Maintained Composure

*CRACK! 

Another shattering sound reverberated from the direction of the kitchen. I approached cautiously, reminding myself of the importance of vigilance. 

Being overconfident now could be fatal. If that bastard had a knife or any weapon, a single careless moment could end it all for me. What good is my skill if I end up getting stabbed before I even have a chance to use it? I needed to stay alert and assess the situation before taking any action. 

'But what if he had already harmed her?' I muttered to myself.

Despite her resistance, there was a chance that he might have inflicted harm on her by now.  The thought weighed heavily on my mind as I continued to approach the scene with caution, not knowing what I would discover. While Alyssa might have warranted punishment for her past actions, the idea of her dying was a step too far. Serving me was a sufficient punishment for her deeds. 

*CRACK! 

"Shit,"