Demon's Reborn

Chap 2

Inside the public bus, the conductor has been feeling wary about the strange passenger they had picked up earlier this morning few cottages away from the bus terminal. Ill-kempt hair, thick dark circles under her eyes, scorched skin. Have we served a ride for a peasant? The conductor asked himself but he shook his head when he remembered the stranger paid him enough fare for her chosen destination. Either way, he pitied the stranger that must have been tortured by mean by-passers. Such a cruel way to treat a lady, he thought as he shook his head. The conductor offered the lady a bottle of water and sandwiches. The lady thanked him kindly with cracked hoarse voice before receiving.

The lady then asked the conductor, "Do you have a newspaper for today sir?" The conductor wasn't sure why the lady wanted the newspaper but he provided the latest release he just bought earlier in the day to read and pass time while waiting for passengers to fill the bus. Curious, he stood behind the seat of the lady as she flip the pages. She then finally stopped after finding the wanted article, but the lady seemed to hold the newspaper away from the conductor's eyes that he wasn't able to see a glimpse to what page she's reading at. After a moment of neck stretching and eyes squinting, the conductor gave up. Just as he was to leave, the lady called and gave the newspaper back to him and thanked him.

The bus stopped before an old mossy concrete cottage. The lady then stood up, thanked the conductor and the driver before stepping out of the bus. The conductor felt pity seeing the lady go into an unknown place where survival is not sure. As the bus slowly drives away, the lady was not at the cottage anymore but he saw her silhouette disappear to an entrance to the woods which he knows where it leads to. A cliff.

The cliff is also known as Suicide Cliff because at the bottom of it, bodies of those who committed suicide piles up. She must've given up on life, poor soul. Rest in peace, the conductor thought and looked away.

The lady entered the road leading to the cliff but just before she could reach the cliff, she went through a thick swarm of tall bushes. Emerging at the other side, her feet landed on soft ground. Fresh air wafted under her nose, the air smelled tangy from the pine trees surrounding the place and sweet from the blooming flowers. A smile materialized on her face.

The day came to an end and Luigi wasn't able to do anything. He sent a message on Hale's email address apologizing that he wasn't able to do anything despite of all the hours he had stayed in his office, then left. He went straight home, dropped his things on his sofa and went directly on his mini bar and poured himself some drink. After drinking straight for an hour, his anger to himself intensified blaming himself for Venice's death. He can still remember that day when Venice bid goodbye.

It was Luigi's day-off when Venice asked her to go somewhere because she has something to tell him. They met at their favorite café where Luigi was patiently waiting. Venice came wearing the same smile with the same vibe, but something's off and he can't tell what it is.

"Hey Luigi, so early as usual," she greeted and sat across him. "What's the plan for today?" he asked happily, riding Venice's color. "Let's get some fresh air, you got your Enzo, right?" She asked with a wink and stood up. This only means one thing, he's driving to wherever she tells him they would go. It's always something she asks him to do whenever something is up but cannot tell him.

Much to his curiosity, Venice is only telling her where to turn until they reached their destination with applying much of a force on the break. He was about to scold her but when he saw the façade before them, awe overcame him. Then he dropped his gaze at Venice who seemed pleased on his reaction. She motioned him to go outside. This time, he's totally speechless at the simple elegance and beauty of the place.