The Magical World of Elina

"Electricity bill, water bill, rent, food expenses…"

Elina muttered softly, adding up the numbers on the paper, each item forming a long list of daunting figures. She dejectedly threw the pen down, sighed deeply, and glanced over at the cup of instant noodles she had divided into two portions to make up two main meals for the day. Then, she looked down at her flat stomach that was growling in protest from hunger.

It was summer, and in the cramped room that barely accommodated one person, there were now three people living together. The room was so cluttered that there wasn't even enough space for someone to comfortably stretch or turn over. There was only one fan in the room, and it was so old that it rotated weakly and slowly, almost like it was just shooing flies away, more for show than function.

The small, stifling space reeked of a blend of odors—sweat, smelly feet, shoes, socks, mold, and the foul stench wafting from the bathroom. It was becoming unbearable.

Elina looked out at the city beyond, where bustling lights shone brightly, and the lively sounds from shopping malls and stores echoed. She reached her hand out as if trying to grasp those lights, but they seemed distant, separated from her as if they belonged to another world. All that landed on her hand now was the cold night dew, jolting her back to reality. Elina instinctively pulled her hand back and turned to look at her roommate who was absorbed in her phone.

"Hey, you need to get a job. You can't just stay home and leave all the bills for me to handle."

Her roommate's eyes didn't move from her phone as she absentmindedly responded, "Even if I get a job, I won't earn much. Might as well not go."

Elina raised her voice angrily, "What do you mean not much? At least you could help me out a bit."

But the roommate said nothing more.

Elina turned to the other person.

"What about you? Could you stop buying clothes and makeup to help pay the rent?"

The girl sitting on the bed, who was on a call, immediately covered the phone's microphone when she heard Elina. Her face twisted in annoyance.

"Why do you have to talk like that? I'll be out of here in a few days. I don't need to stay in this dump of yours. When that time comes, I'll pay you three times the current rent. What's a little money that makes you act so high and mighty?"

Then, she shot Elina a sharp glare before switching back to her sweet tone to continue the conversation on her phone.

Elina suppressed the fire burning inside her, kicked the chair aside, and stormed out.

Outside, the night and the ground merged into one indistinguishable darkness. Only a distant yellow streetlamp cast a faint glow, just enough for people to see the way. But even that light was dim and flickering, often interrupted by bugs that swarmed beneath it. Elina lived in a slum-like apartment complex, a place where all sorts of people coexisted. At night, unable to stand the suffocating heat inside their rooms, they gathered in the hallway, forming a line of people. The men were shirtless, and the women, unashamed, didn't bother wearing bras, simply fanning themselves with hand fans. Children ran around noisily downstairs.

They chatted and laughed loudly, their voices crude, punctuated with profanities that grated on Elina's nerves. She walked out.

The alley outside wasn't much better.

But at least it was the path that led her to the city lights.

Who knew when she would be able to have a better life, to squeeze herself into the crowded city like a pea mixed in with cucumbers. But… was that dream too far-fetched?

As she walked, Elina suddenly saw a group of people up ahead.

They were a bunch of young men, huddled together, talking about something.

Elina thought it must be a group of delinquents, gathering to smoke or plan some petty crime. She figured it was best not to walk through them, so she turned around. But just as she took a step or two, a voice called out from behind:

"Elina?"

Elina recognized the voice. She turned around, surprised to see Choco—her classmate—among the group.

Seeing that she turned around, Choco eagerly ran up to her.

"Didn't expect to see you here. Hey, want to join us?"

Elina stepped back slightly, the word "join" conjuring images of drugs and delinquency. But before she could refuse, Choco continued:

"I know you're in need of money. I have a way for you to make some."

Seeing the suspicion on Elina's face, Choco added:

"It's not stealing. It's not illegal."

Hearing that, Elina wavered slightly and asked:

"Then what is it?"

Choco leaned close to Elina's ear and whispered:

"Tomb raiding."

_____________

Elina couldn't sleep the whole night.

She kept tossing and turning, her mind filled with Choco's words.

"Tomb raiding? How is that not illegal?"

"It's not like we're raiding the city cemetery. It's an ancient tomb."

Elina drew in a sharp breath.

"An ancient tomb?"

"Yes, didn't you see the news? They just discovered an ancient tomb in the forest on the outskirts. It's thousands of years old and filled with treasures. We just need to take a little, and our lives will change forever."

Elina hesitated. The idea seemed not only illegal but also immoral. Taking things from the dead? What if the spirit came back to claim it?

She couldn't even imagine it.

Seeing that he hadn't convinced Elina, Choco pressed on:

"If we don't take it, the archaeologists will. Besides, once we sell it, the stuff will be sitting in some pawnshop. We won't be holding onto it, so what's there to fear? We're just trying to make a living, not doing anything evil. I'm sure the tomb's owner would understand."

And with those words, Elina was swayed. She agreed.

She looked around her room at the mold-covered walls, still damp and dark. Then at the ceiling stained with soot, leaking whenever it rained, and finally let out a long sigh before falling into a restless sleep.

________ 

The next night, after her two roommates had fallen sound asleep, Elina carefully got up. Following Choco's instructions, she put on a pair of boots, a black jacket, took a flashlight and gloves, and slipped out.

Elina cautiously shut the door, but the rusty metal hinges still creaked loudly. This startled the neighbor's dogs, and they growled, staring in her direction.

To keep them from barking, she moved slowly.

Finally, she managed to leave the slum.

Outside, Choco and the group were already waiting. Seeing Elina appear, they immediately began discussing their plan.

In the dim night, the group whispered back and forth, planning their moves. Elina was still wondering what transportation they would use to get to the outskirts when she noticed a motorbike parked a short distance away.

"That's my uncle. He'll take us where we need to go."

Choco introduced the man—thin, with a long scar across his face, looking far from friendly.