Chapter 1: Mundane life

A creaking sound echoed throughout the apartment as someone approached the door of Lydia, and she starts feeling anxious. Her bedroom door slowly opens to reveal a small child holding a stuffed bunny toy by the ear.

"Mommy I had a nightmare," the child says and Lydia could feel the shaking in the child's voice. She opens her arms and the boy of about six years jumps on the bed and into her arms.

The boy snuggled into Lydia's bosom and she held him tight, played with his hair a little before singing him a lullaby:

*Hush now, my child, in twilight's embrace,*

*Where realms entwine, and shadows interlace.*

*Beneath the veil of earthly dreams,*

*I weave a song of warnings, it seems.*

*Angels descend with wings of frost,*

*Their halos tarnished, their purpose lost.*

*They seek redemption, yet crave dominion,*

*Their ethereal grace concealing sin.*

*Demons rise from fiery abyss,*

*Their eyes aflame, their hunger amiss.*

*They whisper secrets in tongues unknown,*

*Their promises sweet, their hearts of stone.*

*You, my child, bear both light and shade,*

*A cosmic dance in your veins displayed.*

*Heed this lullaby, my precious one,*

*For danger lurks when day is done.*

*When moonlight wanes and stars align,*

*Beware the crossroads where realms entwine.*

*Choose wisely, dear child, your path ahead,*

*For angels and demons hunger to be fed.*

*Keep your wings hidden, your heart discreet,*

*In this fragile world where mortals meet.*

*And when the night whispers secrets untold,*

*Remember my lullaby, my love, be bold.*

Lydia looked at her son's sleeping face, kissed him on the forehead and closed her eyes.

****

The sun is showing its majestic glimmer on the horizon. Birds sing songs of the beautiful day ahead. The world is at peace with itself and the sound snowing could be heard throughout Paul's room.

Dum dee dee dum dee dee dum dum

Ice Ice Baby

Hearing Vanilla Ice's iconic song, Paul reached his hand out looking for the snooze button on his phone. Unfortunately, he knocked it off the bedside table but at least it got the same effect so Paul closed his eyes again.

Footsteps could be heard rushing to Paul's room and Lydia burst through the door. "Wake up sleepyhead! It's your Birthday!" Paul could be heard giving a grunt and Lydia puffed up her cheeks.

"Get up right now!!" Lydia pulled off Paul's blanket and ran out the door laughing. Paul got up and went to the kitchen/living room. He found his mother waiting for him with a big pile of pancakes covered in syrup and a huge smug smile on her face.

"Happy Birthday my love," Lydia said before singing the happy birthday song. Paul could feel his eyes moistening so he quickly wolfed down the pancakes and got ready to go to school.

"Don't forget to take out the trash on your way out," Lydia said to Paul before leaving for work. Paul took out the trash, locked the door and head to school.

Paul was finally 18 so he could finally get the game that he liked very much. It's called Grand Theft Manual and it's filled with lots of fun things but unfortunately you need to be above 18 to buy it.

As Paul was daydreaming of his game, a voice called out to him from behind. "Paul wait for me!" A girl with glasses and twin braids was running towards him.

Paul recognized the girl as his neighbor. He could never really understand what she was thinking. Paul stood in place and waited for her to catch up. She was out of breath when she got to him so he took her bag and started walking.

"A greeting would be nice for once," the girl said before walking with Paul. They walked in silence till they got to school and then the girl started acting shy.

"Hey look it's Murphy. Doesn't he look handsome today," the girl started fawning over a tall guy with pale white skin and looked like he was in the basketball league.

"Stop dreaming Beccs," another guy walked to Paul's group.

"How many times do I need to tell you to call me by my name, Arnold. It's Becca," Becca started going off on Arnold who just arrived. Paul immediately got a headache and tried putting some distance between them.

"Hey Paul, I got you something for your birthday," Arnold said before taking something out of his pocket and placing it in Paul's hand. It was a R200 note (around 10USD give or take) which was freshly crumpled.

Paul thanked Arnold and split from Becca and Arnold to go to his classes. It was his last year of high school and it was also the most important time with the finals fast approaching.

Paul sat through lecture after lecture till it was finally time to go home. He sent Becca a text saying he was going to buy something from the mall and to not wait up for him.

Thinking about the game he was about to purchase Paul could helping feeling good. He had a big smile on his face and he greeted everyone on the way to the mall. It took a couple of minutes but he at last got Grand Theft Manual.

Paul decided since he was at the mall, he was going to check up on his crush. She was working at a flower shop which was situated next to the malls exit. Paul looked into the flower shop first and saw her with a customer.

Gabriella is a Latina with long tanned legs, smooth black hair flowing down her back. Her eyes are a deep brown and she has dimples on both sides of her mouth. She always gives off a feeling of confidence but something was off.

Paul realized she was slightly shaking and when he looked closer he noticed that the guy Gabriella was helping had a gun pointed at her. Multiple scenarios played out in Paul's mind and all of them said he must leave but he still found himself sneaking into the shop.