ENDLESS

Behind locked doors, she cried for help-her mother, God, and finally the devil; it didn't matter who would answer. In hat brief moment, when a breath lasts like eternity and a second stretches into a year, she decided she would accept the first help offered to her, even if it came from the devil himself

And he truly came-the devil in person, appearing right before Sofia's eyes. As she firmly promised her soul in exchange for freedom, and as he had no better business to attend to, he agreed to the bargain. Inside Sofia's head, everything thundered; the world spun in the opposite direction, and the sea within her soul began to stir, announcing the coming storm.

In those minutes, she fought with herself, with an imaginary devil, a locked doorknob, and the pain tearing her body apart. She fought for herself, unaware that this battle was doomed to be lost.

The devil won. He personally-gently comforting her-offered her a glass from which she drank. She could have sworn the devil was not supposed to look like this; he should have been red, with horns, a tail, and a wicked grin. Instead, Sofia's devil was exceptionally handsome. Charming and smooth-talking, every word he spoke was exactly what she wanted to hear. He promised peace, calm, and awakening in a more beautiful place, beside the man she loved.

Exhausted, she did not hesitate for long. She swallowed the pills, and then, with courtesy and respect, he brought the glass to her cracked lips. Sofia took a few sips of the fragrant drink and washed the pills down with alcohol. She settled in comfortably, waiting for that charming gentleman to arrange everything, so that-like magic-she might appear exactly where she wished to be.

She had sold her soul to the devil in exchange for the love of her life, and she knew he would come to collect sooner or later-but she didn't care. She had bought herself a little time and hoped it would be enough to live through a bit more happiness, just enough to say "I love you" once more to the man she loved.

She was mistaken.

The gentleman Devil wanted his promised soul immediately. It was like hell itself-cruel, though thankfully brief. Treacherous as he was, he sneered and grinned, sparks flashing from his eyes as his face twisted into countless shapes. All the beauty he had radiated just moments before vanished-he revealed his true form. He was ugly, filthy, and vile.

The unbearable pain and the feeling that her insides were tearing apart lasted only a short while. Everything ended within minutes, and Sofia found herself in an unfamiliar place.

The place was calm, silent, and surprisingly soothing.

They say that when you die, before your sins are read aloud and a decision is made at the Final Judgment-whether you belong to heaven or hell-you are sent here, to limbo. You may find yourself in this place for one of two reasons: while awaiting your verdict, or because neither your good nor your bad deeds outweigh the other, and so you are simply left here in nothingness-neither good enough for heaven, nor bad enough for hell.

Sofia wondered which of these reasons had brought her to limbo. She assumed she was merely waiting for the train to hell-she had knowingly taken her own life, made a bargain with the devil, and thus belonged to him-and she calmly waited to board the one-way train.

Though she was aware she had been deceived, it was of no use to her. When you make deals with the devil, you must understand they last only as long as it suits him. He works solely for his own benefit and does not hesitate to break his promises. In the end, he is only the devil-from him, you can expect everything and nothing.

Sofia waited and waited. A ghostly silence hovered around her. She feared the sound of her own breathing; it carried an unusual tone and produced a dreadful, tearing echo. She tried to breathe as little as possible to preserve her sanity. She thought that she was dead anyway-whether she breathed or not-and that brought a faint smile to her face.

In the distance, she heard the murmur of water. Not far from her, she saw a river flowing, while she sat on grass as soft as the finest carpet. She stroked it with her palm-it was dense, each blade sharply trimmed, as if it never grew but always remained exactly as it was.

"Does winter ever come here? " she wondered foolishly. Even in adulthood, her childlike mind was still lively; she couldn't restrain it, and she smiled silently.

At that moment, she wished to feel the softness of that perfect grass with her entire body, drawn in by its scent, its tenderness, and its vivid green color. She stretched out and pressed her cheek against the grass. Facing the clear river, she observed the beautiful landscape in all its natural splendor as it extended endlessly before her.

Slowly-very slowly-she drifted into a sleep from which waking would not please her at all.