"Uncle?"
Her voice is so stable it's unnatural.
"Are you okay Uncle?"
She tilts her head in a way that should be considered 'innocent' and 'cute'
But her petals are covered in blood. Soaked and stained red.
She wasn't supposed to be here.
She wasn't supposed to see this.
Those bastards told me she'd be safe but why-
"Uncle."
Those small hands grab my face and she seems worried.
Worried and concerned but eerily calm.
It wasn't supposed to be like this.
She's still so young. So fragile. Just a pure little white flower.
It's my fault she got dragged into this dirty world. But why is she so…
Suited for this?
"Rose."
"Uncle! you're ok-"
"Rose, Rose, little white rose I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry I-"
I hug her.
What else can I do?
She is stained with the dirty blood of this business.
They will never let her go.
What can I do?
What do I do?
I have to protect her this time.
"Rose, look at me."
Her head tilts again. It makes me want to cry.
"I'm going to take you away. It's not safe here. We'll go to-"
"Uncle."
…
….why?
Why is she? How can she look at me like that?
With such a sweet, kind, and respectful aura?
As if it's not my fault.
As if I'm not the reason why Laura is dead. She's your mother!
And even her father ! My mistakes cost their lives!
Doesn't she understand how much I've destroyed her?
"I-"
"It's not your fault."
"What!?"
"They lied to you uncle. Mom was already gone. She was gone before you failed to kill your target."
"How do you know about that mission?!"
"The same reason that I'm not scared of the blood."
"...Rose…."
"Father killed her."
"No no there's no way, you must be mistaken. HE LOVED HER! Rose are you sure? Did they tell you that? You have to know that they are liars and thieves you can't believe what they say it's not-"
"I saw him."
"..."
"I watched him rip out her petals and her leaves. One by one. He made me watch."
My legs gave out. The floor should be cold concrete. I'm not sure. I can't feel the temperature at all.
"Uncle. I killed him. It's not your fault."
"...Rose, you're only 15 how could you…. Hide it for so long? Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped you I-"
"The people you work for. They gave me a chance. I've been proving myself for 2 years now. They finally let me kill him."
"....2 years?"
"Yes."
"You've been in the business for two years?....Rose, you're so young. You're still a child. I'm so sorry, I didn't know."
Two years. How could she have stayed in this dirty mess for 2 years already? How did I not notice someone like her? A child? Dealing with dirty money for so long.
"Rose… What's your name?"
"..."
"...Rose, please…."
"Carna. They call me Carna Rose."
No. No way. She's that person?
The sky has collapsed and the world is falling apart.
My best friend was murdered by the man she loved.
Everything I thought I knew was a lie.
My precious niece is the demon who has been wreaking havoc in the underworld for the past 18 months.
Carna Rose stands in front of me with her petals dyed red. Who knows how many lives were lost? Is it even possible to tell how much blood was shed up until now?
I know nothing.
I don't know what to do.
But I can't leave her.
She doesn't have family or background and those vultures will eat her alive.
I'm not the smartest. But there has to be more to this.
I stand up straight and look down at her.
"Carna."
…the head tilt.
I crouch down to look at her face to face.
"....no. Not Carna. Hey Rose-"
She hugs me.
Was she waiting for this?
Did she think I would leave her?
Is that why she was so hesitant to tell me her name?
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Rose. It'll be fine. I'm not going anywhere. I won't lie to you. We're a family Rose."
"....uncle…"
She cried. She cried until she fell asleep.
How long has she gone without resting?
How long has it been since I gave her a hug?
Warmth, comfort, and security?
There's no safety in our line of business.
I can't give her a home.
But I can make up for my mistakes.
This time. I'll protect you Rose, so you can live a better life.
Even if you can only be known as Carna Rose.
