The Sacrifice

"CRING!" "CRING!" "CRING!"

The alarm blared and woke me up from deep sleep. I started stretching my aching shoulders, arms, and legs. I stared blankly on the ceiling for a while. No matter how I want to snuggle my pillow and stay in bed, I have to force myself up.

I stood up with a sigh and went near the window. I was looking at the most wonderful view from the 10th floor of the building where I live, and the sun is about to set. I brewed my coffee and headed back to the window , opened it and enjoyed my favorite view. I felt the cold breeze caressing my face and embracing my entire body. I sipped into my cup of hot coffee and continued watching the sky turn orange as the dusk fell. Another day is about to end, but I am just starting mine.

I prepared myself and took a hot shower. I applied my limited edition Victoria's Secret lotion and spread it on my skin. I sprayed my Eclat perfume all over my body. I picked a beautiful, mini, red dress and matched it with my black, high heeled stilettos for my outfit. I put on my make up and made my last glance on the mirror. I grabbed my keys and left for work.

It's Friday night and people are too busy hurrying back home while others are getting ready for a night out. I hailed a cab feeling a little envious of those who were about to end their day. I finally arrived work where the guard assisted me out of the cab and escorted me towards the entrance of the building. "Hey, sexy lady." My manager greeted me with a smile and hug. "Are you ready for tonight?" He asked greedily. I smirked and without a word I walked my way inside the building. I stood in front of the mirror combing my long, black hair and retouched my make up until I heard my name.

I took a deep breath and started walking towards the stage where the spot light blinded me. A slow music started to play and I stood there motionless. Colorful lights started flashing and I started to hear clapping and whistling from people, mostly men. That's when I started dancing beside a sturdy pole. I grabbed it and danced exotically. It is getting hotter, the spot light and every move makes me sweat. I removed my dress slowly and continued to dance.

My heart started to beat fast as I removed all my clothes. The crowd started to whistle loudly as I embrace and spin around the pole. It is both cold and hot as I dance naked. The cold pole makes my body shiver and my hair raise. The music stopped, a cue that I am done with my performance. I went down from the stage and my manager approached me clapping.

"You are really the hottest among everyone here," he said excitedly. "One of our richest client would like to spend the night with you, don't let me down," he whispered in my ear. I was shocked and started to talk in a high pitched tone and said, "You know that no one has touched me yet. I did not sign up for that." He raised a brow and said, "Yes I know. Tonight is your night. I preserved that because I know one day this client will come. You are worth billions, honey. Plus, don't you remember you told me that you are here for your Father? You need money right?" He added enticingly.

I can't say no- I needed money. He gave me a capsule and forced me to drink it. He said that it will help me with my performance with the client. I swallowed it and felt dizzy after a few seconds. "What did you..." then I fell on the floor.

I can't remember anything, and when I opened my eyes, I am in a room full of candles. I tried to stand up but my hands and feet are tied. There are group of people in front of me and I can hear them chanting. A man wearing a white robe poured a warm water on my head. Another man wearing a red robe, who looks like my manager, stood beside me and ripped my dress leaving me naked.

"Stop!" I tried shouting but he just continued what he was doing. He poured a red substance on my body and started chanting unknown phrases. My heart was beating fast, frightened of what seems to be an occult practice. They stopped suddenly and left me in that room alone.

I thought it was done, but I heard a distant, heavy foot step approaching me. I am horrified to see his huge body, his face is red, eyes are blazing, and he has two sharp horns. The beast walked continuously towards me. He looked at me wearing a devilish smile and when he was finally close to me, he grabbed me with his warm hand. He spread my legs and entered me. My tears rolled down my face and I shouted in pain and pleasure. My sweat is dripping as he continued to dance inside me, until he was satisfied.

He disappeared and I was left there inside the room lying naked, feeling tired and consumed. I started to cry until I fell asleep.

"CRING!" "CRING!" "CRING!"

The alarm blared and woke me up from my deep sleep. I started stretching my aching shoulders, arms, and legs. I stared blankly on the ceiling for a while, then I remembered what happened. I stood up and looked around. I am confused because I was at home, I smiled and slapped my face. “It was just a dream” I said with a smile.

I headed towards the window and saw the orange sky as the dusk is breaking in. “It feels surreal.” I whispered to myself. I looked at my phone, dialled my manager's number but he won't pick up my call. Then I realized, it was Saturday, and I need to hurry as I have to pay my family a visit. I took a shower, closed my eyes and had a sigh of relief. I was still wondering what happened the other day but convinced myself that it was just a dream. I hurriedly grabbed a cab, excited to see my family.

My mother opened the door for me, she looked so old with the lines on her face, tired and exhausted by doing all the works at home. She gave me a hug and said, "I missed you!" I replied with a laugh, "Mom?! It was just a week and you missed me?" and we started laughing. My little sister hurriedly ran towards me showing, with a wide smile, the award she received from school. I am so happy everyone is well.

I went near my dad as he was lying in bed. He looked so skinny and tired. It has been 2 months since he was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and he is doing his chemotherapy. The hospital has been our home ever since. I held his hand and asked him, "How are you feeling?" He can't utter a word so he tried his best to smile at me despite the pain he is going through. He lifted his hand and touched my face and I saw the tears from his eyes, he started crying. It feels as if he was saying "Why do you have to destroy yourself just for me." I wiped his tears and said, "I love you, Dad."

I felt so tired and exhausted that I fell asleep on the bed near the window.

"CRING!" "CRING!" "CRING!"

The alarm blared and woke me up from my deep sleep. "Did I slept much?", but no one was responding. I looked around and no one was there. I walked towards the window and saw the orange sky. “What is going on? Where's everybody?” I asked frustratingly. I went out of the hospital room, it was dark and empty. The only light you will see was the one from the setting sun through the windows of each room.

“Hello?” I said softly. “Hello??” I started shouting but there was no response. The dusk is killing the light and it is getting darker and colder. I ran endlessly, but I cannot reach the end of the hallway. I got tired until dark fell. I cannot see anything so I started to cry. Then someone lifted me, and I felt warm with the heat from his body. I felt comfortable and stopped crying. I saw his fiery, blazing eyes and got scared that I jumped. I fell and it was continuous and never ending.

“Teeet-teet-teeeet-teet"

I woke up from the sound of the heart monitor. I laughed, "It's just another nightmare." Then I saw the nurse checking someone lying on the bed. I saw my mom praying inside the room with my sister.

“Who is that?” I asked my Mom. “Mom what happened???” I asked but she did not hear me. I asked my sister but she was ignoring me. I started crying wondering if it was my Dad. I went near the patient and was shocked to see myself lying. I slapped my face, “This is not true!” I shouted and I cried endlessly.

My mom went near the window and opened the curtains. She recalled how I love to look at the orange sky- how I love sun sets. I glanced back to my body and saw the beast standing beside me. "It's time to say good bye" he said with his deep voice. He embraced me from behind and flew me out of the hospital. Unwillingly, I tried shouting but no one can hear me. He brought me in a fiery place and placed me on a chair. He sat beside me and a flying creature placed a crown on my head.