Azrael

Ch-1 Nightmare

4:57...

Zack was rambling about something called "petrichor." I couldn't even pretend to care. What does that even mean, anyway?

4:58...

If rainwater is pure, why is seawater salty?

4:59...

Do fish even pee in the-

"Azrael? Azrael?!"

I snapped out of my daydream. Geez, what was I even thinking about? Focus, Azrael. You're in a meeting, not lounging at home.

"Azrael, I would appreciate it if you were more attentive. This project is a big lead for our company."

My boss's voice droned on, but I could barely muster the energy to listen. It's almost 5. Isn't it time to leave yet? All I want is to plop onto my bed and doze off.

I'm Azrael. For me, life is a monotonous cycle of my job, my apartment, and my boyfriend. Every day feels like a repeat of the last, and I can't shake the feeling that there's got to be more out there.

Who am I to say, as if I can even seek out the stuff I want to.

To be honest, I don't even know where I keep my coffee mug two minutes after putting it down. And it pops up when I'm searching for something else. What a joke of a life.

"Meeting dismissed. You may leave."

"Finally," I groaned. My legs were cramped and I could hardly focus on where I was going. I got into the elevator.

"Nice mirror," I thought to myself. Lovely, it made me look crystal clear. I started fixing my hair.

Beep

It was a message from Zack. I wonder what it could be. I quickly opened it.

"hey babe. i invited loran over. party with d boys"

Party?! PARTY?! I could hardly believe it.

"well as long as its in your apartment"

"actually in yrs"

My face dropped. My apartment? No, no, no... I hate parties—I mean—parties in my apartment. How could he do this without my permission?

"no! why dint you ask me before >:("

I got no reply. I groaned in frustration. I felt like crying. Just because I gave him my keys doesn't mean he can do everything he wants. I really wanted a day of peace.

I got into my car and drove as fast as I could. I prayed internally there wouldn't be a police patrol. I was already in a mess, and the last thing I wanted was a speeding ticket.

I opened the door of my apartment, and inside was even worse than I imagined. Mark and Jason were drunk, Harry was wasting my precious ketchup n' mayo mix (that I made myself), and Loran, Kristopher, and Zack were throwing around toilet paper. It transcended the word 'mess'.

I slammed the door. The blasting music made it sound like a soft thud. I went over to Zack and pulled him to the balcony. I shut the door behind us. I could hear the music stop a few seconds later.

"What?" Zack asked, smirking.

"I never gave you permission, Zack."

"Why do I need permission in my girl's house?"

I glared at him.

"I pay the rent. This is my apartment. What happened to yours?!"

Zack's face faltered. He scratched the back of his neck.

"I may or may not have failed to pay the rent."

I groaned in frustration once again. I was losing my patience.

"Couldn't your parties wait?" I shouted.

"We need a break, you know?"

"Well, don't I?"

"Why would you need a break from your ass of a job?" he shouted loudly.

I was stunned. I backed away. Back away... back away...

My lower lip quivered. Back away... back awa-

I blacked out. A sharp pain shot through my head. My eyes were blurry. People were gathering around me. A few minutes later, the pain stopped. I heard sirens. A woman in white walked toward me. I got up and dusted my jeans.

"Geez. That was weird," I mumbled. I looked back.

My face went pale. I was trembling. What? What am I seeing? Is this a nightmare? I looked back at the woman who was smiling softly at me. I choked.

"Wh-Why are you smiling?" I asked tearfully.

It was me. It was my bloodied body being cradled by Zack. It was me. It was around my body people were gathered.

Am I—d-dead?