It was like a scene out of a nightmare. But I was wide awake. Heavy clouds cast a darkness over my path to my beloved family. There was no light, not even a hint of a starry night. I could barely see where I was headed. The merciless rainstorm had been relentless.
With each step forward on the muddy ground, my strength waned. I had even slipped once, acquiring bruises, but none of that mattered anymore. I had to reach them!
I clutched the bundle of money against my chest like a precious newborn.
As I neared our small, quaint wooden house, I heard deafening screams. Even the howling wind was silenced by my auntie's sobs.
I ran faster, pushing my body to its limits, but the house seemed to recede farther into the distance. It grew smaller in my blurring vision.
"I have to reach them," I whispered against the cold air. "I must reach them, whatever it takes."
The wooden door was wide open when I finally arrived at the commotion. My weary eyes fell upon my uncle, lying motionless on the cold floor.
Blood ran from his crumpled nose. His cheeks were swollen, his lips broken, and his limbs covered in bruises. Tears and pain filled his eyes.
"U-uncle Thomas," I said, my voice quavering.
"Louise…" he replied softly.
Disregarding the countless eyes staring blankly at me, I ran toward him. But before I could grab his hand, a violent kick sent me sprawling. Agony rippled through my body as my lower back hit the floor.
Despite the pain, I rose to my feet.
Four well-built men in black suits towered over us, their stoic eyes piercing through me.
"Drugs," I thought.
My heart drummed wildly. We were in grave danger.
The tallest figure approached with a commanding stride. His swift movements brought him in front of me in an instant.
Before I could react, he seized my auntie. Her face, drained of color, mirrored my terror.
"Mother!" Elizabeth's small voice echoed through the room. Confined to her bed by illness, she cried relentlessly.
Summoning his last strength, my uncle struggled to stand. But the other men, with their imposing figures, blocked his path.
The middle figure spoke nonchalantly, "We've given you five years to settle your debts. If you refuse to pay, as agreed, your wife will be the collateral."
My hands trembled with cold and despair. I retrieved the money from my damp shirt and handed it over.
"Here," I said, trying to steady my voice. "This is our payment. Please, don't harm my family."
Seeking loans had led to disaster. Despite my efforts, I couldn't secure a single penny. Out of desperation, I turned to stealing.
"Twenty-one thousand, a thousand more than what was owed," I muttered. "I hope this is enough."
My auntie's expression was unreadable. They knew the lengths I had gone to for this money.
I cleared my throat as the man before me laughed mockingly. "Do you really know how much your family owes, kid?"
Pretending to be brave, I stepped closer. His scar-covered face loomed, his broken nose adding to his menacing appearance.
"One million," he said, grinning.
My soul felt like it left my body. Glancing at my uncle, I felt overwhelmed with hopelessness. Instead of reassuring me, he looked away, his gaze drooping to the ground.
The man's face drew closer. With a calloused hand, he caressed my cheek. I wiped it off coldly. He chuckled and seized the money.
"One million," he repeated. "And that's not including interest."
I was still processing his words when they exited the house, carrying my auntie with them. She pleaded, cried, and struggled, but their grip was unyielding.
As they vanished into the storm, the reality hit me like a tidal wave. My family was slipping away, and I was powerless to stop it.
"Mother!" cried Elizabeth. "Leave my mother alone!" She had fallen hard on the ground and was now trying to crawl.
Uncle Thomas ran after the men outside, but they effortlessly pushed him down, leaving him motionless. The back of his head hit a nearby rock. The rain had stopped, leaving only silence and the sky's indifference.
Anger fueled me more than any other emotion as I chased them down the hill, screaming with all my might.
"Release her!" I shouted. "Please."
Before I could utter another word, a cold metal barrel was pointed squarely at my eyes. The gun clanked ominously.
"One wrong move," one of the men said, grinding his teeth. His patience was a mere click away.
I dared not advance further, considering the stakes. The others turned back, grinning, and resumed dragging Auntie Sarah. She seemed to have lost her will to escape, to live. Their figures grew smaller until they disappeared from my sight.
I heard Uncle Thomas's sobs as he sat up, brushing blood from his face. This calmed me a bit, knowing he was somehow okay.
Yet, I realized his heart had already shattered into irreparable pieces. Seeing my uncle, the strongest person I knew, in this devastating state brought tears to my eyes.
Elizabeth had exhausted her tears and voice, now staring at us blankly from the threshold.
The remaining man smiled, almost audibly. He was about to leave when, out of nowhere, I whispered, "Take me instead."
His step hovered midair. He glanced at me, eyes reflecting mild shock. It felt like my voice belonged to someone else. He heard me nevertheless.
"Pardon?" he mumbled, still in disbelief. He pointed the gun toward the sky, scrutinizing me from my messy hair to my bare feet.
His eyes sparkled like a star, sending shivers down my spine. He walked back, his dominating stare surrounding me. My knees barely kept me upright.
"Hey," he called to get the others' attention, his scratchy voice echoing. "Looks like this kid wants to offer herself."
Despite the distance, Auntie Sarah heard him. Her lovely face turned to me, shaking her head harshly.
"No, Louise," she insisted, loud enough for me to hear. "Don't involve yourself in this. It's all our fault."
Auntie Sarah flashed a reassuring smile, thinking it would quell my fear. It didn't. Despite that, my decision remained firm.
"I thought I was part of your family," I said.
"Louise…" Uncle Thomas softly called my name from behind.
I didn't look back and just swallowed my fear.
"Take me," I told them with a clearer voice. "Leave Auntie Sarah alone." I looked them in the eyes to show my determination. "Take me instead."
I refrained from sobbing, but I couldn't tame my heart's frantic rhythm.
They looked curiously at each other, gauging their reactions. A broad smile adorned their faces.
"Hmm," one of them spoke with anticipation. He looked like the youngest among them, and also the wisest. His eyes were playful. "I think we would get more money if we sell her instead."
Sell? Hearing it, I thought of taking back my words. I was worthless. What value could they gain from me? I was only worth dying.
"No, please." Uncle Thomas appeared between us and descended to his knees, begging for mercy. "Me, take me. Just... leave my family alone. Leave my wife and daughters alone." His voice was full of terror.
Warm tears brimmed in my eyes. They had treated me as their own daughter, for which I was beyond grateful. Since my mother's death, they had been my second parents, caring for me and blessing me with love.
Despite our penniless circumstances, they did their best to provide us with what little they could. In this moment, I knew I had to repay their generosity, even if it meant my life.
"It's okay," I said to my uncle, trying not to show my hesitation. "Let it be me. Elizabeth needs both of you. She needs her parents." My throat tightened. "And you have no need of me."
Uncle Thomas hugged me tightly, his warmth soothing my shaking arms. I felt his mild shivering, but fear was nothing compared to our love for each other.
He softly whispered in my ear. "No, Lu-Louise, y-you can't." His voice stuttered. "I-I won't let them take you away… never."
Before I could bid my farewell, the man with the gun pulled me away from Uncle Thomas. It was so violent that I fell to the ground.
"Enough of this nonsense," he shouted sternly, aiming the gun at Uncle Thomas's face, immobilizing him. Then he grabbed my wrist and abruptly reached for my nape.
Something sharp pressed against my skin, and quickly, I lost all my senses and strength. It tingled and stung. The last voice I heard was my uncle's, reaching out to me.
Then, sudden illumination blinded me.
Is this heaven? Am I dead? This is better, I thought.
My temples throbbed until immense coldness and warmth filled me, and the swirling void swallowed me.
I awoke with a heavy feeling, as if I had resurfaced from the depths of the sea. I couldn't even sense my own body. It was so cold, so light, and it seemed I was flying across the sky.
Cautiously, I opened my eyes. I blinked, trying to clear the blur.
Soon, two emerald orbs greeted me, looking through me as if I were a window. They had long, pointed ears, like a feline.
My sleepiness vanished instantly. This had to be a dream!
I blinked again, and a new face emerged. She had feminine features but strangely, she had lengthy horns on her forehead, like a deer.
Astounded, confused, and scared, I sat up, but fell back down.
I realized I was floating in a huge sphere of water, its shivering coldness encircling me. It was so dense that I could feel its pull from the center.
Instinctively, I swam with all my limbs, reaching for a way out. I searched for air, but it was gone when I saw what lay outside the sphere.
Sharp claws and teeth. A reptilian creature. Sharp fangs and glowing eyes. Ethereal, translucent skin.
"Monster," I murmured. "There are monsters everywhere!"