It stood before me, and I could barely believe it. “That thing” had a singular presence. I had already seen many demons in human eyes, but its aspect is superior... no... it is the very embodiment of chaos.

   Every creaturewould surrender, prostrating itself to cry out for help to its “God", whoever that may be. But I knew... since that time... “they” would not help us.

   It then moved, turning its face, as if searching for something. “Are you ignoring me?” I whispered, still staring at the emotionless beast, which suddenly stopped. 

It tilted its irregular head downward, where it found what it was hunting.

   My eyes widened, and I saw that the girl was sitting at its feet, being stared at intently.

   Suddenly, I heard a snap. My consciousness once again replayed the final moments I had with the woman who gave birth to me. I clenched my teeth and tried to create a moment of courage, ignoring all the pain that set my torso ablaze and using the hatred that grew with every second.

   “Hey", I shouted, throwing a stone that struck its horn. It, however, remained focused on the girl. I ran, circling the beast and trying to get its attention. “RUN", I yelled, throwing another stone, which disintegrated upon contact. 

   I stopped when I saw that the young girl, who appeared to be my age, already had an expression of resignation. One I knew far better than I wished.

   ‘That thing’ raised its right palm to the sky, forming a ninety-degree angle with its elbow. Sensing the worst, I ran toward her.

   I cut our distance in half and felt something warm falling onto my face. As I raised my right arm to check, my vision slowed... “blood", I thought.

   A deep pain settled in my left shoulder, and I realized my arm was being brutally and slowly torn away by a dark, claw-shaped energy. 

   I knew it would be impossible to stop the process. “DON’T FUCK WITH ME", I shouted again, ignoring my humerus already exposed, and trying to tear off my own arm to finally reach the girl.

   I fixed my gaze on that being’s palm, which now formed a sphere with the same energy in my shoulder. Time was almost completely frozen when, from its hands, the sphere expanded, covering my entire field of vision and the area around me.

   In complete darkness, endless seconds pass ed in absolute silence. “So this is it", I said, finally relaxing my muscles since the beginning of this hell.

   “After everything... I went beyond my limit..". I stated, barely feeling the pain of my torn arm. 

   “Did I struggle in vain?... Is this the moment I should cry out to God?” I let out a small laugh at the words that felt so distant to me.

   “It’s dark... I feel cold... maybe... I shouldn’t have gone after him... maybe I should have given up back then... maybe... mayb... ma..". I feel drowsy, as memories of my family return to torment me. “I really should be dead... shouldn’t I, Mom?”

   I closed my eyes, trying to rest my mind. “I wanted... to feel the warmth of a real embrace... to be able to smile honestly... I wish I hadn’t become the monster that I am... I wish... I could love someone". My body trembled, with a feeling I hadn’t known for years. Something warm once again ran down my face, but I did not notice it. 

   “There’s no reason to worry", I said, trying to calm myself. “How would anyone get close to someone like me?” I began to laugh at my own misery, and finally collapsed.

   “Even that girl... SHE GAVE UP BECAUSE SHE KNEW I WAS WEAK", I shouted, between sobs and tears that began to grow heavier.

At last... a moment of silence.

   “I’m sorry, miss... I can no longer fulfill the promise we made".

I could see a flash of light, and, thinking it to be my final breath... I let my consciousness be consumed.