#demon!me

It must have been past midnight when you heard the knock on your door again. Now usually you would be more cautious at night, but this had been going on for the last hour. At this point, you're pissed. Against better judgement, you throw open your door to finally confront whoever has been pranking you… only to see nobody there. You peer both directions and find your building corridor completely void of any sign of life. But something catches your eyes.

You notice a small package in front of your door. It's a little black box, the kind that jewelry comes in, with your name on a card attached to it. They say curiosity killed the cat, and speaking of cats, you didn't want yours to escape into the hallway. So you quickly retrieve the box and return into your apartment.

You forcefully yank the card off and flip it over. On it is a short message written in a language you couldn't read… possibly Sanskrit-based, you'll have to investigate later. Turning your attention to the mysterious box, you anxiously remove the top cover. 

Inside you find a beautiful dark gemstone, likely a type of opal. You pick it up for closer inspection, revealing its intricate inner colours that glimmer under your dim lights. It pulls you in with its ever-changing, endless depth, like gazing into a kaleidoscope.

You decide to set it down by your window sill, next to your other gemstones. The moment it is illuminated by moonlight, the opal begins glowing red. You lean in closer in confusion but suddenly find yourself thrown back in an explosion of light. 

After the initial shockwave dissipates and your vision begins to return, you look up in horror. There is a man in your apartment. Or at least… what you think is a man, except this one has black feathered wings. He moves his head side-to-side, stretching in a sigh of relief, "Finally." 

Your focus is drawn to the thick collar wrapped around his neck, then shifts to the chain attached to the front of it,  draping down his muscular chest… and abs… and why is he wearing a loin cloth? Also where are the rest of his clothes?

"Who the fuck are you?!" you muster up, trying to hide the fear (and other feeling) in your voice. Now your eyes meet for the first time; his are bloodshot, with dark rings surrounding them, as though he hasn't slept in years. Despite his beaten and exhausted appearance, there is something terrifying behind his gaze. 

He smirks and starts adjusting the chain that leads from his collar to his bound wrists. “I’m your guardian angel,” he responds in a melodic yet mocking tone and steps towards you. “Now be a good girl and unchain me.”