"This is my house. Thank you for walking with me." I said softly.
"No problem," I just needed to make sure you got home safe."
His voice was calm, reassuring. It had been a long time since someone spoke to me with such kindness.
“You're so kind, mister. I don’t think I ever deserved the way you treated me tonight. I’m really grateful for everything,” I said, my eyes lowering to the small bag of snacks.
He chuckled. “It’s an honor for us gentlemen to treat women respectfully and kindly.”
I smiled. For a moment, it felt like I belonged in a world that didn’t hurt.
“Well… see you next time.” I turned toward the door, waving goodbye.
He nodded with a faint, almost bittersweet smile.
The man in the suit turned slowly and walked down the street, his cane tapping softly against the pavement.
That night, all he could offer her was ice cream and some processed food from the convenience store, giving her acts of compassion, for it would be the last.
However, for Camelia, it was a feast. Luxurious, even something to stretch across the week. She entered the house and his father was standing across the room.
"Where the fuck have you been?!" His voice reeked of alcohol.
"I—I went to the store… to buy your cigarettes and beer"
"You're fucking with me aren't you!"
The bottle flew before she could move.
Crash.
The glass shattered against her forehead. Helpless he then grabbed her by the throat, lifting her up against the wall.
"How could you do this to me? Why were you even born?"
"F-Father", I gasped.
"Don't call me that!" he said. "I'm not your fucking father. You're just some mistake left behind by that whore."
Then he let go.
She gasped, collapsing to the floor, hands crawling on the ground for breath. She barely noticed him dragging her by the wrist into the kitchen.
He reached for the drawer.
She bolted.
He lunged.
She tried to run
But then suddenly everything went dark.
By the morning, she was able to open her eyes, dizzy, light-headed, and disoriented.
It was 8:30 the school had already started.
"I need to meet her…"
She found her phone and stepped out the door walking straight to school while still clutching her side. No one looked at her or greeted her. She passed classrooms full of students, but not a single glance met her. No whispers, no greetings.
She sent a message to Roze.
"Where are you? Can you meet me right now? I need you."
No response.
She frowned and turned, heading for the one place she could think of.
The rooftop and there she went. The wind kissed her skin. The sky looked endless. Her mind swirled in confusion.
She felt so detached. So… empty.
Then she heard someone. A calm voice behind her.
"Finally. I’ve found you."
She turned.
The man in the suit approached slowly, cane tapping with every step.
"It’s you," she said. "What are you doing here?"
"To finish my job, of course."
"Do you… Work here?"
He smiled faintly. "No, silly. I’m ending it here."
"What do you mean?"
"You died, Camelia. The moment your father slammed your head against the kitchen tiles and stabbed you three times or maybe four, "your life ended Camelia Verman
Her face went pale. "That’s not true. I’m here. I’m walking, breathing. I can talk to you."
"You can feel, yes. But you're no longer alive in the world that matters."
She blinked, and suddenly it all returned.
The moment he let go of her.
The knife.
The blood.
The impact against her stomach
She remembered calling for help. She remembered trying to fight.
And she remembered losing consciousness.
"No" she murmured. "This can't be happening. I can’t be dead. I can’t"
The man in the suit stepped closer.
"I’m sorry for what happened to you. But I don't stop death. It's my job to make sure souls don’t stay in the world of the living."
"But you can see me right"
"I can see what’s alive... and what’s not."
Her legs gave out. She sat on the rooftop floor, staring at the sky. Then she closed her eyes and let the breeze pass through her skin.
"Maybe this isn’t so bad," she whispered. "My life was a living hell. Maybe death is the only way I get to feel free."
The man in the suit said nothing. But his hands clench.
She looked up at him.
"You know, mister... I didn’t know you long, but I'm grateful I met you, you were so kind and sweet, just like her. I think you two would get along quite well."
He didn’t respond. But his lips pressed into a line of quiet emotion.
"You deserved better," he said. "Despite everything, you smiled. You were real. You were good. If there is such a thing as a second chance... I hope you get it."
She smiled through her tears.
"Thank you," she whispered.
He reached out and pushed her gently.
She stepped back once
Then fell.
(Everything is intertwined)
She was there on the rooftop.
Her figure was caught in the fading light, as I ran toward the building. And then, without warning, she fell. A sickening thud echoed as her body hit the ground.
The world stopped.
No scream came from me. Just silence. Her arms sprawled outward, head tilted at an unnatural angle.
I rushed to her side, but I already knew it was too late.
Then I looked up, just for a moment, and that’s when I saw him.
The Man in the Suit.
He raised his cane, ready to bring it down in a final stomp. But he paused.
Because she was there.
A woman stood beside Camelia’s body, still as stone, eyes locked directly on him.
She could see me. Huhh
To be continued
Author note
(This story can also happen to anyone. I made this as an awareness for victims of abuse to showcase what it's like to live with violence.)
