THE CURSE OF AZAZEL

Keeping Him Safe

Isabella stood frozen in fear, trying to come to grips with the events that just transpired. She knew that Azazel was not human, and the threat he made to her father's life had sent shivers down her spine. She quickly gathered her belongings and packed her bag, hoping to leave her father's place as soon as possible.

Isabella was about to head out when her father stormed into her room with a gun, ready to shoot the monster that confronted him. She ran over to where he was standing, hoping to stop him before he did something he would regret. She grabbed onto his arm and tried to pull him back, pleading with him to listen to her.

"Dad, please calm down! There's no one in there, I promise," she said, her voice shaking with fear.

But her father was not listening. He pushed her aside and kicked the door open, his gun at the ready. He swept the room, checking behind the furniture and in the closets, but found no one.

He lowered his gun and turned to face Isabella, his face red with anger. "Where is that monster," he demanded, his voice booming.

Isabella's heart was pounding as she watched her father's expression turn from anger to confusion. He was still staring at her with a look of disbelief as he asked again, "Who was that monster in your room, Isabella?"

Isabella knew that telling him the truth would only put him in danger, and she couldn't bear the thought of losing him. She took a deep breath and summoned up the courage to lie to him.

"Dad, it wasn't a monster," she said with a forced laugh. "It was just a friend of mine who likes to dress up in costumes. We were just having some harmless fun."

Her father looked at her skeptically, but Isabella could see that he was beginning to calm down. She continued to explain how they had been playing a prank on her father, and he eventually joined in the laughter.

After their little jokes, Isabella's father was about to leave her room when he noticed her luggage at the door and turned to her with a puzzled expression. "Are you leaving, Isabella?" he asked.

Isabella nodded, trying to keep her composure. "Yes, I need to get back to my apartment. It's closer to my library store," she replied, trying to sound as convincing as possible.

Her father's expression softened, and he put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Okay, just make sure you call me when you get there. I worry about you, Isabella."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged her father tightly. "I will, dad. I love you so much," she whispered.

Her father returned the embrace and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I love you too, sweetie. Be safe," he said as she picked up her luggage and headed for the door.

As she walked out, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for lying to her father. But she knew that it was for his own safety. She took a deep breath, wiped away her tears, and drove down to her apartment.

She went into her bathroom to take her bath, immediately after she got to her apartment. She stepped into the warm shower, letting the water cascade down her body. She closed her eyes, trying to relax and forget about what happened. However, her mind kept drifting back to the pendant around her neck. She wondered what it was and its connection with Azazel.

She reached for the pendant, trying to remove It from her neck, when she felt a sudden sharp pain on her finger. She gasped and withdrew her hand, staring at the pendant in disbelief. She had never felt such pain before. She tried again, but the pain was still there. She realized that she wouldn't be able to remove the pendant from her neck.

Isabella sighed and continued bathing, feeling defeated. She couldn't shake off the feeling that she was in danger, and the pendant was somehow connected to it. After she was done bathing, Isabella wrapped a towel around herself and walked to her room. She sat on the edge of her bed, deep in thought. She knew she had to find a way to break the curse and get rid of the pendant. But how? She had no idea where to start.

Isabella sighed and lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She wished she could go back to her old life before Azazel and the pendant came into her life. But she knew that was impossible. After laying down for a while, she stood up got dressed and left for her Library store.