She silently watched the souls imprisoned in the cell she had created—sitting down, indifferent, yet filled with wrath. Her head was held high, her heart still burning with the sting of betrayal.
Draped in mourning clothes, Leah felt a twisted satisfaction in her outfit. It mirrored her grief, her rage. She had been visiting the human world, silently observing the lives of those she had once loved.
"Felicia," she whispered.
The soul barely moved, struggling to stand. The hatred etched on Felicia's face was evident, but she managed a slow, bitter smile.
"Are you asking your grandchildren for help?" Leah asked, amused.
"You don't care," Felicia spat, straining against her invisible bonds.
Leah chuckled softly. "Just let me know if you are. I'd like to prepare myself—after all, it's quite embarrassing when people peek into my life."
She smiled wider, sarcastically. "It's amusing to be the villain in their story, Felicia."
Felicia glared, understanding too well what Leah was plotting. What soul would want to linger here, in this suffocating darkness, with her?
"Let us go, Leah. If it's wealth you're after, I'll give it to you," came Manuel's voice.
"Manuel, Manuel, my dear Manuel," Leah mocked, transforming her appearance—now wearing a white dress, her features softer.
"I'll let you go," she said innocently, searching around. "I won't find peace here either. Let's help each other. Because, in truth, I still love you."
She opened the cell slowly. The curtain rose—it was no accident. Leah knew exactly how to provoke the thoughts of those she interacted with. Then she vanished.
"Manuel, let's go," Angely whispered.
"Leah is playing with us again," Felicia muttered.
"If you want to stay, then stay," Manuel snapped. "You're the reason Leah is still here."
"What? You're blaming me? If you hadn't cheated—if you hadn't been a womanizer—I wouldn't have been dragged into this mess!" Felicia shot back.
Leah listened from the shadows, laughter bubbling beneath her breath. Her presence remained hidden, the air unnaturally light. She could conjure illusions—desires made real.
"Alright, follow the light," her voice whispered on the wind.
"Stop arguing; we'll finally find peace," Angely said, smiling. Felicia, despite her hesitance, rose—swayed by the illusion and the atmosphere.
They stepped toward the light. Leah laughed quietly, watching.
She twisted their minds further, stirring emotion and confusion.
"You won't escape!" Her angry voice shattered the illusion.
Two versions of Leah emerged: the kind one, and the twisted one.
The false calm dissolved, replaced by creeping darkness.
"Just leave them alone," the gentler Leah pleaded.
"Have you forgotten what they did to us?" the darker Leah hissed, eyes blazing.
"We need to forgive," the kind version whispered.
"Go on. Follow the light," she smiled sweetly.
They stepped into it.
"We'll meet there, Leah. Thank you," Angely said.
"You've set us free," Manuel added.
Then, bitterness.
"You're still the same foolish girl," he said, shaking his head.
"You still believe too easily. You never learn," Angely added.
Leah watched silently.
They don't know I'm just playing.
The illusion faded. Darkness swallowed everything once again.
"Leah! Why are we here again?!" Angely's voice rang out, furious.
"I—I'm sorry," the kind Leah sobbed.
The mourning gown shifted, replaced by something darker. Leah laughed—wild, full-throated laughter.
"Really? You believed that?"
Leah clutched her stomach from laughing too hard.
"Leah!" Manuel shouted, slamming his fists against the barrier, face red with rage.
"You didn't use your brains. It was too easy to manipulate you," she mocked.
"How does it feel to be tricked by me? Satisfying, isn't it?" she asked, smirking.
They glared at her.
"We'll take you to hell, Leah," Felicia said.
Leah grinned. "You're already in hell—my hell."
"We'll get back at you," Manuel threatened.
"Really? Let me have my revenge first. You're the reason I can't rest."
"You won't succeed," Angely said. "Someone will help us. Your soul is alone, decaying in this place."
"Rotting? No. I'll never forget what you did. My soul is fuelled by rage, not decay."
"You created this world, Leah. Don't pretend you didn't. None of us are innocent."
A sudden force knocked them down. They cried out.
"We will return your karma, Leah," Felicia vowed.
Leah only laughed, walking away.
"Karma?" she repeated, scoffing.
Karma against karma? she thought.
Let's see who wins. The karma I've carried since birth... since death. Let's see how far this goes.
Emerging from the shadows, Leah looked upon the world she had built—constructed from lies, revenge, and seething hate.
Her heart closed.
I will never forgive you.