The Demons

 CHAPTER 1 

 THE DEMON.

I was on a dark and tiny road; it was so dark that I couldn't comprehend where I was. Strong wind was blowing, and it was so cold that I could freeze to death. I continued walking gently so I wouldn't miss my steps. I needed clarification. How did I get in here? Where am I? I asked no one in particular.

Suddenly, fear gripped me. I could feel hot tears running down my cheeks. The dark place became bright; I could see tall trees without leaves blowing in this heavy wind. They were so tall and scary, that I fastened up my steps. Surprisingly, the brightness became dim; it wasn't as bright as before. I realized that I was dressing like a ghost from the day we performed a play at school and realized how terrified I was. I was the ghost in a play.

I asked myself. 'How did I wear this?' Something we did last year, or is someone playing tricks on me?

I ran for a long while before stopping to catch my breath, and now I am petrified. I was breathing heavily. No one was at my back when I turned around after feeling a cold tap on my shoulder.

I moved and continued looking back. I could hear my heartbeat from a distance; my blood pressure would be extremely high if it were measured right now.

Suddenly, the wind blew past my ear. The sound it made was my name, ME-GA-MI. I heard it again the second time as it blew past my ear.

I felt pain even as I screamed and bit my hand. "If it's not a dream, then where am I?" My screams were loud, and I heard my voice while I screamed like an echo around me. I turned around; there was no one, and I ran so fast.

As I stopped, I couldn't hear my voice echoing anymore, and I asked myself.

"Who is playing this prank on me"? Am I insane? Oh, God, please help me.

I walked slowly and wrapped my hands around my body. And I screamed, Mummy, Daddy, where are you? Your little princess is lost in the middle of nowhere." I heard what I just said: 'I think this place repeats my words'.

I will stop shouting, I said to myself.

I walked for a little distance when I heard a few footsteps behind me. I looked back only to find a stick wrapped in white cloth. I moved forward; it hopped; I turned back; it was closer; in a minute, I took to my heels again. I ran as fast as my leg could carry me. I ran for 30 minutes I think, before stopping to catch my breath.

I saw a huge shadow behind me. I was scared to the core and gently turned my back. I saw a mighty, big, scary creature. He raised his hand at me. I screamed and passed out. After some hours I guess, I opened my eyes and found myself lying down along a stony road. I gently stood up.

I was fragile and exhausted; it was like I had walked for 2 days non-stop. I looked around and saw mighty trees. Suddenly, I saw an eye-like owl looking at me. I was trembling. 'What awaits me? God, please take my life and stop this suffering. Am I not your child anymore? I shut my eyes in a little prayer, only to find many eyes staring at me at the top of a tree, and I heard creepy voices talking so loudly that I couldn't understand Nobody—no hands, no legs—just eyes on the tree'.

I regained a little strength and ran into a small path in between trees. I came down a dark path and said to myself, "I am not afraid anymore; anything that awaits me should face me now." All of a sudden, everywhere was quiet and calm.

I felt a cold tap on my shoulder, and I turned only to find a man standing; he was wearing a black outfit with a black hat. He tried reaching out to me, and I shifted backward. He called me Megami, which means the wife of a god. I was perplexed. Who is he? How does he know my name? I can't figure out his face. He has a deep and sexy voice. 'I am crazy; how can I be thinking about the sexiness of his voice?' He said, "I am Yuu." I cut him short with a scream.

I woke up screaming and sweating profusely. As I lay in bed, I noticed a book named Demon by Miracle Philip resting on my pillow.

"I suddenly remembered that I had been reading this novel before going to bed."

"Ohh!! It was just a nightmare. I sigh with relief.

Suddenly, I saw a dark shadow close to my bed. I screamed, only to raise my head and see my dad. He hugged me tight, and my fear disappeared." 

"Dad, I believe demons are coming after me," I said.

He replied, "It's nothing, baby; it's just your imagination". 

"Dad, why is my name Megami?" I asked curiously, and he replied with a sigh. "Everybody still laughs at my name anytime I say it. Why am I the wife of a god? What does my name signify?" I asked him curiously, and he replied as usual.

"Because you are the goddess of me and your mom's heart.". He smiled, and I smiled. But I still believe something is wrong with me. For the past 21 years of my life, I have never had a dream. This appears to be my first dream, and it does not appear to be a dream; it's like I was heading somewhere I don't know. What will I do? to maintain this false façade of existence?

 Dad left the room, and I got ready for work. Today is my first day at work. I got a job at a publishing company without any stress. The first miracle in my life came. when I thought I would continue being unfortunate. I believe my name makes me an unfortunate person.

I entered the first bus heading to You Publishing, which is the best and biggest publishing company in Sakura City. I felt so proud when I got the job. It's the dream of most of my college friends. 

I walked into the company, looking at this huge building with many floors. Who in the world built this magnificent building? I realized I was a country girl. I guess that's why people make fun of me whenever I express my astonishment at the incredible innovation happening around the globe. I wonder if I am living in this world. People were rushing into the company, everyone wearing a smiling face. 

"I am sorry, sir." I bumped into someone. It wasn't my fault; he had been staring at me for some time now, like he knew me. He is really good-looking, with sharp eyes and a small lip. 

 "It's fine; you look like a goddess,'' he replied with a smile. 

He's the third person in my life to praise my extraordinary beauty. I always thought I was different. But I am different, though. I smiled back in response and rushed into the elevator. The elevator started making beeping sounds as I walked in, and everyone was staring at me, which I didn't understand. A tall man walked out of the elevator, and it closed. People were murmuring. I believe they're just happy people. When the elevator stopped, people coming out were staring at me. I just kept a smiling face. I am no doubt the happiest person today.

 I walked into a wide office with lots of computers, and everyone was minding their business. 

Someone walked up to me. "Megami, right?" she asked

"Yes, Ma," I replied.

"You are as beautiful as I heard, "she said, but not with a smile.

Who is she? And how did she hear of me? Do they do background checks on employees?

"This is your table; your task will be handed to you later," she said.

"Ok, ma," I replied. She walked out, stopped, and came back to me.

"From now on, just call me Miss Youko," she said. 

She was not even momentarily grinning at me, as if I had committed an offense against her.

She pointed at my seat; it was a rolling office chair. I sat down happily and said hi to my colleague sitting close to me. Her name is Ricko; she was born in Tokyo. She is pretty with cute bangs; she seems like an introverted girl. 

After work, I boarded the bus going to Sarka, where I live.

In front of me was a big house painted white. It was big, like my dream house, with beautiful flowers, which are my favorite flowers. The air was filled with the refreshing scent of cherry blossom. Who lives in this magnificent house? I just wish it was mine. A lady passed me and made a little bow of greeting to me. I responded with a smile as I walked into the house; it was magnificently built. The paintings are beautiful, and the antique seems a lot older. I could see a picture on the table with flowers around it. I saw a picture of me when I was little. Pictures of me from every corner. Suddenly, somebody hugged me from the back.

"Megami, I missed you," he said, kissing me with his cold lips. I had goosebumps. I was frightened when he spoke.

"I saw you today. I decided to wait for you here; I knew you would come to me.". It was the voice of the demon I met in my first dream. I was afraid. I screamed. I heard someone say, "This is the last bus stop, Miss." I opened my eyes. It was the driver telling me he wasn't going further again. I realized I had passed Sarka an hour ago.