It was the worst year of my life; the first year of my bachelor's degree in English literature. At a month in, I found myself drowning in unsubmitted assignments, missed lectures, and mounting debts. The worst part was that I had been recently laid off from my part-time job, rendering me unemployed. The only good thing might be my solitary living arrangement, but still, it comes with a steep cost— rent.

However, fate had a peculiar sense of timing, and my life changed drastically due to the incident that I’d never imagined. It was an ordinary day, and the only thing remotely unusual about that day was the fact that it happened to be my nineteenth birthday.

Before that day, I woke up late, missed a lecture, and the lecturer assigned reading ‘Don Juan’ by Lord Byron.

I ran into Susan at the cafeteria, my best friend since the age of 12. Despite being in different faculties—she was studying medicine, we had remained inseparable.

"Emma!" she called out. Her face lit up as I approached. I took a seat and the silence hung between us for a second.

"Happy birthday, Emma! Well, pre-happy birthday," she said, her smile was cheerful.

"Thank you," I replied mechanically, my mind clouded with worries.

Are you alright? You look really pale," she asked, genuinely, furrowing her brows.

“Oh, it’s nothing,”, I said and tried to dismiss my troubles. But before Susan could press further, our friend Jimmy interjected with a loud voice, "Emma, I have some good news!"

Jimmy had been our friend since Year 11. He was a nice and kind person, and we have been a trio-friend group since then. But for now, Susan and he shared the same faculty. I was the odd one out

“What’s that?”, I inquired, I was curious. His eyes sparkled with excitement, and he didn't even bother taking a seat.

"I just found you a part-time job!" he exclaimed.

“Really?!”, I gasped: I could not even believe the situation.

"You'll be working as a cashier in a convenience store, and it's right near your house. The shift is late, but who cares? It pays well!" Jimmy grinned.

I jumped off from the seat and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, Jimmy, thank you!” I said.

“Well, you'll have to treat us for this," Jimmy said, turning to Susan for backup, “Isn’t that right, Suziee?

“Absolutely”, chimed in. Overwhelmed with gratitude, I was bursting with tears. I did not check the surroundings at that time, and I think that was the best; if I had noticed their stares, I would have been too embarrassed to continue.

“When do I start?”, I asked him with eagerness.

"Tonight!" Jimmy declared. "From 10 pm to 1 am. Trust me, Emma, this is your lifeline. There won't be many customers, so you can even do your homework or assignments there."

"Thank you, Jimmy, thank you. Thank you so, so much!" I exclaimed.

I was delighted at that time, but suddenly the reading assignment came into my head, destroying the moment. I suggested, “Hey, I need to go to the library. Will you guys accompany me?”

"Of course, we will," they replied in unison. And so, together, we headed toward the library, my heart lighter than it had been in months.

We stepped into the library. I made my way to the poetry corner in search of 'Don Juan' as Susan and Jimmy trailed behind. The book was hard to find, and I lost myself in the rows of neatly arranged books.

My fingers gently traced the spines of the books, seeking the title. My eyes scanned the words ‘'Don Juan', but it was nowhere to be seen. At last, after a long period of time, I discovered 'Don Juan’. With anticipation, I plucked the book from its resting place.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

As I turned around, I was pulled by an intense gaze that met my eyes of mine. Clad in a black turtleneck sweater, he clutched a book in his slender fingers, and his eyes, pools of darkness, seemed to bore into my very soul. I felt the weight as if he could see into the very core of my being. The boy couldn’t have been older than seventeen, which contrasted sharply with the depth in his eyes. His dark, curly hair fell over his forehead, and I couldn’t help but notice his rosy lips.

The time seemed to pause in that singular moment and the silence of the library distanced further, fading into the murmur of silence. I felt, at that moment, there was an inexplicable connection between us as if our souls had recognized each other from lifetimes past. I yearned to speak; my mouth opened, but no sound emerged— not a single word was exchanged.

He shifted his gaze, closing his book with a soft thud, and silently slipped away from the scene. Stunned, I stood there; couldn’t even bear to move. The memory of his mysterious gaze lingered, igniting a spark that would kindle into my life. As my senses returned to me, I realised that I was late. With a heavy heart, I was certain that I would not meet him again.

Then, I heard the familiar voice “Hey, are you alright”. It was from Susan. She and Jimmy approached me. I took a deep breath and replied with a forced smile “I’m fine”, though I knew it was a bit awkward

“Look, what I found.”, I raised my hand and showed them the book, trying to ease the tension, but their faces revealed little interest.

“Do you know the person that just passed by?” Jimmy asked.

I couldn’t help but I felt my cheeks heat up, “Who?” I stammered.

Susan seemed confused, 'The one you were gazing at for quite a while?”

Blushing even more, I admitted, “I don't know him. Do you?”

Jimmy interrupted, “It's best not to assume someone's gender.”

“Alright,” I mumbled. I wished this conversation to stop, and fortunately, Jimmy shifted,

Emma, don't you want to treat us? Tomorrow is your birthday, so..." Jimmy began, but Susan pinched his back, cutting him off. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Later," I said, finding relief in the humour of the situation.

Then, there was an awkward silence between us. Breaking it, I said, “Jimmy, please send me the location of the workplace.”

“Oh, I will I will. Within a minute”, he replied, pulling out his phone.

"I'm heading back home. Bye," I said. I was desperate to escape the awkward atmosphere. They chorused a quick "Bye" in response as I left the library.

(2)

My work as a cashier was easy— there were only some customers, and I had time to finish my reading assignment. The only problem was that I was a bit weary from my late shift. The night was denser, and the cool air cut through my coat, making me shiver.

As I reached my apartment, I reached for a beer can and sip it slowly. It was quite refreshing— comforting and bitter, much like my life at that moment. In a few minutes, my nineteenth birthday would come. Then, I heard the alarm that I set— now I’m nineteen officially, but as ever, I couldn’t do any celebration. I made my way to the veranda, hoping the night air would clear my thoughts.

However, as I approached, I saw the odd thing. The door was opened, and there, in the darkness, I glimpsed a shadowy figure slender yet huge, with eyes glowing red. It leapt over me, and a scream escaped my lips, and I shouted. Then, I saw a sudden swish of a sword slicing through the air.

The figure's head rolled across the floor, its body collapsing into a pile of ash. I was too astonished to get amazed. The weapon was in front of me- – a long, curvy sword, gleaming ominously in the dim light. I looked up, and my eyes met the back of a familiar black sweater. It was him – the boy from the library.

Before I could process anything, more shadowy figures flew into my room. The boy moved and sliced through with the monsters. He was fast yet tender— holding the quiet deadly elegance. The figures disintegrated into mere ashes and dissipated into the air.

The room fell silent once more, the only sound was his whisper of him, adorning the papers with symbols on the door and windows. I was paralysed, unable to form coherent thoughts or words.

He approached me calmly and spoke, “Do not worry. I’ve set protection barriers in your house. Those goblins cannot enter anymore, but we must still be cautious.” His voice was a soft yet commanding whisper.

With confusion, I managed to stammer, “What are you?”

He remained firm, his face became more serious than before, “I’m an angel. An angel of death".