Transformation

As I ran into the street, I almost ran into a speeding car. The driver looked out the window and started yelling. However, I was too focused on my journey to teach him any manners. When I finally reached the large hall, I saw the entrance to the underground garage. I jumped over the closed gate and entered. It was getting dark, and the parking lot was eerily dark. At the entrance to the hall were several cars, illuminated by flashing lights. I stood behind a column and looked around the garage, which was sinking deeper into darkness with each passing moment. I knew they were somewhere there, but I preferred to wait until it was completely dark. After a short while, I noticed the twinkle of a car's headlights from the darkest corner of the garage. I headed in that direction, and when I got relatively close, I hid behind the column again and listened. It wasn't long before a light came on where I was standing. I emerged from behind the column and saw a black car I knew well. Three people were standing in front of it.

"You've been keeping me waiting for a long time," said a bald man in a suit.

To his right stood a tall, well-built man. I couldn't see his face, but judging by his silhouette, I guessed it was the security guard I knew well. To my left, I noticed a young woman I hadn't seen before. Her glossy black hair fell over her face, effectively concealing it. I walked slowly toward them.

"One last time and it'll be over," I said to myself. After all, the nightly meetings with my 'friends' filled me with dread.

I approached, and that's when I noticed a shadow lurking behind my interlocutors. I hesitated for a moment, but I approached them, never taking my eyes off the mysterious shadow. The woman quickly turned and looked at him, then turned to me, regarding me with her cold emerald eyes.

"Do you have the money?" I asked, turning my gaze to the bald man.

"Of course I do." The security guard handed his boss a briefcase.

As he tried to open it, I approached and examined the girl. Her cold gaze was cast downward, her thin face expressionless. She seemed lost in thought, as if waiting for something. As the briefcase opened, a dull sound echoed from the darkness. The security guard drew his gun. I instinctively reached into my coat pocket where I kept my revolver, but the security guard disappeared into the darkness. We all stood in silence, waiting for him to return. Time passed, and finally, several shots rang out. The flash of a pistol briefly revealed two men struggling. A terrifying scream echoed through the garage. My bald partner must have recognized his bodyguard, because he hastily closed the briefcase, threw it at me, and snatched my briefcase from me. I stood there, watching all this in stunned silence. The tough, composed man I'd been doing business with for a year was struggling with the door handle of his car, letting out strange groans. Suddenly, the girl grabbed him and bit him on the neck. Seeing the blood gushing out, I panicked and started running. Only then did I realize that for that brief moment the garage had been completely dark. Running blindly, I hit a pillar. I began to lose consciousness.

When I opened my eyes, I couldn't see anything; in the distance, I saw several illuminated cars. I didn't know how long I'd been unconscious or if the beautiful stranger had managed to leave. Finally, listening to the silence, I heard a strange smacking sound. Someone was speaking in some language I didn't know. I started crawling toward the exit. I hadn't even made it a few meters when I felt a boot on my back, pressing me to the ground. I couldn't see anything, but I knew it was her; I could smell her faint yet alluring scent. I surreptitiously reached into my pocket and felt for the revolver inside. I had to be quick, I tripped the girl and quickly aimed at her. I couldn't see her, but I knew roughly where she'd fallen, or so I thought. I stood there for a moment, trying to hear her movement, when suddenly I felt her cool touch on my neck. She was strong, pushing me against a pillar, the revolver slipping from my hand and flying in an undetermined direction. I felt her breath on my face, knowing she wanted to kill me, but all I could think was that I wanted to kiss her. She didn't give me time. I felt a sharp pain in my neck and a rush of heat. I didn't know what she was doing to me, but it only meant one thing: my death was coming. I began to lose consciousness, and my legs buckled beneath me. I thought I could still hear her faint whisper.

I don't know how much time had passed; when I woke up, the garage was still dark, but it wasn't the same. I felt better than ever, I reached the exit gate and jumped through it with incredible ease. Seeing the moonlight, I remembered what she had said to me.

- Life is death, but not for you, you will be born again to find your way, adept...