Devil's possesion

Chapter One: A Beautiful Morning I'll One Day Miss

Sunlight spills softly through the floral curtains, casting golden patterns across the tiny kitchen floor. The smell of fried eggs, baked bread, and fresh tomatoes fills the air. Laughter bounces off the walls like music-warm, chaotic, and full of life.

I sit at the breakfast table, tucked between my grandmother and my little sister, Mia. Dad is flipping eggs in a pan while Mum tries to stop Mia from dipping a biscuit into the jar of honey. Grandma hums a hymn under her breath, cutting fruit with practiced grace. The radio plays a faded tune in the background.

"Eat more, Alora," Mum scolds gently, placing two extra slices of yam on my plate.

"Mum, I'm full," I say with a soft smile.

"Full of air," Grandma mumbles.

Dad chimes in with a teasing grin, "You need energy to carry all those heavy romance novels at the library."

Everyone laughs. I laugh too, even though my chest feels tight. I look around at the table-this vibrant mess of love. We don't have much, but we have everything that matters.

And soon, I won't be here to be part of it.

That thought stings like cold wind. I push the yam around on my plate, pretending I'm not blinking back tears.

My little sister nudges me. "Alora, are you gonna die?"

Everyone freezes.

"Mia!" Mum gasps.

"What? You all act like she's made of glass now," Mia says innocently.

I reach out and stroke her cheek. "I'm not dying today. So stop worrying and help me sneak out extra toast."

Mia giggles and leans into my side.

The laughter slowly returns, but I feel the crack in my heart deepen.

---

A little while later, I stand at the front door with my work bag over my shoulder. My family's voices float from the kitchen.

I pause, hand on the doorknob.

A single tear slips down my cheek.

One year. Maybe less.

How do you say goodbye to a world that never hurt you?

The door opens before I can wipe my tears.

"You always cry when you're supposed to leave," Kira says, pulling me into a tight hug.

I smile into her shoulder. "I was just... feeling things."

She pulls back and pinches my nose. "Well, stop it. Your face gets puffy and you scare the library kids."

I laugh. "Sorry, Miss Sunshine."

We start walking down the quiet street toward the library, the sky painted in soft blue and gold.

"So," Kira says. "Did you finish that fantasy novel I gave you?"

"Yeah. The one where the guy falls in love with the girl, but leaves her because he's immortal?"

"You loved it, admit it."

"I did. But I hate endings that hurt."

Kira glances sideways. "Some endings are just beginnings in disguise."

I don't respond. I'm too afraid to hope.

---

The library is cool and quiet. Sunlight filters through the high windows, dust motes dancing in its path. Kira leaves after lunch, and I spend the afternoon organizing shelves, reading to a small group of kids, and checking in borrowed books.

As the hours slip by, the world outside dims. By early evening, I'm alone.

I sit behind the desk and pull my diary from my bag.

The leather cover is worn, the edges frayed from years of secrets.

I open to a blank page.

June 19.

Some days, it feels like I'm already a ghost-smiling, walking, breathing, but not really alive.

The doctors gave me a year. I don't know how much I have left. But today, I made a promise to myself: I will live. I'll stop hiding. I'll feel everything. Even the things that hurt.

Even love.

Especially love.

I flip to the next page and title it:

MY WISH LIST

1. Fall in love. (With someone who won't love me back. So I don't break another heart when I leave.)

2. Write my own story.

3. Do something reckless.

4. Kiss someone under the stars.

5. Tell my family everything I feel, even the hard parts.

I stare at the first item, biting my lip.

Where would I even find a man like that?

The door creaks.

I jump, startled.

A customer steps in-a tall shadow silhouetted by the fading light outside.

I snap the diary shut and stand. "Good evening. Can I help you?"

The figure nods slowly and walks into the aisles.

---

The evening fades into night. The customer leaves. I sit back down at the desk.

Somewhere between cataloging returns and reading a page of my favorite novel, my eyelids droop.

I don't mean to fall asleep.

---

When I wake, it's dark. The old library clock ticks 10:17 PM.

My phone is off.

Panic grips me.

I scramble up, grab my things, and rush to lock up. The town streets outside are nearly empty.

I turn the key in the door lock.

Click.

Then I freeze.

At the far end of the street... under the flickering streetlamp...

Someone is standing. Still. Watching me.

---

To be continued