Chapter Forty-Two: Have You Passed Through This Night?:

Anna put her hand to chest. The dim room began to spin. She gulped and collapsed back onto the bed.

She awoke in a fog. Her body lay back on the bed in reality. She tried to touch her cheek, but a barrier kept her separate.

This is weird…

A song drew her attention into the emptiness. She didn’t feel alarm.

“Who’s there?”

She looked and saw an angelic-looking woman. Her dress bellowed out at the skirt as she glowed white. She stared at this woman.

“Who are you?”

I am your salvation.

“My salvation?”

Yes.

“Right…”

The “angel” held out her hand. Come with me.

She tilted her head. “Why?”

We don’t have much time. Come on. We have to go.

She stepped forward.

What the hell are you doing?! She froze and looked behind her. A pair of amber eyes glared at her. She turned her body to face them.

“I was just…”

What?

She rubbed the back of her head. “I don’t know honestly.”

Get back here! You don’t have time for this!

She began walking back to the eyes. The “angel” began singing again.

Come with me. Come with me to freedom.

She stood motionless. She couldn’t resist the song, but…

“Something’s holding me back.”

The angel chuckled as her temple twitched. Forget about that. Just come with me.

She shook her head. “I can’t.”

The angel looked confused. What do you mean?

She felt herself smiling without a smile. “Freedom doesn’t suit me, not your freedom.”

I don’t understand you.

“If I left now, I would leave quite a few people disappointed. I can’t have that.”

But…

“Sorry, I’ve got a husband and kid waiting for me. Goodbye.” She turned and walked to the eyes. The angel’s face resembled an oni mask as her glow faded away.

You! You’re turning me down? How dare you! The demonic angel clenched her fists. Nobody turns me down! Come back here!

She turned to see that fake angel sailing towards her, claws out.

“Oh… shit.”

Anna! You don’t have time! Let’s go!

A kitsune-like hand grabbed her and pulled her through. Claws scratched at back as she went back through.

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Anna awoke back in the room. Her breathing returned to normal. I’m back. But what happened to me? She looked over when she heard the door open. Tsuzuki stood in the doorway, panting.

“I’m back,” he said.