"A fog dissipated
To spread my wings so this is freedom
I am free
Finally free at last
…From the ashes, I rise like a phoenix…"
The final note faded into silence.
For half a second, the studio froze.
Then applause exploded like fireworks.
The host of the program, A Tea with Stars rose from her seat, eyes shining, happily marvelled at such a powerful song that made almost every critic bow in awe and excitement..
"Wow. Just—wow. That song felt… Raw. Miss Irish Everston, you've outdone yourself and i guess the chart is already on fire."
Irish smiled, graceful and glowing beneath the studio lights.
"Thank you so much and I hope my fans enjoyed it as much as you did."
The audience erupted again.
"Your fans are calling it your rebirth," the host continued.
" so Miss Irish tell us, what inspired you to unleash such powerful music?, this song feels different from your usual style. It's darker. More personal. Well I'm not a music critic but every music lover can resonate with what am saying...", the host asked the now-reigning music star, Irish Everston.
Irish hesitated. Just enough.
"My best friend," she said softly. "Clifford Jasmine. She died in an accident three years ago. Her body was never found.So i broke up with everyone and everything.
But during her birthday I felt that urge to let go of the grief and cheer up with our best memories."
Her voice trembled. "This song is me… letting go, its me spreading my wings to fly into the skies,"
A man beside her gently pulled her into his arms.
Leo Edward.
"My brother," Irish added, leaning into him. "I can't keep him waiting anymore cause he has always been there for me, he never left my side."
Edward hugged her carefully like he was holding a jade treasure.
"Shush! Stop crying, Irish it's okay", he said while carefully cleaning the tears falling from her eyes.
Cheers filled the room.
"Oh my gosh, such sweet couple"
"Irish don't worry we love you"
"Her memories still lives in us"
"Irish don't give up, keep soaring like a phoenix"
"Irish and Leo we love you"
The screen faded to commercial.
"…I am free… finally free…"
Somewhere far away, that same song echoed.
In a damp, underground basement, a flickering television replayed the interview.
A girl chained to the wall laughed hysterically.
Blood dripped from her lips.
"So… you're free now?" she whispered hoarsely.
Her white dress—once elegant—was soaked red. Her face was swollen, bruised, barely recognizable.
"Laughing… singing… with him."
Her fingers curled around the cold chain biting into her wrists.
"Irish," she rasped. "Leo."
Her laughter turned into a broken sob.
"I will make you pay. Even if I crawl out of hell to do it."
The basement door creaked open slowly but violently.
High heels clicked against concrete.
Irish Everston stepped inside, wrinkling her nose at the stench.
"Oh, Jassy," she sighed sweetly. "You watched the interview?, come on tell me how was it?."
Jasmine lifted her head slowly, eyes burning.
"My parents will find me."
Irish laughed.
"Still dreaming?" She crouched, tilting Jasmine's chin up with two fingers. "You always did love fairy tales."
Jasmine spat blood out,as her already blood stained white gown absorbed the blood making her look unsightly, with her beyond disfigured face..
Irish laughed as she stood, unimpressed.
"You should rest, cause tonight …" she smiled thinly, "…will be unforgettable."
She turned to leave.
Moments later—
🔥 BOOM.
The basement erupted in flames.
Smoke swallowed the room.
Jasmine screamed in struggle as the fire crawled toward her chains.
So this is how it ends…
Her vision blurred.
But even as darkness claimed her, one thought burned brighter than the flames:
If I survive… I will become your hell.