Chapter 33: The Fourth Death

Rey jolted awake—again—finding himself in the same bed, in the same position.

The same morning light filtered through the curtains, casting familiar patterns on the wall.

He sat up, breath ragged, and instinctively examined his body.

No wounds. No blood. No pain.

“Was it all a dream?”

he wondered, exhaling shakily. But the echo of those deaths—his mother’s cold body, Emmy’s outstretched hand, the knife in his throat—still haunted him.

Despite the calm, he rushed downstairs, heart hammering.

His mother’s door was slightly ajar.

Just like before.

His hands trembled as he pushed it open—step by hesitant step.

Inside, Jasmine lay asleep, unharmed.

Rey was on the verge of relief when something shifted in the corner of his vision.

A figure stood across the room—the same assassin from before—knife poised over her throat.

“No!” Rey burst into the room with a roar.

The man turned, but the knife had already plunged down. A red spray, a gasp, and Jasmine lay still.

Rey’s fist connected with the killer’s face, sending him crashing into the wall.

“Mom… Please wake up. I’ll save you…”

He pressed his hands to her neck, trying to stop the bleeding—but it was far too late.

As he turned to strike again—

Shhhk!

A dagger stabbed into his throat.

He choked, blood gurgling from his mouth, and dropped to his knees. The world tilted, and his vision faded. Somewhere above, he heard Emmy’s scream.

Then nothing.

He woke again.

Same bed.

Same room.

Same goddamn loop.

Tears of frustration welled up. “AIDEN! I KNOW YOU’RE BEHIND THIS! Please… Stop… I’ll do anything—just stop this nightmare!” he pleaded into the air.

The door creaked open.

The assassin walked in—again—dagger soaked in blood.

But this time, Rey didn’t panic.

This time, he moved.

He rolled off the bed just in time, dodging the downward stab. Gritting his teeth, he stood up, fists clenched.

The man lunged again—stronger, faster—but Rey had died three times already. He was learning.

Still, the man overpowered him with ease.

Rey was slashed again and again until he collapsed, blood pouring from his wounds.

The dagger came down, slicing his throat once more.

The last thing he saw was the man walking away, speaking to others waiting outside.

Death #3.

Rey woke again—same place.

But now... he was ready.

His eyes burned with resolve.

Without hesitation, he sprinted downstairs to the kitchen, grabbing the sharpest knife he could find.

He moved like a shadow, praying he wasn’t too late.

As he reached his mother’s door, he heard the same footsteps inside.

Not this time.

He burst into the room, slamming the door open with a bang. The assassin froze. Jasmine stirred, alarmed.

Rey didn’t hesitate. He charged, one hand punching, the other hiding the knife.

The killer dodged the blow—but hissed as the blade slashed his wrist. The light flicked on. Jasmine screamed.

Seeing the weapon in Rey’s hand, the assassin drew another dagger and lunged.

Rey blocked a few blows, instinct and adrenaline carrying him through. But the man’s skills overwhelmed him. A powerful kick sent Rey crashing into the wall, shattering a photo frame and cutting his skin on the glass.

Bleeding and barely breathing, Rey scanned the floor—his knife was gone.

The man approached, ready to finish it.

“Why… are you doing this?” Rey rasped, too quiet to be heard.

The man leaned closer.

And Rey struck.

A jagged shard of glass stabbed upward, piercing the underside of the killer’s jaw.

The man reeled, screaming in pain and dropping his dagger.

Rey dove for it—but the man recovered quickly. Before he could reach him—

CRASH!

A vase exploded against the assassin’s head.

Jasmine stood behind him, trembling, vase shards in her hands.

Rey didn’t waste the opening. He grabbed the fallen dagger and lunged.

SHHK!

The blade stabbed through the man’s eye.

Agent 7 collapsed, unmoving.

Rey stood over him, covered in blood, panting heavily.

From the assassin’s Bluetooth earpiece, a voice blared:

“Oi, Agent 7, what’s taking you so long to finish a damn family!?”

Rey picked it up.

“Your Agent 7 is dead. If you want to join him, come try,” he said coldly.

A pause.

“Who the hell are you!?”

“I’m the one who's going to send you to hell next.”

The call cut.

Jasmine rushed to Rey’s side, dabbing blood from his face. “Rey… who are these people?”

“Assassins. I don’t know why they’re after us—but I have to end this,” Rey replied.

He helped her up and guided her to Emmy’s room. The girl was still asleep. Seeing Rey covered in blood, she screamed—but Jasmine calmed her, explaining what had happened.

Rey led them to the storeroom.

“Hide here. Don’t come out until the police arrive.”

“No! Rey, please… don’t go!” Jasmine begged.

“If we all hide, they’ll find us. I’ll lure them away.”

Tears streamed down Jasmine’s face as Rey shut the door, locking them inside.

Back upstairs, Rey stood over Agent 7’s body.

He scavenged the man’s bag: blades, keys, nothing else.

Now armed with five daggers, his hands trembled.

Not from fear—but anticipation.

The old Rey would’ve thrown up seeing this body. But now?

He felt... nothing.

Only focus.

“They’re coming. I’ll kill at least two—maybe three.”

His thoughts chilled even him.

Moments later, the door burst open.

Six figures entered.

Four men. Two women.

They surrounded him.

One stepped forward. “So, you’re the brat who killed our brother?”

“I am. And tonight, you’re all next.”

“Bold words.” The man clapped. Two assassins charged.

Rey tried to dodge—but his body lagged, too beaten up.

Blades slashed across his arms and belly. He screamed in pain but held his ground.

One assassin shouted, “That’s Brother 7’s blade!”

Recklessly, he lunged. Rey parried the strike, but another hit him from behind. He stumbled, barely avoiding a fatal blow.

Two more rushed in.

Their daggers stabbed into his stomach. Blood gushed—

But before they could pull back—

Shhhk!

Rey’s hands plunged his blades into their skulls.

THUD.

The two assassins dropped dead.

The others stared in shock.

This wasn’t a weak boy.

This was a beast.

But just as the leader lunged forward, sirens wailed outside.

Police.

His subordinates pulled him back. “We have to go!”

He cursed but retreated.

Rey staggered toward the storeroom, limbs barely moving.

He opened the door.

Jasmine and Emmy rushed out, crying in relief.

“Why, Rey… why?” Jasmine whispered through sobs.

“Because… it’s my job to protect you.”

Jasmine wept harder, trying to keep him awake as the ambulance approached.

But outside, the assassin leader stood with a remote in hand.

“Let’s send him to hell with our brother.”

Click.

BOOM.

The house exploded in a fiery blast.

Rey, Jasmine, and Emmy were buried under rubble.

And once again...

Darkness took him.

To Be Continued...

Author's Note:

Hey everyone! I know this chapter was long, violent, and emotionally intense. I’m still improving as a writer, so your feedback means the world to me. 🙏

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