No Escape From Fate

Once I finally made it home, I peeled off my soaked clothes and shoes with relief. I had no energy and no mood for anything, but I had to eat, so I dragged myself straight to the kitchen. While reheating some pilaf, I saw Anton's name flash on the screen.

"Iza, kitten, I wanted to come over tonight, but it probably won't work out," my boyfriend says with frustration. "The rain's pouring like crazy, and I've got a pile of work I brought home. If I can manage, I'll drop by. But it's probably better if you don't wait up-just get some rest. We'll see each other tomorrow and spend the day together."

"Alright," I sigh, taking the plate out of the microwave. "I'm already about to collapse myself," I admit. "Don't overwork yourself. Kisses."

Honestly, it's a good thing we don't live together. We each have our own space, even though we exchanged apartment keys long ago and can easily wander between our homes.

After a quick dinner, I head to the shower and then straight to bed. This piece of furniture-I absolutely adore. I miss it when I'm away and daydream about it. Household chores can wait until tomorrow; tonight, I can let myself relax.

To distract myself from the day's fuss and the monotony of my life, I grab my phone and open one of my favorite reading apps.

Now this is where things get interesting! Where the characters truly live life to the fullest-love and hate, passion and contempt, friendship and rivalry, loyalty and betrayal, scandals, intrigue, investigations!

It's while reading books that I truly experience all these emotions-as if I'm living them myself. I worry about the characters, empathize with them, and want them to be happy... and as for the villains-I wish them fair and, let's be honest, brutally deserved punishment! No matter how you put it, when scoundrels get what's coming to them, it's like a weight lifts off my soul.

And the passion they describe in books-my goodness! It makes me want to climb right onto Antoshka and ravish his... potato. Well, alright, not a potato-more like a respectable-sized banana-but still... I just wish he'd use it more often and more actively, you know?

And today, another love scene is supposed to be published by one of my favorite authors, so... I make myself comfortable.

But when I open the app and go to the book I'm interested in, I'm met with unexpected disappointment. My monthly reading subscription has expired. I let out a frustrated sigh and am about to close the device when a bright pop-up window appears.

"Special offer of the day! Want to dive into the fantastic world of your favorite characters? Renew your subscription for..."

My eyes widen when I see a very pleasant price-three times cheaper than what I usually pay. Now that's not bad at all! What an offer-time to save some money. A small thing, but it's nice!

Without thinking too long, I press the active button, and it takes me to my bank's page, where I confirm the payment. The familiar notification sound on my phone tells me the transaction was successful.

Just in case, I restart the app and go back into the book... but it's still locked, same as before.

Oh, for crying out loud! Bastards! They took my money and gave me nothing in return! This day is just one big disappointment.

After fifteen minutes of fuming and constantly refreshing the app, I finally accept the bitter truth: without a sucker, life is dull. Tossing my phone aside in frustration, I drag myself to the bathroom before bed. After taking care of business, I wash my hands-when suddenly, the light in the bathroom goes out.

Perfect! Another blackout!

I try to feel my way along the wall, but to my surprise, I can't find it-not just where it used to be, but anywhere at all. A step, another step... and still nothing!

By my rough calculations, I should already be in the kitchen, yet I can't even reach a wall. Looking more closely, I notice a faint light ahead.

What the hell?!

I still have about twenty meters to go before reaching the light. I'm in complete daze-this is definitely not my bathroom anymore!

There's no other way but forward, toward the light. And the closer I get, the more clearly I realize I'm in some kind of cave or tunnel, heading toward the exit.

Ahead, I feel a fresh breeze and even hear the loud singing of some birds.

My eyes widen to saucer size when I step out of the cave and find myself on a small ledge on a cliff, covered with winding trees and bushes. Looking back, I'm shocked all over again-behind me is a small grotto, barely three meters deep into the rock!

No. That's not right. THAAAT'S not right! What the hell is going on?! How did I climb out of a rock? And most importantly-HOW DO I GET BACK?!