Seven Ways To The Abyss

THE WEIGHT OF THE ORDINARY

Sofia

School sucked—that was a given. But today? Today was worse.

Her stomach growled faintly as she stood before the mirror, adjusting her tie with trembling fingers. Hunger clawed at her insides, raw and insistent. She muttered a curse under her breath, tugging at the fabric until it sat neatly against her collar.

Downstairs, Amaline honked the horn impatiently, the sharp sound snapping Sofia out of her trance. She sighed, her shoulders slumping as she grabbed her bag and made her way to the door.

On the dining table, her lunch bag sat waiting, meticulously packed as always. Amaline never missed a day, her habit of preparing Sofia’s meals rooted in routine care. Sofia snatched it on her way out, even though she already knew how the day would end—with the contents quietly discarded somewhere. Still, she had to keep up appearances.

By the time she arrived at Olowoma High, the morning assembly hadn’t started yet. As usual, Sofia made her way to her classroom, keeping her head down. Her seat, tucked in the corner by the window, felt as unwelcoming as the rest of the room. She dropped her bag and slumped into her chair, resting her forehead on the desk.

It was just another day to survive.

---

Hours blurred into monotony, and soon—though not soon enough—the final bell rang. The thought of freedom should have been exhilarating, but instead, Sofia found herself lingering after class.

She wandered the quiet courtyard, her eyes scanning the golden hues of the late afternoon. The sunlight filtered through the branches of the lone mango tree, casting soft shadows on the cracked pavement.

Sofia settled onto a worn bench, her book resting on her lap. She stared at it blankly, her thoughts elsewhere.

Laughter broke through her reverie. She turned to see Sarah, Aaliya, and Dajo gathered a few feet away, their faces bright with amusement.

“Sofia!” Sarah called out, her voice cheerful. “Come join us!”

Sofia hesitated, clutching her book. Her instinct was to refuse, to fade into the background like always. But something in Sarah’s wide grin made her pause.

Reluctantly, she stood and approached them. “What’s going on?”

“We’re debating snacks,” Sarah said, grinning. “And Aaliya has terrible taste.”

Aaliya’s eyes narrowed. “You just don’t appreciate good food.”

“She thinks chin chin is better than meat pie,” Dajo added, smirking.

Sofia tilted her head, pretending to consider. “Meat pie’s the obvious winner.”

Sarah gasped. “Traitor!”

Sofia’s lips twitched. She didn’t care for either snack, but she figured meat pie was the lesser evil.

“We need a tie-breaker tomorrow,” Sarah declared. “You’re coming with us to the canteen after the program. No arguments.”

Sofia blinked, startled by their insistence. “But—”

“No buts,” Aaliya interrupted. “We need an unbiased judge.”

Sofia sighed but couldn’t help the faint smile that crept onto her face. “Fine. But I’m warning you now—meat pie’s winning.”

Laughter erupted, and for the first time in ages, Sofia felt a flicker of something she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in a long time. Belonging.

---

Damian

“She’s dead.”

Damian stared at the mangled remains pinned to the wall. The sight should have satisfied him, but instead, it left him hollow.

Guilt gnawed at him. He didn’t even try to suppress it. Slowly, he removed the jagged pins holding the flesh in place, the quiet sound of metal scraping against stone filling the room.

He hadn’t wanted her to die. Not really.

But he hadn’t stopped it either.

Lifting the battered remains into a basin, he carried them outside to the backyard. A small patch of dirt, secluded and shaded by trees, would serve as her resting place.

His hands moved methodically, digging into the earth, but his thoughts drifted. The lady’s screams, her suffering—it replayed in his mind like a broken record.

Why had he done it? Why had he let his anger, his frustration, consume him so completely?

It wasn’t her fault. It wasn’t even Sofia’s fault.

It was him. His weakness.

Damian paused, wiping sweat from his brow. Weakness—that was the truth of it. Despite all his training, all his aura control, he’d been defeated by someone who didn’t even fully understand her power. That helplessness, that vulnerability—it had driven him to this.

Too late, he realised his tantrum had cost a life.

When the grave was done, Damian lowered her remains with care, his fingers trembling as he covered her with soil.

“Thanatos,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “Grant her peace. She deserves that much.”

He lingered a moment longer before retreating to the house. The air felt heavier, his guilt a constant weight pressing down on him.

Inside, Damian sank onto the edge of his bed, his head falling into his hands. His thoughts drifted to Sofia, and for the first time in days, the anger melted away.

“I hope you have it easier,” he whispered into the darkness.

But even as the words left his lips, he knew they weren’t enough.

Hey guys!

I know what you're all thinking
"The audacity to update such a short chapter after being absent for so long"

At this point I've run out of excuses— I'm just sorry.

Anyway please don't jate me I still need your votes  and comments

Okie I love you always bbye 🥀

Oh! And Thanatos is one of the divine beings that jagreels believe In

Okie bye