Daemon

The narrow alleys of the residential buildings were damp and dirty, with trash and cans strewn about.

Naira held her nose and skimmed over the puddles of water, her steps light and feathery as she dashed out of the alleys into the busy, crowded streets.

Car honks and enraged shouts blared out from multiple directions. Naira didn't even stop to acknowledge the angry drivers as she continued her mad run into the congested road towards the other side of the street.

"You crazy woman! Go die somewhere else!"

"What a lunatic! Is she..."

Leaving the curses behind her, she ran a few more blocks before turning into a secluded corner. Immediately, a loud drone filled her ears, and the scene before her eyes turned blurry, then completely transformed.

On her left and right, towering black brick walls rose as high as the sky, while a black steel door with the engravings of a moon and star loomed before her.

Frantically fixing her hair and clothes, Naira closed her eyes and steadied her breat