Audrey's life flashed in her face, old memories playing in her head as the waters began to quickly flood her nose.
"Granny!!!" Audrey called out as she ran into her grandmother's arm.Jumping into her grandmother's arm everyday she came back from work had been nice therapy for Audrey."My beautiful sunshine" replied Henrietta, her granny. Henrietta would never get enough of her grand daughter.Henrietta and Audrey would get locked in a tight hug."Did you miss me granny?" Audrey would ask, giving a her a childlike look.Henrietta would never be able to hold back, seeing that look, she would always burst into laughter."I missed you so much, child" she would admit while painting Audrey's face with kisses.A tear slid out of Audrey's eyes into the waters as her heart squeezed in pains.Audrey felt the natural instincts to struggle but she did not as another memory came replaying in her head."I love you so much Audrey" it was a memory of Desmond, the one who had caused all of these pains for her."I strive to be a better person everyday only for you. If there comes a day I have to live without you, I rather welcome death. My life is completely empty without you in it Audrey.""Seeing you everyday reminds me that I have someone so true and pure to live and die for". Desmond had whispered while looking deep into her eyes.For a second, Audrey had been completely mesmerized."Stop it Desmond". Audrey had said, giggling. She could never contain the butterflies that seemed to want to explode her tummy. She leaned in for a passionate kiss.Underwater, Audrey seemed to be getting the freedom she yearned for, but she felt one emotion still, hatred. Hatred for Desmond.She was positive the other side she was heading to would be a whole lot better and calmer than the one she currently is.She couldn't wait for life to leave her and for herself to reunite with her parents and wait for Henrietta to join them. There, nothing could forever separate them or so she thought with another smile on her face. She closed her eyes as she sank deeper still not putting on any fights. It wasn't like she would win anyways. The waters could claim her life for it's trophy for all she cares.*Ever since Lord Adonis came back into the human world. He had one purpose and to fulfill this said purpose, he knew he was racing against time. He could feel his powers getting lesser each passing day which signified that more people were on Acris side. He had to act fast.Just then, the mortal he met earlier flashed his mind. He remembered her eyes and pains that evolved from her tears.He was sure about one thing, she wasn't your usual mortal. There was definitely something special about her he just couldn't place his hand on. He broke his rule for her. He had also given her one of his most prized object, his special umbrella.He remembered the warmth he felt"The human world seems to be more interesting than the way I left it. There is even someone who is mysterious to death." Adonis reasoned within himself.Lord Adonis was still lost in his thoughts when he suddenly teleported against his wish."Not again" Adonis groaned to himself.Was he teleporting against his wishes because his powers were getting lesser? Or he was finding it to adapt to the human world once more?Adonis stood by the bridge wondering how and why he suddenly got there. Just as he was about to turn and leave, an object caught his attention.His umbrella.There was no way he wouldn't identify an object he personally engraved his name initials on.He suddenly remembered the mortal he had met a few hours ago. It suddenly dawned on him that she could be lying at the bottom of the waters. For Adonis and this strange mortal, it was definitely going to be a long night.Without thinking further, Adonis jumped into the water.As soon as Adonis jumped into the water, all aquatic beings instantly felt the presence of his dark and cold aura and started swimming away from him as far as they could. The mere presence of a death agent would send fear into the creatures but the presence of the king of death himself sent more than fear into the creatures of the sea.Pearldina, the most powerful being of the aquatic beings felt a frosty aura wondering who had dared to invade her territory. As she swam following her instincts, she felt gross darkness on her path."Lord Adonis" Pearldina gasps.Did he return already? She asked no one in particular. But whatever it is that brought Lord Adonis to her territory. She knew for sure that it wasn't a good one.For Adonis presence meant just one thing, "death".Pearldina wondered what could've made the king of death visited her territory by himself. If it was to take the life of some creatures, his death agents would do that but he was here himself."Could he be here.... For me?" Her eyes widened with fear.There was no creature that wasn't scared of Adonis, after all he had the powers to take away the most precious thing.... Life."I hail the end of all life on earth and beneath the earth!" Pearldina said, trying to keep her voice clear and soft. Her voice was yet laced with fear while bowing her head.Adonis ignored her. It was no time for pleasantries.He looked around and found her lying at the bottom of the water, already unconscious. Adonis gave a sigh of relief.He swam towards her and picked Audrey up.Pearldina who all this while was shivering due to his cold presence was shocked beyond words and lifted her head a bit to be sure she saw it right and she wasn't hallucinating.'What has come over Lord Adonis? Since when has the end of all lives started saving lives?' she pondered.Pearldina was lost in her thought and didn't realize Adonis was already standing in front of her. Their eyes meet and she immediately lowered her eyes as she felt her own end was coming.Adonis kept looking at Pearldina without blinking an eye."My Lord" she called out in fear and in pain as she felt his eyes sucking life out of her."Speak of this and I'll be sure of your extermination. Are we clear?" Adonis asked, his voice, authoritative, chilly and yet managing to be so cool at the same time."Yes my Lord " replied Pearldina who was apparently already freezing. As Adonis swam past her, Pearldina felt herself catching her breath and breathing again.Who was the woman Lord Adonis came to rescue by himself? If she had not witnessed it herself and had just been told, she wouldn't have believed even in a million years.Lord Adonis bought Audrey to the bank of the river.There was something about this little fragile mortal that words couldn't explain.Adonis was as old as time and had met quite an handful number of tenacious people brave enough to take their own lives but never had he meet anyone subtle enough to make him do against his wish.But here he was breaking his own rules. He had not only saved her once but twice in just one night.Audrey felt a strange cold shiver down her pine as Adonis held her but it wasn't the same for Adonis as he felt his dead cold heart beat for a millisecond.Adonis stopped to take a very good look at this fragile mortal who was making him do the impossible.He stared so hard and cold as though he could find the answers written boldly on her face but there was absolutely nothing special about her, at least not yet.Audrey could barely keep her eyes open at this point. She was cold, colder than she was at the bottom of the water.She struggled to catch a glimpse of the one who brought her out of her end but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get a clear picture of what he looks like with her hazy and weak vision, she was human after all.Slowly she drifted into unconsciousness.Adonis gave Audrey one more look and vanished into the thin air.Lord Adonis stared at the umbrella he had earlier taken from the bridge and he remembered the girl he has saved two consecutive times in just one day. She desperately was seeking to end her own life while he was consistently saving her against his wish. What an irony!Lord Adonis took the umbrella and hid it in his safe.***The sun was rising and the sounds of birds chirping could be heard from a distance.Audrey tried to open her eyes but had to shut it immediately as she felt her head banging. 'Where am I? Am I dead? Is it over now?' She asked herself multiple questions at a time.Audrey tried to open her eyes again but this time very slowly. She was welcomed by the sight and noise of water. The events of the previous day came replaying slowly in her mind.Who was the man that had come to her rescue?His eyes were crimson red and his body was so cold.Again, she saw someone else or was it a mermaid? Or was it just her imagination?She was jolted out of her blurry memory by an awake
Audrey stood over the grave of her grandmother all by herself wondering what went wrong. She was more than devastated that the blazing hope she was clinging to had bursted right on her face.Audrey was hurting deeply but had ran out of tears to express how she was feeling. She wondered what she was going to do with her life henceforth. No family, no lover, no friend. Her world was indeed lonely and dark.A man stood few meters away from Audrey. It is time for her to fulfill her part of the bargain. He knew how tenacious Lord Adonis was and Audrey might never make it back alive once she started working for him so he allowed her a moment to grieve her family. After a while that seemed like forever Audrey slowly turned around to go back to empty house when she noticed the presence of someone."Maybe he is here to pay respect to his loved one too" she thought within herself. She could relate to his pain but she wasn't in any position to sympathize with anyone so she walked past him.
The girls were ushered into a big hall with bed bunks. They had filed up on a straight line. A bowl with different tags was placed in front of them and they were made to choose a tag that will become their identity and help them to their bed space as well.Audrey picked the tag with number eight boldly written on it. She would share her bunk with the person with tag number seven.After the girls had finished picking their bed tags, they returned to their initial formation. "Number eight, you will be in charge of the other girls. Henceforth the girls are your responsibility, you'll be held accountable for their wellbeing and mistakes." Azrail said without looking at her direction.Audrey was beginning to find Azrail infuriating but she knew better than to talk so she just nodded her head."Is that a yes or no number eight?" Azrail asked"Yes Azrail" Audrey responded"Don't you dare call me by my name here. I'm the second in command to Lord Adonis. Is that understood?" Roared Azrail"Ye
Adonis knew the girls at his disposal were just alternatives to his one true option, he had to find himself the one person whose blood would liberate him from his weakness. A weakness no one should find out or he would be at risk to lose everything his existence stood for. He clenched his fists. At any cost, he will do everything and anything to find her. Audrey and the other girls continued to live their lives in great torment mixed with fear and a faint glimpse of hope. They woke up each day with uncertainty filled in their hearts. The next moment wasn't promised for them so they worked very hard yet with great caution.Audrey was determined to leave the Palace of Ice and soul but didn't know how. She was also aware that a single mistake could cost her life.Audrey thought about her escape a thousand times in a day. If Azrail could find her the first time, he would always find her again but the only difference was that she had nothing to lose, probably she still have her miserab
Azrail ran as though his existence depended on it. He ran past the girls in the main hall and the girls felt a sudden cold breeze and were terrified. None of the girl could comprehend what was going on and gave each other quick glances.Lord Adonis walked towards Audrey and with each stride, fear filled Audrey's heart. Just as Lord Adonis was about to touch Audrey when Azrail called out."My Lord, the end of all things" Azrail said as he lowered himself while breathing heavily Azrail was more than thankful that he made it right on time but what next? He came running without no plan."It was my mistake, I instructed Audrey to inspect the other girls as I had other things to attend to, she must have lost her way while doing that. I know my fault master, please punish me." Azrail found himself saying.Lord Adonis looked at Azrail to be sure he heard him correctly."Audrey?" Lord Adonis asked inquisitively Azrail got Lord Adonis message and instantly corrected himself."My lord, I mea
Azrail walked away from Audrey with plenty of thoughts in his head. He walked into a room. It was his chamber. Azrail needed to be alone. A girl with the tag number eleven was seen cleaning up this space. The moment Azrail entered, the girl felt a old aura and froze dropping the hand towel in her hands to the ground."I hail you, second master" The girl said frightened while trying to pick up the towel. While the girl was trying to pick the towel, she accidentally kicked the bucket of water beside her and the water splashed on Azrail."Oh my!!! What have I done? Second master, I'm sorry." The girl with the tag number eleven lowered herself in the pool of water she had just created shivering."There are no rooms for mistakes, you know that already. How could you be so clumsy?and how do you intend to clean up this mess?" Azrail questioned while walking towards her.Azrail looked at the girl and immediately felt a sense of deja vu and stopped dead in his tracks. He sure was in the same po
Lord Adonis remained at the garden. The mansion bell jingled; a signal for the girls to turn to their various bed. Lord Adonis realized though he had spent his entire day at the garden, it seems like a short while. His mind was filled with numerous thoughts. He then decided it was time for him to retire back to his room. It's been a long and eventful day. He walked through the main hall and observe his environment. It was quiet, neat and calm just as he loved it."The girls ain't totally useless, I guess." Lord Adonis said to himself. He walked majestically through the corridors to his room. He looked around his room and was very satisfied with what he saw."No doubt, she does a great job taking care of my space, if only she could do the same for herself." Lord Adonis found himself soliloquizing as he moved round his room.The event that has earlier taken place continued to play in his head as he took off his clothes. As Lord Adonis unveiled his body, his body displayed an artistic
Audrey entered the room she shares with the other girls exhausted. She had expended all her energy cleaning Lord's Adonis quarters, she definitely can't have him interrogating her the second time for negligence towards her duty if she cherish her head, besides It had given her a moment to take her mind off what had happened.Audrey made for her bed but was stopped by a girl who gave her an unpleasant look before speaking."Do you mind explaining what happened earlier at the hall?"Audrey was too tired to give answers, she took a quick glance at the girl's tag. She had number five boldly written on it."Look all I want is to be left alone and I'll appreciate if you can respect that." Audrey said walking away from her but she was stopped again by a different girl. She was wearing tag number thirteen."If you really want to be left alone then I'm afraid you will have to explain to us what transpired between you and second master else""Else what? Since when do I owe you an explanation?"