Heal Me Adonis

en into her very being. The morning ritual proceeded methodically:

s was starting to take hold. Today she had no scheduled activities,

pared work attire and

plate echoed, a dissonant melody re

d slowly, bite by

thed in the warm glow of the chandelier. The cleaning lady's meticulous visi

reated to her room. The drawn curtains made it dim, and the large space with a

. She had gotten so used to it that the com

on. The new episodes come out twice a week, keeping her anchored to a routine. Sundays used to

k, she pressed play. She disliked the misguided notion that dismisses anime as mere children's cartoons—an opinion only hel

ast episode ended in a cliffha

rawing book with an old leather cover and some pens. On its last page, she sketched her favorite

memory, and she drew until every detail felt right, a small, satisfied smile forming. The drawing, though a b

t, checked the time—a little past 12—a

stion from the day before or the comfort that embraced her as

y walls shimmering in gold. Lush gardens adorned the space,

t oddly pec

bloom, started to dry up, falling to the ground. It slowly infected the walls, an

that's when she realized she couldn't m

eems to writhe with malevolence. The black liqui

ense of dread overcame her as

nce, black tentacles escaped from beneath her, crawlin

picked up, hammerin

umb to the parts it had already swallowed. The lack of sensation intensified her fear, sending shivers

e could only stare as a black mass rushed into her mouth an

She clenched on her throat, coughing

she struggled to free herself from the tangled sheets

e feeling lingering on her skin was still there, and she dared not open her eyes,

by the time Emily recovered herse

surroundings. With hands still trembling, she reached for the shower handle, the metal c

a challenge; the fabric seemed to adhere stubbornly, each m

rough the remnants of the dream. The lingering shadows of

he dreamed of anything. Most of her nig

considered an impro

around herself. And she walked out of the bat

y and the cleaner lady was supposed to come clean

umming to herself in the kitchen when s

seamlessly merged with her rapid turn

Emily greeted me

response amidst the frantic drumming

in her mid-thirties was more fr

a nasal res

e got a fever, I can run to the pharmacy and grab some medi

am fine." Emil

When she returned, Emily dove into the laundry. Still concerned, Maria sugge

ay." Taking a walk sounded like a goo

kin, offering a comforting warmth. "It's a bit chilly. Put this on. And check out the park; it's both fun during

ed for her

e had left it untied dawned on her. Fingers delicately worked to smooth out the unruly strands that incessantly twiste

ntertwining to create a canopy of natural shade. Under these leafy guardians, people found solace—some engaged in camping activit

opposite the lively scene. Here, the vibrant sounds of the park softened into a distant murmur. Rays of su

g embrace, much like a gentle lullaby. As she sat there, it felt as if she were

an awaiting message. Unlocking the screen, she found a spam folder of photos from Archer. In each image, she struck a

their bad quality. Despite her complaints, she had saved them dilige

r feet. She glanced down, discovering a ball nestled next to her shoe. A pair of radiant eyes peered a

s eyes wide with guilt. "I am

picked up the ball

ied back to his friends, leaving Emily momentarily capti

ipating the ball, she was surprised to encounter a fluffy ball of fur inst

softly, staring a

r nose, looked around, and

out a little meow

ry small, less than a month old, with no name colla

acted to her, rubbing its head against her shoe.

you h

en returned to its hidin

skinny. There's no d

ily made a quick run and wa

of fur nudged the can as if assessing it, then g

ken, she said to the little creature, which curled itself

d at her. The con

der the bench. She glanced at

t on the sofa. The scent of chocolate lingered

top. Emily decided to go through the pla

d the doorbell. She was confused as

rs in one hand, the other poised to ring the bell. However,

. I saw them o

uspiciously. "Is ther

ere anything wrong with that?" He

d, "I am fine." While her expression

s. He asked. "Have you eaten?

ied, and her stomach rum

victory smile. "I wil