I heard footsteps. ‘It must be him’, I thought.

   I could see the silhouettes of two people. “Looks like the night will be long", I whispered, as I heard voices growing louder with each passing second.

   I was ordered to bring some drinks. Well... I didn’t care anymore. Drake gave me enough to survive, from food to shelter... A cursed child couldn’t complain when granted such “blessings".

   I received a slap and a few words of insult... They don’t hurt anymore... everything has been cold for a long time. Even aggression can feel warm sometimes. That man, to me, took the shape of a monster. A red expression and tones that was one of the reasons I never opposed him.

   Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly felt my arm being pulled.

   “You bitch… even after I took you off the streets, even after you lost your sight... even when you drank nothing but gutter water, who fed you?” he asked, raising his voice more and more.

   For the first time, I lifted my face. I didn’t want to look into his eyes again... no... I would do anything to avoid this, but if such low and terrifying beings as demons truly exist, I know they would bear the same features as him.

   My clothes were torn, but that wasn’t what frightened me. My eyes widened as I saw the same soul of the man who had “saved” me, but behind him, there was something... something large. Even with this curse, I was still unable to fully see it.

   Unlike other people, whose expressions I could clearly perceive down to the smallest detail, that thing was merely a blur. It didn’t emit a clear image, much less a color. I didn’t know who it was. I had lost my vision years ago, being able only to see those presences. I could usually guess a person’s gender, mood, or expression reflected in their form... but even with all my focus, all I saw was something like vapor, colorless, yet undeniably present... and finally... I instinctively trembled, unable to understand the pressure it emitted.

   I had always seen clear and distinct expressions and If I had to guess, I would say that the warmth emanating from that human was the purest kindness anyone could show... but... it wasn’t what my instincts told me. I could no longer breathe, and it felt as if even my mind trembled in fear... I hadn’t felt such fear since the night I was cursed.

   Rage.

   All the warmth coming from that human before me was the result of a murderous pressure that revealed nothing but fury.

   Suddenly, I heard a low sound, and in that same instant, both presences vanished. 

   Confused, I turned my head from side to side, searching for them, until I finally saw the reddish shadow descending to my level. By then, I was already lying on the ground.

   Then, for the first time, I heard the voice of the one who possessed such a radiant aura.

   “It’s over... let’s get out of here".

   It was the first time I had truly paid attention to his voice... but somehow, it was deep, serious, warm, and it truly felt as though that man saw me as something more than an irrational animal, unlike anyone I have ever met.

   His anger disappeared, and though I couldn’t understand why, it felt like he truly wanted to save me.

   'No... you’re thinking too much. Be quiet, my mind. I cannot allow myself to hope again. I wouldn’t be able to endure disappointing anyone else. Even blind, it still feels as though I can sense their expressions. Their gazes... hurt'.

   Heh... I smiled to myself, thinking how weak I must seem to that man.

   It’s not like I’m the one who suffers the most, right? I am cursed... but... why do I still feel this anguish, as if something has been out of place all this time?

   A tear fell, even as I failed to notice his hand extended toward me.

   “Huh? Why am I crying?”, I thought.

   Involuntarily, I tried to stand and move toward that man. Even though he wasn’t far, I felt that if I lost this chance, whatever awaited me, perhaps... I would never understand his reasons... or worse... I would never free myself from this anguish.

   My legs trembled, giving in along with my consciousness. My vision darkened, and I could no longer think of anything.

   Even so... there was still a feeling flowing through me like water, spreading across my entire body… relief.