4 Chapter 4
Chapter 4
-Scarlett-
I can't see anything. I don't think I'm even breathing. How—and then I think of Karina. Right. I still can't get over the fact that she's alive. I mean, I saw her but I thought she forgot everything…I still don't really know what happened. The last thing I remember is a flying stack of…papers? Is that it? Whatever. I need to find Karina.
Actually, come to think of it, I should've changed her name to Karma instead of Keira. I mean, she is kind of a bitch, maybe more so than me.
My head hurts and I see stars. They're beautiful, dotting the dark and moonless night, lighting up the sky. They shine so brightly and for a moment, I forget about the pain. What is happening? I scream inwardly for the thousandth time. But there's no response, of course.
I hear traces of rap before I finally draw my last breath.
+++
-Joanne-
Scarlett's dead. That's what the doctors say. She was already dead when she was brought to the hospital—they couldn't do anything. I don't cry. All her friends do. Her family does. But I don't, because I know she'll come back, in whatever form. Even if they cremate her body.
+++
Karina came to the funeral. She didn't cry. She just stood there quietly, mouthing prayers. She helped with the folding of papers. She helped with the hosting of guests. I guess it's her way of silent revenge, by not letting Scarlett's parents host parts of this funeral. Even Scarlett's ex-boyfriend came. He saw me and recognised me. He greeted me and rambled on about how great she was—
I tune him out.
There's no use.
She's dead.
But she'll come back.
+++
-Scarlett-
I still can hear, feel, think. I just can't speak or see. Or breathe, for that matter. I can't move, too.
Am I a horrible person? Maybe. Yes. No. Yes. I don't know. I did hurt Karina, after all. I deceived her. I lied to her and made her believe she was dreaming and drove her to almost commit suicide and I killed her.
I've accepted that.
But has she accepted that I've changed?
Has she accepted the fact that I'm not the girl I was?
Has she accepted the fact that some of her memories aren't hers? That she had a lapse in memory and some of it are inaccurate?
Has she accepted the fact that maybe, after all this while, she's the one that can't let go?
That she has to, for the sake of herself. For the sake of people she loves, if she can even love.
A small part of my mind says yes, she has.
But that's just a small part, after all.
I can still hear her desperate cries, and it's tearing me apart inside.
+++
-Keane-
Day 1
I'm tied up and this rough rag is covering my mouth. My eyes are covered, too. I can breathe, but just slightly. I know I'm in a dark room. I know that instead of strings, my kidnapper used cuffs. And I hate it.
It's a female, that's all I know. And she's working alone. She's gone now, but either way I can't get out—it's too hard.
+++
Day 2
I'm sweating. She's not giving me water. Food, yes, but usually dried foods. So, no water. She's smart, this one, I'll give it to her.
+++
Day 3
I'm not sleeping.
I'm without water.
I'm still alive.
+++
Day 4
I'm losing water at an incredible rate.
I
Need
Water
Now.
+++
Day 5
I
Can't
I
Need
W—
+++
Day 6
…
Day 7
…
Day 8
"Keane?"
Day 9
"I'm sorry."
Day 10
"I had to end your misery."
Day 11
"…"
Day 12
"Forgive me."
Day 13
"Please."
+++
-Joanne-
Keane's dead.
Scarlett's dead.
For all I know, the next dead body could be me.
The time difference of their deaths is 5 days. I think. I've lost track of time.
My mum's dead.
My dad's off somewhere enjoying a happy life.
And I'm here.
+++
I've walked by knife shops and I've found a gun in my house.
+++
I saw a bottle of pills today.
+++
I walked by a lake today.
+++
I was revising science when I thought of carbon monoxide.
+++
I saw people driving today.
+++
I saw a long piece of rope today.
+++
I went to the school's rooftop.
+++
I didn't eat today.
+++
I can't think.
I can't feel.
I don't talk.
I don't bleed.
And I don't see.
Am I the next victim?
+++
I think so.
I call her.
"Hello, Joanne. Thought of your method of death yet?"
