The city had a split personality. There was the façade that stood in the daylight. The clean, orderly everyday life cycle that ordinary people belonged to. Those people woke up with the sun shining through their windows, their homes no matter how small or large, were warm. Families lived in those homes. Mothers cooking a meal, while fathers helped children with homework, they gathered together every day to share those precious meals. They talked about the day and what the next day would bring. They got into their warm beds and knew that the next day would be better.

Then there was the hidden city. In its side alleys, deep underground where the dirt resided and the rats built empires – this was her city. The shadow was big and forever growing. In her city, there was no light. Sung-kyung stared out of her window and saw the bright shining lights, they sparkled like jewels on a rich woman’s neck. For some those lights led the way home, but for her, it meant it was time to work. The night was just beginning. It was still young and yearned for excitment and called out for forbidden deeds in dark corners. 

“You better get ready. Or you’ll be late for work” Her roommate entered and seeing she was not ready yet scolded her.

Sung-kyung smiled softly, “Unnie, how long do you think it takes?”

“What?” Sana wasn’t really listening

“For the good part in you to die?”

“Aish not that philosophical bull again.” Sana huffed and flounced out of the room.

Sung-kyung stepped up to the bed and trailed her hand over the dress she was to wear that evening. How long would she be able to do this, before all the good was gone? Was she even human anymore?

Slowly she let the gown drop to the floor and started her routine. The oils kept her skin soft and warm. She massaged the oils in morning and night. They made her skin glow. The perfumes were to entice and incite. To make the head heavy and dreamy. The sheer stockings slid like silk up her thin calves and thig