Veil of power

 

By Alexandra Okere

 

CHAPTER 1

 

Waking Up in Chaos

 

 

She couldn't remember how she got there as her eyes flickered open, the first thing Lila noticed was the distinct smell of mildew—like the universe had decided to trap her in a damp sock. She blinked against the harsh, flickering light, trying to make sense of her surroundings. A dingy motel room, a bed that looked like it had seen far better days, and, oh yeah, blood on her hands.

 

“What the—,” she muttered, trying to wipe it off with her sleeve. That only spread the mess.

 

Her head throbbed with a migraine that felt like a marching band was practicing inside her skull. The more she tried to remember what happened, the more her brain protested like a toddler denied candy. What the heck was going on?

 

She swung her legs over the side of the bed and realized she was wearing a pair of jeans that definitely didn’t belong to her. “I’ve really hit rock bottom if I’m stealing pants,” she groaned, rubbing her temples, the cold metallic feel of the ring on her thumb made her feel worse.

 

 

Her toes brushed on something hard and she jumped upon seeing the lifeless body. The body seemed strangely familiar to her.

 

 

Her fingers pressed on a crumpled note on the bed behind her. She unfolded it, squinting at the scribbled words that looked hastily written: “Trust no one.”

 

“Sure, that sounds like a solid plan. Because this day couldn’t get any worse.”

 

Suddenly, a wail of police sirens echoed outside, slicing through her thoughts like a knife through butter. Panic kicked in as she shot to her feet, heart racing.

 

Her instincts screamed at her to escape, but where could she go? Her mind was racing.

 

Another siren blared, closer this time. Abruptly, desperation set in. “I need to hide”

 

The bathroom was cramped and filthy, but Lila hardly noticed. She stumbled over a small rug that was suspiciously sticky, and her heart sank as she caught sight of the mirror. Dust coated its surface, but something stood out starkly against the grime.

 

“REMEMBER, MAKE SURE YOU REMEMBER!”

 

Her breath caught in her throat as she staggered back. A rush of memories flooded her mind, fragments of a fight, flashing lights, and a face—someone she couldn’t quite recognize. A voice in her head yelled, “This is not good!”

 

She rubbed her temples harder, the migraine intensifying. Lila’s vision blurred as memories danced just out of reach. She could almost see herself in a different life—something dark and twisted.

 

A flicker of light made her head spin, and she felt the pull of something, a strange energy coiling around her.

 

The sirens grew louder, and panic surged through her veins, different voices talking at the same time, and a constant ringing sound vibrated through her mind, Lila felt like her brain was literally going to explode.

 

And then—*whoosh!*—everything shifted. The world spun, colors blending together in a whirlpool of chaos.

 

Suddenly, Lila landed hard on a wooden floor, gasping. She blinked, trying to shake off the vertigo, and looked around.

 

She was in a bar. A crowded bar. And drenched in blood.

 

“What the—?” she stammered, heart racing. The patrons around her turned to stare, their expressions a mix of shock and intrigue.

 

“Hey, buddy!” one guy—who looked obviously drunk yelled from across the room, raising his drink. “Nice look! You trying out for a horror movie or something?”

 

Lila’s stomach dropped. In that moment, Lila realized she had no idea what was happening. No memory, no clarity—just blood, chaos, and a growing sense that her life had just taken a turn into the bizarre.

 

And somehow, she was in deeper trouble than she ever imagined.