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chapter two
Maya walked down the quiet lawn, heading straight to her apartment that Friday night. Exhausted from the day's work, she opened her door to find Browny, her Cain Corso, diving at her, wagging his tail. She gently patted his head before pushing him aside.
Her TV was on, and books littered the table, but she didn't care. She removed her jacket, shirt, and singlet, leaving only her bra and jeans. "I'm so hungry," Maya sighed, opening her medium-sized fridge in the kitchen. It was almost empty, so she grabbed the last bottle of Coke.
She sat on her couch, continuing her research on the Apocalypse Triangle, a project she'd been working on for months. Browny jumped onto the couch, rubbing his nose on her cheek. "Stop it, Browny," she said, but the dog continued his playful antics.
Suddenly, Maya realized she hadn't fed Browny that morning before leaving for work. "Oh my goodness, I'm losing my mind already!" she exclaimed, putting her laptop aside and dropping the Coke on the table. She walked to the kitchen cabinets, followed by Browny.
"This research is really taking over my life," Maya said to Browny, as if he were human. "I'm sorry, boy."
As an archaeologist, Maya worked two jobs, one at the national library and the other at a museum. Her research focused on the Apocalypse Triangle, a supposed entrance gate for demons from the underworld to the human world. Arc Angels had sealed these demons, but Maya aimed to prove the triangle's existence.
After graduating with her Ph.D. in archaeology at 26, Maya spent five years researching and seeking proof. She needed to sell her story to settle numerous bills. Asking her parents for help wasn't an option; they'd criticize her single life. Since her ex-boyfriend broke her heart five years ago, Maya had sworn off relationships, dedicating her life to finding the triangle.
She placed Browny's food on the ground, and the dog began to feast. "Good dog," she smiled, rubbing his hairy coat. Maya had made a "Beware of Dog" poster for her door due to Browny's aggressiveness toward strangers. Her father had brought Browny on her 23rd birthday after she complained of burglars.
Now a full-grown beast, Browny acted as Maya's loyal security dog. She retired to her couch, continuing her research until 2:30 a.m. "Thank goodness tomorrow is the weekend; I'll get plenty of rest," she muttered, shutting down her system.
Maya worked from Monday to Friday and spent her weekends at her parents' house, a tradition she maintained. Before bed, she scrolled through her phone for an hour. As she prepared for her midnight prayers, Browny's barking and growling caught her attention.
She walked slowly to the window but saw no one. Browny's persistent barking signaled that something was amiss. Maya knew he wouldn't bark without reason, as he was specially trained to safeguard her.
She opened her door slowly, holding Browny's collar belt, and moved to the backyard window where Browny had been barking. To her surprise, she found a naked man with various tattoo symbols all over his body,she only able to understand one of the symbol which means lord of chaos,She couldn't tell if he was alive or dead,she wanted to call the corps but it seems there was no newtwork, at this moment she was too confused, she went back inside the house, still having the confused look on her face her dog was still barking,she could still remember Anabel her friend, who nearly fall a victim of a psychopath, who nearly rape her, she found him outside her house that night,and wanted to help him, meanwhile he was a rapist, now maya doesn't want to be a victim of such,she was still thinking of what to do when she heard a gentle knock on her door" who is there",
"help me" the weak masculine voice came from outside, maya opened the door, the stranger, who was supporting himself on the edge of door, he fell on maya's body, loosing consciousness, surprisingly her dog was around the house, as if it was seeing someone else or something else.