I snuggle my face into my boyfriend's back and smile happily when I feel him speeding up again. Like Victor, I love adrenaline, and riding a motorcycle in the middle of the night, when the streets are empty, is pure pleasure for me. Both of us then allow ourselves to go a little crazy, disregarding the danger.
My parents have been against this relationship from the very beginning. They don't like my boyfriend, claiming that he is leading me down the wrong path. There may be a grain of truth in this, but from an early age I have been drawn to anything dangerous, especially naughty boys. I find it exciting, and being crazy in my twenties is not a bad thing. Everyone should try it to have something to remember in their old age.
Am I wrong? Probably every person has a different opinion about this, but I think I'm not doing anything wrong. I come from a small town, and here there are not many places where I can enjoy myself after a day at university. We only have one club, and not many bars, but how many free weekends can be devoted to such fun? It gets tedious with time.
Am I thinking about the future? For now, I don't feel like it. I don't think I want to enter adult life. I'm not ready for that yet. I'm just attending the college my parents chose for me. I'm doing it for the sake of sanity. I don't want them to have another reason to brawl. I think the time will eventually come when I will grow up and say to myself: stop!
For the moment I'm fine. I have a boy by my side that I care about. There will still come a time when I will start worrying about further plans for my life.
And back to the subject of my boyfriend.... I don't know if I love him. Maybe I do, perhaps I don't. I'm not sure if this is a relationship that will last and has a chance to blossom even more, but for now, I feel comfortable with him. Even though he can be possessive at times, and also yells a lot at times, I can't say a bad word about him. I chose this type of guy for myself. As I mentioned before.... I am drawn to danger, and with him, I just can't get bored.
At least half of the girls would decide a bully because it is said that they can love more. Is this true? Victor is crazy about me, so I think it is.
Hugging him around the waist, I tilt my head back and gloat at the wind that brushes against my face. It blows my long brown hair away, and I feel like just straightening my shoulders and feeling like a bird. If Victor were going slower, I probably would, but the speed doesn't allow me to do that.
The pleasant feeling of freedom unexpectedly turns into a moment full of pain. I didn't see it, but at the last moment I heard a disturbing scream from my boyfriend and knew that some animal had run into the street. Victor loses control of driving the motorcycle, and it is just a moment when I start to feel excruciating pain.
I lie in the middle of the street and couldn't move. My eyes go foggy as I look up into the starry sky. I turn my head and, shedding a liter of tears, I look at my boyfriend, who is unconscious. I saw blood. I want to do something, I want to help him, but I am unable to move. Furthermore, I'm getting weaker and weaker every moment. I get the impression that soon I will simply fall asleep. I will die at his side.
At this hour, it is empty. No one drives by, although I pray for it. I ask for help, begging God to help us.
I extend my hand toward a person who unexpectedly appears on the highway. Through broken eyes, I see a man heading in our direction. At that moment, he looked like an angel. A being who goes to help us.
Everything hurts, and I pray that this terrible pain will subside. Tears flow from the outer corners of my eyes as I ask the stranger for help. I see him crouching over me. He looks towards my boyfriend, and his face seems sad.
- Help us, I beg," I whisper with difficulty, reaching out more firmly towards him. - Please.
- He is dead.
Bitterness floods my heart and I begin to cry even harder.
- I don't want to die. I am afraid of death.
I see that he is looking at me with compassion in his eyes. He looks at the blood that appears under me. He hears my inner screams, which are caused by overwhelming pain.
Furthermore, he can't bear it because I am dying before his eyes.
- I will help you," he speaks softly. - You are close to death, I should not do this.
- I don't want to die, please," I say so quietly that it is almost inaudible.
- This is your destiny, and you should die here, but since we are connected.... I will make an exception for you.
With semi-conscious eyes, I watch as he puts his hand to my forehead, and a golden glow comes out of it. I get the impression that it rises to the very sky, and then descends and soaks into my body. A strange current spreads from my head to my feet, causing me to feel a pleasant warmth.
I close my eyes and this is the last image I see before I lose consciousness.
*
I open my eyelids and rub them with my hands to sharpen my vision. I carefully look around the room, noticing that the walls are covered with white paint. I am lying in bed, covered with golden sheets. The pillows are the same color, the paintings, the tables, and even the couch. The whole interior looks beautiful in these colors. I feel like I'm in heaven, like I've arrived in a heavenly room.... I can't get out of my awe.
I look over my shoulder and see a large window that leads to a balcony. It's open, causing the wind to lift the white floral curtain.
It looks like I woke up in some fairy tale, but wouldn't it be more likely that I died and found myself in heaven? No. That's impossible. I have sinned too much in my life, so I should go to hell!
Victor...
I rise from the bed too vigorously, which makes my head spin. I fell to the floor. I shake myself off to recover faster. I put my hand to my forehead and looked at the carpet.
Was the image I saw before I closed my eyes real? Did I really suffer an accident? Did Victor... did he die? Did the mysterious boy help me, and from his hand came a golden glow that healed me?
This can't be true.
Where am I? And what is going on? Where is my boyfriend?
I get up and, taking loping steps, head for the door. I tug on the golden handle and step outside. I see a dark, long corridor in front of me, which is covered with beautiful paintings. They catch my eye because they are unique. I notice on them precious paintings of angels and demons. However, in these paintings they do not fight, but look friendly. They live in harmony.
I reach the stairs, which are covered with a red carpet. I carefully walk down, holding on to the golden railing. My heart beats hard when I notice the light.
I am in the living room.
I put my hand to my mouth and look around the interior in awe. The downstairs is decorated in white and black colors. This place looks so beautiful, so amazing....
- This is your punishment.
Surprised, I looked over my shoulder to find the owner of these words. He finds a boy with a beautiful face, who, with pink hair on his head, looks like a fairy tale character. I can't get out of admiration because only now I can see that this is the mysterious resident of the palace that everyone gossips about. I've never had the chance to see him up close, and now he seems as beautiful to me as the stories say he is.
So his siblings also possess this flawless beauty?
- What happened? - I ask boldly as he regains his tongue in his mouth. - Why am I here?
- You chose life over death.
His words unsettle me. My heart rises to my throat.
- Life instead of death?
- I warned you that it was your destiny to die two hours ago on the highway. Despite this, you begged me to save you. It's hard for me to pass by indifferently in the face of the suffering of a person to whom I am connected, so I took pity on you.
- What are you? - My question is inappropriate for this moment, but I can't bite my tongue. Something incomprehensible is happening.
- Your guardian angel. - My mouth is drying up, and I am unable to get the words out. - You have been given a second life by me, and this involves an attachment to us. You can't leave us, you can't say a word about us to anyone because if you break this rule, I will send you to the afterlife.
- Will I die? - I begin to tremble. I put my hands behind my back so he couldn't see how scared I was.
- From now on, you have a new identity. Everyone who knew you, even your family.... for them, you simply do not exist. It's like you were never born.
I'm getting weak. My knees buckle under me and I fall to the floor. He just stands still and stares at me. His face is devoid of any emotion. Nevertheless, he looks so beautiful, so heavenly....
- Does no one remember me?
He ignores my question, realizing that I understood his words.
- So the punishment for asking you to live is that I should be imprisoned with you? - Still nothing comes to me. Who is he? How did he give me a second life? - What about my boyfriend? Why didn't you help him too!
- Every person has their own Guardian Angel. You are mine from birth. I take care of you.
I close my eyelids, from under which tears flow.
- Your boyfriend died at the scene of the accident. He was first on the Dark Gravedigger's list.
I burst into sobs and hidden my face in my hands. I feel terrible, all this is hitting me too hard. I'm lost and can't accept that all this is really happening.
Should I choose death? No. I don't want to die at such a young age, but how will I be able to live with a new identity, looking at family and friends who won't remember me?
- This is the payment for the second life you got from me. You have one hour to decide whether you want to die remembered by your loved ones, or continue to live, but with a new identity.
He walks away, and I watch through my tears as he heads to another room. I am trapped.
*
I don't know how much time passes, but I still don't move from my seat. I sit on the floor, with nailed eyes staring at the white wall. My head is cloudy, and I ponder what my decision should be.
The mysterious boy with pink hair simply ignores me, not interfering with my decision. He sits down on the couch and places a porcelain cup with a saucer on the glass table. I see that warm coffee is steaming out of it, so I swallow my saliva harder as I start to get thirsty.
I want to drink like hell!
Furthermore, I turn my head to the side as the front door opens with a bang, letting in a breath of cold air. I close my eyelids, but in a moment I open my eyes wider when I spot a dark figure. The being dressed in black is looking in my direction, which causes a cold shiver to pass through me.
- I have given you a second life, so by staying in this house you can see souls and even the dark reaper," the Guardian Angel warns me. He puts the cup down on the saucer and heads for the door. - Have you brought another one? How long will it take to decide?
- The boy has messed up in life, but these are not serious sins, so he must atone. For the meantime, you must take care of his soul.
Wide-eyed, I look at my boyfriend as he walks inside. I jump to my feet, unable to believe what I see.
- Victor," I choke out, putting my hand to my mouth.
He looks at me, however, looks as if he doesn't know who I am.
- He doesn't remember you.
With sad eyes, I look at his depressed face. I want to hug him, but I can't do it. Nevertheless, the sight of him is enough for me.
When dark reaper leaves, Victor looks around the interior.
- What will happen to him?
- The Dark Gravedigger will come back for him, but no one knows the time or the hour.
- So during that time he will be here? Will I be able to be at his side?
- That's already up to you.
But the appearance of Victor, makes me immediately make a rash decision. I can't leave. I can't leave him here.
- I choose to live with a new identity," I announce confidently, facing the angel. - I don't want to die. I want to spend this time in his company, even though he doesn't remember me. I would like to say goodbye to him properly.
- Words can no longer be taken back.
- I am sure of my decision. What should I do to confirm it?
I watch the angel as he walks away from me and heads into a dark room. I am nervous and at times I still wonder if I am making the right decision, but Victor's appearance completely clouds my mind. I want to be by his side, no matter how long.
It pains me to move away from my family, but after thinking it over, it's better this way. I'd rather they not remember me than suffer after my death. I will be able to cope. Furthermore, I'll start living again and in time I'll overcome the pain. I don't want to die. I don't intend to add to my family's pain. I want them to be happy.
I'm squatting on the couch when the boy comes back out and puts a golden piece of paper in front of me. Black lettering appears on it, which are the rules and regulations he managed to inform me about earlier.
I glance at the red stamp that is used for the signature. I press my thumb against it and, without thinking, mark it on the paper.
I nervously grunt as he takes it in his hand and with my own eyes I see him transform the piece of paper into dust.
- This is a contract signed not only with me, but with the whole sky. Remember this.
I look over my shoulder as the front door opens with a bang. A long-legged blonde woman who appears at the threshold smiles cheerfully at the sight of me.
- So you're the mascot he's been taking care of for more than twenty years? How charming that I can finally meet you. - He jumps up in place, like a happy child. - I am Lisa!
I look at the girl in amazement as she runs up to me in leaps and hugs me in greeting. Up close her face is so pretty, I can't stop looking at her.
- A mascot? - I repeat, blinking my eyelids. She looks at me with big black eyes. To me, she looks like a living Barbie doll.
- Why is your face devoid of radiance? Did Andy yell at you? - Puffing out his lips, he looks like a carefree child. - He only creates the appearance of a leader, a serious angel. In a few days, you will find out what kind of jerk he is," he claims, glancing at his friend. - He is addicted to computer games, alcohol, and at parties he transforms into a real sex demon.
I look over my shoulder and finally notice the smile on his face.
- Isn't an angel supposed to be polite? Isn't that why there is a division between you? - I am confused. I start scratching my head, contemplating whether I'm just stuck in some crazy dream.
- These are just silly, made-up stories. Just like the fact that we hate each other. - He twirls his finger in front of my face. - That's not true. Tell you the difference between angels and demons?
I don't answer, and she just sits down next to me on the couch. I glance at Victor, who is looking around with interest. He walks from corner to corner, completely unlike his former self.
- Angels are intelligent beings who think better and act accordingly in a situation that makes them do so. It is not true that they are all the same and without character. My brother and I are demons, and we get along great with him. Andy can have fun and doesn't control us at all.
- So what do angels really do if they are not as innocent as they pretend to be?
- Every angel has a human being under its care. And nothing else. - He shrugs his shoulders, glancing at Andy as he takes a bottle of whiskey from the bar. - See? That's what I was just talking about. He didn't put up with all this pretense for long.
- And you be damned! - yells unexpectedly at his friend, making me jump up on the couch. - I wanted to present myself in front of her with class. It was working out well for me, and as usual, you ruined everything, demon girl.
- Don't be racist," she warns him, and I open my eyes wide in amazement. - Again, you mess up your nose and point out that you come from a higher class. - He wrinkles his eyebrows, and I grunt, fleeing with my eyes to my dead boyfriend. He's still pacing around the living room, looking confused. - Do you know why he pulls off such scenes? - The blonde turns to me again, and I shake my head in response. - Because he wants to become an actor. He keeps watching dorky shows with Hollywood stars and points out that he will knock everyone out with his beauty on the big screen.
- At least I have some ability. I'm a smart creature, but you? You are just a demon of seduction.
I get the impression that another moment, and they will kill each other, but didn't they assure me that they live in harmony? Is this what friendship looks like to them?
- Can you take another interest in me and my boyfriend, whose soul is wandering aimlessly in this house?
- He is supposed to wander around until the Dark Gravedigger comes back for him. - I open my mouth, indignant at the angel's abstruse answer.
One thing is certain. I have been given a second life, and now it will entirely change. I am forced to live side by side with a — not very polite — angel and a demonic sibling who, despite his dark soul, can respect humans.
I have already met Lisa, but the real adventure will begin when I come face to face with the golden-haired demon, who will introduce me to a world full of madness and dangerous wanderings.