"Damn it… still only a hundred and forty-six views?"
Aric muttered, staring at the computer screen with tired, frustrated eyes. His messy room was dimly lit by the monitor's pale glow.
"I've been writing this for months," he sighed, running his hand through his unkempt hair. "Why isn't anyone reading it?"
For a moment, silence filled the room. Then, with a sudden spark of determination, he clenched his fists.
"No. I'll finish it. Someday, people will read it. This is all I can do right now anyway."
Ding-dong!
The sound of the doorbell broke his thoughts.
"Who could it be now?" he murmured and walked to the door.
When he opened it, his landlady, Mrs. Mary Wilson, was standing there — a stern woman in her late sixties, wrinkles marking years of scolding tenants. Her frown deepened the moment she saw him.
"Three months, Aric! It's been three months, and you still haven't paid your rent!" she snapped in her sharp voice.
"I… I was just about to—"
"Enough! Either pay right now or get out of here!" Her tone grew harsher.
Aric stammered, "Please, I talked to my boss about it—he said he'll pay me soon!"
"I don't care! Either you pay, or you leave!"
"But where would I even go?" Aric's voice trembled with helplessness.
"That's your problem, not mine," she said coldly.
"Please, just give me one more chance, my lord landlady," Aric said, bowing his head in a mock-prayer, half desperate, half dramatic.
Before Mary could shout again, the door opposite Aric's opened.
A young woman stepped out — the same age as Aric, with calm eyes and a soft smile. Her name was Ava.
"I'll pay his rent," she said simply.
Mary crossed her arms. "Fine. I don't care who pays, as long as I get my money."
Aric blinked in surprise. "But… why would you do that?"
Ava smiled faintly. "Because you need help. You can return it later."
Aric immediately dropped to his knees dramatically. "You're a goddess, Lady Ava! I shall worship you for the rest of my life!"
"Stop being so dramatic," she said, rolling her eyes. "Now come with me to the market. I need to buy a few things."
The two of them walked down the narrow street together. Sometimes they argued over silly things; other times, they laughed like old friends.
Aric had known Ava for only a year, but in that short time, they had grown close. She was one of the few people who made his dull days feel alive.
But fate had other plans.
A blinding flash of headlights cut through their laughter. A speeding car came from behind — too fast, too close.
"AVA!"
The impact was brutal. She was thrown several feet into the air before crashing onto the cold asphalt.
Everything happened too fast for Aric to react. His heart froze as he ran to her.
Blood. So much blood.
Ava lay motionless, her face pale, her hair soaked crimson. The street lights flickered above them, painting her still body in a haunting glow.
"No… no, no, no…" Aric's voice broke. He knelt beside her, trembling hands hovering over her lifeless face.
And then—
A strange hum filled the air.
A glowing magic circle spread beneath his feet, its runes twisting like living flames.
Aric's eyes widened. "What… is this—?"
Before he could finish, his vision blurred. Darkness swallowed him whole.
And everything went silent.
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