1 PROLOGUE

"God created man in his own image and likeness. To rule over all other creatures on earth. He then took one of the man's ribs while he was in a deep sleep and formed a woman out of it so she could be with the man."- Mrs. Bauer preaches early in the morning. She's a good old widow across the street. I heard she's really religious so I understood her everyday scene.

"Good morning Mrs. Bauer!" I shouted at her direction. She looked at me and smiled, then frowned a second after. "What's wrong Mrs. Bauer?" I asked immediately. Her eyes widened and then she opened her mouth "Stay away from me! You took my dear husband, and now you come and get me? Vanish from here and return to your place!" she raised her voice, on the verge of crying while pointing somewhere in the open space. She then placed her two hands on her head as if it was aching. She paced back and forth while she murmured "Not yet. Not yet. This isn't what I saw" in a soft weak voice.

Mrs. Bauer hurriedly walked inside her home and shuts her door. She has always been strange but this is beyond her regular tantrums. I did not know what to do next. It scared me but I wanted to go by with my day and so I just brushed it off.

I was on my way to school when I suddenly felt a sudden gush of air. No vehicle passed by me and I was alone in the streets. I changed my pace. My heart beat faster and louder by the second. Then one by one, the trees, buildings and the houses disappeared into darkness.

"You are finally home my child"

The deep, low, rumbling voice resounded like the wind on a stormy night. I can't see the source of the sound but I can certainly hear it. "I am not your child!" I shouted in response - using all the strength and courage I have. But as soon as I uttered those words, 'he' howled with laughter. The menacing noise echoed and l was there, standing in the middle of nowhere - terrified and in tears.

"You will soon know the truth" – a scratchy, sinister voice answered against my defiance. I yelped and jumped from where I was. The eerie sound was just right beside my ears this time. I lost my balance and fell to the ground. I frantically examined my surroundings, but no one is there as I looked around. Chills ran up my spine and so I decided quickly.

Run! - I command myself.

I managed to stand up despite my fear. My shaky knees supported my weak body as I haste towards the nothingness - Unsteady but was determined to escape and be somewhere but here. I panted. My chest ached but I can't stop now. I won't stop and so I clenched my fist and gritted my teeth. "He can't harm you. You are stronger than this" I say to myself. Trying to convince me that everything is going to be alright.

Every step was a struggle. It feels like I'm being dragged by an unseen force. Like there are thousands of men holding my arms and legs. My movement was slowing by the second as I sweat, trying to fight away my exhaustion. My breathing starts to feel heavy and the air escapes faster than I take them in. My cold hands are trembling and my vision starts to blurry.

"Please help me. Anyone, just anybody!"

I repeatedly whispered in between my breaths. I waited for someone to answer. For that somebody to call my name, to show and lead me the way, but no one replied to my plea. No one is there to save me.

"I am here my child. I can end your suffering. You don't need anyone else but your own flesh and blood" the unknown dark voice again resonated and the vibrations danced through the thin air. "Stop in your tracks and surrender thyself" he continues. I wanted to answer and rebel against his demands but no words came out. I got no strength left after all.

I collapsed and fell on my knees. I can feel pain prick on my palms as they were scraped by the impact. Now, adjacent to the ground, I feel the gravity pulling me more than ever. I see vines emerged from beneath me, crawled up to my feet then to my legs. I grabbed them one by one, pulling them away from me - but that was a huge mistake. The muddy vines made their way to my arms then to my shoulders until it embraced my head. All I could do was scream.

"Noooo!!.. Dooon't!!.. I exclaimed as if it had ears and conscience to listen and show mercy. The needle like thorns of the vines are piercing my skin. Blood mixed with my sweat trickle down my face. My feet are now slowly descending into the muddy ground. I twitched my body in the attempt to escape but it only worsen my situation. I know I am dying slowly. I raised my head facing the sky and started to see flashbacks of my childhood.

I saw Hazy images of my mom, my sister and my loving dad. The dog I had as a gift. My crying face when my ice cream dirtied my favorite dress. The first bike ride I had when I was eight. My colorful birthday cake when I was eleven… and my dad's confident back when he said goodbye as he was leaving for work. I saw them all, it was painful and it made me weep.

In the moment of sadness and despair, I felt something hit my face and there I saw drops of liquid falling down from the red sky - it's raining blood. It poured nonstop and covered the whole area. I gasped for air before my head was plunged completely - where nobody could ever find me.