VIVIAN

"You wanted to live with your sister, right? I will grant that wish by sending you to a world where she won’t die again."

Within the darkness, Vivian tightened her grip on Riley, her hands quivering, pulling her sister close. Riley’s face bore the scars, blood spattered around her mouth. 

“WHY IS YOUR CONDITION THIS BAD ALREADY…. T-THEY DIED SLOWLY… Y-YOU-“

Slowly, she reached up gently, stroked Vivian’s cheek, wiping her tears. “It’s okay, I-I will come back.”

Riley pushed herself sitting up, coughing violently; she forced a smile at her sister. “We don’t die for—“

She collapsed on the floor, midsentence. Vivian caught her, turning Riley around and placing her head on her chest, listening for her heart.

No sound.

Silence.

She scooted away and stood up with a jerk. Her vision became blurred; she covered her face and broke into frantic screams.

She has been screaming like this the whole day.

Poor girl

I hear it was this one’s boyfriend who killed the other one.

To be honest, if not for their dress-up and hair, it’s hard to tell them apart….

I am Vivian, and my sister’s name is Riley
Riley is such a tomboy
Riley is always nice
Riley is such a klutz.
Riley is also a good fighter

Riley is – was killed by that $#$@! Guy

Riley: She – Huh?

And it’s my fault she died.
So I undid myself.

Guys always approached me
And I always rejected them
But that was a mistake, maybe.....

There was one peculiar guy… I hope he burns in hell.

He confessed and was rejected
Confessed again....rejected
Confessed…huh. I wasn’t going to handle this

I got some teachers involved
He was in trouble
And I was happy

Then one day, me and riley were at our grandparents’

She didn’t pack enough clothes...So,
She borrowed mine.

She took a stroll down the road.
She had her pea cap on
She was just minding her own business.

She didn’t do a single-

And

She was hit by his bike, deliberately
She was hit again
She was hit again

Until

She was dead and someone reported it to the police
She – no – what am I even saying

I mean, they told me it was that guy

He took revenge on her.......Assuming she was me

Me?

I hate him

I hate all men

I hate them all

Why did Riley die and leave me alone…why?

“Oh, so after that you killed yourself.”

Yes,

“You wanted to live with her forever?”

YES

"B-BUT WHY AM I ALIVE…AND WHO ARE YOU?"

She was sitting, frozen, in a windowless office with black walls. In front of her, a long wooden desk, with papers assembled on one side and some files on the other. A golden nameplate shone on the table.

“The principal.” She read the named tag. 

A man, over 40, seated at the desk, beamed with a warm smile, “Yes, that’s me. I am the principal.”

“I don’t get it….” She tried standing up, but her body remained seated, as if glued to the couch.

The walls were filled with portraits of the principal and a pale, black-haired boy. Except one where the boy was replaced with some men and a single woman.

A cracking sound resonated behind her, sharp like an egg hatching. She tried to turn, but her body didn't oblige.

“Do not worry about that… Let’s talk." He closed his eyes, smiling. "I can arrange so that you can live with your sister.”

“H-how? She is dead, and I am stuck here and might die too.” She struggled again but in vain.

He chuckled, “You are funny.” Leaning forward. "You wanted to live with your sister, right? I will grant that wish by sending you to a world where she won’t die again."

Her chest tightened. “You can?”

"Yes...I presume you are willing..." 

 Her eyes glistened. "I-I am—."

“But you will not be able to tell a single person there that you met me….” He smirked.

“And what if I try?”

“Oh no, you didn’t understand that; it’s a curse. It’s not a matter of, if you want to or you don’t… You just cannot…well," he crossed his hands. "until I lift the curse.”

A daze took over her and she began drowsing, “Tha-that’s no-t f-aair…”

“It’s a mind manipulation curse…. It’s okay; you will get used to it… there are more than this one… hoho…oh, don’t assume I am Mr Clause…”

He continued his gibberish but I was already asleep

When I woke up I was alongside Riley

So I don’t care what he did or who he was….

But there was something I noticed

Everyone here was awkwardly accepting of death

And of many things

That's what breaks us apart

Riley’s body turned to glitter before Vivian’s eyes. She leaned against the wall. A tear rolled down her cheek. “Damn…I should stop crying this much every time she dies….”

She turned around and saw Toby. Their eyes met. Vivian marched to him, furious. She pulled him closer and slapped him. A smile crept over her face.

“That Sen said you can’t be touched. Heh, I can hit you.”

She slapped him again.

“I have always hated men… it was enjoyable seeing one suffer…”

Toby lowered his face. “But I didn’t harm you…. I never did…”

“SHUT UP, DON’T TELL ME THAT…..”

"You know you always took out your hatred on me…" Toby lowered his gaze, while the mist crept around them. "I know you are traumatised…”

She gasped; her body trembled, wobbling back. She collapsed onto the floor with a smile.

 “But that’s still not an excuse…” The leader walked next to Toby.

Toby looked at him. "Did you kill Riley?...But she did nothing."

"Exactly...she did nothing...to help you, that is... Besides, it was 1:21."