How Lilies turn Black – Chapter 31 – The Rabble of West Peal (5)

Author: Nikss

That evening passed by without much incident.

Theodoro’s strange words and actions ended up being nothing more than a brief episode, and the evening performance concluded without any major issues.

By the time the performance ended, Theodoro and Paul had already left the bar, so Liliana and Silvano headed home with lighter hearts.

The uneventful night of the 21st came to a close like that.

And finally, midnight arrived, marking the transition to the 22nd.

Wearing a thick hunter’s jacket, Silvano stepped out of the East Pearl Apartments and started his bike.

With a forceful kick on the starter pedal, his beloved 1950 Harley-Davidson EL Hydra Glide roared to life, growling like a beast.

Back when he was roaming the streets of Demercy, this majestic wine-colored bike had always been by his side. When he was chased out to North Wellington, he thought those glorious days would never return.

Now, standing in the back alleys of this dazzling city, listening to the explosive rumble of the engine, Silvano felt his blood surge with excitement.

“Ha, damn… feels good.”

He ran a hand through his damp hair and smirked. The road was soaked from the relentless rain, but he didn’t care.

If anything, it would wash away the layers of dust and the shameful past clinging to the bike.

It was the perfect comeback.

Silvano gazed at the bike, which was gradually regaining its former glory, then turned his steps toward the nearby phone booth.

He dialed a familiar number, and the ringing tone echoed through the line.

At the same time,

Ring ring!

A loud phone bell shattered the silence indoors.

The call was answered by Liliana, who was in her apartment on the 13th floor of the Proud Building, wearing a slip gown and gazing at the rainy Demercy skyline.

“Hello?”

Her slightly hoarse voice traveled through the phone line.

Leaning against one wall of the phone booth, Silvano chuckled just hearing her voice.

“…Silvano?”

“Yes, yes.”

“If you’re calling, say something. Where are you?”

“Can you hear it?”

At his cryptic question, Liliana raised an eyebrow and focused on the noise coming through the receiver.

Still unsure, she asked again, “What are you talking about?”

“Can’t you hear the rain?”

“…I can’t hear it, but I know it’s raining. Why?”

“It feels like the heavens are on our side.”

Silvano muttered, pressing his palm against the rain-streaked glass of the booth.

“Where I’m going, who’s chasing after me with their teeth bared… how would anyone know?”

But his muttering didn’t reach Liliana.

Boom—!

A sudden clap of thunder shook the ground, drowning out his voice. Liliana pulled the receiver away from her ear for a moment, frowning at the loud noise.

“What did you say? I couldn’t hear you.”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Silvano just smiled to himself.

At that moment, a bolt of lightning struck East Pearl Street, illuminating the area in a blinding flash.

Reflected in the glass window was a ghostly face.

If anyone had witnessed that eerie sight on the deserted street, they would’ve surely fainted on the spot.

Meanwhile, Liliana couldn’t shake off her unease and was about to press him further when—

“What were you trying to say—”

Crash—!

Another thunderclap swallowed her words. The heavy downpour made normal communication nearly impossible.

“Hello? Can you hear me?”

“Don’t worry about it, static— at home, static—”

“Hey, Silvano.”

Her irritation faded as concern filled her eyes. She glanced out the window.

“Are you okay? Nothing’s wrong, right?”

Was that message clearly delivered? Or did it not reach him at all?

It was unclear, but Silvano pushed himself off the booth wall and smiled lazily.

“I’ll be back.”

He didn’t wait for a response. After leaving those final words, he hung up the phone.

Beep— beep— beep—

“Hello? Hello?”

Liliana called out repeatedly into the receiver, but…

There was no way it could reach him. By then, the phone booth was already empty, as if no one had ever been there.

As Liliana stood dumbfounded, holding the disconnected phone and staring out the window, Silvano swung onto his bike and pulled on his helmet.

Soon, a thunderous exhaust roar echoed through the pitch-black road.

The rain poured down in sheets.

A single bike shot forward into the darkness, where not even a step ahead could be seen.

💫

Squelch, squelch—

The sound of wet footsteps echoed across the wooden floor as Silvano, thoroughly soaked by the rain, walked through the house.

Though his footprints left clear marks behind, Silvano didn’t seem to care in the slightest.

After all, it wasn’t his house. He didn’t even bother to hide his presence.

For someone who had secretly broken into another person’s living space, he was acting remarkably nonchalant.

Fortunately, the residents weren’t in any condition to wake up from the thudding footsteps.

“Ugh, what a smell.”

By the time Silvano entered the bedroom, he scrunched up his nose and shook his head.

Clothes and underwear were scattered messily across the floor. The air in the room was heavy with moisture, mixed with a peculiar scent that was more than just sweat.

“Married life, huh? Looks like you’ve been having a grand old time.”

Silvano clicked his tongue as he stepped toward the naked couple sprawled on the bed.

His footsteps were bold and careless, but the couple showed no signs of waking up.

Thanks to their deep slumber, Silvano was able to move freely around the room and remove any potential threats.

For example, the pistol on the nightstand by the bed or the telephone on the opposite nightstand.

Crouching beside the nightstand, Silvano cut the telephone line, groaning as he straightened his knees. Despite the clattering noise, the couple remained fast asleep, snoring peacefully.

His gaze swept over them, filled with utter disdain.

“How much did you two go at it to not even notice someone moving around next to you, huh?”

No answer came, of course.

Silvano let out a hollow laugh, resting his hands on his hips.

By now, they should’ve been startled awake. But judging by their state, waiting for them to wake up on their own would’ve been a waste of time.

His mind began to conjure up all sorts of scenarios for how to wake them up in the most entertaining way possible.

It was then that something caught his eye as he scanned the room.

“Oho.”

Silvano let out a short exclamation and immediately moved toward it.

In a few strides, he reached a turntable sitting prominently in the room. What could be more fitting to wake the couple from their post-coital slumber?

“Shall we liven things up a bit?”

A sticky smile spread across his lips.

Without hesitation, Silvano turned on the record player.

A few seconds after the needle touched the black vinyl… the room was filled with the blaring sound of music.

It was The Old Black Magic by Bobby Rydell.

“…Gasp!”

Unsurprisingly, the couple woke up in a panic before the frivolous intro even ended.

“That old~ black magic has me~ in its spell~.”

And the moment they saw the dark silhouette swaying to the music, they screamed.

“Aaaah!”

Silvano, on the other hand, seemed even more energized by the reaction, shaking his head vigorously and shouting.

“Great song choice!”