A Fourth World

chapter 1.1- a world of madness

Being in a city that wants to kill all humans is not an easy job. With angels as the "normal" citizens and demons as overlords, leaving humans in the dust.
As I walked down to a frugal store, I made contact with an angel. His dark green suit made his snotty expression even more prominent. He is a man with high standards, due to his tone as he said,'' you have no manners or respect, do you?!"
I swallow hard, knowing that I can't afford mistakes around demons and angels alike.
"I-I'm so sorry," I mumbled under my breath, my voice tainted with worry.
''You should be, young lady." he said with slight irritation in his voice, "I'll let you off the hook today, but if this happens again..." he gave me a look that I knew too well, a look of disgust. "I'll m-make sure, sir." I said with haste, "I will be out of your way."
As I kept my eye contact low to the ground, not being able to bear a single glance at him. He turned around and walked away with pride in his step. I despise most demons and angels. Now, that is a harsh statement, but it's not because of their inflated egos, no. The situation as it were, I was only ten years old. A child having loving parents, enduring an unnatural reality. Angels descended down to earth from the bright heavens one day, the clouds parting from their arrival . We adored them... they welcomed us with open arms... but something was different about these Angels. They didn't possess the grace as depicted throughout time; instead, they had careless, effrontery gleams in their eyes. That was when when we all realized... It was too late to run. darkened clouds spread through the sky, creatures unknown to our world were flying left and right, landing on the ground to give chase to humans. Some attacked people, dragging them into the unknown darkness from aboive, ash spewing in their wake from fires upon the world. My mind was scarred when the impossible size of a silhouetted man dragging me away with his sharp talons digging into my arm, pulling me up into the sky with force. Where he promised to led me to a 'sanctuary' as he described it to my innocent ears, escorting my parents away from me to their 'fun' slaughterhouse... that's when reality split into seven, rampaging cities and began to build its way up as we evolved through those miserable years... or atleast, that was how I believe it went down. Let me introduce myself. I live in the largest city out of the seven that exist, the first city. Angels and demons are always trying to get the chance to criticise our every move like we are rats on the streets, barely surviving since they arrived seventeen years ago, because of the celestial war crashing down on us. The overlords or demons as they are most commonly referred to, feast on humans and angels alike if desired. These angels are strong enough to destroy a human but play it safe with demons since the demons are ruthless on a bad day, quote on quote. Well, let's get back to my little incident in front of the store. Eventually, entering the store, I attempt to look for what I can afford. Us Humans do all the dirty work for these angels and demons to live comfortably while we get paid minimum wage, along with death on our hands. Conveniently, I found food and other necessities that can fit into my budget. Things nowadays... are so expensive. "That will be five dubloons or angelicas." the cashier said with an expressionless demeanor.
" Alright, give me one second." I reached into one of many pockets located on my jacket for my money. Currency is split depending on the item. The most needed objects will be both payments, angelic items are paid with angelicas, and demonic items are paid with dubloons. I paid her my dubloons, grabbed my items, and exited the store without a single word said. As I strolled down Cloud Street. As I turned into an alleyway, I noticed something peculiar happening out of the corner of my eye. My, my, my...

Neon lights make reflections off the drowned pavements, a long line that is filled with angels and demons alike, all looking for some fun at this new place. I move closer, trying not to draw too much attention to myself. I begin to read the largest bright pink sign that hangs above a red stained door, "The toxic cocktail?" My voice unsure of whether it is a bar, club or something way worse... I didn't want to find out until I was stopped by the shoulder, the hand gentle, but rather in a rush. I turn around... I'm facing the very last person I want to be anywhere near. "Didn't know you live in this quiet part of the city, although I think that peace has finally broken." a playful tone to his words, what you might expect from demons.
"What do you want from me! I didn't ask for your attention." angrily whispering my harsh words, not daring to let him see the fear in my eyes.
"Ohhh, I see you are a feisty one, I like those..."

"Do you really think I'm like the other idiotic humans who can easily fall for these tricks?!"

"Not with that attitude, no. I suppose that my charm doesn't work on people with anger issues, dearie."

I had enough of this, I attempted to storm off with a hardened expression in my eyes, but was caught by the wrist at the last second. I gasp slightly.
" Do you think that our little thing here is over?"
That gleam in his eyes tells me everything that could happen if I don't play along now, I'm in big trouble indeed.
"I-I uhhh... ummm..." I begin to blush slowly, unknowingly letting him get under my skin too easily with his words." I've got to run somewhere urgently, so if you could be so kind to... let me go?" I chuckle nervously, having a forced smile on my face.

"Hehe... You are funny, aren't you, cutie? " he whispered in a sultry voice. It fills my heart with utter dissatisfaction, even as he gently pulls me closer." But...I'll let you go for today."
After a long silence between us, he finally let me go,wincing as I felt the plush red ring on my left wrist. I was relieved at first, but my curiosity got the better of me... That glance made something flower between us. His hair was softly swaying in the light breeze with a bright auburn shine. His ever so slight grin has playfulness etched into it. for some reason or another, when I finally looked into his piercing eyes, I found a gentleness behind his emerald eyes...
Can it really be true, though?
Like leaving a daze, He finally walks away. He heads inside the place with a strange lingering wonder about him in my mind. Wait... what am I saying? I just hope I don't have to see him again. I ponder these thoughts as I hastily leave the alley towards my apartment building. I still can't shake the gut feeling that tells me I'll see him again...soon.