Chapter 1: Prologue

Finally Free, I let out a relived sigh as I walk sluggishly. My feet hurt from a long day of work and my head is pounding relentlessly from the constant noise and chatter of the hospital as I make my way to the parking lot. I’m so tired.

Didn’t help that I had to work overtime AGAIN! I grit my teeth. I get that ever since Covid hit we are understaffed, but working 12 hours in layered soul sucking masks and sweaty overalls is absolutely insane!

I stomp my foot furiously, remembering davids annoying know-it-all voice, ‘It’s so you don’t catch Covid'. I huff in annoyance as I get in the car.

I sigh, absent-mindedly driving the car as my mind is still on my work. The job is not all bad, at least I’m doing good. I think about all the patients I helped today. There was the young boy with leukemia who had just been admitted, the elderly man who had suffered a heart attack and the mother who had just given birth.

I’ve done my best to comfort and care for them all, but the constant demands of the job left me feeling drained. Having to deal with an understaffed unit and taking care of multiple patients on my own is just too stressful. I barely had any time to eat some food let alone use the restroom.

I reflect on how much I love being a nurse and helping others, but I can't help but feel a sense of burnout. I wish that there was more support for me and my colleagues, that I could have more control over my workload.

At least I won’t have to go back tomorrow. Not working on weekends means I get to have some time to myself at last. The thought of finally finishing the fantasy novel I had been binge reading the last 2 days excites me, my mind grasping at the comfort after a hard day of work.

With a slight smile I forget about the worries clouding my mind as I arrive at the parking lot near my apartment. Turning off the ignition, I eagerly step out of the car, remembering to take my bag this time. I wonder what’s for dinner? I think to myself as my belly starts rumbling.

I make my way to the apartment, shivering due to the freezing cold. Looking around, I notice that the surroundings are exceptionally dark. The light of the lamp posts are already turned off. Weird, they shouldn’t be turned off at this time. Perhaps some electrical issue?

As I walk down the lightless street, I can't help but feel a sense of fear creeping up on me. The shadows seem to stretch and loom. I try to tell myself that there's nothing to be afraid of, but my mind keeps conjuring up images of lurking dangers.

I can't shake the feeling that there's something watching me, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. Every rustle of leaves or scuttle of a rodent makes my heart race. I try to keep my head down and focus on the path to my apartment, but the shadows seem to be closing in on me. I try to keep a steady pace, but my heart is pounding and my hands are clammy. I just want to make it to my apartment safely.

Getting the irrational fear that something is following me, I quicken my pace, speed walking as fast as I can go. I tell myself it's just my imagination, but I can't shake off the feeling of unease.

As I turn the corner, I hear quick steps, followed by a hand clamping down on my mouth, and a strong arm wrapping around my waist and arms. I try my hardest to struggle my way out of his grasp, flailing with my body and even kicking him in his shin. His grip doesn’t budge so I scream, but the sound is muffled. Struggling fruitlessly, I realize with a sickening feeling that this is it. This is how I'm going to die.

“You’re the first.” the monster whispers fervently in my ear.

Suddenly, I feel the cold metal of the knife as it pierces the neck of my skin. The pain is sharp and intense, like a hot poker pressed against my flesh. I can feel the warm rush of my own blood as it flows like a broken dam, painting my clothes crimson red. I try to scream, but only a gurgle comes out as I suffocate on my own blood. My thoughts are jumbled and disoriented. I can't believe this is happening. I try flailing one last time against his grip, but I have no strength.

The monster lets go of me and I fall on the cold sidewalk. I try to put pressure on the wound but my arms don't listen. As the cold seeps in my body, I get a look at the bloodied face of my murderer. He kneels on the ground beside my face and caresses my face with glee and fascination. I look past him into the starry sky, tears dripping off my eyes.

Feeling my consciousness slipping away, I can’t believe this is how it ends. I think of my family, my friends, and all the things I'll never get to do. I try to hold on, but the darkness is too strong. I can feel my body going limp and my mind drifting away.

You are reading story Rising from the Ashes [A Dark Reincarnation Fantasy] at novel35.com

You can find story with these keywords: Rising from the Ashes [A Dark Reincarnation Fantasy], Read Rising from the Ashes [A Dark Reincarnation Fantasy], Rising from the Ashes [A Dark Reincarnation Fantasy] novel, Rising from the Ashes [A Dark Reincarnation Fantasy] book, Rising from the Ashes [A Dark Reincarnation Fantasy] story, Rising from the Ashes [A Dark Reincarnation Fantasy] full, Rising from the Ashes [A Dark Reincarnation Fantasy] Latest Chapter