As the night streets outside quieted down, a soft breeze swept through the curtain and a wisp of smoke slithered through the window, swirling like ethereal dancers. Circe lay on her bed, lost in a nightmarish dream, her brow glistening with fevered sweat. She was tightly wrapped in a quilt, but she was still shivering.
She muttered in her sleep, tossing and turning, unaware of the danger that lurked in the shadows. If it was her past self she would have been more vigilant even when ill and she would have chopped their head off by now.
The room seemed to hold its breath as a shadow, cloaked in darkness and mystery, took form from the wisps, standing silently by her bedside. Swirling and twisting in the air. It grew larger and thicker until it took the shape of a man. He wore a hooded cloak that concealed his face but when he leaned down a ray of green light from the broken neon sign outside revealed the lower half of a face that bore an unexpected handsomeness. He had a strong jaw, a straight nose, and a thin scar across his cheek.
With a delicate touch, a hand wearing white gloves reached out, brushing Circe's flushed cheek, its touch light as a whisper.
In her fevered dreams, Circe stirred, a soft moan escaping her lips. Sensing her discomfort, the man hesitated, withdrawing his hand. He quickly pulled it back but before he could retreat, she grabbed his hand and pulled him close. She rubbed her cheek against his hand, seeking the coldness of his body to cool down the heat.
The man was afraid she would wake up but he couldn't help himself. She murmured something unintelligible and wrapped her arms around him. He fell on the bed, startled and confused. She nestled closer, seeking comfort, her warmth seeping into the man's chilling presence. He tried to free himself, but she held him tight. He felt her breath on his neck, her hair on his face, her body on his. He felt a strange sensation in his chest, something he had never felt before. He was nervous, uneasy, and... intrigued.
***
Circe opened her eyes slowly, feeling a dull ache in her head. For a moment she lay on the bed her limbs sprawled while looking at the ceiling with brown damp patches. She couldn't recall where she was. She raised her hand and rested it on her forehead covering her eyes. She was about to call Snow the Turkish angora cat his mother's soul fragment resided in but when she recalled where she was she turned and pulled the quilt over her head, hoping to fall back asleep. She was too tired and every part of her body ached.
The sun was already setting, casting a warm glow on the walls. She had been asleep for an entire day, but she still felt exhausted. Suddenly her stomach grumbled and she knew she couldn't sleep anymore. She kicked the quilt with such ferocity before she sat up and rubbed her eyes which were slightly swollen at the corners.
She ruffled her hair, which was tangled and sweaty. She got up from the bed, and put on some slippers.
Circe pressed her ear against the door to listen for any sounds. She didn't want to meet Perse and start fighting again. She opened the door with a small crack and peeked her head out. The small space was silent devoid of life. She shuffled to the bathroom at the end of the hall.
Circe took a quick shower, letting the hot water soothe her aching muscles. She brushed her teeth and washed her face before taking a good look at her face in the mirror. Yesterday she hadn't had an opportunity to take a good look at herself. Ci Ci had intense plum-red hair just like her mother's that cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall of blood. Her eyes were like cherry blossoms, delicate and pink. Her eyebrows were sharp and defined, giving her a look of authority and confidence. Her skin was pale and flawless, contrasting with her fiery hair. Her nose was high and elegant, adding to her beauty. But the most striking feature of her face was the fierce darkness that lurked in her eyes. It was the fierceness related to Circe as Ci Ci was a very timid person.
Circe went back to the bedroom and dressed a wounds from the other day. She picked out clothes from the neatly packed closet choosing to wear mediocre clothes that were comfortable. She put on some lip gloss as she pulled the door open to head out.
Just when she stepped out her body froze when she saw Perse standing right outside her bedroom. Her hand was reaching out like she was about to open her bedroom door.
"What do you want?" she asked seeming quite displeased.
Perse let out a cold snort as she crossed her arms on her chest. "You have been sleeping for two days. I came to check if you were dead."
Circe arched her brow in surprise. She didn't think she had slept for that long. "I should thank you for showing so much care for me. It's quite appreciated," she said the sacarsim in her words unmistakable. She walked past her but Perse blocked her path and stretched her hand her palm facing up.
"Give it," she said and Circe who was on the brink of losing her patience walked past her again.
This time Perse grabbed her wrist while complaining, "You unfilial child. I raised you and you can't even spare me a little money. Are you proud of watching me sell myself last night?"
Circe felt a surge of anger. What unfilial child? This woman had made her daughter miserable from the day she was born.
She shoved Perse towards the wall and swung her fist. Perse hurriedly covered her face as she screamed. With a loud bang, Circe's fist landed on the wall leaving a massive dent. She panted heavily while glaring at the weak woman curled up in front of her like she was going to fuse with the wall.
"Unfilial? You have used her since the day she was born. You didn't even pick her up when she cried for you," said Circe her voice soft but eerie at the same time.
"Wha... I I...," stammered Perse with confusion written on her face. Circe was so consumed by anger that she didn't notice her mistake.
Circe had always been a calm and composed person and would deal with her enemies without losing her dignity. But the few times someone touched her bottom line she would turn into something unrecognisable.
Perse was terrified when she saw Circe's face, twisted with rage and hatred. She had seen her daughter get angry before but this was the first time she was scared. She tried to distance herself from her but Circe grabbed her arm tightly pulling her back.
"I... let me go," she said her voice quivering and brittle.
"No no no shh," said Circe her hand covering Perse's mouth. "For nineteen years you did all the talking. Now it's my turn," her voice still so soft but it was like the devil's whisper.
"I got scolded and beaten by those women whose husbands you slept with. Every time you spread your legs they would find me at school and curse me... for you. I got shunned by others and bullied for you."
Perse shook her head tremblingly her eyes red. She knew fully well what happened to her daughter but she never cared. Whenever a teacher reported the matter she would tell herself, "Ci Ci, is strong. She will bear it." But now...
"Even now in college, your sex tapes spread everywhere and they laughed at me. Despised me... all... for... you," she continued her eyes like that of a devil, burning with a fire that could not be quenched.
The aura around her was murderous, making Perse cower like she was being suppressed by an invisible force. She felt like she was being strangled and her soul was being sucked out of her body. She gasped for air, but she could not breathe. She clawed at her throat, but she could not free herself. She looked at Circe, vexed and then pleaded for mercy, but she saw no compassion in her eyes.
Circe shoved her onto the couch and said, "I don't owe you anything. I have paid my dues for being born from that rotten womb of yours."
Circe entered and smiled sinisterly before saying, "For the next few days I will get out of your hair. How many days of providing services do you need to fix that wall? One?... Two? If you take in four clients in a day I am pretty sure you would be able to pay for it."
"You...!" exclaimed Perse but she was still so terrified. How could this be the same person? This was obviously a demon in human skin. Her daughter fought with her in the past but this was the first time she was scared into submission. It was inconceivable.
With a bang, Circe closed the door and glanced at her trembling hand. She could feel it. Her strength, her innate power was slowly coming back. She smiled happily while raking her fingers through her hair. It seemed the heavens weren't so cruel after all.