Reanimated as Death's Bane

Unexpected revelation

Pete stood in the doorway, his eyes widened with shock as he stared at the woman peeking behind the stranger. Those calm eyes, that smooth skin like a pearl glowing in the light, and black hair neatly packed in a bun, confirmed it was his mom.

But something was different, she was standing on her own with no support, or in a wheelchair, she could finally walk again. His heart pounded like a drum, mixed with emotions of joy and confusion.

"Mom?" Pete whispered. He twitched his brow, trying to make sense of it all. "What's going on? Your… your standing fine? And who is this guy?"

The young man at the door with a sharp trimmed beard stepped aside giving Pete a polite smile.”I'm Hank,”

But Pete barely heard him. He was lost in thoughts and assumptions. This stranger staying with mom, did she finally find someone to replace dad?

He clenched his fists at the thought, it felt wrong, like an intruder in his family story.

Claudia, Pete's mom, stepped forward with a warm smile that lit up her face like sunshine breaking through rain. She moved with ease, no limp or pain in her steps. "Oh, Pete, my sweet boy," she said, her voice tender and full of love.

She pulled him into a gentle hug, her arms wrapped around him like a safe blanket. Pete hugged her back, but his body was stiff, and he looked over her shoulder, glaring at Hank. "Come inside, dear. You must be tired from your journey. Let me get you something to eat."

She led him into the cozy living room, where soft couches sat around a low table, and the air smelled of freshly baked pastry.

The house was decorated with paintings on white walls that shone under the soft lights, and windows that let in the afternoon sun like golden rays.

Pete sat down, still frowning, as his mom entered the kitchen. She came back with a plate of warm cookies and a glass of milk for him and another plate for Hank, who sat across from Pete.

Pete's jaw tightened as he watched Hank take a cookie and bite into it casually. The anger boiling up within him was hot and ready to spill.

Why was his mom being so nice to this guy? But deep down he knew his mother wouldn't do this for no reason. There had to be a reasonable explanation and he would listen to it before taking action.

Claudia sat beside him, folding her hands in her lap like she was gathering her thoughts. "I know you have so many questions, my boy. Let's start with the biggest one, how I can walk again." She glanced down at her legs, flexing her toes to prove it was real.

"It was all thanks to your sister, Marilyn. She came to visit me at the shelter, right when I needed her most. One day, she told me she'd gotten a beautiful house and invited me to move in with her.

I was hesitant at first, the shelter was safe, but I didn't have anyone there. So I left. When I arrived here, she surprised me even more. She sent me to one of the best hospitals in the city.

Those special people used their abilities to mend my burned legs. It hurt a little at first, but then... I could stand. I could walk. It felt like a miracle, like waking up from a long, bad dream.”

That was an answer but it only added to Pete's confusion. Marilyn? His little sister who was just a kid when he left? How could she afford a fancy house and top healers? It didn't add up.

"But... how, Mom?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Marilyn's just a kid. How did she do all this?"

Claudia sighed softly, her eyes had a mix of pride and worry. “Marilyn discovered her ability during the second attack. It's something special, she can age herself forward, making her body grow older and stronger.

She wasn't at the shelter when it happened, and we were both separated during the attack. So she got a job with a wealthy research company.

That's where she earned the money to buy this house and pay for my treatments. And... the man sitting here with us, Hank, he's her fiancé now. He helped her get the job, and they've been together ever since."

Pete was getting some good news but the last statement wrecked everything. Fiance? His eyes shot wide open as he glared at Hank. Marilyn, his baby sister, is engaged to this guy?

Without thinking, he grabbed the now-empty plate from the table and hurled it straight at Hank like a flying disc. Hank dodged it smoothly, catching it in mid-air with a neat twist and placing it down, but that only fueled Pete's rage.

He rushed forward, landing a solid punch on Hank's jaw. The impact sent him stumbling back, but Pete didn't stop. He pinned Hank to the ground, gripping the man's collar tight.

"She's just a kid!" Pete cursed, his voice loud and fierce. "How dare you take advantage of her? Don't you have any shame?”

Hank's eyes narrowed, but he didn't fight back. Instead, he twisted his body with surprising strength, sending Pete flying into the air off his back.

Before Pete could crash to the floor, Hank caught him by the shirt, holding him steady. Pete wriggled free angrily.

"Don't ever try that again," Hank warned, his voice low and calm.

Pete shot back. "Or what? You'll hide behind my sister?"

Claudia jumped up, her hands raised like a peacemaker. "Pete, calm down! This isn't how we welcome family. Hank is going to be your brother-in-law. Please, let's talk this out sensibly." She placed a gentle hand on Pete's arm, her eyes pleading.

Did his mom agree with this? Pete forced a smile, nodding like he understood. "Okay, Mom. You're right." He walked up to Hank, offering a handshake to make peace.

But when Hank grabbed his hand, Pete yanked hard, pulling him off balance and slamming him onto the floor with a loud bang that shook the room.

Hank's face darkened with anger now. He moved in a blur, so fast Pete couldn't see it coming. One moment Hank was on the ground, the next, he was behind Pete, whispering in his ear.

"I could have killed you if I wanted to kid. But I want a good relationship with your sister. Don't push me."

Those words were genuine but Pete couldn't accept such fate. He spun around, launching a fast deadly punch towards Hank's face.

But Hank caught it mid-air, his fingers gripped Pete's fists and squeezed it making Pete grunt in pain.

"I'm stronger than you," Hank said in an unusually calm tone. "Calm down before you get hurt.”

"Marilyn!" Pete shouted angrily, his voice echoed through the house. He needed his sister here to sort this mess.

Claudia watched with pity in her eyes, not stepping in, she felt defeated, her shoulders slumped like she carried a heavy weight.

She had already tried speaking to Marilyn about Hank, warning her that she was too young at heart, even if her body had grown.

But Marilyn hadn't listened, she was stubborn like a rooted tree. But what choice did Claudia have? Now, with Pete here, maybe he could talk sense into her and end this madness.

Pete slumped into a chair in the parlor. This wasn't the family he left; he needed to understand what really happened. Each minute felt like an eternity as he stared at the clock. He wondered what Marilyn would say. If she would see reason in her actions?

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky orange and pink, the door finally creaked open, the evening shadow stretched across the room, and a figure stood in the doorway, Marilyn.