Reanimated as Death's Bane

A Scout

Marilyn walked in, looking elegant in a sleek suit, her hair flowing like silk. She saw Pete and her face lit up with joy. "Pete! I've missed you so much!" She rushed over, hugging him tight.

Pete's mouth dropped open. He couldn't believe his eyes. His once little sister was now taller, and older than him, with graceful features and confident eyes. He was wowed inside, but he didn't say it.

Then Hank leaned in and pecked her on the cheek, like it was the most normal thing.

This disgusted Pete as he glared at Hank, he imagined grabbing a knife and driving it into his skull.

But he composed himself that wasn't right, so was Having an affair with a six-year-old who could tamper her looks, That was the real wrong here.

Pete pulled Marilyn aside gently, into a quiet corner in the kitchen. "I needed to talk to you privately." he asked, "Who is that guy really? Why is he here?"

She hesitated, biting her lip like she was weighing her words. Then she said, "He's my fiancé, brother.

Hearing it from her own mouth felt like a nightmare coming true, painful and unbelievable, like a bad dream that wouldn't end.

His heart twisted at the response. "Why? Why him?"

"We met at work," she explained, her voice soft but sure. "He helped me get a job. He's kind, Pete. I fell in love with that kindness, he's always there for me.”

Every word stung Pete like sharp thorns pricking his skin. It made sense in a twisted way, but to him, it was nonsense.

He wouldn't accept it. "Why did you even think of this? You're a child, What if... what if Hank died? Would you move on? Get another man?”

Marilyn's eyes narrowed suspiciously, a death glare that made Pete's stomach drop. She stood up without answering. "Don't do anything you'll regret," she warned, then left the room.

In Pete's head, killing Hank wouldn't be a regret. Marilyn was just a kid who grew up overnight, making wrong choices that needed fixing.

He had asked his mom about it earlier, away from Hank, and she said to wait for Marilyn to explain. But this didn't feel better, it felt worse.

What could he do? He had to play along, stay calm. He was here for his family, not this nobody trying to join it.

The next morning, Pete ignored Hank completely, like he was air.

An aroma came from the kitchen, and it drew Pete in, there he saw his mom, stirring something that smelled like sweet pancakes, he smiled at her. "Morning, Mom!"

He walked over to the counter to assist her chop cabbage.

Claudia looked at him with twinkling eyes. "You've changed so much Pete. Just a few months at the academy, look at you, you've grown muscles. You're growing up fast!"

Pete laughed it off gently, his voice soft like a whisper. "It's all the routines there, Mom. Running, the drills, it builds up the body." He lied.

Marilyn came into the kitchen, still in her elegant morning robe, What Pete did surprised everyone as he entangled her in a tight hug.

Like he was totally used to her new self and their heated argument yesterday never happened. "Good morning, sis!" He grinned.

His mom and sister exchanged shocked looks, then burst into laughter. "What? Can't a brother hug his big sister now?” He smiled widely.

But inside, Pete was broken, like a cracked glass ready to shatter. This wasn't the family he left, everything was different, and he felt like a stranger in his own home.

He noticed how his mom laughed harder with Marilyn, and it stung. Wasn't that his place before? Or was he overthinking?

After breakfast pete retired to his room, it was plain space with a bed and a wardrobe.

He sat on the bed and pulled out a small orb given to him by Sir Crayon. He pressed his finger on the glowing tip and the two blades inside appeared in a small holograph. “I wonder what else can fit in here,”

He touched a pillow and placed his finger on the orb, just like sir crayon instructed, in an instant the pillow was sent into the orb.

He didn't have the chance to test the orb on the way here so now was perfect.

After multiple trials he discovered the orb couldn't hold living things and it had a limited space of five ‘portable’ objects.

While in his room, Pete faintly heard his name multiple times.

Mainly because of his ability, and he couldn't take it anymore so he went to eavesdrop.

"Should we tell him about the pregnancy?" Pete's mom asked quietly.

No he definitely heard that wrong, but the next statement confirmed it.

“I don't think keeping something like this away from him is wise.” Hank responded.

Pete bit his lip so hard that blood trickled out, to stop himself from screaming. Pregnant? They had to be joking.

How was this real? It felt like the world was against him.

Later in the day, he approached his mom at the balcony, pulling a chair and sitting beside her.

"What about Dave?" his mom asked, leaning on his shoulder. "You two are always together. Where is he?"

Pete lied smoothly, his voice steady. “It was an academy game. We were told to form a team to battle others, the winners could request anything from the academy, so I chose to come here.”

“Dave didn't disagree with my decision since the reward would go to one member, he encouraged me to go. They assigned a guard to watch me, but he's off now." Pete lied.

His mom smiled, touched by the story. "Dave is a blessing, such a good friend."

“Yeah yeah I know.” Pete sighed.

“Hey mom can I ask you something?” Pete asked.

“Go on” she replied.

“Can you run now?” He turned to see her reaction but she didn't say anything, instead she got up and tagged him as she dashed of laughing with joy.

“Hey, that's not fair!” Pete smiled, launching himself forward in a blur behind her, but he slowed down immediately.

His heart was full of joy. These were the moments he dreamed of.

When they went inside, Hank continuously glared at Pete, but Pete ignored him. He went to the fridge to grab a snack then Hank approached from behind. Pete pretended not to notice, then Hank spoke.

"I know your secrets, boy."

Pete's heart skipped a beat, but he remained composed.

“You're not normal. I saw the way you moved outside. That's not right."

Pete acted like he wasn't listening, but Hank leaned in. "I'll be watching you. Keep your eyes open." Then he walked away.

Pete felt confused and disgusted. Who was this guy to threaten him?

At dinner, the table was set with steaming soup, the aroma filled the air with soothing comfort.

Then Pete spoke up, "Sis, how was work today?"

She smiled brightly. "Great! My boss gave me extra tasks, I'm one of the best you know."

“So what do you research about.”

Pete, seemed interested in her research, maybe he could get answers about his condition.

But Marilyn stated she wasn't based on the lab, her job was gathering resources.

The discussion continued for a while then Claudia nudged Marilyn, that was their signal.

Everyone paused, and stared at Pete. The sudden silence confused him. "What?"

Hank cleared his throat then his words came through sharply. "My fiancée is pregnant. You'll be an uncle soon."

Pete's throat tightened with a heavy lump, like swallowing a stone. "Wow," he managed, but no more words came.

Inside, his heart shattered into tiny shards, leaving a weak and empty sensation. This wasn't the life he wanted, it was far from it.

He picked up his spoon to eat, but he had lost appetite, the anger he suppressed made the air feel thick.

Tears threatened to flow, but he held them in, all he could muster were fake smiles when they talked about the baby.

That night, after everyone slept, Pete sneaked out.

He had an appointment with Bauer, the Dashkyr

During the day, it would scout around for rivers, but the ones it had come across were miles away and were condemned with ash and plastics.

So after every unsuccessful scout it would return at night to Pete expecting some water it could use to hold its form, and now in the darkness of the night, Pete was handing over a bag containing bottles of water.

But tonight a pair of eyes watched this exchange.