Screams filled the abandoned warehouse. James's hands were covered with blood. His eyes were filled with anger. 

"Please... Don't kill me.." James scoffed when he heard the man he was torturing plead for James not to kill him. 

"Did you let my parents live when they pleaded not to kill them? Did you?!" He yelled in anger to the man's face. "Did you let my sister go when she pleaded with you to not rape and kill her?! Did you let her go?!" He pulled the man's hair to look at him. 

"I'm sorry. I just followed the order from my boss." James punched the man's face with all his heart. Blood was flowing out from the man's mouth. Probably a tooth or two were broken. 

"Did he order you to rape her? But don't worry. I know who your boss is. His time will come. Right now is your time to feel the pain you put on me and my family!" He said angrily. For the past 10 years, he trained himself to be tough and trained himself to fight. He wanted to seek revenge for the death of his family. He trained himself to be a cold-hearted man. 

James was not the same person he had been a decade ago. Time had reshaped him entirely, both in body and spirit. Once a sweet, kind-hearted boy with a bright smile, he had morphed into a shadow of his former self, driven by a relentless thirst for vengeance. Gale, the devoted maid who had once nurtured him back to health, watched with growing concern as his transformation unfolded before her eyes. The carefree laughter that had once filled their home had been replaced by a cold, determined silence.

Gale had tried on numerous occasions to pull him back from the abyss that threatened to consume him. "You must learn to let go of the past, James," she urged softly, her voice laced with concern. "Focus on the present. You have a life to live." But James, stubborn and resolute, would shake his head, his jaw clenched in defiance. The memories of that dreadful night, when his family was brutally taken from him, haunted him like a specter. He replayed every detail over and over, each recollection feeding his obsession.

In his quest for answers, James had immersed himself in a world of secrets and shadows, meticulously gathering every piece of information he could find on the five individuals responsible for his family's demise. They were not mere figures in his past; they were obstacles in his path, and he knew that taking them down would not be easy. Each of these men and women had their own defenses, fiercely protective of their lives and willing to do whatever it took to evade justice.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and darkness enveloped the city, James prepared to confront the first of his foes. Tonight was the night he would finally make a mark on his mission. After careful planning, he had managed to capture one of the five, a significant first step in a long journey toward retribution. The adrenaline surged through him as he faced the person whose existence had caused him so much pain. This was just the beginning, and he was ready to see it through, no matter the cost.

James's hands trembled as he gripped the small knife, his eyes flickering with a dangerous light. He moved closer to the man, his voice low and menacing.

"Should I make you suffer, like you made my family suffer? Should I take my time, or end it quickly?" he questioned coldly, the blade glinting in the dim light of the warehouse.

"Please... I have family who need me. My daughter... She's only 12." The man's pleas only fueled James's rage, his words cutting through the air like knives.

"You have a daughter? A family that needs you?" James's voice rose, filled with a mix of sorrow and fury. "I have family too, you bastard! My sister was just 17! She's still young! She had so many dreams to achieve! But you kill her! You rape her! But you took that from me. You took everything!"

His tears mixed with the blood on his hands, a wild look in his eyes as memories of his sister flooded his mind.

As the man begged for mercy, James's laughter filled the room, a chilling sound that echoed off the walls.

"Perhaps I should pay a visit to your family next. Maybe they deserve to suffer, like mine did. Maybe they should know the pain of losing a loved one," he taunted, his voice laced with bitterness and hatred.

"You lay a finger on them, and you won't live to see another day!" the man bellowed.

James sneered in response, "Kill me? Ha! I'm not the one bound and suffering here, you are! Maybe I should just put an end to your misery now. No need for you to wait for your ticket to hell, huh?" With a cruel pull, he tugged at the man's hair once more. 

"Please... I am sorry. Please let me go." As the man pleaded for mercy at the sight of James' unwavering determination to kill him, James remained unfazed.

"Rot in hell," he coldly replied before swiftly slitting the man's throat. Blood splattered onto James' face as he watched the man's life slowly slip away. Without hesitation, he began to set fire to the body, reducing it to ashes. James was meticulous, leaving no trace behind of the gruesome crime he had just committed.

After finishing the last sweep of the dusty floor, James finally completed the cleaning task that had consumed his afternoon. Exhausted yet relieved, he pushed open the door to his home, feeling a wave of warmth wash over him. The familiar scent of spices and freshly baked bread welcomed him as he stepped inside. 

Gale was already there, standing by the kitchen table, which was set with their modest dinner. Her presence brought him a sense of comfort, especially since she was the only person who knew about the secret life he led under the veil of night. 

"James, dinner is ready if you're feeling hungry," she called out, her voice laced with an inviting friendliness.

James turned to look at her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Ah, Gale. I will be eating after I take a shower," he replied, the remnants of grime from his cleaning job still clinging to him. 

Gale nodded, her expression understanding, but there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Oh, James, I have something I want to ask you. But please, go get clean first. I'll be waiting at the table," she said, her tone gentle yet firm.

He met her gaze for a moment longer before giving her a reassuring nod. The anticipation in her voice made him slightly anxious, but he knew he needed to refresh himself. Turning away, he made his way to the bedroom, his thoughts drifting to what she might want to discuss. With every step, his mind began to shift gears as he headed toward the bathroom for a much-needed shower. The warm water would wash away the fatigue of the day and perhaps cleanse him of the secrets he carried, at least for a little while.

"Did you succeed in taking him out?" James was taken aback. His younger sister appeared before him.

"Yes, I did. One less to worry about, four more to go," he replied with a sly grin.

"What satisfaction do you gain from all of this, James?" she inquired, and James responded with a saddened expression.

"I do it for you. They hurt you. They allowed you to perish in a disgraceful manner. They took the lives of Mom and Dad! Can you not see that this is all for revenge for your untimely deaths?" He had not realized how loud his voice had become until Gale overheard him.

Gale glanced nervously toward the hallway as she heard a muffled voice coming from James's bedroom. Concern twisted in her stomach; she quickly made her way to his door and knocked gently. 

"James? Are you okay in there?" she called out, her voice laced with worry. 

Inside the room, James snapped back to reality, realizing he had lost track of time while lost in a conversation—albeit a one-sided one. 

"Yeah! I'm fine," he replied, his tone slightly defensive. He quickly grabbed his bathrobe, wrapping it around himself as he moved to the door. With a deep breath, he opened it to find Gale standing there, her brow furrowed in concern.

"Are you really okay? Who were you talking to?" she queried, her gaze searching his for any sign of distress. As far as she could remember, there was no one else in the house except for him and the maids, and the possibility of a friend being there seemed unlikely.

"Oh, I was just on the phone," he said, forcing a small smile to reassure her. It was a half-truth, but he hoped it would suffice.

"Alright, just wait for me downstairs. I'll be there soon," he instructed, and Gale nodded, although she still had her doubts. She turned to walk away, her mind still racing with unanswered questions. 

Once the door clicked shut behind her, James let out a soft sigh of relief. The moment he turned to move back into his room, he was startled to find Helena standing there, a ghostly figure with an almost ethereal glow. 

"Why don't you tell Gale about me?" she asked her voice a disembodied whisper that sent a shiver down his spine.

James rolled his eyes in exasperation, bypassing her as he strode toward the wardrobe. "And then what? Call me crazy?" he responded with a smirk, trying to mask his unease with sarcasm. He rummaged through his clothes, finally pulling out his favorite thin white shirt and a pair of short pants, the familiar fabric offering him a modicum of comfort.

"You are crazy, James," Helena replied, her tone teasing yet tinged with a hint of seriousness.

James couldn't help but chuckle at her remark. "Now, just leave me alone and make me less crazy," he quipped before exiting the room.

He made his way to the dining table, where the delicious aromas of Gale's cooking wafted through the air, comforting and inviting. As he took in the spread she had prepared for him—steam rising from various dishes—he felt his worries begin to fade. The sight of all the food she had lovingly made brought him a sense of normalcy amid everything else swirling through his mind.

James settled into his chair, the wooden surface cool against his skin as he reached for the spread of food laid out before him. His plate slowly filled with a generous portion of roasted chicken, fresh vegetables, and fragrant rice. Just as he was about to take his first bite, Gale entered the dining room, a warm smile lighting up her face. 

"Oh, Gale! Come join me," he called out, gesturing to the empty seat across from him. "You mentioned earlier that you had something on your mind. What is it?" He looked at her expectantly, curiosity piqued.

Gale hesitated for a moment, glancing at his plate before responding. "It's okay; I already had my meal earlier. But is it alright to talk now? I didn't want to interrupt you while you were eating," she replied, her tone thoughtful and respectful.

"Absolutely, I can multitask," he chuckled, taking a bite of the savory chicken as he listened intently. 

"My niece, who lives in my hometown, is currently looking for a job," she began, her voice steady but tinged with concern. "Since Ella decided to resign last week, I thought perhaps my niece could fill that vacancy."

James nodded thoughtfully, considering her proposition. "That sounds like a reasonable idea. Have her come over to meet me," he said, chewing thoughtfully. "I'll assess whether she'd be a good fit for the role."

Gale's eyes brightened with gratitude. "Thank you so much, James. I really appreciate your willingness to help. I'm confident you're going to like her; she's hardworking and eager," she said, her excitement evident. James simply smiled in response, enjoying the warmth of their conversation.

After a brief pause, James shifted the topic slightly. "Gale, would you mind assisting me with cleaning out the secret room tomorrow? Just make sure to keep it under wraps; I'd prefer no one else gets inside," he requested, his tone firm yet polite. Gale nodded in understanding, her expression serious as she acknowledged his request.

"Of course, I'll handle it," she assured him, before excusing herself and heading towards the kitchen, leaving James to enjoy his meal in thoughtful silence.