The following morning, the doorbell rang while Lora was preparing breakfast since Morgan still had quite an appetite for regular food despite needing human souls for survival.
-Would you go get the door?- Lora asked.
-Sure.
Morgan got up from his chair and ran to open the front door. He was a little confused since the person standing before him was a man he'd never seen before.
-Hi.- the man spoke- Does Lora live here? I need to see her.
-Who's asking?
-I'm Ray.
-She's never mentioned anyone by that name…
Lora ran up to the door.
-Ray, what are you doing here?
-I'm sorry for dropping by unannounced, but I have the information that you asked for.
-And you couldn't have given me a call, because…?
-I was in the neighborhood and I had to see you.
Lora rolled her eyes.
-Alright – Morgan, get back into the dining room, I need to have a talk with Ray here.
Morgan didn't have to be told twice to leave, but as soon as he got the chance, he snuck out of the dining room to listen in on Lora's and Ray's conversation.
-I can't believe you haven't told him about me.- Ray said, sounding slightly offended.
-Why should I tell him about you? You're just a friend helping me out.
-I didn't realize that I was 'helping you out' all those nights we'd spent together.
-I knew I'd regret it.
-I'm sorry. I don't mean to be a jerk, but you obviously like me and there could be something more serious between us if you just let it happen. Why are you being like this?
-Because I can't have anything serious with you or with anyone else. My sole priority is protecting Morgan.
-I could help you with him.
-No, you couldn't. Now please tell me what you know about the dagger's location.
Nearly an hour after Ray had left the house, Morgan was helping Lora clean up and he couldn't help it but think of what he'd heard from her conversation with Ray. He looked up at her.
-I'm sorry for being a burden on you.
Lora was surprised at what Morgan had said. She stopped cleaning the dish and turned to look at him.
-Where did you get the idea that you were a burden on me in any way?- she asked.
-I know that you like that Ray guy and if it weren't for me you could be with him.
-That's not true.- Lora wiped her hands with a cloth- Come here…- she pulled Morgan closer as he came towards her and she smiled at him, placing her hand on his cheek- I love you and Lilly more than anything, okay?- she caressed Morgan's face- You two are my whole world. I wouldn't give you up for anything, not even a chance to have the so-called normal life.
-Still, it's not fair.
-Once we get our hands on that dagger, all of our troubles will be over.- she kissed him on the forehead- Everything will be alright soon… What are you going to wear to Nathan's birthday party?
Morgan shrugged his shoulders.
-I don't know…
-Let me know so I can get it ready for you, okay?
-But what about the dishes?
-I'll take care of that, you can go and look for something to wear.
A few more hours passed and it was time for Nathan's birthday party. Upon getting there Morgan seemed surprised that there were only two children at the party apart from him and Nathan. Most people present were adults, probably neighbors or relatives.
The two kids that were at the party were a year younger than Nathan and they were children of one of the neighbors that lived down the block. Most of the interaction Nathan had had with them were awkward attempts of small-talk so when he saw Morgan, he was relieved since he thought that his presence would make interaction with the other two kids easier.
Although, it didn't take long for them to isolate themselves from the guests and go up to Nathan's room so they could talk about their day.
Morgan loved hearing about Nathan's days at school since he himself wished he could spend at least one day there. But as Nathan talked Morgan frowned as he noticed a bruise under his eye.
-What's that?- he touched Nathan's bruise.
Nathan backed away as it seemed that it still hurt him when touched.
-He hit you again?
-I overslept and I was late for school because of that.
-That's no reason for him to hit you!
-I can't do anything about it.- Nathan said quietly, almost like he was whispering.
-I wish I could do something…
-Please don't. It could get you in trouble.
-He deserves to know what it's like to get hit. I swear, as soon as I get the chance –
-Look, can we just talk about something else, please?
-Sure…
A few minutes later, Nathan's father opened the door to the bedroom, causing Nathan to stand up in panic.
-What are you boys doing here?- he asked- You should be at the party with Ralph and Lindsay.
-We'll be right down.- Nathan spoke nervously avoiding eye contact with his father and Morgan saw it.
He looked at Nathan's father and nodded, while trying to contain the rage he'd felt towards the man as there had been several occasions when he'd witnessed from the distance Nathan getting hit by him out on the front yard.
Morgan couldn't help but lift his gaze whenever Nathan's father would pass by them in the living room and seeing him head to the upstairs bathroom sometime later, Morgan saw the opportunity to get back at him for hurting Nathan. He was confident that he could make it look like an accident.
-I need to use the bathroom, I'll be right back.- he said and got up.
Morgan rushed out of the living room and ran up to the front of the door to the upstairs bathroom. Moments later, he locked the bathroom door and turned off the lights using his powers.
Not wanting to waste any time Morgan teleported into the bathroom since he was still able to see well in the dark. He slammed Nathan's father into the wall in the matter of seconds, making him lose consciousness.
A few minutes later Lora went over to the corner where the kids were seated to check on Morgan but she saw that he wasn't there.
-Where's Morgan?- she asked Nathan.
-He needed to use the bathroom.
-How long has he been in there?
-I don't know… A couple of minutes maybe.
-I'm right here.
Lora turned upon hearing Morgan speak and saw him wave at her.
-You need to relax a little.- he sat down next to Nathan.
About fifteen minutes later Nathan's mother told everyone to gather in the dining room since she was about to bring out the cake.
Before lighting the candles she wanted to tell her husband to get the camera but she couldn't find him in any of the downstairs rooms so she headed upstairs. She checked to see if he was in the bathroom first thinking he'd most likely be there since the downstairs bathroom could've been occupied.
She knocked on the door and called for him but there was no response. She reached for the door handle and was surprised to see that the door wasn't locked.
A look of horror and dread formed on her face as she saw her husband bent over the bathtub with blood dripping from his head.
After the shock had passed her, she screamed and ran to check his pulse. She sighed with relief upon seeing that her husband was still alive.
A few moments later he'd even started to regain consciousness but all he could do was groan in pain.
It wasn't long before Nathan's mother let out that scream that everyone joined her in the bathroom and helped her get Nathan's father to the bedroom as well as call the ambulance.
After the ambulance was called, Lora went to tell the kids that Nathan's father had been hurt but that he should be well once the paramedics take care of him. While explaining the situation to them, she noticed Morgan's lips forming into a smile for a split second making her think instantly that he had something to do with what had happened.
