I simply watched from afar when the rescuers came. From my position, I couldn't tell if they were really the ones she was expecting. Either way, I knew she was already being taken care of.
You've fought well enough, Corine Feller.
I slid her I.D back into her wallet and took out my keys.
That demon, or whatever he is, knows me.
Although it helped me survive through that, I cannot ease myself at all.
Corine said that girl lured the both of us into it; does that mean I'm being targeted as well? It happened near my place after all.
For almost a minute, I stood in front of my door, still holding on to the key that's inserted into the knob.
What should I do now?
I've been having the urge to call him, but that demon stepped on my phone and crushed it.
Can't this day get any worse than it already is?
It took another minute for me to recollect myself. While at it, I heard the sound of a car that stopped in front of my apartment building.
A taxi.
Maybe it's the universe telling me to stay at his place instead.
***
"Azrael," I spoke over the telephone first thing upon my arrival.
[Miss me?]
I could hear his playful chuckle. Strangely, it made me feel more relaxed.
"Azrael, can't you really . . come home tonight?"
[Is something the matter?]
"I . ."
I'm scared.
Someone died in my arms.
I feel like I'm being targeted.
I encountered a demon on my way home.
I'm beyond scared.
"I want to watch this horror movie, but I can't do it alone."
In the end, I could not say anything.
[Which one? Go get us something to eat before you come here.]
What?
"A-are you home?"
His vague words lifted my spirit. I could not help but silently plead, 'Please, be here.'
[Yes. But don't rush here yet, what about popcorn--]
He's here.
That's all I needed to hear before I ran to his room.
But then, the smile plastered on my face gradually disappeared upon opening the door.
"What . . is this?"
The floor and bed were filled with roses arranged in the shape of hearts. There were unlit candles on the floor and the room is filled with a strong fragrant smell.
"I thought I'd surprise you with a romantic setup. But you'd rather have a movie date. . ." he scratched the back of his head. It seems like I just interrupted him from cleaning it up.
Good Lord, he's embarrassed.
"I merely completed the semester, Azrael. I'm not expecting a honeymoon afterwards."
He rolled his eyes and aggressively tied the opening of a trash bag.
"Whatever. I won't insist on it, you're the one who's getting rewarded. Go get that popcorn ready, love."
***
With all those memories flashing through my mind, I find myself spacing out as the movie plays.
I'm leaning against his shoulder while his arm is wrapped around me as we lay on the bed.
His presence does indeed give me comfort and a sense of security. But those horrible thoughts would come flooding in.
Out of impulse, I wrapped my arm around him and held him in a tight embrace, making him flinch.
I couldn't contain my tears anymore, but I don't want to just explicitly cry with us in this state.
"Is it really that frightening for a human to --"
"It is. It's beyond scary," I uttered, my face still buried on his chest.
"Oh, my little crybaby. I'm here. Don't let anything scare you off."
He pressed me against his body and kissed the top of my head.
"Hmm. Your head smells like chemicals. Did you get your hair done?"
I wiped my tears away and turned to him. "Yes. What about it?"
"Nothing. I think lighter tones would suit you as well."
That's odd. He didn't like the idea of me dyeing my hair before? What's gotten into him?
And lighter tones on top of that?
"Hmm. But it stands out way too much," I replied.
"It'd be easy for anyone to remember you."
"Is that a good thing?"
"Yeah. I want those fuckers to immediately leave once they saw your hair from afar."
***
A week has already passed since that incident happened, but it still haunts my dreams like a fresh memory.
I spent those days staying at his place, and I might move out of my apartment soon. I don't think I could walk past that street again.
My phone has already been replaced, silly me bought the same model and color to avoid Azrael asking me how I lost it.
I've collected almost all of the contacts saved on that phone, except for that girl's — the one who's been asking me to help exterminate the demons around her area.
It was unfortunate that I couldn't text her back, hope she doesn't think I'm ignoring her. She's a nice kid after all.
"Would you call this number right now?"
I came to a halt when a man spoke to me out of nowhere.
I turned sideways and pointed to myself, to which he nodded.
Could he be, perhaps, disoriented?
"There's an emergency. I have to tell the agency right away," His words sounded more firm as he took steps closer to me.
"Wait, I don't think I'm getting anything you're saying."
"Just do it, or I'll slit your neck right here—"
He will what!?
"Jacob! What the hell are you doing!? I-I apologize, miss. He's just a little. . confused." Another man came, pulling him away from me.
"He. . just threatened me," I stroked my neck as I felt a tingling sensation around it.
"Yeah, he does that to cope with stress. I hope you don't mind. Come on now, you bastard."
Is this person confused as well!?
Who in their right mind wouldn't mind being threatened so casually while shopping?
"It shifted its track. We must act with haste."
Despite my disbelief, the barbaric young man's words caught me off guard.
Were they referring to demons just now?
"Alright, man, let's go."
Could it be. . .
"Venators. . ."
There's no harm in trying, right?
Upon hearing it, I noticed how startled they had gotten.
"Where did you hear that from?" the second man asked me.
"Who is she?"
I showed them the photo I took from her card with her name covered.
"Corine. . . where did you get this?" the barbaric man was the one to reply.
"She's one of us," the second man presents a card that looks so much like hers.
With that, I swept my hesitation away, pulled her I.D from my wallet, and finally gave it off.
"We met on my way home. I tried to help her but —"
"Help her? You?" they asked in chorus.
I rolled my eyes. "I'm capable. She was already exhausted then, and that horrible thing happened. On her last breath, she asked me to keep this and show it to her comrades."
For some unknown reason, their eyes inspected me from head to toe.
Aren't they just a bunch of perverts?
The second guy spoke while the other turned his back. "It's somehow like an endorsement letter. She wanted you to join us."
"What!?"
Endorse me!?
"You said you're capable. Come with us now."
What have you gotten yourself into this time, Seraphine?
***
It's 7 pm already. Where the hell are they taking me?
For the record, I did not come willingly.
I thought we'd just talk somewhere until they dragged me into this car!
I've been keeping my mouth shut these past several minutes while sitting alone on the back seat. But for heaven's sake, what kinda excuse would I give Azrael this time!?
"Doesn't it count as kidnapping? Human trafficking?" I've grown desperate already, I have to get off here.
The second guy, who's in control of the car, answered, "I'm a law student. It does."
"Then why are you--!"
"We're here."
I stared outside the window, my jaw literally dropped the moment my eyes landed on it.
Such a monstrosity; how could a mere human kill it?
It's approximately 4 meters tall when standing on two feet. Its body resembles that of a cockroach, but with human-like legs and three pairs of sharp arms. Also, its body has three faces engraved on it . . .
I'd have to watch some pastel-themed cartoons before going to bed tonight. . .
should I survive.
I tried to bargain with the two of them when they asked me to leave the car, only to fail miserably.
And now I'm standing a few feet away from it.
But I've noticed something that stands out around it — a glowing golden chain that's projected from magical circles on the ground.
"They've restrained it already. Show us what can you do."
I slowly turned to him with twitching eyes.
"What happens if I kill it? And if not?"
"You're joining us. And you're joining us."
I do hope you rest in peace, Miss Corine, but WHAT DID I EVER DO TO YOU!? I DON'T FREAKING DESERVE THIS! I've sworn to use my blessing to help people, but NOT IN SUCH A WAY!
"Even if I cannot be of use to you?"
"Well, we're kind of understaffed at the moment. You'll be paid nicely, though."
"That's the last thing I'd exchange my life for," I pressed my eyes together as I slowly tried to face the truth.
"Then just donate it to him. He's quite broke."
He pointed at the barbaric man, who'd been silent the entire time.
Is he for real?
"Well, miss rich kiddo, the restraint won't last a day-- Holy shit, where's the spell caster?"
I felt the panic arising from everyone, myself included. One of its arms just broke free, and now it's swinging it onto us!
"S-She's already gone home to do her assignments, Sir."
"What!? It's Charlotte again. I told you not to call the kid during the weekdays!"
Perhaps it's time to call Azrael and give him the passcode to my vault of secrets.
***