Story Two: Friends Are Forever

January 28th, 1998. Eli was putting on a jacket, and getting ready to leave the apartment. "Oskar!" Eli shouted. Oskar ran from the bedroom, right behind Eli, actually startling him. "Yeah?" Oskar asked. Eli shook her head, shaking off the feeling of being startled. "I'm gonna go for a walk, do you want to come?" Eli asked. Oskar shook his head. "No thanks, I have something to do," Oskar stated. Eli tilted his head. "What is it?" Oskar smiled. "That's for me to know, and you to find out." Eli's eyes widened with excitement. "Ooooh! Alright…I'll see you in a bit, my love…" Eli opened the door and left. After waiting a bit, Oskar left a bit after Eli, climbing the walls to make sure Eli couldn't see him, or anyone could see him. Eli was far gone by that point. Perfect. Oskar climbed up the building, then took flight.

Eli was walking by himself, it was fine, but she really began to miss Oskar. But then Eli began to think…It's been just them for so long…just them for 17 years. Eli didn't mind the idea of it being just them, but she realized neither of them had interacted with anyone their age since 1981. For Eli, it has been far longer. It kind of…felt lonely. Not that he didn't love Oskar or anything but…it would be nice to meet more people, actually have more friends. That would be nice. They could…be a trio. Yeah…maybe Oskar would like that idea.

Eli wound up wandering into a store, it was a Japanese Import shop. There was a bunch of cool merchandise from Japan, Sonic the Hedgehog, Kirby, Mario, and of course, Eli's favorite. Godzilla. There were so many cool Godzilla figures, that hadn't been released in Norway yet. And yet here they were. But then something else caught Eli's attention. A poster for the new American Godzilla Movie releasing in a few months. It caught her attention like a worm on bait. "SIZE DOES MATTER," The Poster said, with a photo of Godzilla's foot. He stood there for a while when a boy walked up next to her and stared too. He saw him at the corner of her eye and looked over. How odd. "Hello." Eli waved. The boy turned to Eli, a surprised smile breaking across his face. "Hey! I didn't think anyone else would be looking at this," he said, gesturing toward the poster. He had shaggy brown hair and bright green eyes that sparkled with enthusiasm. "I love Godzilla!" Eli exclaimed, his excitement bubbling over. "He's my favorite monster. Did you see the original movies?" "Of course! My brother and I used to watch them all the time. The special effects were amazing for their time!" he replied, stepping closer to get a better look at the poster. "I can't wait for the new one. I heard they're using some crazy CGI to make him look even bigger!" "Yeah! I hope they do him justice," Eli said, feeling an unexpected connection with this boy. "I think he's more than just a monster. He's… like a misunderstood hero in a way."

"Exactly!" the boy nodded vigorously. "It's like he's just trying to find his place in a world that's always trying to take him down." Eli smiled, appreciating how easily they connected over their shared passion. "I'm Eli, by the way." "Nice to meet you, Eli! I'm Leroy," he said, extending a hand. Eli shook it, feeling a rush of warmth. "Wow, your hands are cold!" Eli turned red. "Y-Yeah, it's cold outside, you know?" Leroy nodded. "Yeah, very, what brings you 'round here anyway?" "I was just out for a walk, but I got distracted by all the cool stuff in this shop," Eli replied, glancing around at the shelves filled with vibrant toys and collectibles. "What about you?" "Same! I love coming here. They have all the best things from Japan that you can't find anywhere else." Leroy's eyes flickered with excitement as he pointed to a shelf displaying various action figures. "I've been saving up to get that giant Godzilla figure!"

Eli couldn't help but grin at his enthusiasm. "I think that's a great choice! You should definitely get it." She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Do you want to check out the rest of the store together? I could use a friend to share my excitement with." Leroy's face lit up. "Really? I'd love that!" As they wandered through the aisles, Eli felt a sense of ease he hadn't experienced in years. They laughed about different merchandise, shared opinions on their favorite games, and even debated the best Godzilla movie. It was refreshing to talk to someone who understood her interests without hesitation. After a while, they found themselves in front of a display of plush toys. "Look at this!" Leroy exclaimed, picking up a plush Godzilla. "This one is so cute! I wish they had one that was bigger." Eli laughed. "Maybe you could find a friend who's into Godzilla too, and you could both have your own!" Leroy chuckled but then his expression shifted slightly. "Yeah, I guess that would be cool. But most kids at my school think Godzilla is stupid."

Eli's heart sank a little and became a bit agitated. "Really? That's a shame. Godzilla is awesome!" "Totally!" Leroy agreed. "But sometimes it feels like it's just me and my brother who get it." Eli's thoughts drifted back to her own feelings of loneliness. "I get that," she admitted. "It's hard to find people who understand you." Leroy looked at him with a mix of curiosity and empathy. "You don't have any friends at school either?" Eli paused, considering her answer. "Not really. My boyfriend and I have been together for a long time, and it's just been us for a while." "Like, forever?" Leroy asked, raising an eyebrow. "Pretty much," Eli replied, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her voice. "It's nice, but sometimes I wish we could share our lives with someone else too." Leroy nodded, contemplating her words. "I think it's cool that you have a friend like that. I'd like to meet him someday."

Eli felt a flicker of hope. "Maybe you could! I mean, if you're interested in hanging out more, we could all get together." "Really? That would be awesome!" Leroy's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I'd love to have more friends! We could have movie nights or play games together." Eli beamed, her heart swelling with the possibilities. "That sounds perfect. I think you'd get along great with Oskar. He's really funny." As they continued exploring the shop, Eli felt a sense of lightness and joy. Maybe, just maybe, this new friendship with Leroy could lead to a broader world for her and Oskar.

A bit later, Eli got home. "Oskar? Are you here? I wanna tell you something!" Oskar landed from the ceiling behind them, quiet as a mouse. "Right behind you." Eli jumped in surprise but then Giggled. "Oskar! What are you doing?" Oskar grinned, hiding something behind his back. "Waiting to surprise you." Eli tilted his head. "With what?" Oskar took out a VHS of Godzilla vs Destroyah, he remembered Eli loved it back when it first came out in 1995, so he managed to track down a VHS copy for her. Eli's eyes widen with joy as he took the VHS. "Oskar! How did you find this? I thought these were so hard to get!" Oskar beamed, clearly proud of himself. "I have my ways. I thought it'd be a nice surprise, considering how much you loved it back in '95. I know it's one of your favorites." Eli clutched the VHS to her chest, genuinely touched by the gesture. "Thank you, Oskar. This means a lot." He gave him a soft kiss on the cheek, which made Oskar smile even more. He loved seeing Eli happy, especially after all these years together. Eli hesitated, then spoke up. "Actually, I met someone today while I was out."

Oskar raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Who?" "A boy named Leroy. We bonded over Godzilla and all the cool stuff at this Japanese import shop," Eli explained, her tone hopeful. "I... I think he could be a good friend. For both of us." Oskar's expression shifted slightly, a hint of concern flashing across his face. "You think so?" Eli nodded eagerly. "Yeah! He's into a lot of the same things we are, and he even said he'd like to meet you. It's been so long since we've had anyone else around, you know? I thought... maybe it could be nice to have a new friend." Oskar looked at Eli for a moment, then glanced at the VHS in their hands. He forced a small smile. "Yeah, I guess it could be nice. It's been a long time since we've had anyone around. I just... I want to make sure it's safe, you know?" Eli understood Oskar's caution. They had both learned the hard way that trusting others could be dangerous. "I know, Oskar. But I think it'll be okay this time. He's just a kid like us." Oskar was still a bit skeptical. "Listen I don't really know…ok? I just gotten so used to it just being us." Eli hugged Oskar. "Please. Give him a chance." Oskar thought about it before he sighed. "Fine. Where does he even live?" Oskar asked. "Don't worry, I know… how did you think I found you at the bathhouse?" Eli asked. Oskar thought about it, he never actually thought about how Eli found him. "By my scent?" Oskar asked. Eli shook her head. "No…I was able to track you, I don't exactly know how it works but I guess being around you so much helped. It shouldn't be that hard for Leroy…you want to try it?" Oskar thought about it before nodding.

Leroy got home to see his mother waiting at the kitchen table. "Hi, Mom," Leroy said quietly. "Leroy we need to talk. I got a call from your school today and-" But Leroy cut her off. "Let me guess, it's about the fighting?" Leroy asked. "Not only that but you've been failing your classes! What is going on with you Leroy?" His mother asked. Leroy rolled his eyes. "Listen it's nothing mah, It's just a bit stressful that's all, and some kids can't keep their hands to themselves." His mother got up. "Wait until your father hears about this." Leroy rolled his eyes and stormed off. "Leroy-" But it was too late, as he already went to his room.

Leroy began playing Golden Eye on his Nintendo 64, when he heard knocking at his window. He looked up and saw Eli, with someone else outside. "Eli?" Leroy asked. Eli nodded and waved. Eli gestured for Leroy to open the window, and he did so, looking a little confused. "What are you doing here? And who's that?" he asked, glancing over at the boy next to Eli. Oskar gave a small wave, his expression cautious but curious. "Hey. I'm Oskar," he said. "Can you let us in?" Eli asked. Leroy nodded, but the duo didn't move. "You need to say it, that's manners after all," Oskar replied. Leroy stood there for a second, confused. "Uh…Yeah, you can come in." The duo smiled as they crawled in. Leroy stepped back to let them in, eyeing Oskar with curiosity. "Nice to meet you, Oskar. I wasn't expecting company tonight," Leroy admitted, trying to mask his nervousness. Eli grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "I told Oskar about you, and he wanted to meet you too. I hope you don't mind us dropping by like this." Leroy glanced at Oskar, noticing the way he seemed to subtly size up the room. Oskar's presence was a little intimidating, but Leroy could tell he was just being protective. He shrugged it off, deciding to focus on the positive. "Nah, it's cool! You guys want to play some GoldenEye?" He gestured to his Nintendo 64, where the game was still running. "It's way more fun with other people." Oskar raised an eyebrow at the suggestion, glancing at the screen with mild curiosity. "I haven't played this before," he admitted, his tone a bit reserved. Eli, however, nudged him playfully. "Come on, it could be fun. It's been a while since we've played anything new."

Leroy smiled, grabbing a couple of extra controllers. "Alright, let's do this! I'll teach you the basics, and then you guys can try to keep up." He chuckled, trying to ease the tension he felt between Oskar and himself. Eli sat beside him, seeming excited, while Oskar settled on the other side, his demeanor gradually relaxing. As they played, the initial awkwardness began to melt away. Leroy showed them how to aim, shoot, and move around, and they quickly got the hang of it. Eli laughed whenever Oskar fumbled with the controls, and Oskar couldn't help but crack a smile when he managed to take down Leroy in the game. Leroy, for his part, seemed genuinely thrilled to have company. The game went on for a while, and the atmosphere grew lighter with each passing minute. It was clear to Leroy that Oskar was a bit protective over Eli, but he could also see the way Oskar softened around her. He found himself admiring their bond, even if it made him feel a little envious. Eventually, they put down the controllers, and Leroy looked at Oskar and Eli with a genuine smile. "Thanks for coming over, guys. This was... really nice. I don't get to hang out with people like this often." He hesitated before adding, "I know we just met, but I think we could be good friends."

Eli's expression brightened, and he glanced at Oskar for his reaction. Oskar studied Leroy for a moment before giving a small nod. "Yeah... maybe we could be," he said, his voice softer than before. It was clear he wasn't completely sold on the idea yet, but he was willing to give it a try for Eli's sake. Leroy's smile widened, and he stood up, grabbing a plush Godzilla from his bed. "Next time, we should definitely have a movie night! Maybe even watch Godzilla together." Eli's eyes lit up with enthusiasm, and she glanced at Oskar, hoping he'd be on board with the idea too.

But that's when the trouble began. "LEROYYY!" A voice bellowed. Leroy's eyes went wide with fear as if he saw the devil himself. "Get in the closet, now," Leroy whispered. "What?" Oskar asked. "Get in, now. Trust me." Leroy repeated. Oskar and Eli looked at eachother and shrugged, going into the closet and shutting the door behind them. "What's going on?" Eli whispered to Oskar. Oskar shrugged. It didn't take them long as soon Leroy's bedroom door burst open to reveal his dad. He was a large man with a scruffy beard, his hair disheveled, and his presence dominating the small space. Leroy tensed up as soon as he saw him, trying to shrink back into himself, but there was nowhere to hide. The air felt heavy, crackling with tension. "Did I tell you to storm off like that, boy?" Leroy's dad snapped, his voice slurring slightly, the smell of alcohol hanging in the air. Leroy swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady. "Sorry, Dad, I just needed some space." But Leroy's father was NOT having it. "Space? You think you deserve space after the trouble you've been causing?" His dad's voice was loud, almost a roar, filling the room. "Failing classes, picking fights? What the hell's gotten into you, huh?" Leroy took a step back, glancing toward the closet where Eli and Oskar were hiding. He could hear their breaths, quiet but tense, as they listened. "I'm trying, okay?" Leroy's voice wavered, and he tried to keep his eyes on the floor, hoping to defuse the situation. "I'm really trying, Dad."

His dad scoffed and took a step closer, looming over him. "Trying? You're not trying hard enough, Leroy. You think life's a game, messing around with those stupid toys and that Godzilla crap?" He shoved a box of Leroy's collectibles off a shelf, sending figures clattering to the ground. Leroy flinched, his fists clenching at his sides, but he didn't dare move. In the closet, Oskar and Eli shared a look, their expressions darkening. Oskar's hands balled into fists, his protective instincts flaring. Eli placed a hand on Oskar's shoulder, shaking her head as if to say, Not yet. They couldn't risk revealing themselves—not like this.

Leroy's dad continued his tirade, pacing back and forth, his voice getting louder with each word. "You're gonna end up just like me if you don't shape up, Leroy! You think I'm hard on you now? Just wait until you're out on the streets with nothing to your name! You'll see what real hardship looks like!" Leroy bit down hard on his lip, refusing to let tears show. "I'm sorry, Dad," he muttered, barely above a whisper. "I'll do better. I promise." His dad snorted and finally stopped pacing, glaring down at him. "You'd better, or else." With that, he turned and stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind him so hard that the shelves rattled. Leroy stood still for a moment, his shoulders shaking. Then he took a deep breath, wiping his face with the back of his hand. He glanced at the closet and walked over, opening it slowly. "You can come out now," he whispered, his voice hoarse. Oskar and Eli stepped out, their expressions filled with a mixture of anger and concern. "Leroy, are you okay?" Eli asked softly, her gaze scanning his face.

Leroy forced a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, I'm used to it. He's just... stressed, I guess." He shrugged, trying to make light of it, but the hurt was clear in his eyes. Oskar clenched his jaw, the anger simmering just beneath the surface. "He shouldn't talk to you like that. Nobody should." Eli put a gentle hand on Leroy's shoulder. "You don't have to go through this alone. If you ever need to talk or just... need a place to stay, you can come to us." Leroy smiled, but shook his head. "Thanks, but it'll probably make things worse." Oskar frowned. "Come on Eli, let's go." Oskar motioned to the window. Eli nodded as the two crawled through the window. "... Stay safe." Eli whispered. Leroy nodded as the two left.

Leroy's Father was driving down the road, with his wife next to him in the front seat. It was quiet before she spoke up. "Listen, I think you were too hard on Leroy". Leroy's Father groaned. "Maybe, but he had to know, know not to become like me." "Well maybe but you didn't need to yell at him like he committed a felony." His mother barked back. "Well, I'm sorry ok? I just don't want to see him fail. I just don't want him to end up like m-" but he was cut off. "Frank, look." On the side of the road was a child. A child with Blonde hair and a brown jacket. The car slowly went to a halt. "Hey kid, is everything ok?" Leroy's Father asked. The boy was Oskar. "No, I need a ride home, my bus never came so I was forced to walk. Can you help me?" Oskar asked. Leroy's Mom sighed with sympathy. "Awww, Frank, let's help him." The Mother begged. Leroy's father rolled his eyes before nodding. "Alright, fine, get in the car, kid." Oskar opened the backseat and got in, as the car sped off, far past the speed limit. It wasn't long before a cop-car spotted them and pulled them over. "Frank? How you doing man?" The Cop asked. Turned out, the cop knew them. "Oh hey Jess, how are ya?" Leroy asked. "Doing great! Who's the kid?" Jess asked. Oskar looked over at the cop. "...Oskar." He said bluntly. Jess stared for a while before he realized. "Holy shit it's the missing kid from Sweden!" Frank looked back at Oskar, then Jess. "Dude what the hell are you talking about?" Frank asked. Before Jess could say anything else, Eli attacked, biting his neck from behind. Frank quickly rolled up the window and drove off as Jess was getting murdered. "FRANK WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" Leroy's mother asked. Frank's hands tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white as the car sped down the dark road. His breathing came in short, ragged bursts, and he glanced in the rearview mirror at Oskar, who was staring blankly out the window, his expression unreadable. Next to him, Frank's wife clutched her seatbelt, her eyes wide with panic. Leroy's mother turned in her seat, her gaze falling on Oskar, who met her eyes with an eerie calmness that sent a chill down her spine. Oskar stared, his eyes turning yellow with rage. "Frank…Frank…?" Leroy's mother began to say. But then Oskar attacked. Oskar leaped at the Wife, causing blood to go all around the car. "WHAT THE FUCK?!" Frank shouted. The Car quickly went out of control…and it crashed.

Frank woke up from the crash, the car on fire. Oskar was nowhere to be found. "Nancy!" He shouted. But there was no response. He turned and saw his wife, his neck ripped open and now missing part of her face from the crash. "NO! NO!" He shouted, pounding the ground in rage. But that's when he heard Oskar laughing. "WHERE ARE YOU?! WHERE ARE YOU KID?!" Frank shouted. "I'm here…I'm there…I'm everywhere…" Oskar sang. Frank tried to get up, but he couldn't. It hurt too much. He looked up and saw Oskar looking down at him, his eyes yellow, smiling, fangs in his teeth. Eli soon joined him, the same yellow glint in her eyes. As Frank lay there, pain coursing through him, he caught a glimpse of Oskar and Eli, their smiles twisted with a malevolent hunger. "Who… Who are you?" he managed to choke out, his voice barely a whisper. "Death," they replied in unison, their voices echoing like a chilling lullaby. In that moment, Frank's mind flashed with memories of Leroy's laughter, the warmth of his wife's hand, and the dreams he'd had for his family. But all of that faded into darkness, the world around him melting away as Oskar's laughter rang like a funeral bell. And then, everything went silent.

Leroy was sitting at home by himself. By then it was 11pm. But he was used to this. He was used to his parents being out so late. But as he was watching television, the news came on. "BREAKING NEWS: TWO DEAD IN FATAL CAR CRASH," the anchor reported, her voice grave. Leroy's heart skipped a beat, the warmth of the TV contrasting sharply with the chill creeping into the room. He leaned closer, the glow of the screen casting eerie shadows across his face. Details began to emerge—names, ages, and the haunting imagery of the wreckage. "Authorities are investigating the incident involving a man and woman on the highway… eyewitnesses claim they saw a child in distress moments before the crash…" Leroy felt a knot tighten in his stomach. His thoughts raced back to the earlier argument he'd had with his father, the harsh words echoing in his mind. Did they leave him for good? The question hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. "Mom? Dad?" he whispered to the empty house, hoping for a reply that never came. As the report continued, Leroy felt an unsettling mixture of fear and confusion washing over him, the realization that his life could change in an instant, and the night began to stretch longer in the absence of their voices.

That's when there was a knock on the door. Leroy got up and went to go check. Outside was…Oskar and Eli. Leroy jumped seeing the two. He was already suspicious of them from finding his house earlier, but them showing up after his mother and father were pronounced dead? "What..What are you doing here?" Leroy stammered, trying to keep his voice steady despite the growing knot in his stomach. Oskar's lips curled into a faint, unsettling smile, while Eli remained eerily calm, her eyes glinting with an unsettling light. "We heard about your parents," Oskar said softly, his voice almost melodic, but with an undercurrent of something sinister. "We wanted to see if you were okay." Leroy felt a chill run down his spine. "How do you know about that? It just aired on the TV there's no way you could have-" But Eli placed a finger over his mouth, quietly shushing him. "Don't worry about it. We just wanted to help," Eli chimed in, her tone deceptively sweet, but there was something in her gaze that sent shivers through Leroy. "You shouldn't be alone tonight. It's dangerous out here." "Dangerous?" Leroy echoed, feeling the weight of their presence suffocating him. "You don't even know me. Why would you care?" Oskar stepped closer, the moonlight casting an eerie glow over him, his eyes beginning to glow, as if they were piercing through his skull. "We care more than you think," he said, his voice low and enticing. "Sometimes, friends come at the most unexpected times, especially when you need them." Leroy hesitated, uncertainty clawing at him. He wanted to trust them, but the shadows of doubt loomed large in his mind. Just hours ago, he was wrapped in the safety of his home, and now, it felt as if the walls were closing in around him.

"Look, I—" he started, but before he could finish, Eli stepped forward, her expression shifting from sweetness to something darker. "You don't want to be alone, do you, Leroy? We can keep you company. We can keep you safe." Something in her tone set alarm bells ringing in Leroy's head. He took a step back, shaking his head. "No. I don't think I want that." Oskar's smile faltered, replaced by an intensity that made Leroy's heart race even faster. "We can help you," he repeated, almost pleadingly, but it felt more like a warning. Leroy couldn't let them in. They have done something. Something terrible. He had to distract them and call for help. Then he thought of an idea, it ridiculous one but it could work. "HEY, LOOK A DEER!" Leroy shouted, pointing past them. Surprisingly, it worked as Eli and Oskar turned around. Thinking fast, Leroy slammed the door shut and locked it. "Leroy, come on buddy, aren't we friends? Friends don't lock eachother out.." Eli whispered. "...You two are not my friends! You're weird, you…you hurt my parents. I know it was you! Just go away!" Leroy yelled. It was silence for a bit before the two began to pound on the door, the wood creaking. "If we can't have you…" Oskar began. "...No one can." Eli finished. Leroy's eyes widened as the wood began to crack, it seemed it was gonna break at any second. So he ran.

Leroy quickly ran for his parent's room, locking the door behind him as he heard the front door burst down. He reached under the bed and found his father's Double Barrel Shotgun, luckily with 8 bullets. He filled in the first two and cocked it, just as he heard Oskar approaching the door, quietly knocking. "Leroy…Come out! We're buddies, right?" Oskar asked. Leroy shook his head. "No. No, we're not." Leroy shouted. Oskar growled and began to bang on the door. "Come out of there Leroy, you know we'll just get in eventually. If you get out…we'll make you just like us: Immortal. Then we can stay together forever. Wouldn't you like that?" Oskar asked. Leroy unlocked the door and opened it, pointing the shotgun at Oskar. "Leave right now, or I'll blow your fucking brains out!" Leroy threatened. Oskar's eyes widened for a brief moment, surprise flashing across his face before it morphed into a twisted grin. He began to cackle. "Oh come on Leroy, we both know you don't have the balls to use that." Oskar teased. "Wanna bet?" Leroy asked. Before Oskar could reply, Leroy fired, shooting Oskar in the head and causing him to go flying. He quickly reloaded the bullets as he heard the window in his parent's room break. He turned around to see Eli crawling out of the window. Leroy's heart raced as Eli emerged through the shattered glass, her movements fluid and unnervingly graceful. Blood dripped from her arms, glistening in the moonlight, but she didn't seem fazed at all. Instead, her expression was one of cold determination, her eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger. "Now you done it," Eli growled. Eli leaped at Leroy and he took another shot at them, shooting them in the chest and causing them to go flying. The Nightmare was over!

But it wasn't.

Leroy heard the bullets clatter behind him as he turned around and witnessed Oskar's brains seemingly reverse themselves back into his skull. The flesh knitted itself together as if he were a puppet with strings being pulled. Oskar's eyes shot open as he got back up and shook himself off. He heard sounds of cracking and twisting from behind him as Eli got back up, the bullets falling out of the wound. "No…No!" Leroy shouted. Leroy stumbled back, panic surging through him as he witnessed the impossible. Oskar stood tall, his face twisted into a grotesque grin, while Eli, her expression a blend of fury and amusement, brushed off the remnants of the attack like it was nothing more than an inconvenience. He fired again, but the bullets simply bounced off of him. Eli climbed over the bed and the bullets didn't affect her either. Soon…he was out of bullets, the two vampires getting closer. He tried to wack them with the back of his gun, but Oskar grabbed it and broke it. "Please..No..NO! NO!" Leroy yelled. But the two children didn't listen and tore Leroy apart.

Oskar snapped out of it and his eyes grew wide as he saw the carnage. "Oh god..Oh god, what have we done?" Oskar asked. Eli snapped out of it by that point and was shaking against the dresser, his knees up to her chest. "We….Oh my God, we killed him…" Eli stammered. Oskar sat next to him, still stunned. "He was our friend and we killed him…for what? Not wanting to be friends anymore?!" Oskar shouted to himself. Eli began shaking, and then..he screamed. They screamed and screamed in horror. "...We're not supposed to be with anyone else, we're just meant to be with each other.." Eli realized. Oskar's heart sank as he absorbed Eli's words, the weight of their actions crashing down like a tidal wave. "What have we done?" he echoed, his voice cracking. "This isn't what we wanted. We just wanted to have fun." Eli buried her face in her knees, the reality of the situation flooding her mind. "We took it too far. I didn't mean to…" Her voice was muffled, raw with emotion. "I just wanted to feel something, to be alive again. But this… this isn't living." Oskar looked around the room, the remnants of Leroy's life scattered around them—pictures of happier times, toys left behind, and now, the horrific aftermath of their actions. "We were supposed to protect each other, Eli. Not destroy everything we touch." "Maybe we're not meant to be with anyone else," Eli said, her voice trembling as she lifted her head. "Maybe we're too broken, too lost to ever fit in anywhere. It was never supposed to be this way." The sound of sirens grew louder, a chilling reminder of the world outside. Oskar felt the pull of panic rises within him. "We need to leave now." Eli nodded as the two leaped out the window, ready to escape to a new location.