Delusion

Same golden blond hair. Same brown eyes. Same glowing smile. It definitely was her. Asuka knew this. But..

"How. How is this possible. Was what I saw some kind of vision of the future. But, if that's the case then somehow I-"

Asuka stopped herself from remembering the violent scene from her dream.

"No. That would never happen. I would never hurt an innocent person. But just in case I really am responsible, I should distance myself as much as I can. I'd never forgive myself of I let someone die."

"Everything alright?"

Asuka looked up at the girl and gave a small smile.

"O-oh..um..I'm alright. You don't have to worry about me. Just lost in my thoughts."

"Well you'd, better get unlost, cause we're here!"

The way she said it would've given the impression that her house was something like the Mr. Baldwins. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Out of all the houses, Amelia's looked by far the worst. The wood had turned green from rotting, the smell was so pungent Asuka almost passed out.

"What the hell?! How can someone live in such a place?"

Asuka stepped onto the porch which snapped upon a little force being applied on it.

"Sorry. That's what'll happen when ya can't pay as much tax as everyone else," she said with a chuckle.

"Are sure you want to give me some food. You're not exactly in the best condition and I feel like you should focus on yourselves first."

"Such nonsense. How could I ever live with myself if I didn't do something for the brave heroine who saved me?"

Asuka's face then flushed a bright red.

"W-well, I was just doing my job. Plus, I'm getting paid by the mayor anyway so you don't have to."

"Well now you have the pleasure of being compensated by me, the amazing Amelia," she said striking a pose.

Despite, her concern, Asuka couldn't help but chuckle at Amelia's antics. Deciding the take her up on her offer, Asuka entered Amelia's home and the interior was no better than the exterior. The house was dark due to lack of a light source. There was a green hue in the air due to the rotting wood color diffusing into the air.

"Mama, papa. You'll never believe what happened today," yelled the girl as she ran around the corner.

While Amelia was gone, Asuka took a second to absorb all she was seeing.

"This place is in no condition for anyone to live in. I wonder her parents situation is where they can't afford the taxes. I will admit they are quite heavy, but still. To let it get this bad. Not to mention the smell. I'm getting dizzy and I've only just got inside. Yet she isn't even fazed. She must be used to it. Meaning she's lived like this for a while."

Interrupting Asuka's thoughts. Amelia came around the corner with her parents. Or what was left at least.

"Now, let's start introductions. Asuka, meet mama and papa. Mama and papa, meet Asuka."

Asuka cringed at the sight laid before her. Amelia stood between two wooden chairs with wheels fixed on them. On the chairs, were the dried, boney, and decayed bodies of Amelia's parents.

"C'mon Asuka, now is not the time to be shy."

"A...Amelia..." said Asuka with tears formjng in her eyes.

"What? Is there a problem?"

Without saying a word, Asuka walked up to the girl and embraced the girl.

"What are doing Asuka, you need to introduce yourself. Don't be rude."

Asuka tightened her hold onto Amelia.

"Please Asuka. You need to greet them."

She then, pushed Asuka off her, holding her shoulders.

"Ok Asuka. Your creeping me out. Why are you crying?"

"Amelia. Your parents are dead. Can't you see."

Amelia let out a small chuckle thinking Asuka was playing some kind of joke. But one look and she could tell Asuka wasn't joking.

"What are you talking about. My parents are right here."

She then walked around and turned the chairs so that they were now facing Asuka.

"See. If anything, they look more livelier than ever."

"What's going on. This can't be some illusion. Those are clearly dead bodies."

"It might be some kind of coping mechanism," Annie said inside Asuka's mind,"Just taking a look at their living situation, I can imagine her not having any friends and her parents being the only people she could rely on. When they died, she must have not been able to handle it so her mind created a scenario wear her parents still live."

"Someone's brain can do that? Why would it ever feel the need to do that?"

"It's the brains way of protecting the body. Regardless of whether it's morally right or not, the brain will do whatever it takes to preserve the body for as long as possible. Even to the point of creating false realities."

"Is there anything I can do? Please. Any suggestion at all?"

"The only way I can think of helping her is making her accept their deaths. But, that'll especially difficult since she believes their alive."

"Asuka, are you listening? Hello?"

"Oh...uh...yeah. Sorry. I was just in my thoughts."

Amelia walked up to Asuka and grabbed her cheeks and stared directly into her eyes.

"You know, you've been acting weird ever since you saw my parents. I know they look a little bit starved, but they're alright."

She turned to head towards the kitchen.

"Now please, I'm going to make a special meal for the heroine. Make sure to have a nice chat while I'm cooking," Amelia said smilling.

As Amelia was walking into the kitchen, Asuka looked down solemnly unsure of how to bring Amelia out of delusions.

"I think I might have a way to help Amelia."

Asuka nearly jumped out of her seat hearing Annie's statement.

"Really?"

"Yeah. It's chances of working are about fifty-fifty right now. But depending on how long this has gone on for it could be more or less than that."

"Well what is it? I want to help her as soon as possible."

"I'll tell you how later. It's not something that will have an immediate effect. For now, just go along with whatever she's thinking."

"You sure? I'm not sure if giving into her hallucinations is a good idea."

Annie groaned at Asuka questioning her.

"Just trust me. Telling her what she see's will I only make her lose trust in us. Or even worse, she'll question her entire reality. As I said, I'll tell exactly what to do later. For now just play along."

"Wow, Annie. How come your so knowledgeable on this kinda stuff?"

Annie was about to answer, but no words left her lips.

"I...don't know. That's weird."

"Well it doesn't matter. So long as it helps Amelia, it'll do."

"Y-yeah, sure," replied Annie.

"FOOOOOOOD IIIIIISSSSS REEEEEEAAAAADY!"

"Time to put on one helluva performance."