The building adjacent to Liquor 26 resonated with booming music, indicating Elina's unfortunate presence. Faced with her grim situation, she found solace in drinking. Struggling with the weight of her depression, she lacked anyone trustworthy enough to confide in. Amidst the constant chatter, laughter, cheers, and the clinking of glasses, she felt utterly isolated in this harsh world.
Her once cherished best friend, whom she considered family, had betrayed her, leaving her devoid of hope. Life seemed to offer nothing more than a bleak existence. Though she had never frequented bars or nightclubs before, her pitiful state had transformed her into a regular customer, seeking temporary reprieve. Setting her glass down, she watched as the bartender poured yet another shot of whiskey, which she hastily consumed despite the slight sting to her taste buds. Surrounded by individuals radiating positivity, enthusiasm, and zest for life, she was the epitome of the opposite. Recognizing that she had indulged in enough alcohol, she knew she had to stop drinking in order to prevent potential harm, as no one would come to her aid. In exchange for the service rendered, she tendered a few dollars to the bartender, bid farewell to the cacophony of men and women, and left the establishment.
It was already 12:30 am when she stepped out of the bar, and she couldn't help but feel the struggle to keep her feet and eyes open as she walked down the desolate street towards her home. Perhaps she would cry herself to sleep on her pillow!
As she continued her journey, the street grew quieter with each step she took. The distance between the bar and her house was considerable, making it almost impossible to find a taxi or catch a bus at that late hour. She had to get back to work tomorrow, as she had been absent for a few days. Fortunately, her colleague Clara, who was well aware of the situation, helped her come up with an excuse, stating that she wasn't feeling well and needed medical attention. Maybe she truly did need it, considering her life was currently in shambles.
As she neared her house, a chilling breeze swept by, causing a shiver to run down her spine, instantly widening her eyes. A sense of unease washed over her, prompting her to quicken her pace. As the night grew darker, the street lights gradually flickered off. Sensing that something was amiss, she instinctively started to run. Suddenly, the entire street was plunged into darkness. Ahead of her, a group of men, cloaked in black and wearing faded colors, came into view. Their peculiar attire hinted at a bygone era, evoking an inexplicable unease within her. Despite her mind sounding warning signals, she found herself paralyzed, consumed by curiosity about what was unfolding before her eyes.
One man from the group emerged with a menacing aura that surpassed the others. With a swift motion, he withdrew a sword from his grasp and mercilessly plunged it into the chest of a defenseless man, who knelt before him, perhaps pleading for mercy. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, causing her to instinctively cover her mouth to suppress a scream.
Aware that she must flee immediately, her heart pounding in her chest and dizziness setting in, she prepared to take a step forward. Just as she was about to escape, the man who had delivered the fatal blow turned his gaze towards her, acknowledging her presence. His dark and cruel eyes locked onto hers, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. Panic surged through her as the sensation of a malevolent force drew closer, causing her hair to stand on end. Slowly, his hand came to rest on her face, and her vision gradually blurred.
Was this the end for her? Would she be slain by these unknown beings, never having achieved anything in her life? How pathetic her existence had been.
.....
Unconscious, the young lady collapsed into his arms, and one of the men approached him with a malicious grin.
"What a frightened and stunning little vixen. Such bad luck for her. Let us proceed with the kill," he taunted, a smirk playing on his face.
"Damien," he called out, raising an eyebrow in amusement. "Ramiel, today is truly my lucky day. Shall I prolong her suffering? No, a single strike will suffice. It will be a pleasure to watch the exquisite beauty of her pain, without succumbing to the temptation to save her."
"Leave us. I will handle this," he commanded, addressing the others, including Damien.
"You truly are an entertaining killer. She is truly irresistible, but you remain unmoved by her beauty because you possess a heart of stone. I bid you farewell," he said, winking before disappearing into thin air, along with the rest of the group. He sighed, bemused by Damien's childish behavior. Gazing down at the unconscious woman in his arms, he realized that he hadn't even laid a finger on her. Yet she had chosen to put on a dramatic show, revealing her pathetic nature, something completely uncharacteristic of humans.
•••••••••
Gradually, Elina's eyes flickered open, revealing a glass ceiling. After taking in her surroundings, she realized she was in a modestly-sized room adorned with a yellow amber painting on the wall and a closet. Her gaze wandered elsewhere, pondering the possibility of being in the afterlife and marveling at the fortune of having a house or room there.
A smile formed on Elina's face as she entertained this thought.
Suddenly, a lady resembling a graceful gazelle captured Elina's attention, causing her to gasp in awe. With her beautiful green cascading curls elegantly tied up in a bun and adorned in a royal blue dress embellished with pearls, the lady exuded an air of regality. Perhaps she was one of the illustrious Queen Elizabeths of England—who knows? Elina wondered. Could it be that Queen Elizabeth resided in the afterlife?
"Can't one find peace even in the afterlife?" Elina quipped as she sat up.
"Did you have a knock on the head too?" the lady responded.
"Here in the afterlife, I'm surrounded by impolite individuals. Can my existence be any more pathetic?" Elina muttered.
"Awake, my dear, and I apologize for crushing your expectations, but we are not in the afterlife," the lady explained calmly. Elina's eyes widened, prompting her to pinch her arm in disbelief. Her gaze returned to the lady, now filled with confusion.
"Hold on, I'm still alive," Elina uttered, shocked.
"So, that's what all the fuss was about. I suppose you are one of the fortunate few who still have the gift of life," the lady replied with a smile.
Elina sensed that this lady was no ordinary individual; there was something about her composed and stunning appearance that hinted at her extraordinary nature. Having overcome her initial shock, Elina finally found her voice and decided to address the lady.
"Who are you?"