Warning: Character death

9. His eyes

The door opens and all she can see is his eyes. Their emptiness holds her frozen in place. A smile moves across the mask he wears to hide his barren wasteland of a soul, and sinks icy talons into her spine. He is an empty man, one who discarded his humanity long ago.

Nola surges to her feet, fluttering like a bird desperate to escape a cage. Her voice shrill and pricing,

"Stay away from us!"

Smoothly his sword slashes across her small form, slicing her open like a fish to be gutted. His eyes devoid of any feeling as she gags on her last breath.

Disposing of toys is part of his job.