Chapter 1: A day off

I finally had a day of my own. Finding the book for my client had been almost too easy, and she was overjoyed to finally hold it in her hands. Considering the high bonus i received it must have been like christmas to her, and i already had plans to put the money to a good use.

The only thing which hindered me to wear an especially wide smile was the typical english summer. It simply rained cats and dogs, although even this was an understatement regarding the downpour. I had considered using a taxi, but the subway was nearby, and i intended to take a bath in my hotel instead of the cold shower on the streets waiting for it.

Luckily i didn't have to wait long within the crowd. I boarded and carefully made my way to the end of the compartment. For today i had only two appointments, one with Mike, who is my trainer in Karate, and the last one with myself. Last time Mike got me with an, in my opinion, unfair trick, but if all works out it will be his turn to go down... ah, sweet revenge... and then a wild shopping-spree. This day will just be perfect.

The screeching stop of the train interrupted my daydreaming.

"Ladies and Gentleman. We are sorry for this delay, but we have minor troubles with the electric systems. We will conti...“ Suddenly the speakers and lights went dead.

"Stay calm. It's just a powershortage, it can happen sometimes in these old tunnels.“ The calming voice in the dark went silent, but the shuffling feet and murmurs, which had started as soon as the light went out, stopped.

Sure what else could it have been? But why did i have this gutfeeling that something was terribly wrong? As i noticed a shimmer at the wall i turned around to take a look.

"The lights are coming back, everything will...“ i stopped, these weren't the lights – there was a wall of fire racing towards us "Fire... There's a fire coming!“

For a second there was absolute silence, then the panic started. Everyone was screaming and tried to get to the doors. Some people fell and were trampled by the ones behind them. Everyone ran, everyone except me... i simply couldn't move... the only thing i was able to do, was to look at the oncoming fire. Soon the heat and the stench of sulphur were almost unbearable, and still i wasn't able to move... There was something moving in the fire... something big... something that radiated hate against all living beings...

"Miss...“ the touch of a hand on my shoulder ended my nightmare "Miss, are you alright?“

"Yes, thank you. I just had a nightmare“ i answered the stewardess which looked at me.

"We will be landing in London in around 45 minutes. Do you need anything?“

"Yes, i'd like to have a scotch – single malt, no water, no ice.“ I rarely drink alcohol, but this nightmare had been so real... and the sixth repetition in a row. Everyday the same dream... each one longer and more realistic than the night before... i badly needed a drink.