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It was raining, as it had been the past few days. Puddles formed, making each step Reimi made splash up.
For whatever reason, she's been outside all day. Ignoring every text and phone call she received. Reimi knows she shouldn't, but there's just no part of her that wants to exist right now. So, if she can erase herself from the world for just a little bit, she'll do it.
The rain beat down on her. What a beautiful evening.
It's cold, though. And her clothes cling to her, and her hair is a mess.
And it’s bleak.
It's really cold, now that she thinks about it. But it's still beautiful, nonetheless. The stars are just peeking out above the city lights, and the sky is a mix of black and blue. If she had her camera, she'd take a picture of it.. ..where the hell is that thing, anyways? ..Ugh, nevermind it.
‘Where am I walking?’
it's unclear, but she keeps going.
And she thinks, today is
today is
Today
..??
She can't bring herself to think it. Maybe it isn't even real, and that's why. Yeah. It's December 20th. 5 days until Christmas, right? Nothing else. And then, a new year. Reimi wasn't all that excited, really.
...
..Despite the front that she puts up, the front that nothing affects her, she's never bothered.. a facade that she's put up the last few years,
it's not real.
Best not to think of that.
Reimi picks up the pace.
And, so easily she can picture Mae, all happy and bouncy, walking beside her. She'd splash in the puddles, and spin around. And then she'd totally get sick afterwards, but she didn't care. And she'd probably disregard her umbrella, just like Reimi.
It made Reimi sick to think.
She keeps walking. The chatter of people as they enter bars, stores, and the like. People. Sad, angry, annoyed, numb, not numb, they were everywhere. It made Reimi sick. How could anyone be happy today? These sick assholes.. who could ever be happy today?
…
Walking for an hour, in what felt like circles. Her heart pangs.
There's a feeling of urgency in her heart, as if someone needs her. Mae needs her, she thinks.
Mae needs me! Mae needs me!!
All of a sudden,
she ran. In the direction of her old home, that lay abandoned— it's now the resting place of her father, so rarely does she visit it. The smell is horrendous, anyways, and she hated that place. It's so sudden that Reimi isn't sure if it's really her moving at all.
…
Mae needed her. Mae needed her. Mae needs her. Why? Why though? What happened? The worst filled Reimi's head, the worst happened, right? Oh, God, she could only imagine— she remembered the way home, so she couldn't miss it. Something bad happened. Oh, god, it really did, right? She couldn't be late. She couldn't fail Mae again. ..
‘I've never failed her?’
Reimi's mind loved to play tricks.
She could see it now- her old home, the one she sadly grew up in. She is almost there. And when Reimi runs up the little stone pathway, and up the porch, and slams the door open—
.. .. ..
Sun is streaming through the windows. Izumi's washing the dishes, and Sorin's helping. They're whispering to each other, likely about Mae's birthday. The house smells pleasant— Izumi always made sure it did. And to her left, she hears the TV.. a silly show is on, but Reimi can't understand it. And on the same left– is Mae. She stares. Mae. A happy, healthy, alive Mae. Reimi feels warm, as if the rain wasn't real at all. As if she was living in a horrible nightmare, and just woke up.
She ran to Mae, hugging her. She held Mae, as if this was the last fragment of her to exist. She held her tight. If she let go, she may never return. Reimi felt it in her heart. And finally, she heard her voice.
“Reireiiii! What's up?! You're hugging me to death!!!” And she heard her laugh… oh, Reimi couldn't help it.
Her heart felt no more guilt.
“I.. I feel like I haven't seen you in forever!” She felt tears well up, but she no longer cared if they fell. Mae giggled.
No more sadness.
“You only went to the store! Don't look so sad, Reirei! I'm here!! Maybe I should just go with you next time, huh? But I didn't want them to get suspicious….” and she whispered the rest, “that we’re getting them their gifts…”
No more.
..Reimi smiled. She felt ridiculous.. did she really have separation anxiety that bad?? She still kept her arm around Mae, but pulled away slightly. “You're right… but, you know, we still have a bit longer.. maybe we could say, um…” Her eyes averted to the calendar. How many
December 21st.
…
Everything turned silent.
There was no sloshing of the water in the sink, or Izumi and Sorin's hushed whispers. The TV made no noise. No birds outside. Nothing.
Reimi felt soaked.. she was cold again.
What happened?
Please, don't take me away from this
She looked down at herself, and found herself covered in blood. ..But not her own, she wasn't hurt—
Please, Mae, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to
I was promised you'd live..
I'd do anything for you to be alive right here, right now.
You'd know what to do.
And what to say.
How to live.
I'm sorry. Please, come back. All I want is for you to come back.
—Mae was. Blood pooled beneath their feet. It smelled horrendous, like the smell of decaying bodies. But she smiled. She smiled at Reimi as if she were the kindest girl in the world. She smiled as if Reimi was the bestest friend you could ever ask for. Even though her entire body was destroyed.
Reimi held onto her arms, or, where her arms used to be. She couldn’t bear to let go. She couldn't stand it, she couldn't, she couldn't.
Mae fell over.
And reality kicked in.
Mae was never here. She will never be here again. This house isn't hers anymore. Mae is
Mae is
Dead.
Today, Mae Bluebell died far too young. At the hands of her best friend.
In the end, her smile stayed with Reimi, but Mae did not.