Eva is an abused schoolgirl who lost her will to live. But her repeated attempts of suicide were unsuccessful and after each attempt her abuse kept multiplying. During one such attempt, she gets an message from an unknown id in her dm - "Pixieuwu":...
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Three weeks had slipped by in a blur, each day blending into the next as I carried on with my routine. I worked my shifts at the convenience store, an escape from the reality of home, but the shadows of my life still loomed over me. I had managed to keep my interactions with Lix alive, and our friendship blossomed in the small moments we shared online. Yet, even those bright spots couldn't erase the heaviness in my heart.
On a particularly busy Friday evening, I was organizing the shelves when the bell above the door jingled, announcing a new customer. I looked up to see a disheveled man stumbling into the store, the smell of alcohol wafting from him in waves. His eyes were glassy, and his movements were unsteady as he approached the counter. My stomach twisted with unease; I had dealt with rowdy customers before, but something about his demeanor felt particularly threatening.
"Hey there, sweetheart," he slurred, leaning against the counter. "You got anything to drink that'll help me forget my troubles?"
I forced a polite smile, hoping to diffuse the situation. "We have a selection of beers and some soft drinks. Can I help you find something?"
Instead of answering, he leaned closer, invading my personal space. My heart raced as he reached out, brushing his fingers against my arm. "You're much prettier than the last girl I saw. Why don't you come closer?"
My pulse quickened. I took a step back, my instinct screaming at me to remove myself from the situation. "Sir, I need you to step back, please."
But he didn't listen. He advanced further, his hand reaching out to grab my waist. Panic surged through me. I had been living in fear for so long, always worried about what would happen if someone tried to hurt me, and here it was unfolding before my eyes.
Before I could react, a voice rang out from behind me. "Hey! Get your hands off her!"
I turned to see a striking woman standing at the entrance, her presence commanding and powerful. She had a radiant aura about her, with dark hair that framed her face elegantly and a look of fierce determination in her eyes. The man froze, his hand still hovering inches from my side.
"Who the hell are you?" he growled, but the woman remained unfazed.
"I'm Aera," she stated firmly. "And I'm calling the police. You need to leave, now."
The man's bravado faltered as Aera pulled out her phone and began dialing. The instant he realized he was outmatched, he stumbled back, muttering under his breath. "This isn't over, girl," he sneered before turning and bolting out of the store.
I stood frozen, heart pounding in my chest, the adrenaline surging through me. Aera immediately rushed to my side, her gaze softening as she took in my pale face.
"Are you okay?" she asked, concern etched across her features.
I forced myself to nod, though I felt far from fine. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you for coming in when you did."
She looked at me intently, her eyes searching mine. "You don't have to pretend. That was a terrifying situation."
"I really am okay," I insisted, though my voice trembled slightly.
Aera shook her head gently, still not moving away. "No one should have to go through that alone. I'll stay with you until your shift ends, just to make sure you're safe. It's too quiet here, and I don't want to leave you on your own."
I hesitated. Part of me wanted to push her away, to tell her I was fine, but another part, the part that had been longing for connection and understanding, relished her company.
"Okay," I finally said, a little breathless. "If you don't mind."
"Not at all." She smiled, and it lit up her whole face. "In fact, I'll call my husband to let him know I'll be late. We have a dog named Berry that he can feed."
As she dialed her husband, I took a moment to catch my breath. Aera's presence felt reassuring, like a protective shield against the world outside. I had never had someone step in like this for me, and it made me feel... seen.
After a quick conversation, Aera hung up, her demeanor shifting back to warmth. "He's feeding Berry right now. She's a little spoiled, but that's okay."
"Sounds like a good dog," I said, intrigued by this sudden burst of normalcy in my chaotic life.
"Oh, she is," Aera chuckled. "She thinks she's the queen of the house."
We chatted about Berry for a few minutes, and I could feel the tension easing off my shoulders. I had forgotten how nice it was to talk to someone who wasn't trying to control or hurt me.
"What about you? Are you in school?" Aera asked, her voice gentle, almost motherly.
I hesitated, contemplating how much I wanted to share. "I'm in high school," I said finally. "I work here part-time to help my family."
"Good for you," she said, genuine pride in her tone. "Balancing work and school is tough, but it builds character. Are you looking forward to graduating?"
I forced a smile. "Yeah, I guess. I just want to be free from... everything."
Aera nodded knowingly, and I could sense there was a depth to her understanding. "I get it. Everyone deserves freedom, especially from the people who bring them down."
Before I could respond, the store door opened again, and I straightened, preparing for another customer. Thankfully, it was just a couple of regulars, but I found myself glancing at Aera, grateful to have her nearby.
As the minutes passed, Aera and I shared snippets of our lives, from her adventures with her husband to my friends at school.
Eventually, my shift came to an end, and as I locked up, I turned to Aera, who had been a constant presence beside me. "Thank you for staying," I said, my voice sincere. "I really appreciate it."
"Of course, Eva," she replied, her smile warm. "If you ever need anything—someone to talk to, or if you feel unsafe—please don't hesitate to reach out. You deserve support."
A lump formed in my throat at her kindness. "I don't even know how to thank you," I said softly.
"You don't have to," she said, brushing it off. "Just remember, you're not alone in this world. And you can find people who care about you, even when it feels impossible."
I nodded, her words sinking deep within me. As we parted ways outside the store, a flicker of hope ignited in my chest. Maybe there was a way to break free, to find the strength to change my life. Aera had shown me that people could be kind, that I could reach out for help, and for the first time in a long time, I felt a glimmer of possibility.
