Chapter 51: Eden Lake - Calm Before the Storm
The news about the "Valentine Killers' murder-suicide" dominated local headlines for the next several days.
A police spokesperson, facing a wall of cameras, sanctimoniously characterized the case as "a clear example of evil destroying itself" and reminded the public that justice always prevails in the end.
Edward just smirked at that. He had other things on his mind.
"Wait, you're going to Eden Lake this weekend?"
At the dinner table, Lily's face immediately fell when she heard Edward's plans, her big innocent eyes practically screaming I want to come too.
"Come on, Lily, it's a couple's getaway," Edward said, tapping her forehead gently. "What would it look like if you tagged along? You'd be a third wheel."
"But Master, what if there are bad guys again? I can protect you and Jennifer!" Lily puffed out her small chest, looking completely self-righteous.
"Yeah, right," Edward said, calling her bluff. "You just want an excuse to get out of the house. Don't worry—Emma and Esther will keep you company. You three can have your own 'Arkham Asylum Junior' tea party."
Lily deflated like a punctured balloon, her cover blown.
Emma and Esther, sitting nearby, remained silent.
Emma was buried in some thick psychology textbook, acting like the outside world didn't exist.
Esther, meanwhile, continued playing her role as the sweet, well-behaved little girl—though occasionally her gaze toward Edward carried something more complex: a mixture of fear, respect, and curiosity.
After dealing with the "domestic situation," Edward set out Saturday morning on his beloved Fenrir motorcycle with Jennifer holding on tight behind him, speeding toward Eden Lake in the suburbs.
Jennifer wrapped her arms around Edward's waist, pressing her cheek against his back, feeling the rush of wind whipping past her ears.
The sun was warm, the air crisp and clean, and away from the city's chaos, her mood soared.
"Edward! Are we camping by the lake tonight?" she shouted over the engine noise, her voice full of excitement.
"You bet," Edward's voice came through his helmet with a hint of a smile. "Tent, sleeping bags, gourmet food—I've got everything covered."
Just imagining an uninterrupted romantic night under the stars with the man she loved made Jennifer's cheeks flush and her body temperature rise.
Her succubus nature left her completely defenseless against this kind of romantic atmosphere.
Meanwhile, a blue Ford sedan was also heading toward Eden Lake.
Behind the wheel, a guy named Steve was focused on driving, barely containing his nervous excitement.
Every few minutes, he'd reach into his pocket to touch a small square box—the engagement ring he'd been planning for months.
In the passenger seat, his girlfriend Jenny gazed comfortably at the countryside rolling past.
"Steve, you're sure this is the right place? It feels pretty remote," Jenny asked with mild curiosity.
"Trust me, babe," Steve said with a mysterious smile. "It took me forever to find this spot. A natural lake with basically no tourists—just the two of us in our own private paradise. I promise, this'll be a weekend you'll never forget."
Jenny laughed and leaned over to kiss his cheek. "Okay, okay, I'm officially excited for this surprise."
After about an hour's drive, both groups arrived at the legendary Eden Lake around the same time.
The water was crystal clear, shimmering an enchanting emerald green under the sunlight.
Dense forest surrounded the lake on all sides, with nothing but occasional birdsong breaking the silence. The tranquility and natural beauty really did resemble paradise.
Edward parked the Fenrir smoothly, pulled off his helmet, and ran his fingers through his wind-tousled hair. Fresh air—carrying the dampness of the lake and the scent of pine and wildflowers—washed over him, instantly relaxing.
Jennifer hopped off the back, stretched with a satisfied yawn, her curves on full display in the sunlight. She took a deep breath, her face lighting up with excitement.
"It's gorgeous here, Edward! Like something out of a postcard!"
"Glad you like it."
Edward pulled the tent and camping gear from his system inventory. His movements were quick and practiced, and within minutes, a spacious, comfortable tent stood erected on the lakeside lawn.
Then he spread out the gourmet tablecloth.
As the cloth settled on the grass, Edward mentally selected several dishes. With a shimmer of light, an elaborate lunch materialized from nowhere—golden roasted chicken, perfectly seared steaks with rich gravy, colorful garden salad, chilled champagne, and assorted desserts. The aroma was mouthwatering.
Jennifer's eyes widened, and she threw herself into Edward's arms, planting a kiss on his lips.
"Master, you're absolutely incredible!"
Just as they were about to dig into their romantic lakeside feast, the blue Ford sedan rolled up and parked about fifty yards away.
A young couple climbed out. The guy—Steve—looked a bit awkward and nervous, while the woman—Jenny—had a warm smile and the gentle demeanor of the kindergarten teacher she was. They glanced at Edward and Jennifer, then at the elaborate, almost absurdly fancy lunch spread, with obvious surprise.
"Hey there!" Jenny waved in a friendly way.
"Hey," Edward nodded back.
Steve and Jenny picked another clear spot and began clumsily setting up their tent. Their gear was basic department-store stuff, and their food consisted of sandwiches and canned beans—a stark contrast to Edward's setup.
The peaceful afternoon didn't last long.
A burst of aggressive rap music and revving motorcycle engines approached from the distance, shattering the lakeside tranquility.
Six teenagers—couldn't have been older than sixteen or seventeen—rode up on three modified dirt bikes, tearing toward the lake. They wore ripped jeans and skull-print band tees, each one radiating attitude, their eyes full of rebellious contempt for authority.
The leader was a blond kid named Brett. He was tall and lean with hostile eyes—clearly the alpha of the pack. Running alongside his bike without a leash was a massive Rottweiler, all bulging muscle and low, rumbling growls.
The arrival of these unwanted guests instantly changed the atmosphere.
They dumped their bikes haphazardly on the beach, music still blasting at ear-splitting volume. Several of them cracked open beers and chugged straight from the bottles like they owned the place, constant profanity and obnoxious laughter filling the air.
The Rottweiler, like an unleashed beast, went tearing around the lake. It quickly zeroed in on Steve and Jenny's campsite, charging over to sniff their food before lifting its leg and pissing directly on the corner of their tent.
"Hey! Get your damn dog away from our stuff!" Steve couldn't help himself—he stood up and shouted, frowning.
Brett heard him and lazily turned his head, a mocking smirk on his lips.
"What's your problem, dude? My dog's just being friendly."
"I don't want your dog being 'friendly.' Control your animal!" Steve's tone hardened.
"Oh yeah?" Brett tossed his beer bottle onto the ground and stood up, slowly walking toward Steve. His buddies gathered around him too, all wearing malicious grins.
"You giving me orders?" Brett stopped right in front of Steve. "This lake doesn't belong to you, grandpa."
Jenny nervously tugged at Steve's sleeve, signaling him not to escalate things.
Steve clenched his fists, but seeing he was outnumbered six-to-one—plus one vicious dog—he ultimately backed down. He said nothing more, just silently started gathering their belongings.