CARNAL

I

As the events unfolded and her siblings fled in terror, Mijako found herself submerged in an abyss of darkness, relentlessly haunted by the seductive whispers of the succubus, day and night. There was no escape from this inescapable nightmare, and it appeared that those closest to her were oblivious to the terrifying reality she faced.

Torn from these memories of that fateful night, Mijako surveyed the bar once more, searching for even a glimmer of solace or understanding from any soul crossed her path. But, as usual, all she encountered were indifferent countenances, strangers too entangled in the web of their own lives to recognize the thread unraveling in hers.

With a shudder that reverberated through her being, the glass slipped from Mijako's trembling fingers. Despair clung to her like a suffocating cloak, pressing down with unbearable weight. The room began to spin, morphing into a kaleidoscope of colors and amorphous shapes, while within the shadows, the enchanting melodies of sirens drifted tantalizingly closer.

Mijako's heart pounded in her chest, familiar dread coursing through her veins, as she knew once again she would be compelled to succumb to the succubus's insatiable desires against her will. The illusive security sought in the amber liquid slipped through her grasp, much like the hope that her life would ever regain a semblance of normalcy.

The stuffy room grew suffocating as Mijako's breaths became erratic, her body enveloped in oppressive darkness. She desperately clung to a glimmer of hope, praying for salvation that felt increasingly out of reach. But deep down, fear gnawed at her soul: Was there any hope left for someone trapped in an irredeemable abyss?

Nervously, Mijako fidgeted with the coaster on the bar, her fingers tracing circles on its damp surface. Her heart pounded in her chest as she surveyed the dimly-lit room. The air hung heavy with the stale scent of beer and a faint tinge of cigarette smoke, almost drowning out the lingering traces of her own anxiety.

For months, she had concealed herself in plain sight, meticulously building a facade to blend seamlessly into human society. To her knowledge, her siblings - Kissani, Lola, and Bishop - remained oblivious to the dark secret that had taken root within her tormented soul: a succubus now resided inside her. Since that fateful night of a terrifying and enigmatic ritual in their childhood home, she had somehow endured.

Her breath caught in her throat as she spotted their arrival. Kissani entered first, always cautious and calculating. Lola followed, emanating a radiant confidence. Lastly, Bishop walked in, his laid-back demeanor hiding a quiet intelligence.

Mijako's heart hammered relentlessly as they approached the bar. Their eyes locked with hers, and she fought to maintain a calm facade. She mustered a feeble smile in greeting.

"Hey, stranger," Lola taunted as they took seats next to Mijako. "It's been ages."

Kissani's narrowed eyes scrutinized Mijako's face, searching for any sign of deception. "Indeed... far too long."

Bishop placed his hand reassuringly on Mijako's shoulder before ordering drinks for the group.

As conversations filled the air, Mijako sensed an underlying tension. Her siblings exchanged guarded glances, speaking in hushed tones as if wary of exposing too much about their recent lives.

Leaning closer, Lola nodded toward Bishop and whispered urgently, "We've made unsettling discoveries. Strange occurrences have been multiplying since that night."

Mijako sucked in a sharp breath, stealing a glance at her siblings. Their gaze was expectant, demanding answers.

"I... don't know what you're talking about," she feigned ignorance, though her voice trembled with anxiety.

While evading her siblings' relentless probing, Mijako felt the succubus stir within her - a tantalizing urge to sow chaos and discord. Yet, she battled to suppress this malevolent presence, aware that her very existence and relationships depended on it.

The night dragged on like an intricately spun web of deceit, every word spoken carefully and each reaction meticulously calculated. Mijako fought against the mounting tension, battling to keep her shadowy secret at bay - terrified of unveiling the horrifying truth she desperately struggled to conceal.

As the last drops of alcohol trickled down their throats and talk from that dreaded secret consumed them, each sibling felt the burden of unspoken words weighing heavily upon them. They knew something sinister slithered beneath the surface, lurking in anticipation for the moment it could shatter their fellowship forever.

And as her siblings departed that night, lips sealed with false reassurances and promises of future meetings they wondered: had they truly escaped that ancient ritual unscathed? Or were they forever bound by a darkness that even now clawed at the doorways of their souls?

Her thoughts swirled like the ice cubes in her whiskey glass.

As she took a sip, the door creaked open, allowing a gust of frigid air to rush in. Mijako shivered, her eyes instinctively drawn to the source of the intrusion. A man entered, his face barely visible beneath his hood. There was something undeniably captivating about him - his tall build and confident stride seemed to command attention.

He sidled up to the bar, just a few seats away from Mijako. His eyes remained downcast as he ordered a drink, his voice shrouded in an allure that sent shivers down her spine. The quiet intensity that hung around him electrified the spaces between them.

Mijako's curiosity gnawed at her as she surreptitiously observed him from beneath lowered lashes. Something about him felt familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. A strange thrill coursed through her veins as he turned to face her unexpectedly.

Their eyes locked for what seemed like an eternity. Time slowed to a crawl as they drank one another in, their gazes fixed on each other with an intensity that could rival any spoken conversation. In that moment, words were inconsequential - their silent exchange contained volumes more than language could hope to capture.

As they continued to hold each other's gaze, Mijako felt a mixture of fear and fascination surging within her. Who was this man? Why did he feel so strangely familiar? And why couldn't she tear herself away from his powerful stare?

The world around them seemed to blur and fade as they remained locked in their wordless exchange, each second stretching longer than the last. Patrons shuffled around them - laughing, talking, drinking - but Mijako couldn't hear a thing. The man's eyes held her captive, rendering the background noise as nothing more than a distant echo.

As she continued to stare at him, her heartbeat quickened. It was almost unbearable, the overpowering sense of suspense that enveloped their shared silence. A prickle of goosebumps trailed down her arms, as if she were on the verge of unraveling some monumental secret.

But before Mijako could even attempt to decipher the enigma that was this man, he rose from his seat and began to make his way toward the exit. Just as he reached the door, he paused and looked back at her one final time. Their eyes met again, souls colliding in a single breathless beat.

And then he was gone.

Mijako sat frozen in place for several minutes after his departure, her chest aching with a loss she couldn't quite understand. She yearned to chase after him but knew it would be fruitless. Their silent encounter left Aphrodite wanting more - yet she knew they might never cross paths again.

She finished her drink in one last swig and left the bar behind. As Mijako drifted into the frigid night air, she could still feel his gaze burning into her soul - an unforgettable connection forged in wordless silence that left her questioning everything she thought she knew about herself...and Aphrodite.