Zoe’s overwhelming power was chilling, a sudden surge of intensity that turned him into a force of terror. Even Jill, with all his cunning, was weak and frightened in Zoe’s presence, his face turning pale with fear.
Gasping for breath, Jill managed to croak, “N-no... You can’t kill me. I was just joking, Zoe... If you spare me this time, I’ll do anything you want... Please, Zoe, don’t do this. I’m truly remorseful for everything I’ve done.”
“Then why not die to atone for your sins?”
“No, no, don’t do this, Zoe.” Jill's voice was weak and pitiful, tears streaming down his face as he pleaded.
“I don’t trust you anymore. Your mind is filled with repugnant, malicious thoughts. I should have crushed your soul a long time ago.”
“Please, Zoe, if you kill me, Brian will die too. Do you want to kill an innocent person?”
Zoe’s grip tightened, leaving a dark bruise on Jill’s slender neck. Jill struggled to scream but no sound emerged, sweat pouring down his forehead.
“You’re an ungrateful wretch. All the kindness I’ve shown you over the years was wasted. I spared you out of friendship, and you took advantage of me.” Zoe’s voice was bitter. “I’ve already killed many. Adding one more won’t make a difference. I’ll end my life to atone for my sins.”
Hearing this, Neil struggled to rise, his voice desperate. “Zoe, it’s not your fault. You’re not like this. You’re a good person, just manipulated and used by others.”
Neil extended his arm toward Zoe. “Stop, Zoe. Come back home with me.”
Zoe did not look at Neil, his voice wavering. “But if I let Brian go, Jill will harm innocent people again.”
“The necklace,” Neil suddenly remembered. “Use the necklace around your neck. Put it on Brian, and Jill’s soul will be instantly separated from his body.”
Jill trembled with fear. He had experienced the power of the necklace on the first day he met Neil, which was why he wanted to kill Neil.
Zoe hesitated, then slowly loosened his grip on Jill’s wrist. As he reached to remove the necklace from around his neck, Jill seized the moment, lifting the gun to Zoe’s chest and pulling the trigger.
“No!” Neil screamed in horror.
The gunshot rang out. Zoe’s face went pale as he stared at Jill, his body shaking with pain, yet he held on to Jill, struggling to place the necklace around his neck. Zoe collapsed to the floor, and Neil rushed to hold him.
At that moment, the yellow glow from the necklace enveloped Brian’s body, lifting him off the ground, the glowing symbols forming a brilliant, intricate pattern that flowed into Brian’s body.
“A,” Brian writhed in pain, his body contorting into horrifying shapes as his bones cracked and Jill’s screams filled the air. Neil clutched Zoe tightly, a scene of unimaginable horror unfolding before them.
The pain intensified as the yellow light spread through Brian’s body. Jill, now completely out of control, thrashed violently, his screams piercing through the air before fading into a chilling silence. Brian fell to the floor, lifeless and without support.
It was over.
Neil managed a weak smile as he held Zoe’s hand. “Zoe, look. It’s over. Jill’s soul wasn’t just expelled; it was completely shattered. He can’t harm anyone anymore, and he won’t follow you.”
Zoe, barely conscious, looked at Neil with a weak smile. Jill was finally defeated. He wouldn’t have to see Jill’s deceitful, malevolent face again. It was over, and so was Zoe’s suffering.
Zoe’s pale face showed a resolute calm, a reflection of the divine choice that brought this perfect end. The villain had been justly punished, an unimaginable blessing.
Zoe’s heavy hand struggled to reach Neil’s face, but he couldn’t. He wanted to call out to him but couldn’t speak. Even though his soul was fading, his heart ached like a knife, seeing Neil’s tears as he held him. The world around Zoe darkened, his eyelids growing heavier until they finally closed with a smile on his lips. He rested his head on Neil’s chest, losing consciousness, the sound of Neil’s voice fading into silence.
“Zoe, no, don’t sleep. Please open your eyes… Zoe…”
Tears streamed down, soaking Zoe’s face, as he felt the brevity of life, realizing that moments with loved ones can be lost over trivial matters, and once missed, they never come again.
When Zoe lost consciousness, an ambulance arrived and took him and Neil to the hospital. Brian also regained his senses and tried to explain to the police what had happened, but his recollections were uncertain, as the events seemed both real and hazy.
Brian had followed Zoe James to the Night bar, waiting for him to come out. After a long wait with no sign of Zoe, he decided to check inside. He was unaware that there was a back exit leading to an alley, which Zoe had used. Brian entered the bar, and as he passed the counter, he heard a noise from behind. Moving cautiously, he saw a white shadow pass by and then lost consciousness.
When he came to, he found himself at Neil’s house, feeling as if he had been beaten by a crowd, yet with no visible injuries, not even a bruise. Seeing Neil holding Zoe and crying uncontrollably, Brian was even more confused. His police gun, which should have been on his belt, was lying on the floor. The police could only wait until Neil’s injuries were treated before questioning him about why he and Zoe had been shot with Brian’s own gun, with no clear recollection of the events.
The sound of someone speaking softly beside him gradually brought Zoe back to consciousness. He opened his eyes slowly, squinting against the bright white light before closing them again. After a moment, he looked around and saw someone sitting next to him, holding his hand and calling his name.
A pale, handsome face appeared before him, gradually coming into focus. The face was masculine and attractive, though slightly haggard with worry, and then it was out of his view.
Zoe turned his head, looking around. “Where am I? How did I get here?”
The young man beside him spoke up, “You’re in the hospital. Luckily, the bullet missed your heart. The doctor said you need to stay here for observation.”
Zoe felt an intense headache and chest pain, like waking from a nightmare but unable to recall the details.
Noticing Zoe’s pained expression, Neil asked anxiously, “How are you feeling?”
Zoe shook his head. “My head hurts.”
After a moment of silence, Zoe looked at Neil with confusion. “Who are you? Do I know you?”
Neil was taken aback but held Zoe’s hand tightly. “I’m Neil, your... closest friend. Don’t you remember anything?”
“I don’t remember anything.” Zoe looked down apologetically. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’ll call the doctor to check on you.”
“Are you awake? Let me examine you,” said a man walking in, wearing a white lab coat and glasses, accompanied by a beautiful nurse.
After a while, Zoe remained in a daze, barely understanding what was happening. He saw the doctor and nurse examining his chest wound, but he couldn’t recall how he was injured or when he had been brought here. More importantly, who was the young man sitting beside him? His worried expression didn’t seem like that of a mere friend or a brother.
“What’s your name?” the doctor asked.
“Huh?” Zoe looked confused.
“What’s your name?” the doctor repeated.
Zoe hesitated. “I... I don’t remember.”
“Zoe James. His name is Zoe James,” Neil interjected from the side.
The elderly doctor raised an eyebrow at Neil, then turned back to Zoe. “How do you feel?”
“My head hurts a lot, and my chest too.”
“Anything else?”
Zoe shook his head. The doctor continued, “You don’t remember anything at all?”
“No, I don’t remember anything. My mind is blank, with no memories, not even vague ones.” He rubbed his head. “I can’t even recall what I look like.”
Suddenly, something seemed to flicker in Zoe’s mind. He turned to Neil, “I feel like I’ve seen your face before, but... my head hurts too much.”
Neil reached out to gently pat Zoe’s back, causing Zoe to look at him. Neil’s soothing smile met his gaze. The doctor nodded thoughtfully.
“There doesn’t appear to be any injury to your head or any specific brain damage from external trauma. The memory loss might be due to psychological shock or fear, leading to temporary amnesia. We’ll need to conduct further brain tests and imaging to provide an accurate diagnosis.”
“It seems you’ve been through a lot,” the doctor added. “Once the examination is complete, you can go home. Your family might help you recall some of the events.”
“Family?” Zoe asked, puzzled. “Do I have a family? I can’t remember anything.”
The elderly doctor looked at Neil. “Isn’t he your family? He’s been waiting here for days, even though he’s injured himself, he wanted to stay until you woke up.”
With that, the doctor signaled the nurse, and they left the room, leaving Zoe and Neil alone. Zoe looked at Neil with clear eyes, slightly troubled.
Zoe studied Neil, trying to find a fragment of memory about the young man. Neil gazed back silently. As their eyes met, they both spoke at the same time.
Neil, “Would you like some water?”
Zoe, “What’s your name?”
Both shared an awkward smile, and Zoe scratched his head. “You go first.”
“I just wanted to ask if you wanted some water,” Neil said softly, his pale face and waning color evident.
Zoe shook his head. “I don’t need any.” He frowned. “The doctor said you’re injured too.”
“I’m fine. It’s a minor injury,” Neil swallowed, licking his lips before continuing, “Do you really remember nothing? Not even a little?”
Zoe nodded. “No, nothing.”
“Even about me?”
“I’m sorry.” Zoe looked regretful. “I really don’t remember.”
Neil sat in stunned silence, his heart aching as if it might stop. Zoe had forgotten everything from the past and present, including him. But perhaps it was for the best. Zoe could have a new, happier life, leaving behind a painful past. It might be the best solution for him. Nevertheless, Neil would stay by his side and pursue him again. As long as Zoe found happiness, that was enough.
“Do we know each other?”
Neil’s thoughts were interrupted by Zoe’s question. He smiled gently. “We not only know each other but we also live together.”
Zoe stared in confusion. “We’re a family?”
Neil took Zoe’s hand. “Yes, you and I are family.”