He was dragged down into the tunnels. He had grown up here but had never ventured below. Like an underground city, the catacombs spread out beneath the real city.

Once, this was a place where you’d be surrounded by death—skulls filling the empty alcoves, bones scattered across the ground. The smell of rot and, at times, burned flesh stung in your nose, a constant reminder that one day you would end up the same. You would leave the earth, let your body fall back, returning it to Mother Earth.

What happened to one’s mind, however, was unclear. Maybe nothing at all. But everyone knew the body would decompose, devoured by microbes, its energy redistributed.

Nowadays, the catacombs were just tunnels. Endless, winding tunnels. Long and complicated. Nick knew he’d never find his way back on his own. He was being dragged along too quickly, barely able to keep up. Corner after corner flew by until, finally, they arrived in a room.

This room was different—larger than the tunnels, with ceilings high enough for Nick to stand upright without the fear of hitting his head.

It felt like a home. A bed sat in the corner, alongside a dining table, bookshelves, chairs, and other odd items Nick didn’t recognize.

The girl, seemingly unbothered by the situation, flopped onto the bed. She kicked off her boots, stretched her legs, and yawned.

Nick stood frozen, overwhelmed. Everything had happened so fast: the way she had pulled him from the crowd behind the cathedral, how she had opened the trap door and shoved him in, leaping in after him. Then there was the frantic rush through the tunnels, lit only by the faint glow of the small light she carried.

Now he stood in her strange underground home, unsure of what to do. Should he sit? Stand? Ask questions? Would she even talk to him? So far, neither of them had spoken—not even a simple “follow me.”

“Hi,” Nick said softly.

The girl sat up, looked at him, and pointed to her eye. For a moment, it seemed to glow gold. Then she lay back down.

Nick jumped back, startled. “What was that?”

“Scared, like man of death?” the girl asked, her voice calm.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Why did you bring me down here?” Nick asked, his voice tense.

“Your eyes,” she said. “The way they stared at me, following my steps. You saw something. You reminded me of a man I once knew.”

“What man?” Nick pressed.

“A man who could see straight into your heart,” she said. “He could read lies like an open book, watch someone’s life like a film. A man who introduced himself with a name he later abandoned because he believed it dehumanized him.”

Nick’s heart sank. She could only mean his mentor. Saddened by the memory, Nick asked, “And why did he leave you? I know what he saw. So why did he lose interest?”

“Who said he did?” the girl snapped, anger flashing across her face.

“He always followed every lead to find the lost essence of humanity,” Nick said cautiously. “And you seem like someone who hasn’t lost anything.”

The girl’s voice softened, tinged with sorrow. “Oh, you think so? But you’re wrong. I’ve lost a lot of my essence. When he realized that, he left.”

Nick frowned, confused. “Then why do I see you so clearly?”

“I’ll show you,” the girl said.

She stood and stepped closer, just within arm’s reach. Her eyes closed for a moment, and when she opened them again, they glowed yellow.

Nick felt something pulling at him—an invisible force, like demonic hands dragging him closer. He couldn’t resist, his body moving forward as if possessed. Closer and closer he went, until he was almost upon her.

Then, suddenly, she closed her eyes, and the pull stopped.

Nick staggered back, his skin crawling with goosebumps. Breathing heavily, he stared at her with wide eyes, ready to fight. The girl, however, only laughed.

“Scared?” she teased.

“What was that?” Nick demanded, his voice loud and shaking.

“People surrounded by darkness will do anything to reach the light, no matter the consequences,” the girl explained calmly. “Manipulating shadows is easy when you have light.”

“You’re like an anglerfish,” Nick said, his voice laced with suspicion. “You’re evil, luring people in. What’s your goal?”

“Don’t be afraid,” she replied. “I use it to help people. Your master didn’t like the idea of working with me. But maybe you’ve got the guts to do it.”

“I’ll think about it,” Nick said cautiously.

“Alice. That’s my name. Yours?” she asked, helping him out.

“Nick.”

“Decide quickly, Nick. You’ve got until tomorrow at midnight.”

Before he could respond, he found himself outside again. Breathing in the fresh air, he slumped onto a nearby bench.

He exhaled slowly, watching as his breath condensed in the freezing air. The cold bit at his skin, a stark contrast to the heavy warmth of the tunnels.

Laying back, Nick closed his eyes. In his mind, he called out to his mentor, asking for guidance, asking what he should do.

As the world around him darkened and the weight on his shoulders seemed to lift, Nick drifted into sleep.