THE COMPATIBLE: The Opening Chapter, Part I

She lied ashen on the cold, stony floor of the stinking, dark, six by six feet store, waiting expectantly with every passing second to hold her last breath and she be spared of the constant barbarous assaults forever. Her limbs had long back refused to obey. It was as if she was a sack of heart beats and feeble shallow breaths. Every part of her body hurt and blood freely flowed from several cuts on her cracked skin. She looked dryly at the only window high up in one of the walls waiting to see how freedom was like for her. There was a hint of darkness in the sky. Its twilight!

Soon he’ll be here. She shivered at the thought. Her subconsciousness squirmed and desperately urged her to run for life, but how? She couldn't move. Her breaths fought with her lungs to release audible sobs. Outside, the weather turned ferocious and the thunderstorm as if warned her of the arrival of the apocalypse. She shook in fear when a stray branch tapped rhythmically on the window pane. It was the only sound she’d heard in a long time, except those hideous grunting moans and abuses that the monster threw on her every time.

‘I want to go home.’ She sobbed in helplessness. ‘End this torture! Please, end me!’ She pleaded inwardly.

The floor vibrated with the declaration of his approaching steps. No! He’s here! She curled her body holding her broken self together as if this could hide her for the moment. Her heart accelerated painfully and she shook in terror.

A hand lifted her gently and caressed her sweat smeared face.

“Open your eyes, love. You're having a bad dream.” He whispered in his velvet, melodious voice. She felt a wave of relief and security right then... Dave! She opened her eyes and in her dimly lit cosy bedroom, she felt him kiss her gently. “Don’t be afraid, you are safe with me.” He whispered lovingly in her ears.

She felt calmer and miraculously her body relaxed. She rested her face on his chest and sighed in relief. His lips pressed on her hair and he spoke, “Happy birthday, Sophie!”

 Sophie’s 19^th birthday marked the beginning of a turning point in her life. The orders were released from the heaven to enlighten Dave, her angel and protector about the course her life was about to take. At the hour of midnight while she slept soundly on her bed with her angel holding her hand, a flash of lightning burst outside the window of her room. Dave stood up right away. He knew that there was a visitor to see him from above. The light broke into the room with a wild flash and moulded into the shape of a tall man, as tall as Dave, but more luminous and stronger too.