The Maid Who Stole a Life: The Transaction of Souls
At dusk, as I walked along the old cobblestone streets, I found myself pausing before a certain establishment. “Maid Café Rouge”—a place that had recently become the talk of the town. A sign leaned against the entrance: Today Only: New Craft Beer Now Serving.
“Maybe just one,” I muttered to myself, pushing the door open.
Inside, I was greeted by the orchestrated smiles of maids in uniform. I took a seat at the counter and waited. Soon, a maid approached, sliding a menu toward me with a practiced, elegant tilt of her head.
“Welcome home, Master. I highly recommend our newest brew today. Shall I bring you one?”
Intrigued by her suggestion, I nodded. “Sure, I’ll try it.”
“Certainly, Master. Just a moment.”
She glided away, returning shortly with a glass of amber liquid topped with a thick, creamy head. The aroma was rich and heady. “Here is our newest creation. Please, enjoy at your leisure.”
Reassured by her smile, I took a long draught. In that instant, a refreshing flavor exploded across my palate, followed immediately by a wave of heavy, unnatural intoxication that surged through my entire frame.
By the third sip, the world began to liquefy. My vision blurred into a smear of colors, and my consciousness began to drift from its moorings. My body felt leaden, sinking into the chair as if being dragged down into an abyss.
“A-Are you alright?”
The maid’s voice sounded miles away. I couldn’t even manage a whisper in response. Just before the darkness claimed me entirely, I caught a glimpse of her expression—the polite mask had slipped, replaced by a chilling, predatory smirk.
The Stolen Vessel: A Letter of Finality
When I regained consciousness, I was lying on a bed in an unfamiliar room. My mind was a fog; it took a Herculean effort just to sit up. I stumbled toward a mirror, and the reflection that met my gaze paralyzed me with horror.
It wasn’t me. It was the maid from the café.
“What… what is this…”
Even the voice that left my throat was hers—a soft, feminine lilt. Panic flared, and I scrambled out of the room, searching desperately for my original self, my original body. But it was nowhere to be found. Instead, I discovered a single envelope left in the corner of the room.
To My Master,
I have taken your body. Please forgive me. From this moment on, your life belongs to me.
— The Maid
Read the rest here 👇
コメント