Laura - The house in the suburbsIn the dead of night, when some people may be having a late dinner while most are deep asleep, I creep through the forest and enter the backyard. I’m sneaking inside the house Paul gave me, his childhood home. Luckily, I still have the key.It takes a while to get used to being back. The scent of pine trees and the cool breeze coming through the window is a welcome change from the suffocating stench of the city.I switch on the living room lights and get out my phone to text Paul to come here when he wakes up. I need to clear things up with him once and for all. I could tell from the expression in his eyes that he was not over us the last time I saw him.I feel a strange mix of emotions surging up within me. I know it's silly to worry about someone you dumped months ago, but I can't help it.Loving someone entails entrusting them with your whole being. That isn't for me. I will never put someone else through the ordeal of having to share the pain of m

Paul - The witch’s lairThe walls with handmade hanging carpets seem to close in on me. It’s as if all the air has been sucked out of the room. Witches, magic, it's all bullshit. Now, do I have to believe in curses and reincarnation too? “What’s your proof?” I can’t smother the disgusted smirk on my face. “Am I to believe that you see magical strings tied to our souls? Sheeesh! Where have you hidden the rest of the circus?”The gypsy witch laughs, her eyes glinting in amusement. She stares at me with the same good-tempered gaze she has since I stepped into her house.“Do you want me to be nice or honest?”I huff, folding my arms over my chest. “You can continue being nice since I don’t believe in your honesty anyway.”"Oh, but you see, now I’m bound to reciprocate your honesty." The old witch leans toward us without leaving her chair. "I can’t remember which renowned physicist once said, ‘If I believe in God, and He doesn’t exist, I have nothing to lose. But if I don’t believe in Him

Laura - The cemeteryToday I remembered how I can still feel lonely even when surrounded by a lot of people. Their blurry faces kept dancing around me when Alisa told them I was the deceased’s niece.I should have cried my lungs out, shouting that I was Beatrice’s older sister. But I merely stood there, frozen in place with my gaze on the floor, nodding from time to time.Many of them didn't even bother to look at me. Some stared at the floor while others looked at the coffin.I’m tired. A knot in my throat formed after hearing so many worthless words of comfort. Nothing can be said to soothe the aching inside my chest. So why do they keep spouting their useless consolations?Whenever I think of her, my chest grows tight, and my throat dries.It's hard to believe that she is gone. I remember all those times I snuck into her room to play with her when we were younger.Time will pass me by regardless of whether I shield my eyes or close them firmly. Others' lives flash by in the blink o

Laura - BucharestMy first stop is Paul’s villa. It’s been a while since I last came here. The guy at the entrance gate says Paul’s not here. I look at the phone. It’s already past 7 PM. Is he still at work? I have to try.I dash through the streets, thinking about what I'll say to Paul when I find him.As a result of the moisture in the air, the city has a less pungent smell. It reeks worse than wet dogs; the stench of wet hobos instead of filthy hobos. The crowd swarming the city center disgusts me.I cut through the narrow streets of the city center. A sudden gust of wind forces me to walk faster, but it also stirs the cobblestones beneath my feet, making the sound of breaking glass.I stop and stand outside Paul’s office building. The rainy evening washes the streets. The cars swish as they drive past on the wet asphalt.When I step inside, I'm already soaked. Water splatters across the floor tiles as I make my way to Paul's office.I nearly forgot the building's interior. It's o

Paul - The house in the suburbsInhaling a lungful of fresh air, I answer, “What do you want, Lexa?”"Is this how you greet me these days, Paul?" Lexa chuckles, her voice light and playful. She'll try to toy with me again. "What did I do to deserve such a happy reaction?"“Lexa, I’m busy. If you have something important to tell me, I’ll listen. Otherwise, I’ll call you later.”She pauses. Only a sigh and her breathing come through."Do you require assistance with the strigois?" Lexa's question catches me off guard, so I let her continue. "I'm aware of the unfair settlement you signed. It doesn't sound like something you'd do if you didn't have a plan. Please let me know if I can help you."“How do you know about my deal with them? It’s not public knowledge.”“I still know a thing or two about your men, Paul. Do you really think I don’t know how to make Alin or Dan talk? But I won’t give names.”Lexa likes to play games; she always has. She just gave me names, even if she says she won’