I was to retrieve a simple artifact made by the ancient druids that would be the key to immortality.
It was held by the most powerful vampire in her district and from what she received he grew tired of holding it into his possession and wanted to get rid of it.
With the agreement, the elders chose me to retrieve it so that they can absorb the power of eternal life and become powerful enough to protect humankind.
I was their top deliverer and in these times of war and plague, being one was suicide but I thrive in the uncertainty.
It doesn't hurt that with each item retrieved I‘m given a healthy percent of the profits which helps me to provide for my family.
This latest retrieval will set me and my family up for life.
I walked inside of the ancient castle, observing my surroundings as vamps watched me with undisguised hunger in their eyes.
Ignoring them, I stood in a lazy position as the head vampire looked down at me from his throne with a look of boredom.
“I see that you came alone,” he said in a tone that had my skin shiver deliciously.
“I’m here to receive the artifact,”
No need to drag this as needed, I thought while watching his head tilt.
“Of course,”
He slowly rose from his throne bringing whispers across the throne room.
“Follow me,” He said without seeing if I followed him or not.
I pursued him as he went out of the room and down the hall.
He stopped in front of a red door that felt ominous but I stilled my body from shivering even if my heart was beating as going through the treadmill.
“It’s in here,” He started while giving his thumb a nick from a fang before pressing it to the door.
Opening the door, he allowed me to enter first when I saw a beautiful bracelet on top of a unique box that glistened in gold under the moon lite sky.
“Gorgeous,”
“Yes, it is. You may take it to your elders,” He said from behind me. As I walked closer it felt like a siren call, wanting me to take it and use it for myself.
“Well, take it,” he said with impatience.
“You first,”
Suspicion flared as the call became louder but with discipline ignored it for a moment.
“I won’t”
“Why?”
“Only a human can touch its metal but if it finds its future host unworthy, it will burn him/her from the inside out.”
“What!? This wasn’t what I was told,”
“It seems your elders refused to relay this tidbit but there’s a problem, if you don’t take it, you’ll die by my hands,”
I brought my weapon close to me, “You think I came into the lion’s den without a whip,”
He gave me a grin that made him younger than he was. “Of course but do you think I wouldn't make assurance of my own?”
The vampire snapped his fingers and a picture of my family appeared in his hands leaving my blood cold.
“Take the bracelet and die or your family will take your place,”
“Bastard!”
“Your choice even if you were to get past me by a miracle, your family isn’t so lucky are they?”
With the frustration of getting placed in a hard place, I glared at him before turning my attention back to the artifact.
“If I don't make let my family know that,”
“I will.”
As I touched it, I felt my body being absorbed into a flaming heat that never stopped until I screamed out in pain before it stopped, leaving me gasping for air.
“Gosh!” I yelled hear the door slam shut.
I looked up to see the vampire staring at me with a hunger that didn't leave anything to the imagination.
“For so long, I’ve waited for you,” He said with a growl.
I slowly rose as he gave a slight step towards me.
“What?”
“My mate.”
Before I could react, he wrapped his arms around me.
“Wait a minute, I'm human,”
“Not anymore,”
He led my attention to my wrist which wore the bracelet.
“But the elders...”
“Wanted to sacrifice you to attain this bracelet,”
“A suicide mission,”
“Yes,”
“Great,”
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you and your family,”
“How can I trust you?”
“Because mate,”
He touched the metal bringing emotions that we're not my own.
Longing, desire, and hunger
“All I have is yours and vice versa,”
I had never thought that this would happen to me at this age of time.
Being raised to become the next chief of my village, learning how to fight, hunt, dictate, lead; was required.
But what my mother never prepared me in this lifetime was love.
In my village, women were created equally and trained just as hard as men.
We obtained knowledge from past generations and became prosperous. But we were a hidden utopia and never been outside the forest of paradise.
I was told long ago that a woman of my tribe was my age when she was warned to never cross the bridge by our soothsayer.
She ventured until reaching a beautiful bridge, overseeing the entire land from the majestic mountains and calm river passing through the peaks.
The woman was so transfixed that she walked onto the bridge.
She stopped halfway when hearing a ferocious growl from across the other side of the bridge.
A humongous, ferocious bear appeared with the sharpest teeth and claws. With a roar, it ran towards the woman in anger.
The woman was going back when seeing her beloved running towards her and the bear.
She tried fruitlessly ran back as the bear's pursuit and weight stumbled her footing on the bridge.
The bear swiped its claws in her direction, but with skill from her village, she moved with a quickness.
The woman knew that her beloved would do anything especially giving up his own life.
She begged him to go away but he refused and fought the animal so fiercely that the bridge began to come apart.
He turned around with resolve and said “I’ll find you again, ”
Watching helplessly as her beloved fell to his death along with the bear. She screamed out in heartbreak was told that instantly the woman died by heartbreak.
That's when the tribe named the torn bridge, “The Heart Break bridge.”
The mountains were as majestic as the night sky as my tears fell down my face.
The longing for someone to call my own without being the beneficial joining of tribes.
I had never seen him before and I feared that it would be a loveless marriage.
Which is the reason for my visit to the Broken Heart bridge.
I was selected to welcome my fiance’s chief and family to paradise.
My heart was broken over the injustice of being joined by someone who I never met.
The soothsayer had told me that I would lead the tribe to prosperity but it would involve crossing the forbidden bridge.
I watched as the family appeared with masks on their faces crossing the bridge when witnessing something larger coming for them.
“Run!” I screamed as the family ran across the bridge.
I moved through them to face a huge bear roaring in anger.
With precision, I dodged the swipe of the bear's claws and attacked the beast with a warrior's shout.
I continued to be one step ahead of the animal when I was sideswiped on my shoulder.
The bear rose with anger and was about to pounce when someone grabbed the creature’s paws with his/her hand.
It was her masked fiancee and with a nod, I dealt the finishing blow.
My rescuer wore a traditional mask that covered the entire face but with thanks, I lead them to my village along with the bear's carcass.
I brought them to my parent’s home and disclosed what had happened at the bridge.
My parents displayed different expressions but the last one was shocked.
The neighboring tribe introduced who helped me and it was none other than my fiance.
They welcomed the neighboring tribe and agreed to the marriage tomorrow.
On the day of my wedding, the tribe gathered singing that involved unity, strength, and honor.
Once joined by the soothsayer, they retired to their very own hand-built home.
I couldn't see his face until he removed the mask to reveal a face that echoed in my soul.
His eyes were as dark as a moonless night and his face was strong with full lips, strong chin, and chiseled.
“How do I know you?” I whispered in wonder.
He brought me close to him and kissed me.
As I returned the kiss, images poured into me filled with pain.
Last image that appeared of a man falling to his death with the bear.
“My Love!” I said with tears.
“I told you that I’ve found you, ” He reminded.
And we kissed as lovers of old.
Laura is asked to get rid of a billionaire that has destroyed not only her friend’s family business but ruined her life.
With luck, she is hired to be his assistant and Laura plans to destroy this guy’s life starting with his empire.
Cain is a heartless monster or that’s what the tabloids are putting out.
But he didn't get his fortune by being weak and that's what the new assistant is becoming to him and that's a problem.
And he’s planning to make her job as his assistant so difficult that she’ll quit.
They have different plans for one another but will they go through with their plans once realizing that they have more in common or ignore it to achieve their goals with an old as time regret?
“Hey, Tara, where is that check?” A coworker demanded.
“One minute!” She said while delivering a few plates to customers.
Tara quickly went behind the counter, carefully got the right ticket, and brought it to the table.
“I’m sorry for that, ”
“It’s about time!” The guy in a business suit said with a glare.
Tara has been having a messed up day that included a broken alarm clock, her car breaking down, which resulted in being late for work at the diner.
It didn't help that she has a 20-page essay due at midnight as well as a project.
“Don’t even think about seeking a tip this is the worst service that I’ve ever had.” He warned before paying the bill then leaving.
“I swear, you need to get a hold of yourself or-” Her coworker said with an irritated look on her face.
“Listen, I’ve had a rough day and I don't need you to add your ignorant mouth to this mountain of misery. Are we clear?” Tara silently warned.
The coworker nodded and left her alone.
After work, Tara went to the library near her home by bus to finish the 20-page essay and meeting her class partner for the project.
“It’s about time, ” A deep voice whispered as she met him after completing her essay.
Tara met a pair of irritated brown eyes and simply sighed.
“Hey, Jake, ”
“We have to get this finished before this Friday, ” Jake said with impatience.
“Jake Zhang, not today, alright?” Tara softly warned.
He widened his eyes, “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed, ”
“You don’t know how bad, ”
“Want to talk about it?”
She’s been friends with Jake since meeting him in her freshman year. Jake was a real goofball and could be good-looking if he would stop frowning.
Their friendship was a real rollercoaster but at times like this, when he’s genuinely worried for her it had her smiling a bit.
It didn't help that she had been in love with him since the first time they met.
But Tara was content to be his friend, pathetic yes but she won’t scare him away.
Tara explained her entire ordeal and he doesn't say a word until she had finished.
“Do you want to finish this project tomorrow?” Jake asked.
“No, let's get this over with, and thank you, ”
“For what?”
“For letting me complain and moan, ” She said with an embarrassed smile.
“I’ve learned that you would talk about it; you feel better, ”
“You’re a good friend, ”
“Yeah, ” He said with a strange tone.
“You’re alright, Jake?”
“Yeah, c’mon we’ve got a project to finish, ”
“Ok, ” she said with doubt.
After finishing the project, they began gathering their things to go home.
“It’s late, do you want me to drop you off?” Jake asked.
“My apartment isn’t far, ”
“It’s not a problem, besides it's dark outside.”
“I can handle myself, ”
“You don't always have to do it by yourself,”
“I know but I don't want to be a burden, ” Tara cautiously explained.
She started leaving when sensing Jake closely walking behind her.
“Why won’t you ask for help?” Jake asked in irritation.
“I learned at a young age that if I could do it by myself; I won’t need anybody’s help, ” Tara answered becoming annoyed at his persistent questions.
“You must have at least someone that you can depend on?”
“Only my momma but only when I'm at my last, ”
He blocked her from walking towards the sidewalk
“What about me?” Jake asked.
“What about you? You’re my good friend, that's it.”
“What if I freely offer?”
“I don’t take anything too quickly, ”
“How did I fall in love with a stubborn woman?”
“Well, it sure wasn’t my personality, ” Tara answered before it finally sunk in what he had just said.
“What?”
“I’m in love with you, ” Jake said without moving his gaze away from her.
She was so surprised at his admission that he chuckled.
“Well?” He said with a smile that transformed his entire being.
Wow, she thought as her heart began beating quicker.
“I loved you since freshman year, ” Tara confessed with a blush.
“What do you want to do?” He said once taking her hands into his.
“Take it one day at a time and take your offer to take me home, ” She kissed his hands.
“Good, ” He said while pulling Tara into a kiss that had her heart sing.
Better late than never, Tara thought with a smile.
I had just received my mail for the day and wanted nothing but to have a long meeting with my bed.
Once inside my living room, I dropped my backpack on the couch before sitting down and checked what came in the mail.
“Bill, Bill, Loan offer, not happening, ” I said with a snort.
The last one made me frown in utter confusion because it was addressed to me.
“Alright, who’s responsible for this prank?”
I opened the letter with a letter opener and felt something hard landing on my lap.
“Huh?”
I picked it up to find a small circular metal contraption with a purple button on the side.
Placing that metal aside, I read the letter with shock and familiarity.
Letter from Zara: Sara, believe me, that I wouldn’t be contacting you if it wasn't essential, but I need your help.
You might think that this is a prank, but it's not. I’m you from a parallel universe, and before you tear the letter into pieces, I left my transporter to you so that you’ll know that this isn’t a trick. Press the purple button and see if it's a fake.
This weirder than an episode of the twilight zone, I thought.
I carefully picked up the device and, without thinking of the consequences, pressed the button.
I felt myself being sucked upward along with the letter and device.
“Ahhhh, someone, Help me!!!!!!”
All of a sudden, I landed hard on a concrete floor, and pain coursed through my body.
“Ow!!!”
“Took you long enough!” A familiar but harsh tone said from across the building.
I looked to find myself staring at a mirror, but instead of a curious light in her brown eyes, there was nothing but coldness.
The sounds around me were of torment, agony, and wails of things I didn't wish to know.
“Where, where am I?” I asked with fear.
“You’re in prison, ” She said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
“Prison!?”
“Yeah, now shut up!”
“Back off, chick!” I said with irritation.
“And here I thought you’re my parallel self, ” the opposite said with a raised eyebrow.
I stood my ground, not letting my parallels self see me squirm.
“Anyway, I need your help to break out, ”
“I have never been in a jail cell before, let alone break out of one, ”
“No kidding, madam Sherlock, ”
“Who am I; in this universe?”
“I’m a rebel that doesn't follow the rules like a puppy, ”
The way she said it wasn’t passionate, just simply a fact.
“That doesn't tell me your occupation, ”
“I didn't give it. Now again, I need you to help break me out, ”
“How?” I said with sarcasm.
“Easy, touch the door, ”
“What?”
“Touch the door to this cell, ” She said as if to a child.
“That can’t be too easy, ” I said with doubt.
“I have spent years breaking out of different cells, but they made this cell just for me, ”
“How?”
“By making sure that I couldn't get out by any means except for one thing.”
“What?”
“Kindness, ”
“Why should I help you?”
“Because unless you would like to stay stuck in this hell hole along with me, then you’ll touch it. Also, you won’t go back to your universe.”
“Yeah, right, ” I said with doubt while searching for the device.
“Looking for this?” she asked in boredom while her eyes glinted with limited patience.
Crap! I thought with concern.
“Fine, ” I said with gritted teeth.
With a sigh, I walked towards the clear glass doors and found another cellmate from across, touching the door only to be electrocuted.
“Oh heck No!” I moved away from the door.
“What are you doing?”
“Are you blind? You did see what happened to your neighbor!”
“That chick was sick in the head. Probably needed some shock therapy.”
“You’re cold, ” I said with the realization of how cruel she sounds and rethinking about this escape attempt.
“Awe, was that too harsh for you?”
“You’re a...”
“Again, don’t care. Touch that door.” She said while gripping the device and raising it like she’s about to smash it.
“Touch, ”
I quickly touched the door, and instead of shocking her, it hissed before opening.
“Let’s go!” She said.
“Give me the device, and I’ll go, ”
“Can’t need to charge it up, ” She said with a smile.
“What!?”
“If you want to get back to your dimension, then follow, ”
The Alarm echoes around the building, which helped me to escape with my evil self.
“Do you think it is a good idea to tell her this?” Fear asked with a shiver.
“Relax, she wouldn't be found out, ” Anger assured while looking through the eyes of their host.
“I still think-”
“Who cares what you think, chicken! That girl humiliated our host. She deserves it, ”
Anger said while creating an idea that will make the girl regret that she had ever been their host.
“How about we breathe and relax before doing this?” Happiness suggested.
“Or go home and to the room to have a good cry?” Sadness pitched in.
“Enough! This girl has been making our days difficult at school, and the one time we have an edge, you want me to sit back!?” Anger demanded with flames inside her eyes.
“Exactly, Who knows what will happen to our host if you decide to do this, ” Fear addressed.
“Who knows what will happen if we allow this girl to continue?”
“Why don’t we just tell our host’s parents?” Irritation appeared with a roll of her eyes.
“And get them involved? No Way!”
“They might have a better idea!” Happiness said.
“Or make things worse, ” Sadness said with tears in her eyes.
“No!” Anger roared before finishing the instructions.
“Now, don’t touch anything until tomorrow!” Anger demanded before leaving the room.
Fear quickly checked the instructions to find an item that made her whimper in terror.
“Hey, fear, what’s wrong?” Bravery asked.
“Anger had made instructions for our host, and it's terrible!”
Happiness, Sadness, Irritation, and Bravery checked the instructions and became shocked.
“No!” Sadness wailed softly in tears.
“Oh my!” Happiness said in shock.
“Are you kidding me!?” Irritation said in disgust.
“Relax, I know what to do with this, ” Bravery said with a smile.
“But the instructions are installed in our host.” Fear pointed out.
“Who says that I’m going to take it out?” Bravery said with a smile.
The next day, once Their host was turned activated.
Anger arrived with purpose on the goal for today.
“Alright, host, accept this idea, ” She said while pressing the thinking button.
Once it was processed and delivered, Anger grinned with victory at what their host planned to do.
“Anger, can you please stop your plan?” Fear asked while fearfully passing anger.
“It’s too late, now shut up and watch!”
They watched as their host went to school and gave a piece of paper to the teacher.
The teacher looked at the host for a minute before nodding.
“What was that about?” Anger asked.
“I don’t know, ” Fear answered, her gaze elsewhere.
“Whatever, ”
While the host was going about its day, Happiness, Sadness, Irritation, and Bravery arrived just when the girl comes to torment their host.
“She’ll regret messing my host, ” Anger said with a grin.
The host began to talk to the girl, and when the girl continued to make fun, the host moved away.
“Why isn’t she reaching for her backpack?” Anger demanded.
Just that quick, an adult appeared and frowned at the girl before taking her away by the arm.
“What did you do?!” Anger lashed out at them.
“I simply changed the instructions a little bit, ” Bravery said.
“That girl deserved everything that came at her!”
“Maybe, it won’t be by our host’s hands, ”
“I had our host’s father’s gun!” Anger exclaimed.
“Which would not only take the girl’s life but destroyed our host’s life, ”
“Bravery, you!”
“Leave and cool off anger!” Bravery ordered.
The rest of the emotions nodded in agreement before anger yelled out with fire.
They watched as anger cussed while leaving the room.
“What did you replace the instructions with?” Happiness asked in curiosity.
“I replaced the instructions by telling our host to say to the teacher that she was being bullied and needed help.”
“And?” Irritation asked with a roll of her eyes.
“Left the gun in our host’s case safe and sound, ” Bravery finished explaining.
“Yay!” Happiness screamed with joy.
“I could cry!” Sadness wailed.
“Whatever!” irritation said but gave a small smile.
“What now?” Fear asked while looking where anger has left.
“Our host will get counseling and become better as days move forward, ” Bravery explained.
“Thanks, Bravery, for taking the reins, ” Happiness said with a smile.
“I’m glad that I made it in time, ”
I’ve been doing an excellent job keeping my identity a secret, especially with my family nearby. But I never thought I would fall in love with an amazing man.
Ironically, I met him at the hospital after my checkup, which was nothing but good news, thank God.
His name is Alex Yang, A registered nurse who was genuine, compassionate, intelligent, and much more. Now don’t think he doesn't have his faults, but it's far and between.
Anyhow, I was out with my girlfriends getting a drink and dancing. I went all out with my outfit, even wearing my favorite sapphire ring when I found my boyfriend with some guys.
I was about to say hello when I saw them roughly taking him to the back.
I told my friends that I was going to the bathroom and would be back.
I went inside to ensure that people will see me going in, and then without anyone around, I disappeared.
I quickly followed the guys and found my boyfriend getting beat up by a group of men in an alley.
I summoned my mist to cover my appearance.
“Hello, boys!” I said.
“It’s Violet Mist!” One guy said.
“Shoot her!” The second guy ordered.
I quickly made a barrier to repel the bullets, which ricocheted towards the villains.
“Ahh!!” The second guy screamed in pain.
I froze the guys before they could shoot with my barrier still intact.
She could immediately hear the police sirens and people filing out of the club, definitely from the gunshots.
Crap! I thought before moving deeper into the mist to find my love unconscious on the ground.
Thankfully the bullets didn't touch him, and she grabbed him before teleporting them near the Men’s restroom of the club.
The mist was still surrounding us when I saw him becoming conscious. With ease, I kept myself hidden.
“You’ll be fine, now,” I said in a neutral voice.
“Violet Mist?” He asked with gritted teeth.
“Rest, ”
I began to move away from him when he grabbed me by the hand.
“Wait, I can’t see you, ”
“For the best, bye, ” I said before teleporting away from him.
I quickly made it back to friends who yelled at me for not answering their calls and left the club without anyone the wiser of my identity.
I called the next day for Alex and feigned ignorance when he told me about how Violet Mist came and saved him from a terrible fate.
Thankfully when I saw him again, it was nothing but sore muscles and bruises around his body.
I started to feel guilty about keeping such a secret from him especially lying to him about where I was.
I told him I was out with my friends but never to him the location.
It hit the fan when after 8months, he popped the question.
“Will you marry, Diedra Allen?” Alex asked with love in his eyes.
“Yes!” I said with tears falling from my eyes like a sap.
But after celebrating, I quickly thought about my double life as a citizen and a superhero.
I officially decided to tell him about my life as a superhero on that weekend.
“Alex, there is something that I need to tell you, ” I said with reservation.
“What is it?” He asked, knowing when I was serious.
“I don’t think I can marry you without being completely honest, ”
“Are you having second thoughts?”
“No!” I said quickly.
He sighed before frowning, “Then was is it about?”
“I haven't been honest about what I do for most of the time.”
“Ok?”
“I help people in need, ”
“Like a volunteer, ” He surmised.
“Something like that, ”
“Then what is your work that helps people?”
“I’m a superhero, ”
Alex stared at me like I had cat ears, “What?”
“I’m Violet Mist, ”
To further prove my claim, I summoned my mist and formed a sphere barrier around me.
After dispersing the most and barrier, I stood in front of him.
“Well, say something, ” I exclaimed after 10 minutes of silence.
“All I can say is...”
I guess the wedding is off, and I'm toast! I thought with instant fear.
“Thank you, ”
“Huh?” I asked with shock.
“I figure it was you when I had this, ” He revealed the ring that I had lost.
“But why-?”
“I didn't want to push, ”
“Oh, Alex!”
“I’ll protect you as you did me, ”
I pulled him to me and gave him a kiss for the ages.
The End!
