In the middle of the night, the convenience store doors slid open with a mechanical hiss as a young woman stepped inside. Her clothes were shabby and well-worn, hanging loosely off her frame, but her presence held a quiet elegance that turned heads, especially the cashier’s.

He had seen her before. Always alone, always buying the same things: ramen, cigarettes, and a few cans of beer. There was something about her that stirred something soft in him. Maybe it was her emerald eyes or her golden hair.

“That’ll be 30 dollars,” he said.

She paused, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Can I also have a pack of cigarettes, please?”

“Sorry, ma’am. We’re out of stock. We’ll have more by the end of the week.”

“Oh… I see.” Her voice faltered, and her shoulders drooped just slightly. Reaching into her pocket, trying to get, some spare change. Her expression shifted as she realised she didn’t have enough.

“Well… I guess there won’t be any beer tonight,” she mumbled, returning the cans to the counter.

Before she could, a voice behind her interrupted.

“It’s on me. Don’t worry.”

A young man in a tailored suit stepped forward placing the cash on the counter. He was strikingly polished, charismatic, and yet, something about him was unsettling.

“Oh… thanks,” the woman said, startled.

The cashier eyed the man warily. On the surface, he looked like a gentleman, but there was something strange. Still, he said nothing as the two left the store and the woman turned to him.

“Thank you for paying for my ramen.”

“I said, it’s on me. You seemed like you needed it.”

“That’s very kind of you, sir. I won't forget this gratitude of yours.

“You don’t have to really.”

They laughed, the tension between them softening. She smiled genuinely and the man in the suit returned it with a warmth that seemed almost rehearsed.

“Would you like to join me, Camelia?” he asked suddenly.

She blinked. “Uhmm… to where, exactly?”

“I had a dinner reservation. My date was cancelled. There’s still time if you’d like to come.”

“You’re asking me out?” she said, shaking even.

“I am.”

She hesitated. “I don’t know, you’re in a suit, and I look like this. I can’t walk into a fancy restaurant at this moment.”

“Then where do you want to eat?” he asked.

She pointed toward the convenience store.

“Here. I was going to eat my dinner here anyway.”

“Here? Ramen for dinner?”

“YES!” she replied, with a spark on her face.

The man chuckled and walked back into the store to buy another set of items she might wanna eat. Meanwhile, Camelia sat at the metal table outside, her gaze following him. She felt strangely drawn to him. He was different. Bold. But then a thought passed through her mind.

Wait… how did he know my name?

A while back.....

Present day:

“Have you ever considered how the world works? How does it exist within the universe? How does it revolve around the sun, the nature of other planets, and so on? Most of these questions have scientific answers. But one question lingers: Why is there life and matter here in the first place?”

I stared at the ceiling as the alarm blared beside me. The voice in my head kept going.

“Why are we here? What’s our purpose? To evolve? To serve God? And what happens once we stop living?”

The alarm had been ringing for thirty minutes before I finally moved. I got up, went to the kitchen, and prepared my usual breakfast a single sunny-side-up egg.

I live on the third floor of an old building from 1969. It used to be a hotel with a renowned restaurant below. The owner died in 1974 from a stroke, and the place was turned into apartments. The old restaurant is now a bakery café, where I always meet my uncle for coffee before school.

After picking up my drink and saying goodbye to my uncle, I walked to school, bracing myself for being late, again. It’s routine by now. As I walked into the building, I caught snippets of gossip.

“…you remember the girl from last month?"

“Yeah who knew something tragic would happen to her”

I knew who they meant. Camelia.

It was the month of June, 10:00 a.m., during class. She was sitting right in front of me. Quiet. Pretty. Pale skin. Always alone. People admired her but kept their distance.

Until there was one time she asked to go to the restroom and never returned. The teacher sent me to find her because we didn't know where she had been.

“Aw… why does it have to be me?” I grumbled. I searched the halls, the library, and outside the cafeteria, but there was no sign of her. And then it clicked me to check the rooftop, and there she was.

“Hey…”No response.

“HEY!”

She turned, slowly. Her eyes… they were hollow.

“Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be alive?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

“I exist… but I’ve never truly lived.”

I stepped closer.

“I wake up, go through the motions. Forced to do things I don't even want to. When I tried to resist, he just beat me out of frustration.”

“What? Why would he”

"My mom died giving birth to me. I think it broke him. And somehow, he’s always looked at me in disgust, like I’m the one who took her away. I get it, maybe I did. Maybe he’s punishing me for being born."

"Don’t say that!" I cut in. My heart ached to hear her say those things.

I had no idea she was carrying so much pain. All I could do now was be there, really be there for her.

"You’re kind," she whispered, her eyes softening. Did the teacher send you?”

“That doesn’t matter now,” I said.

She stared, stunned. Then she laughed hysterically.

I'm sorry, it must have been a shock for you to hear that wasn't it. To be honest with you I don't even know how to get along with people. She said

"Well, I can be your friend, you can always count on me too."

"Oh, then you're willing to be by my side?"

"Yes, and I'll show you all the things that make me happy so that you won't feel like this ever again". As I shut my eyes, and the moment I opened them once again, she was closer to me, smiling genuinely. And there, our journey begins..

To be continued

“You better bring me back enough money,” he grunted as I reached for the door.

His voice made my stomach twist.

I didn’t want to go. I never wanted to do this. But if I stopped working, we wouldn’t pay the bills. I wouldn’t be able to stay in school.

“Oh, come on,” he murmured, his voice slithering in the dark. I know you like it. Visit me once a week. I’ll double the pay. Just… do as you’re told.”

I lay on the bed, motionless. My muscles ached, bruises blooming like ink under my skin. Shame wrapped around me like a shroud. I didn’t want to cry. I didn’t even have the strength to move.

There was no food in the house. Probably hadn’t been for days.

My fingers found the crumpled bills he’d left behind on the dresser. I didn’t count them. I didn’t want to know their worth. Money earned through silence didn’t feel like mine.

I dragged my body up, wrapped in yesterday’s coat, and stepped out into the dying afternoon light. One place came to mind "the convenience store". A familiar place where I’d met the man in the suit.

CLANG-CLING.

The school bells echoed through the halls.

[Announcement over in the intercom]

“A reminder: all soccer athletes, please report to the field for afternoon practice.”

It had been three days since Camelia last came to school. That thought clung to the inside of my head like a splinter.

I couldn’t focus.

I zipped up my bag, slower than usual, each motion mechanical. My body was in the classroom, but my thoughts had been drifting since her absence started to stretch longer than usual. I'm worried about her.

After class, I dropped by the faculty office to review my university recommendations. A stack of pamphlets and forms sat untouched on the desk. None of them took an interest in me.

“Take your time, Roze,” said Mr. Thomson. “You’ve still got options.”

“I know,” I murmured. “But is there one that suits a full scholarship?”

“Well,” he offered, pulling a brochure from the pile. “This university’s far, but with your grades, you might get one. It’s worth considering.”

I nodded, thanked him politely, and left with the papers tucked under my arm like they meant something. They didn’t.

Not right now.

I went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face to wake myself up That’s when my phone buzzed.

A single notification.

Message:

Where are you? Can you meet me right now? I need you.

My heart tightened in my chest.

“Camelia…”

I fumbled to reply, but something was off. No signal. Not even a flicker. I checked the bars and it was zero. That didn’t make sense.

I turned toward the door to leave, only to find

It was locked.

“What the hell?” I muttered, jiggling the handle. It had been opened minutes ago. Something tightened in the air, like pressure building in a sealed room.

Panic began to crawl its way up my spine.

“Camelia might be in trouble,” I said aloud. My voice didn’t even sound like mine. I looked at the small window above the sink. It wasn’t a graceful escape, but it was the only way out.

I hoisted myself up, twisted my body awkwardly, and dropped.

Pain scratched up my leg as I hit the ground, a sharp scrape blooming on my knee. But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.

I tore through the courtyard, limping, eyes scanning every hallway, every building.

She wasn’t in the classroom. Not the gym,

Not the library. Where would she go?

Then it hit me. The rooftop.

The place she went the first time she’d disappeared.

I bolted toward the adjacent building and rushed up the stairs two steps at a time. Halfway up, I was shoved hard from the side.

I hit the ground, wind knocked from my lungs.

“Watch it!” I gasped, looking up only to see a girl, a fellow student, frozen as if she’d just come out in an instant. Her eyes flickered strangely like she hadn’t realised what she’d done.

“ I-I’m sorry,” she stammered, reaching out to help me up. Her hands were cold.

I didn’t have time to ask questions.

I ran as fast as I could but time slowed. I was about to reach the entrance door when suddenly someone had fallen.

Blood pooled around her like spilled ink.

The world tilted.

No. No. No. This couldn’t be happening.

I staggered back. My legs wouldn’t work.

I wanted to scream, to run, but, all I could do was stare.

She was gone.

To be continued

"This is my house. Thank you for walking with me." I said softly.

"No problem," I just needed to make sure you got home safe."

His voice was calm, reassuring. It had been a long time since someone spoke to me with such kindness.

“You're so kind, mister. I don’t think I ever deserved the way you treated me tonight. I’m grateful for everything,” I said, my eyes lowering to the small bag of snacks in my hand.

He chuckled. “It’s an honour for us gentlemen to treat women with respect and kindness.”

I smiled. For a moment, it felt like I belonged in a world that didn’t hurt.

“Well… see you next time.” I turned toward the door, waving goodbye.

He nodded with a faint, almost bittersweet smile.

The man in the suit turned slowly and walked down the street, his cane tapping softly against the pavement.

That night, all he could offer her was ice cream and some processed food from the convenience store, giving her acts of compassion, for it would be the last.

However, for Camelia, it was a feast. Luxurious, even something to stretch across the week. She entered the house and his father was standing across the room.

"Where the fuck have you been?!" His voice reeked of alcohol.

"I—I went to the store… to buy your cigarettes and beer"

"You're fucking with me aren't you!"

The bottle flew before she could move.

Crash.

The glass shattered against her forehead. Helpless he then grabbed her by the throat, lifting her against the wall.

"How could you do this to me? Why were you even born?"

"F-Father", I gasped.

"Don't call me that!" he said. "I'm not your fucking father. You're just some mistake left behind by that whore."

Then he let go.

She gasped, collapsing to the floor, hands crawling on the ground for breath. She barely noticed him dragging her by the wrist into the kitchen.

He reached for the drawer.

She bolted.

He lunged.

She tried to run

But then suddenly everything went dark.

By the morning, she was able to open her eyes, dizzy, light-headed, and disoriented.

It was 8:30 the school had already started.

"I need to meet her…"

She found her phone and stepped out the door walking straight to school while still clutching her side. No one looked at her or greeted her. She passed classrooms full of students, but not a single glance met her. No whispers, no greetings.

She sent a message to Roze.

"Where are you? Can you meet me right now? I need you."

No response.

She frowned and turned, heading for the one place she could think of.

The rooftop and there she went. The wind kissed her skin. The sky looked endless. Her mind swirled in confusion.

She felt so detached. So… empty.

Then she heard someone. A calm voice behind her.

"Finally. I’ve found you."

She turned.

The man in the suit approached slowly, cane tapping with every step.

"It’s you," she said. "What are you doing here?"

"To finish my job, of course."

"Do you… Work here?"

He smiled faintly. "No, silly. I’m ending it here."

"What do you mean?"

"You died, Camelia. The moment your father slammed your head against the kitchen tiles and stabbed you three times or maybe four, "your life ended Camelia Verman

Her face went pale. "That’s not true. I’m here. I’m walking, breathing. I can talk to you."

"You can feel, yes. But you're no longer alive in the world that matters."

She blinked, and suddenly it all returned.

The moment he let go of her.

The knife.

The blood.

The impact against her stomach

She remembered calling for help. She remembered trying to fight.

And she remembered losing consciousness.

"No" she murmured. "This can't be happening. I can’t be dead. I can’t"

The man in the suit stepped closer.

"I’m sorry for what happened to you. But I don't stop death. It's my job to make sure souls don’t stay in the world of the living."

"But you can see me right"

"I can see what’s alive... and what’s not."

Her legs gave out. She sat on the rooftop floor, staring at the sky. Then she closed her eyes and let the breeze pass through her skin.

"Maybe this isn’t so bad," she whispered. "My life was a living hell. Maybe death is the only way I get to feel free."

The man in the suit said nothing. But his hands clench.

She looked up at him.

"You know, mister... I didn’t know you long, but I'm grateful I met you, you were so kind and sweet, just like her. I think you two would get along quite well."

He didn’t respond. But his lips pressed into a line of quiet emotion.

"You deserved better," he said. "Despite everything, you smiled. You were real. You were good. If there is such a thing as a second chance... I hope you get it."

She smiled through her tears.

"Thank you," she whispered.

He reached out and pushed her gently.

She stepped back once

Then fell.

(Everything is intertwined)

She was there on the rooftop.

Her figure was caught in the fading light, as I ran toward the building. And then, without warning, she fell. A sickening thud echoed as her body hit the ground.

The world stopped.

No scream came from me. Just silence. Her arms sprawled outward, head tilted at an unnatural angle.

I rushed to her side, but I already knew it was too late.

Then I looked up, just for a moment and that’s when I saw him.

The Man in the Suit.

He raised his cane, ready to bring it down in a final stomp. But he paused.

Because she was there.

A woman stood beside Camelia’s body, still as stone, eyes locked directly on him.

She could see me. Huhh

To be continued