Final Destination

I awoke to find myself lying on a soft bed, enveloped in the comforting embrace of the blankets crafted from the finest fabric. The peaceful ambiance of the room enveloped me, and for a moment, I savored it with my eyes still closed. I knew all too well that it might be the last chance I had for such rest.

As I opened my eyes, darkness greeted me, shrouding my surroundings in obscurity. With each blink, the darkness slowly receded, revealing the faint outlines of my surroundings. I took a deep breath and stretched my legs and arms, feeling the satisfying pop of my muscles as they relaxed and loosened.

"What a nightmare," I muttered, a sense of relief flooding through me. I couldn't help but smirk as my mind attempted to piece together the fragments of the unsettling ordeal.

It felt as though I had been transported to a surreal world, where monstrous creatures lurked around every corner. From encountering beings with supernatural abilities to stumbling upon a mysterious witch, my journey through this strange realm was filled with the inexplicable and the fantastical. And that man!

"Great to see you have woken."

I abruptly sat up, my senses jolting to attention as if doused with the coldest water. It was the witch's voice, unmistakable in its ethereal quality and haunting resonance. 

I scanned the darkness with searching eyes, but there was no sign of her. Then, her cheerful voice broke through the gloom, guiding my gaze upward. 

"Up here." My eyes widened in disbelief as I beheld her riding a broomstick, floating gracefully above me. 

I realized that it wasn't a dream or a figment of my imagination, but my current reality unfolding before me in all its glory.

She was occupied putting something on the ceiling. It was like she was filling the gaps in the roof with a shimmering substance, disallowing beams of light to filter through. 

As she descended in front of me, flashing a smile, I found myself at a loss for words. "How are you feeling?" she asked, her expression warm and inviting.

Caught in a whirlwind of emotions, I simply stared back at her. Happy? Sad? Scared? Amazed? It was as though I was experiencing all of these emotions simultaneously, leaving me utterly bewildered.

She was not wearing a cloak. Instead, she adorned a long flowing green dress that gracefully draped over her figure, complimenting her flawless white skin and enhancing the captivating color of her eyes.

She waved the bread in front of me, tempting me with its aroma. As I attempted to stand, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over me.

"Careful," she said, her tone laced with concern. "Your body is still recovering. I've applied herbs on the wounds on your face, feet, and shoulders. It will take some time for them to fully heal. So, you must rest until you're completely well."

"Where am I?" I croaked, my throat sore and parched, feeling as though something sharp was lodged within.

Alexa conjured a yellowish sphere midair, and as it glowed, a pitcher full of water materialized from within its inner circle.

"Drink this," she said, handing over a glass. I hesitated, my wary eyes scrutinizing the glass with caution.

"Don't worry," she laughed. "I won't poison you."

"How can I be sure?" I asked, my voice tinged with lingering distrust. Take note that I was still uncertain about this unfamiliar world and its inhabitants. 

Despite Alexa's seemingly kind demeanor, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. My thoughts were consumed by the urgency of returning home to my uncle, auntie, and Elizabeth.

"You were bought with a cost that could buy at least a thousand well-trained soldiers. Isn't that enough reason not to kill you?" Alexa reasoned, her tone gentle yet persuasive.

As if on cue, the memories I desperately wanted to forget flooded back with overwhelming intensity. The haunting images of the auction, the sinister figure in the black cloak, the deafening explosion, the terrifying encounter with the centipede-like creature.

When seconds passed and I still didn't accept the glass, Alexa grew impatient. Without hesitation, she brought the glass to her own lips and gulped its contents in one swift motion.

"There," she said, setting the empty glass down with a raised eyebrow. "Satisfied?"

I averted my gaze, my determination unwavering. "Not until I return home."

Her sudden change in expression, from mild irritation to a smile, sent a shiver down my spine. There was something unsettling about it that made me uneasy.

"Sorry to tell you, Louise," she said, her voice carrying a hint of menace beneath its pleasant tone. "But you're going to stay here, whether you like it or not."

My heart raced with fear at her words. "Where is the man who bought me?" I demanded, my voice trembling slightly.

Her expression shifted once more, this time to one of caution. "And why are you looking for him?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.

"To end this once and for all," I replied firmly, determined to confront the source of my suffering and put an end to it. "If you guys want to eat me, better do it now, quick," I added bitterly, the weight of my hopelessness evident in my words. "So I don't have to feel this anymore. Alive but not living, dying gradually inside."

I couldn't shake the nagging doubt that perhaps I was simply losing my mind, a casualty of the countless troubles I had faced. Yet, amidst the chaos, a sense of bravery surged within me. 

Alexa nodded in understanding. "If that's what you want," she acknowledged, her gaze piercing as she searched my eyes for something indiscernible. "But drink this first."

I hesitated, unsure of what to make of her offer, but the glimmer of hope flickering within me urged me to trust her, if only for a moment longer.

With a resigned sigh, I acknowledged the inevitability of my fate. Whatever lay ahead, whether it held salvation or further despair, death seemed imminent.

So, without further hesitation, I drank the water Alexa offered me, the cool liquid soothing my parched throat. I hadn't realized just how thirsty I was until the first sip, and before I knew it, I had consumed four full glasses in rapid succession.

She chuckled lightly. "I think no one has ever died from drowning in a full glass of water," she remarked, her laughter carrying a hint of amusement at my sudden thirst. "This must be the first case."

As Alexa led the way, I followed, eager to explore the world beyond the confines of the room I had awoken in. Stepping out into the expansive hallway, we were greeted by the surroundings devoid of decoration, with bare walls stretching endlessly along the corridor.

Not a single painting or picture adorned the stark surfaces. It gave an eerie emptiness as we walked along its seemingly endless expanse. 

I quickened my pace to keep up with Alexa, who was busy plucking a purple fruit. 

As we descended the stairs, I reached out to grasp the cold cemented railings for support. Suddenly, to my astonishment, the railing began to move on its own, shifting directions from left to right as the ground split open before us. A faint green light emanated from the newly revealed opening, casting an eerie glow beneath us. 

Swallowing hard, I followed Alexa in silence as we walked toward the inviting light, unsure of what lay ahead.

This is it, I thought to myself, my final destination.