Existing Hell

ATARIAH’S POV

DIONY EMPIRE

I never believed hell existed until now. Two different times, I have been attacked. What I have done to deserve that, I do not know. The image staring back at me in the mirror doesn't seem familiar. This one has a knife scar on the cheek and a pale face. It's been a day since I got attacked. Even though I was able to defeat the person who was a stroke of luck, I can't help but think they will be back.

Wouldn't it be nice to know what fate holds for me? If I am destined to die by the monster king's wrath or in the hands of his minions. Why they are keeping me here is beyond me. It's exhausting to spend every waking day wondering if I will be dead or not. Interestingly, the attack had only prompted the monster king to send more guards to the house. He didn't show up.

This stupid game of hide-and-seek is quite childish. When I asked Damila, she had no response to give. It did seem silly of me to expect her to know. She is the only thing I am grateful for here. Patting my cheek instinctively, I let out an exhausted sigh.

Glancing around the four walls, I felt bored and lost. There isn't much to do here. My phone was either taken from me or lost in transit. I would have been able to get some help if I had it. On second thought, this is more like an abduction; It would be intriguing if they had handed me my phone. I probably shouldn't be this relaxed, desiring something to remove my burden. But then, I must keep living to the best of my ability until the end.

Still lost in thought, something suddenly came to my mind. Yes! I had taken the book from the library. It almost skipped my mind. Peering at the door to be sure Damila wasn't coming, I brought the ancient book out of the bedside drawer. It smells almost familiar and distant.

Opening the first page, it described the gods that had ruled centuries ago. I was shocked when I got to the line that pointed out the unity between humans, angels, werewolves, and vampires. I didn't even realize angels were a thing. In actuality, I thought the werewolves and vampires were fantasy. The mark behind me is also exactly like the birthmark of the angels. Whoever tattooed that on my back seemed to know the angels. I have no idea how I got the wings mark. But the nuns at the orphanage said I had it since birth.

Drawn in by the first page, I read further. Four gods had ruled the earth together in harmony: Ares, Laila, Dracular, and the moon goddess. They made a pact never to let their followers be together but to dominate the earth freely, co-exist, and live peacefully. A soft cackle escaped my lips at that happening. Wow!

If they did live together, what happened to them? I haven't heard of any existing angels. I have to say the angels intrigue me, though. Even though they have the same physical structures as humans, they possess celestial abilities. Like wings to fly, which aren't visible until a situation calls for them. They also foresee future events. A divination ability. It's so cool that I wish I were an angel. It's the only thing I want to be. Better off than being a monster.

But history begs the question: If humans did kill the family of the king monster, how did they come to such a stage after spending centuries living in harmony? The book seems to contain only the history of each being that walks the earth from the table of contents. I intend to read it until the end.

However, a more detailed explanation of what went amiss must be provided. The humans aren't monsters and couldn't have overpowered the werewolves and vampires. There is always a backstory to things like this. I bet the king monster just concocted a lie to fool everyone and not have them question his barbaric mode of existence.

I was about to flip to another page when I heard Damila's footfalls. She is headed towards me. Slamming the book shut, I placed it back in the drawer, adjusting myself on the bed. I don't know why I am being discreet. But Damila might be bothered about me holding onto a book from the King Monster library. Something tells me the book might lead me to a greater secret this doomed empire hides. I don't want to discuss something I am unsure of. Not to forget, the recent happenings might make her quite anxious.

"My lady." Damila held up her signature smile as she walked in with a tray. It didn't quite reach her eyes; sadness took over her appearance.

I sat up in concern. "Are you alright, Damila? You don't look like yourself." I mouthed.

"I am fine, my lady. You should eat your meal before it gets cold. I also got some healing ointment for your cheek wound."

"Thank you so much for your care, Damila. I don't know what I would have done this far without you."

She smiled halfheartedly, "My lady, thank you for staying strong. It would have been a huge loss, and I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself for being too weak to come to your rescue. But you will be safe now. The guards have multiplied, which shows that the Alpha king is determined to keep you safe."

I rolled my eyes with a snicker. "I don't know what it is with you and that king monster. But believe me, I am probably just being kept for a special feast."

"Please don't say that." Her voice seemed to break. You are our only hope, as selfish as this might sound. We all hope you will get along with the Alpha king since you are human and stop these torturous events we humans are subjected to."

I blinked rapidly at the tears that formed in her eyes. "Me? I am just as helpless as you, too, Damila. I am useless to myself and everyone else."

All of a sudden, she plopped to the ground with her knees to her chest, sobbing. My eyes darted around the room for a means of escape. I was never good at consoling others. It's something that I avoid. Reaching for a tissue, I handed it to her.

"It's okay, Damila. What is the problem?" I asked, even though I could almost guess what she was about to say. For someone as jovial as her, only evident death could break her spirit.

She blew her nose into the tissue and sniffed. "I just lost two of my friends today. Some young vampires had asked for them, and according to what I heard, they were molested brutally before their blood got sucked out of them."

A shocked gasp escaped as I clasped my mouth with my palm in disbelief. "They did what?"

Damila rocked herself on the floor. "Even though we have all succumbed to fate. It still never tunes down the hurt we feel when we hear of how one of us was treated. They were just thirteen and fourteen, respectively. This is so unfair. How is it our fault to exist?"

I clenched my fist tightly, feeling a surge of anger within me. Those good-for-nothing beasts. How do they live with themselves by brutalizing others? Goosebumps laced my arms as the thought of that becoming the reality of me and Damila crossed my mind. Hot tears rushed to my eyes. How the hell did this happen?

"I'm so sorry, Damila. I'm short of words, too," I admitted helplessly.

She sniffed, shaking her head. "It's not your fault. Our fates are just awful. I had found myself in a foster home with the rest of my friends. Over the years, I saw different faces come and go. None of us had any idea why that was the case, and it was not until last year that I found myself here. Only to see some of the other kids, too. It turns out our foster parents were selling us to the empire. We thought we would just be used for chores, but it was beyond our comprehension. Some ended up as meals, while others were pets and sex slaves. Our everyday life became filled with horror. I had always dreamed of becoming a baker and having a family, but I never got to experience it. All of that has gone down the drain." Damila sobbed.

I was crying, too. Not only are there sex maniacs here, but they are also traffickers. Every evil deed in the world seems to be attached to this empire.

A light chuckle escaped Damila's lips suddenly as she wiped at her tears. "When we learned that the Alpha king's mate was human. It felt as if our prayers had been answered. Even though it was bad news to the people of the empire. We humans were allowed to hope that things would work out smoothly. If you win the Alpha King's heart, it will be a way out for the rest of us."

The tears burned my cheeks. I would have been willing to do this task if it didn't involve sucking up to a monster. The case here isn't about what I feel. The King Monster hates me, too. Our feelings are alike. If his hatred truly stems from his family loss, then we are going to be stuck being his enemies for generations to come.

"I wish I could assure you that I would help, Damila. But this is an impossible task that I am sure you are also aware of. I am just as helpless," I mumbled.

"You don't think there can be a way out? Maybe find a way to win his heart?" Her eyes peered into mine like she wanted to read into my soul.

"Damila, please. I have been married to a nonchalant man before. You can do nothing to heighten their desire when they don't want you. And I do not want to spend the rest of my life being with a bloodsucking monster. I can't live like that. I would rather die. I am sorry."

We both stayed quiet, our sobs filling up the air. Life is so unfair. Making prey out of an entire species and giving them false hope that they are alive for the sake of humanity. Those roaming freely back home wouldn't know they could become a meal in no time. We aren't safe in our own homes. They snatch us off the street and bring us to this doomed place. Many people are being reported missing daily. I must have joined the long queue of never-to-return people.

This is so sad, and I wish I could do something about it—something to keep us safe from these monsters.

Damila stood up, dusting herself. "I should go and clean up the kitchen, my lady. Please eat." She said, walking to the door.

I wanted to call her back and assure her I would do something. But I am not the type to make promises I can't keep. Rather than call her out, I curled up into the bed, crying out my frustration.