I wake up in my humble inn room and drag myself to the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face. As I stare at my reflection in the mirror, I can't help but notice how my dark hair and eyes contrast against my pale skin, making me look like a shadowy figure. It's a look that suits my profession as an exorcist well. Suddenly, my phone rings, and it's Lily on the other end.
"Hey, Lily," I answer, trying to sound cheerful. "How are you?"
"Why did you leave without telling me?" Lily's voice sounds upset. "You could have at least said a proper goodbye."
"I'm sorry, I had to leave quickly for work," I reply, trying to hide the real reason behind my trip to the Scottish Highlands. "It's a long story."
"You're always busy with work," Lily says in a teasing tone. "I miss you."
"I miss you too," I say, my voice tinged with melancholy. "I'll make it up to you when I'm back."
As we chat, I can't help but think back to how we met. It was at a coffee shop in the city, where she spilled her latte all over my shirt. She was so apologetic that I couldn't help but smile. We hit it off immediately and started dating soon after. Lily is the one person who truly understands me and accepts me for who I am. I don't know what I would do without her in my life.
After we hang up, I take a deep breath and try to shake off the feeling of longing. I have a job to do, and I can't let my emotions get in the way. I need to focus on the task at hand – eradicating the demons that have been terrorizing this village for centuries. With 665 demons left to vanquish, I know I have a long and dangerous journey ahead.