chapter 1

Gravity keeps pulling me into the depths of the ground. As I was falling, the fire was all around me, everything fades… I was in a dark place with only one small window illuminating the room. It was plenty to see the blood that was smeared all over the walls, it was cold and lonely. I was stiffened by ropes that were of ungodly power. Then the voice echoed, "Rosa, don't be scared, the destiny awaits you." I screamed and struggled to get out of the grip. I felt my voice diminishing, and my soul sinking into the darkness.

I woke up with a gasp as the bus stops and banged my head on the front seat. These blackouts are getting vicious and way too real. It puzzles me as no one has ever called me anything but Rose miller and the voice in my head keeps calling me Rosa it feels spiritual as if I have a strong bond with it, it soothes me, gives me a peculiar longing, I just don't know how to describe it, maybe it's my guardian angel or my mind made it up, I use to have them since I was a kid but they only grew stronger when I became an adult.

I have been traveling for 3 days, away from people I used to know. I left my aunt's house as I have enough money to get an apartment, get a job and live on my own; the situation is pretty bad all around the world after the pandemic, people are frustrated angry, and miserable. So many people lost so much. It's just awful. I needed a place to shower and rest for a while I didn't even know where I am because I slept for hours on the bus. I rubbed my eyes and looked outside the window it was a suburban area, there was a big motel in a distance, and right behind that was a beautiful big Mansion.

I got off the bus still feeling dizzy and lightheaded, hanged my bag on my shoulder just then I heard hushed footsteps approaching me, I turned around and saw a man about 25 years old with a tall and muscular built, tattoos covering up his arms and neck, he had a very cryptic presence, 'so, I wasn't the only one who got off the bus' I thought.

Are you going to the Motel too? He said as he was looking at me with a piercing look, he had the most chaotic energy but the empath in me is collecting the verve of a loyal friend and protector, but I was kind of scared, so, I tried to avoid him "Yeah I guess," I said. It was a little weird that he asked that because there was nothing miles away except for that motel. I started to walk towards the motel, and he paced up to me and started asking questions.

 'so where did you come from?' I didn't answer. I started walking faster "hey hey…" he said as he chased me to be at my pace, at this point I was already planning to confront him if he tries something because I was genuinely scared that he might be dangerous.

He caught up to me, said in a soft voice "my name's David I am going to the motel too, I've been here for a week, have a whole group there don't worry we are friendly, so where did you come from?" He asked again.

After listening to him talk I wasn't even one bit afraid of him, his vibe was messy but not detrimental or dangerous.

"I have been traveling a lot" I answered dodging the question entirely.

 "So, you're alone," he assumed as he moved closer to me.

"I didn't say I was alone," I said firmly as we keep walking on the road to the motel.

"Of course you are, you just said you've been traveling a lot and you're here In the middle of nowhere for a little while and you're thinking that you will move along like a lone wolf, tell me that I am wrong."

David said with a smirk on his face. I was annoyed with his smart-ass assumptions which were true though. He had a charming personality.

"I didn't catch your name"

"I'm Rose, my parents died 3 years ago when the pandemic started and now I'm out and about looking for a place to live and yes, you're right I am a lone wolf, and I can fight like one too..." I said firmly just to intimidate him.

"Hey I'm sure you can, we all are survivors here he said, raising his hands into the air. A lot of friends in our group was traveling alone before we took them as our friends and now we are like a family" David's voice starts to fade away as we arrived at the motel I got sucked into the vision when I look at the place up-close

' I have been here before I thought to myself, these old bricks, the corridors the pavement leading back to the mansion why does all of this look so familiar, where have I seen all this, I was stuck in a Deja vu as David broke my vacant stare.

"…or maybe, you would like to meet my friends they will be happy to welcome you as a new friend into the group he was observing me keenly as he finished his sentence "yeah sure," I said "great I will see you around" he went inside, I looked at the place one last time; the long bushes by the road and The eerie Silence of the place crept me out a little and I went in and looked for David but there was no one except a lady by the reception. 'Where did he disappear so quickly? I thought and went to the reception to book my room.

"Hi I would like to book a room for one night"

"Okay, room for one night it is," she said as she started typing on her computer, the lady was about middle-aged; she had her hair in a bun with a white buttoned-down shirt and a knee-length skirt.

I hate small talk with strangers but I couldn't help myself but ask "um... The mansion behind the motel is beautiful does anyone live up there"

"Oh yes dear, the owner of the motel lives up there, and don't you worry about the rumors."

"What rumors," I asked. "Oh, you know about the place being haunted and all. That's not true because I've been working here for years now and I can confirm that those are all lies told by some greedy kids on their YouTube channels for clicks"

"Sure…" I said as she handed me the keys "have a nice stay"

I took the keys from the receptionist and went into the hall. The interior is brown and wooden kind of like a western saloon but modern and sophisticated. Soft dark academia music was playing and tables were arranged nicely but there was no one there. So, I went to my room upstairs to get some rest and freshen up.