Seraph stood at the edge of the rooftop, her eyes fixed on the book in her palms, reading with excitement sparkling in her gaze. One could easily tell she was obsessed with books. It was her way of escaping reality and learning more about the human race—a group of individuals that piqued her interest.
The night wind wrapped around her in a gentle embrace as her slender fingers brushed the edges of the old pages.
Her reading was interrupted by someone calling out to her.
"SERAPH!!"
A woman's voice rang out, causing her to close the book.
"Coming, Mother," she replied, picking herself up from the weathered bricks of the roof and making her way down the stairs.
The intoxicating aroma of food hit her nostrils as she reached the bottom floor. Her mother had finished preparing dinner, and her stomach grumbled in response.
She licked her lips, dropped her book on a wobbly table in the corner, and walked over to the dining table. She pulled out a chair and picked up her cutlery.
Her mother—Eldina—stepped out of the kitchen holding the last tray of food. Her fingers gingerly clutched the tray as she made her way to the empty seat across from Seraph.
She pulled out the chair and settled down, placing the tray on the table.
"How was your day?" she asked, then noticed Seraph already eating. She chuckled.
"Are you really that hungry?" she asked, serving Seraph a bit more food.
Seraph nodded, stuffing her mouth full.
"Hey, slow down so you don't choke," Eldina cautioned, and Seraph shook her head, licking every inch of her spoon.
"So, how was work?" she asked as she dished out a small portion for herself.
Seraph reluctantly pulled away from her plate and grabbed a glass of water.
"Work was fine," she replied shortly, not wanting to continue the conversation.
"Did you talk to him?" her mother asked.
Seraph knew exactly who she meant, and it made her frown. Her grip on the spoon tightened.
"I don't want to talk about him, Mother. Can we forget about that and focus on something else?" she responded, her mood already turning sour.
Eldina sighed.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to open old wounds. It's just... I want you to at least give him a chance. Maybe he's changed for real," she said, her voice tinged with sadness she tried to hide—but Seraph noticed it.
"I'm not giving him a chance. He's hurt me enough. He's my past. My job now is to move on and find other things to make my life better."
"But what if one day you come home and find me dead? What will you do then?" Eldina asked, her voice rising.
Seraph furrowed her brows.
"What do you mean, dead? Are you planning on dying anytime soon?"
Eldina didn't respond, which made Seraph suspicious.
"Is everything okay? Is there something you want to tell me?" she asked, worry in her voice.
Eldina shook her head, her eyes filled with something more... something Seraph couldn't quite decipher.
"I'm fine. I'm just worried about you. You're not getting any younger, and I want someone to be with you and take care of you when I'm old and gone."
Seraph rolled her eyes. This woman was so dramatic.
"I'm fine, Mum. I'm still 29. And thanks to my demon qualities, I don't age. So yeah, I don't need to rush into marriage just yet."
"But what if you have to? You don't know what tomorrow holds."
Seraph snapped, annoyance bubbling inside her.
"That's enough. I'm done here!" she said, pushing her chair back and storming off.
Eldina stretched her hands toward her, tears wetting her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, grasping nothing but thin air. Seraph was gone.
She picked herself up from the chair and began clearing the table. Normally, she would go after her—but not today. Not when she knew she didn't have much time left...
She strolled into the kitchen and was about to drop the plate into the sink when a sharp sting surged through her hand. The plate slipped from her fingers, shattering as it hit the floor.
It was happening.
Her knees buckled. Her eyes shut from the immense heat swelling inside her.
This wasn't just fire—it was the eternal flame of hell, and it burned anything in its path. Now, it consumed her from the inside out.
Her heart squeezed. Her blood circulated faster by the second. Her body convulsed as blood dripped from her nose, eyes, and ears. Her skin peeled off like a porcelain doll's, cracking from the pressure.
The door burst open.
"I forgot my book..." Seraph's voice trailed off as her eyes landed on the kitchen.
She froze, horror washing over her.
Her mother lay in a pool of her own blood. Her body glowed with a radiant pink and red light. It beamed from within, her veins and organs fully visible despite her skin still clinging on—except for her legs, which had already peeled upward.
Color drained from Seraph's face.
"MOTHER!!!!!!!" she shrieked, nearly losing her voice.
She ran to her and tried to touch her, but the searing heat burned her fingers. She yanked her hand back, waving her fingers to cool them.
"Mother—Mother, what's going on?" she cried, her tears flowing freely.
Eldina smiled weakly, blood bubbling from her lips.
"I'm sorry..." she coughed.
"Don't speak," Seraph whispered.
She scrambled to the shelf, rummaging through artifacts and books, panic rushing through her veins. She tossed everything to the floor until—finally—she found it: her mother's spell book.
She rushed back, collapsing beside her mother. Her legs trembled beneath her, and her fingers flipped through the dusty pages.
Her eyes scanned every word, every line, until—yes! The healing spell her mother had taught her.
"You'll be fine, okay? Hold on. Just hold on to me," she said, grabbing her mother's hand and reciting the spell.
Her eyes clenched shut as she held tight.
She opened them, praying to see her mother healed—but nothing changed. In fact, her condition worsened. The fire blazed through her body at an alarming speed.
"Why isn't it working?! Why isn't it working?!" she cried, repeating the spell again, but the results remained the same.
No... she couldn't lose her mother...
She was about to stand when Eldina pulled her back.
"What are you doing? Let me help you!" Seraph snapped, trying to wriggle free—but her mother's grip held strong.
"Don't bother. It won't work," Eldina said between bloody coughs.
Seraph fought against the hold.
"We have to try something—anything! I can't just watch you die!" she sobbed, fresh tears falling.
Eldina smiled.
"It won't work. No spell can break the effect of the curse," she said.
That infuriated Seraph. How could she smile—even now?
"No, Mother! There's a way! I just need to find it—hold on—"
She tried to stand again, but Eldina wouldn't let go.
"Don't you want to be saved? Let me go and I'll find another spell!"
Eldina reached up and gently touched Seraph's cheek, locking eyes with her.
"For my last wish... I just want to spend my final minutes with you... please."
Seraph's heart shattered.
"But Mum—"
"Please..."
Her body faded, disintegrating into ash. Her face was the last to go, still wearing that peaceful smile that broke Seraph's soul.
Only her hand remained. Seraph clung to it, praying it would stay—but it too faded, and she was gone. Gone for good.
Tears fell freely, staining the floor, soaking the ashes in her palms. She stared at them, her once vibrant eyes now lifeless—like something inside her had died too.
"Mother..." she whispered.
But the only reply was the chilling silence of the night. No comforting voice. No warm laughter. Just emptiness.
She could hardly breathe. Her breath grew ragged. The devastating truth settled in like a shadow she couldn't shake. Her mother... was dead.
Wind stirred behind her. She turned, hope briefly flaring—only to see a woman she recognized all too well.
Caroline.
Her mother's sister. Her nemesis.
"What are you doing here?!" Seraph snapped, her voice sharp.
Caroline faked a look of pity, stepping closer. Her heels clicked against the wooden boards with each step.
"Oh, sister's dead?" she asked, mockery laced in her voice.
Seraph stood, trembling.
"I asked you a fucking question!" she yelled, her voice cracking with emotion. She tried to stay strong. She couldn't cry—not in front of her.
A gust of wind surged toward her and circled her neck. Her lungs burned from the lack of oxygen. Her eyes bulged.
"You want to kill me?" Seraph asked with a breathless chuckle.
Caroline frowned. Why was she smiling?
The wind's grip tightened, lifting her feet from the ground.
"Go ahead... KILL ME!"