DAYMARE 2: New Home, New Horror

So, yeah. I was reading Chapter 1 now, and guess what? I can relate to this story a bit.

It is about someone mad at the world. Like me, I also dislike the world, especially its people.

The tendency to judge human flaws that hurt others. The protagonist in the story told how hard she struggled to live in the world she belongs. She was hurt by the people she met and the people she resented. But because the protagonist is also a human, she also hates herself. Ironic, isn’t it?

It is not mentioned whether the protagonist is a woman or a man. Maybe it will be revealed in the next chapters. I simply assumed it was a girl like me because I can relate to the main character’s story, because of my past trauma.

*cellphone rings*

“Hello?” I answered the phone.

“How’re you?” It’s Mom with her soft tone.

“I’m Fine”

“Don't forget your documents.”

“I know. I’m about to leave.”

“Good girl. Good luck!” she giggled.

I ended the call.

I went down to the living room and was surprised that the white rosebud in our flower vase had withered. If I remember correctly, Mom just bought it this morning.

I took the flowers out of the vase. My eyes squinted when I saw something weird.

“What the?”

The white rosebuds start changing. Its remaining petals are peeling back on its own, until I’m staring at… reddish eyeballs. Wet, bloody eyeballs, darting their gaze all over the place.

The heck is this?!

I drop the flowers instantly, but they’re still looking right at me from the floor.

“Ah!”

I step back, heart pounding.

Blood trickled from my right finger where the rose thorns stabbed me. I froze. Every single one of them was staring at me. My stomach flipped.

I was stunned when they changed back into plain, wilted white rosebuds. I picked up the rosebuds and tossed them in the bin.

I washed my hands, then locked our house after the disgusting scene I saw, or it was probably just my wild imagination.

I'm going to school to enroll for the next academic year. I’m wearing pants, a dark blue T-shirt, white rubber shoes, and a dark brown sling bag. I brought an envelope with me containing my enrollment documents.

My parents are always busy due to work, so I’m the house girl who manages it this summer. Our maid was on vacation, unlike me.

I'm just going to commute, after all, the school is close to home. I rode a tricycle and realized it’s so hot outside! The sun’s heat pricks my skin. Just a little movement makes me sweat. I took a public vehicle and got annoyed because of traffic. I thought about walking when the jeepney started moving again. A few minutes later, I arrived at my destination.

“Hestral!” My gang called and hugged me.

“It’s been years!” Neilsen greeted with a big grin on his face.

He became even more tanned. He must be enjoying his sunburn.

“Tadaaa!” Anikka gave me something.

She handed me a small brown paper bag. I touched it and knew what it was. This is the souvenir keychain from the beach.

I smiled secretly. "So much fun, huh?" Heck, I miss my gang.

"Let's go?" Jethro said with a smile on his face.

The four of us went into the building where we were supposed to enroll.

I am still thankful to have jerks like them. They are my precious friends, and I love them so much. No need to spit it out, but I simply express my affection to them by making fun of them.

“Isn’t that her?”

“Yeah, look at them.”

“So, she was the one who used to brag? She’s nothing compared to Bethina.”

Okay, I heard their gossip.

Bethina, that b*tch again! Hearing her name alone ruins my day. Gosh, she's good at brainwashing people, and I've been told she’s better than I. How much longer will they bury my past in oblivion? Gossip all you want because I’ll end you all.

"Excuse me," I walked to the flock of students near the office where we’re supposed to enroll.

The whisperers turned around.

I faked a smile. “That thing Bethina said to you. Don’t you think she’s the real b*tch for poisoning your stinky airheads? If you’re going to talk behind my back, please… just please, avoid using megaphones so that I can’t hear your mouths that nothing good comes out.” I scoffed. “If you adore Bethina that much, then why don’t you serve your queen bee because you’re her slaves?"

“Hestral,” Jethro called.

My friends went near me.

Truth to be told, I'm a blunt person. I’ve no time to play games of being plastic. I've been holding back for months, so I poured it all out this time.

This is no longer tolerable. Bethina is poisoning their brains with false claims. They believe in gossip easily. This worsens the pain I feel because they used to be my friends.

Was this the first time that happened at school? No, it happened multiple times already.

Bethina, apart from bullying me, is playing dirty tricks. She vandalizes the school’s comfort rooms’ walls. She cheats on every test. She pays someone to do her homework. She doesn’t contribute anything to her groupmates apart from giving them headaches. She intends to get close to her teachers to get good grades. She drowns herself in luxury she can’t afford on her own. She’s a spoiled brat. She hates me. She’s the reason why I am like this.

"Excuses," I heard that girl’s annoying voice.

I now face the cringe queen.

Yuck! She’s wearing a pink dress with white 2-inch heels. A beige handbag and a bit of makeup, which makes her even more disgusting.

She raised an eyebrow. "Hi, Hestral!" Looking surprised that she saw me. Was she expecting me to be a dropout?

"Hello," I'll just talk to this one straight away.

“How’re you doin’?” she asked and parted her long, dark brown hair.

Gradually, some students gathered like it were some sort of a show. We’re still outside of the office, falling in line for enrolment, but now it’s going to be an interesting live drama.

"I'm great!" I answered sarcastically.

“Oh? I thought you’d been… sulking?”

"Just seeing your face makes me feel like I'm gonna puke." I rolled my eyes. Just getting her straight to the point.

“P-Puke?” she asked, frowning.

“You don't know that? Tch, you really are a brainless queen. Stop investing in your looks and start with your brain so you won’t be a laughingstock.”

I’m not like her; I still have a brain. She’s brainless for stooping so low as to spread false information about me to raise herself.

“Of course, I know what that means!” she yelled.

She stepped forward and was about to push me when Jethro interfered.

“Hey, stop it,” Jethro interrupted her.

"Prince charming, huh?" she scoffed.

“Sure. Something wrong?” I insulted her.

"How dare you-" She stepped forward and raised her hands to aim for my hair to pull.

I slapped her before she started attacking me physically. That was a sudden movement of mine serving as my physical revenge for what she had done to my life. I should’ve done this before.