Cherreads

Chapter 4 - Outside The Window

Morning light poured through the windows, soft and warm, carrying with it the distant sound of birds.

Inside the house—

"Wake up!"

Yokina's voice echoed with pure excitement.

She moved around the room like she had been waiting for this day for years. Without hesitation, she pulled Juson's blanket away.

"Get up already!"

Juson groaned, squinting at the sudden brightness. Beside him, Herik stirred slightly, still half asleep.

Yokina smiled to herself.

After everything… things finally felt normal again.

---

In the bathroom, Juson helped Herik brush his teeth.

The boy stood quietly, letting his father guide him. Foam gathered at the corners of his mouth as Juson carefully moved the brush.

"Open properly," Juson muttered.

Herik obeyed.

Simple.

Calm.

For a moment, Juson felt… light.

---

From the kitchen, the smell of fresh breakfast spread through the house.

Yokina stood there, cooking on her own.

Recovered.

Confident.

Alive in a way she hadn't been days ago.

---

When Juson and Herik entered, both paused.

Their noses caught the smell instantly.

Herik sniffed once… then again.

Juson let out a small breath.

"Smells good."

They sat down and began eating.

"Hey, Juson," Yokina said casually, "you remember Wanna, right?"

"Of Course," he replied without hesitation.

Herik looked between them, confused by the conversation.

Then—

Something shifted.

Not in the room.

Outside.

From the corner of his eye, Herik noticed movement near the backyard window.

He slowly turned his head.

"Mumma…" he murmured softly.

But no one responded.

Juson and Yokina continued eating.

Herik kept staring.

---

After breakfast, Yokina helped him finish his food.

"You've gotten slow," she teased gently.

Then she turned to Juson.

"I can manage cooking now. I'll get him ready."

Juson nodded.

---

As they left the kitchen—

The lights flickered.

Brief.

Sharp.

Juson paused for a second, glancing up.

"Probably wiring," he muttered, dismissing it.

He closed the door behind him.

---

In the room, Yokina changed Herik's clothes, then dressed herself.

A soft-colored outfit.

Her favorite.

Juson leaned against the wall, watching her.

"Cool," he said.

Yokina smiled.

---

Outside, the sun climbed higher.

The air grew warmer.

Everything seemed… perfect.

Too perfect.

---

Juson stood beside the car, wiping the windows slowly.

His movements were mechanical.

His mind wasn't.

He paused, hand resting on the glass.

Something felt off.

He couldn't explain it.

He opened the car door and sat inside, gripping the steering wheel without starting the engine.

Silence.

Then—

"Juson!"

Yokina's voice came from outside.

Faint.

Distant.

As if she were far away.

"Juson!"

He didn't respond.

The sound stretched… distorted…

Then suddenly—

He gasped.

Like surfacing from deep water.

"What happened?" Yokina asked, now standing right beside him.

He blinked.

"Nothing… just… window blocked your voice."

Even he didn't believe that.

---

They finally left.

The road stretched ahead.

For a while, neither spoke.

Then Juson said quietly—

"We should shift to another house."

Yokina turned toward him. "Why?"

He didn't answer.

Just drove.

---

After an hour, they arrived.

Yokina stepped out first, her excitement returning instantly.

She walked up to the door and pressed the bell.

Juson followed, carrying Herik.

The bell ring again

Then—

Someone outside Juson's house

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