Ella:
"So, how was your day?"
Rey:
"Same as always. You?"
Ella (remembering):
"Mine was also the same... well, almost. I got into another fight with a customer today."
Rey (alarmed):
"Did that grandma fire you?"
Ella:
"No, but she gave me a final warning."
Rey:
"Why did you fight with a customer again?"
Ella:
"It wasn't my fault! You won't believe what he did—"
(She explains everything.)
Rey:
"Wait... did you slap him?"
Ella:
"Of course not!"
Rey:
"Thank God. I thought you did."
Ella (offended):
"You really think I'm that kind of girl?"
Rey (teasing):
"Yes."
(She takes another bite of food.)
"Well, the food's really good."
Rey (smiling):
"Hey, tomorrow I'll be off early. One of the doctors said it's a slow day for interns. Want to watch a movie together?"
Ella:
"Sure! Which one?"
Rey:
"My favorite actor's new movie is coming out in theaters tomorrow!"
Ella (rolling her eyes):
"That Damian guy or whatever his name is?"
Rey (mock gasp):
"Don't talk about him like that! So rude! Just tell me—are you coming or not?"
Ella:
"Fine, since you rarely ask me to go anywhere."
Rey:
"Great! Be ready by 8, okay?"
Ella:
"Alright."
After dinner, they both went to bed. Rey fell into a deep sleep quickly, but Ella tossed and turned restlessly.
Her breath grew heavy as her dreams dragged her into a chilling memory.
She saw herself — no, Anne — standing beside Alex. The scene was peaceful, almost warm… until it wasn't.
Suddenly, a figure appeared from behind and slit Alex's throat.
Blood poured.
Then Anne screamed—
And the same blade sliced her neck open.
They both collapsed, gasping, trying to reach for each other's hands with trembling fingers.
All she could hear in those final moments were their whispers of there confession and talk about wedding
Ella jolted awake, her body drenched in sweat. She didn't scream—
She had grown used to the pain.
Quietly, she got up and walked to the kitchen. As she reached for a glass of water, the silence was pierced by a voice echoing in her head:
"North or South?"
Over and over again—cold and distant, like a soldier giving orders.
She dropped the glass in shock, but caught it just in time.
Shaking, she pressed her hands over her ears, trying to shut the voice out.
Finally, she grabbed her earphones, scrolled to her usual calming playlist, and played the softest tune she knew.
The music slowly drowned out the chaos in her head.
It was the only way she could fall asleep every night.
Damian walked into his apartment—grand, luxurious, everything a top actor could afford. The space was modern and spotless, lined with shelves displaying trophies, awards, and framed magazine covers. It was the kind of place that screamed success… yet it felt strangely empty.
He freshened up, changed into comfortable clothes, and sat on the edge of his king-sized bed. Reaching for a bottle on his nightstand, he took a couple of pills and drank water.
Just then, his phone buzzed.
Psychiatrist: "Damian, did you notice any changes with the new medication?"
Damian: "I don't think so… This scar—it still hurts."
(He lightly touched the faint mark on his neck. It was a birthmark in this life, but the pain was real. He didn't know why… only that it always flared up after certain dreams.)
Psychiatrist: "Alright. Let's meet tomorrow. I'll take another look and we'll try adjusting the prescription."
Damian: "Okay."
They hung up.
He let out a long breath and lay back on the bed, staring at the chandelier above. For a moment, the soft glow almost soothed him—until sleep took over.
DREAM SEQUENCE BEGINS
In the haze of his dream, he saw a girl approaching him. Her face was blurred, like a smudged painting. She reached out a hand.
Suddenly, the sharp pain in his neck flared. He gasped.
DREAM ENDS
Damian jolted awake, clutching his neck.
Damian (frustrated, under his breath): "Not again…"
Without hesitation, he reached for another bottle—this one for sleep and pain. He swallowed a pill and lay back down, eyes open for a long while before darkness finally pulled him in again.