一I’m home.
一It’s time to come home almost ten o’clock at night.
一 I’m sorry, I got carried away… I promise this won’t happen again.
I go to my room and take the bags, Sandra opens a smile and sits on the couch.
I throw myself on my bed and close my eyes, I am so happy that he is okay, I never thought I would be happy for someone like him….
I remember what the palm reader had told me, I am in the beginning, there are still many things to happen, I hope I will be strong to get through all this, and who will be the person I will meet from the past?
I let out a sigh and end up falling asleep.
***
The next day….
一You intend to stay here until when?
一Until she leaves…
一Are you going crazy? Don’t take protection literally, I need to eat, we’ve been here all morning I’m tired, look my paws are swollen. Zyan frowned.
一You can go, because I’m staying here.
You’ve never done this for anyone, what happened to you? Why have you changed so much?
I’m following the contract.
Zyan sits in front of Louis and looks up.
You don’t fool me, I’ve known you for many years and I know how you are with the contractors. Zyan stands up. 一I’m going to get something to eat, we’ve been following her all morning, my paws are hurting.
Zyan closes his eyes and disappears, Louis looks at the window and cracks a passing smile.
一I’m glad she’s with you, I promise nothing bad will happen to you
I’m leaving after class, can you make it back home on your own?
I’m not a child anymore Sandra.
一But you can’t be too careful, take this.
Pepper spray? Really?
At least it gives you time to run.
Ana took the pepper spray and put it in her purse.
Later that day…
I arrive home exhausted and sit down on the sofa when I hear the sound of the doorbell.
Could Sandra have forgotten her keys?
Again the doorbell is rung, I get up from the sofa and approach very cautiously, open the door and see an old lady with her head down.
一What can I do for you?
一I live next door and sell some things, want to take a look?
一Not today…
一Ah come on, I won’t charge you to look, but if you’re interested…
I let the lady hand it over and she sits down on the chair.
一Are you alone today young lady?
Yes, but my friend will be here soon.
Do you know that many things can happen in a single minute?
What are you talking about?
You’re without protection, since that’s very important these days.
She puts the bag on the floor and looks around as if looking for something.
一Do you want a glass of water?
一I’m fine, but tell me, what do you carry in your bag?
Just my college books.
一I can feel your heart beating… Ana.
Who are you Sandra?
My heart is getting faster, she’s scaring me.
I try to stay calm but suddenly the Lady lifts her head and looks at me, her eyes were black like the man who shot Louis.
The Lady gives a smile and stands up.
一Let’s get this over with, hand me the book and you will live.
I get up from the chair and grab my bag.
Get out of my house now.
You’re a fool, Ana, do you really think keeping this book will help you? In the end you’ll die, all your work will be in vain, all your effort will be worthless. “He will kill you in the worst way, seducing you is the first, the second is to take your trust, and the third is to take your soul. Be smart and give me the book… How can you protect a monster who claims to be your savior? See the truth, this is nothing but an illusion.”
I look at the book and remember that Zyan had spoken, that I would no longer live but survive, my life is nothing but a game of choices, so I have to be very careful with my actions. I know that none of this is real, she is trying to make me give up and give up the book.
一Why do you want the book?
So no one else will die because of it, Ana, this is an endless cycle, this story will repeat forever and people will die, some won’t even finish their dreams because it’s an obstacle. The old woman points to the book.
一You’re lying, I’m not handing over the book.
I tried it the easy way, now it’s going to be the hard way, remember you chose it.
The old woman who was hunched over begins to frown.
I literally am in a horror movie, I take a few steps back, I’m running out of ways, my heart is racing, the old woman starts walking towards me.
I literally am in a horror movie, I take a few steps back, I am running out of ways, my heart is racing, the old woman starts walking towards me.
Sandra opens the door.
一Damn…
一Run Sandra, get out of here… Ana screams.
一She won’t be able to take any steps, I put a powder on the floor, minus one to save you.
一But she’s like me, why wouldn’t she be able to get through?
一Hmm, she didn’t tell you? What kind of friend is she?
Didn’t tell me what?
一She’s like Louis, haven’t you noticed? Ana do you want to be on the demon team? Because one thing you have to know, they will never tell you the truth, and another, they are liars and manipulators.
I look at Sandra who tries to break the barrier.
一It can’t be…
一How long do you want to live this lie? All because of this book but soon it will be over.
The old woman jumps on me and I fall with everything on the floor, I start to struggle trying to get free, I look to the side and see my purse on the floor and the pepper spray bottle, I try to reach for it.
She is stronger than me, I am losing my strength, I put my fingertips against the little pot and finally manage to grab it.
I squeeze the spray into her eyes, for an instant I can see the sadness in her eyes, as if she were really being controlled, but the worst thing I could notice…
The first attack.
But the worst thing I could notice is that she knew she was going to die.
I shove her and get up, the old woman holds my leg and bites me, I take the lampshade and hit her in the head, I run to my room and lock the door.
一Louis! Sandra shouts.
一I will kill all of you…
一 I know.
Sandra opens her purse and takes out a small bottle of water, she knocks the water over and the barrier is broken.
一 Come to me you old wretch.
Sandra throws herself on top of her and throws a sequence of punches leaving her bewildered.
Ana stays in her room behind the door holding the book.
一Where is Ana? Zyan looks at Sandra.
She is in her room, but where is Louis? Only he can kill it here.
I don’t know where he is.
一Stay by the door and I’ll try to distract her.
一All right.
Zyan turns into a panther and his eyes turn an orange-red. The old woman pushes Sandra to the wall, and she ends up hitting her head and falls to the ground with everything.
一You are weaker than I thought, it’s not nice to fight with you. said the old woman.
一Leave Ana alone. said Sandra trying to get up.
一And who is going to stop me?
The old woman lets out an evil smile and goes towards the rooms, Sandra tries to stop her but it is in vain. The Lady looks in front of Zyan and closes her fists, Zayn roars and attacks the Old Woman, she falls to the ground on her knees and raises her head Zyan starts to decrease in size and turns back into a cat.
一Pity outside your house you can’t turn into a panther, what kind of guardian are you? You two are no match.
She gets up and runs towards Zayn.
Stay away from Ana.
She takes Zyan by the scruff of the neck and looks into his eyes.
Louis needs good helpers, you’re a disgrace.
She throws Zyan into the room and he ends up hitting his head and fainting.
一Ana… Do you want to play hide-and-seek? Then it’s my turn to look for you.
I’m really scared, I drag my bookcase to the door and block it, even though I know it won’t help.
I go over to my bed and sit on the floor, my tears are falling, I can’t help it.
I hear the sound of his nails scratching the wooden wall getting closer and closer, I take a deep breath to calm myself down.
Everything is silent for a moment, I stand up slowly and hold the book in one hand.