# And I was the darkness... it was inside of me. It's growing inside of me. Everyone thought monsters are fictional characters, but for me monsters are among us. They wear pretty masks and hide themselves among us. When they find a perfect chance, they will devour you alive. That's when you will know the true color of the world is black. The eternal black will swallow you whole. Next thing you know, you are also part of it. You are one of them.

It was the worst day for me. The meaning of my life became useless because I questioned reality too much. It's pointless after all. I am so sorry, mother. I couldn't save you or fight for justice for you. I dropped my white lily s on her funeral. They soaked in the dark rain, the Lily's color slowly turning dark because dirt was also covering them. Twelve-year-old me looked at that lily with an emotionless face. My best friend held my shoulders tightly, sharing his umbrella with me. I looked at my dad; he looked like a heartbroken man. My uncle tried to console him. Then my mother's funeral ended successfully.

I borrowed my friend's umbrella and stayed for a few minutes. Everyone was leaving, even my dad. That day, my mother was murdered and raped in front of me. To protect her child, she was forced to kill herself in front of her child. I was forced to watch as the monsters devoured her alive. That day, I saw my colorful world corrupt into darkness. The monsters were satisfied because they thought they were safe. They didn't know about me. I was unable to cry and shout from that day onwards. I told the truth to my dad, but he told me to pretend to be blind. He didn't even listen. I saw those monsters at my mother's funeral. They were wearing very pretty masks to hide with it. I felt like puking. My heart was trembling with hate and disgust. So from that day onwards, I decided not to shed a single tear for her. From that day onwards, I abandoned my innocent face and began to wear pretty masks like them.

Everyone thought I forgot, but I didn't. That day, even if I die, I didn't forget. Slowly, slowly, I was becoming a monster. I didn't know that I was devouring those around me. Still, they thought that I was the pure child. I believed that too. I was pure. But the truth is, I was pretending to be pure. I was becoming the monster with fangs and an ugly face. But my mask was very beautiful; it had the power to deceive everyone around.

I thought my monster face was one-sided; it devoured the closest ones to my life. But I didn't know I was meant to devour more than that. The monster inside me had several faces, including one that was me. I am one of them after all.

POV- EVANGELINE HOPES

Objection, your honor! My client didn't commit this crime. This is fabricated evidence by the police, none other than framing my client. I have proof for that. On the night of the murder, my client wasn't here. He was in the hospital. His sick daughter had died. He was there. How could he have come here and killed this man? The officer had hatred towards my client long ago and used this case to frame my client. Your honor, please see the innocence of my client and seek justice for the victim. That's all. I submitted the evidence to the court.

I came back to my seat and looked at my nervous client. He had teary eyes. Opposite me, I saw officers who were panicking. My senior advocate was staring at me with anger, but I ignored him. No matter what, I will win this case. I confidently sat down. The honorable judge was writing down the final decision. Then soon he proclaimed that, "It seems that corrupted officers used this case to frame someone's innocence, which has caused so many troubles. As for the victim, it is proved that he has a strong alibi. That's the reason the court realised that Mr. Hacker is innocent. For the corruption and fabricated evidence, these officers must face action against them. At the same time, the murder case of Ms. Cain has to be solved. The court orders the capable officers in the police department for investigation. Court dismissed.

Phew, that was so close, I sigh. Then I walk towards Mr. Hacker. I hold his hands. Suddenly, he burst into tears. "Thank you... thank you... Miss Hope," he said while crying. I didn't utter a single word because I knew the truth. This guy had lost his own daughter and was almost framed by his friend who had hatred. He didn't get the chance to attend the funeral of his own daughter. I hugged him tightly and said, "It's okay." He reminded me of my uncle. He offered me a fee, but I refused it. I sent him off peacefully.

Hey, black devil... I heard someone calling me. It was my nickname after all. I saw my senior advocate, Mr. Albino. He was burning with anger. "Don't think too highly of yourself. I told you not to accept that client. You do exactly what I didn't."

"I am really sorry, senior. I can't help you with your selfish requests."

"You..." He was about to say something when suddenly we were both interrupted by someone.

"Do you have any problem, Mr. Albino?" he asked.

It was none other than my boss, Mr. Bill Abraham. He is a famous lawyer like me and a close friend of mine. I saw the superiority of my boss. Mr. Albino began to sweat, then he slowly retreated.

"Thank you, boss," I smiled at him.

He gave me an angry stare and walked away.

"Oh, shoot, I made him angry too. What should I do?" I had a confused look. Suddenly, I heard someone chuckle behind me. I looked at that person. My eyes widened with surprise.

Wow, Black Devil, today you are in the spotlight. That's why he is angry with you, he told me mischievously.

"I don't think so," I told him harshly.

"Okay, think as you want. I am leaving. Otherwise, I don't want to end up like you, Black Witch."

"I am not a witch," I shouted at him. He ignored me and walked away. "Damn," I thought. Let me introduce him. His name is Odin Smith, one of the famous criminal lawyers. My boss, Bill Abraham, is a famous judge. This Odin guy is one of my rivals from my law academy. We are both criminal lawyers, which is making us rivals.

"What a day," I thought. I walked towards my office. Tomorrow, I have to attend the press meet for solving a trending case. I entered my cabin and took a peek at my nameplate.

ADV. EVANGELINE HOPES

# My other name is the Black Devil.

🔥 To be continued....

POV- EVANGELINE HOPES

As I entered the cabin, I took a peek at my nameplate:

ADV. EVANGELINE HOPES

# My other name is the Black Devil.

It's used by the media people. Of course, I always won my cases; I never failed. I only took the cases which have the right justice. Being a criminal lawyer is a difficult one, but I love this job. My mother, Eivin Hopes, is a famous lawyer in her time. After her death, I followed it as a passion. My father, Edward Hopes, is a civil servant. However, my hobby is winning the complicated cases. I know my seniors didn't like that because I always reject their recommendations. That's the same thing that happened here. Oh God, what should I do? In the office, everyone here is under their own judges. For us, our supervisor head is Bill Abraham. I am a member of his group. All night, we will gather at the restaurant to have our dinner there because most of us are bachelors.

My boss is going to kill me tonight. That dark raven (Odin) is going to tease me to death too, I thought.

While I was planning to skip tonight's dinner, someone hugged me tightly.

"Congrats, Eva!" she wished me with full of enthusiasm. This cute girl is also an office worker in our gang, her name is Tiara Catharine. She is a friend of mine here.

"Oh my, I am so proud of you, Eva," she shook my hands very strongly. Then we had a conversation like this,

"Silly, it's just a piece of cake," I replied to her.

"Well, Tiara, I am planning to skip tonight's dinner."

"Huh? Why, Eva? Don't tell me you are scared of the dark raven."

"Nah, who gives a damn to him? I was scared about your crush!"

"What??? Don't say that loudly. People will hear you."

She covered my mouth. Of course, this cutie had a crush on our boss. He is a hot guy. She has eyes on him. But it's one-sided. I giggled.

Suddenly, my phone rang. I took a look at my screen.

"Oh my, your hubby is calling," Tiara teased me.

"Hush!" I told her with my blushed face.

The screen showed the name of the man I had fallen in love with for years.

# His name is Zeraf Colin.

When I was about to attend the call, it hung up.

"Damn," I cursed. I heard giggles from Tiara.

"Hey, Tia, we had a bet, remember?"

"Oh yeah, I remember. The loser has to confess first to their crush."

"I guess it's your turn, Tia."

"What??? Oh no... Not again," she pouted.

"This is not fair," she shouted at me.

I giggled at her. Of course, she thought I was going to lose and made a bet. I won today. I giggled. Suddenly, she smirked at me. "Oh no, somebody decided to ditch the dinner."

I stopped my giggling. "Damn, I forgot that too."

Suddenly, a message popped up on my phone. It was like this:

# "Zeraf my love - hey, I was planning to eat out. Dad was busy today. Let's have dinner today at your home."

"Ok," I texted to him.

"Stop blushing, Eva. Finally, a chance to have a candlelight dinner together," Tiara teased me.

"Nah, my dad is there. So no chance."

"You are boring, Eva," she told me.

I laughed at her comment. And for today, we had our own plans. When the busy metro city slowly began to sink into the night, everyone got ready to go to the restaurant. They came to my cabin.

"Sorry, guys, I have plans tonight," I told them.

I saw Bill and Tiara there. It was like Tiara explained the matter. Odin just smirked at me. I ignored him. Suddenly, a white BMW car stopped in front of me. I saw everyone staring at the car, mostly I saw the handsome driver.

"Get in," his alluring voice reached me. I opened the door and sat beside him.

"Your seat belts."

He told me, "Oh yes, I fixed it. Let's go." I told him to drive the car faster. I took a peek at him. He is handsome as always, damn, I thought. meet Dr. Zeraf Colin, my childhood friend. Our families have been staying together since childhood. His birth mother died when he was born, so my mother took care of him and me. His father is a famous psychologist, while he is a famous psychiatrist. He was too focused on driving. I feel so sleepy for no reason, I take a nap...

## Huff...Huff....

Eva...Eva.... Stay there, don't go anywhere, don't make a noise, they will see you......

Mom....I am scared..... please don't leave me....

Suddenly, I saw a shadow .... A shadow of the monster.

🔥 To be continued.....