like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

He didn't really have a choice as he heard a footstep nearing their location!

"B-r..."

"Shhhh..." Caleb gave Patricia a hard look, which made her shut up. What he was about to do was also something that he didn't imagine doing.

Realizing something, tears started to pour out from Patricia's eyes and she began to sob quietly.