Reflection After Reflection After Reflection...

Death. It’s the most uncontrollable force on Earth. Not only does it cease one’s life, but it seems to bring out everything in the person. I’m not talking about internal organs or fluids. Death will change all decision making process, as it seems to be a giant mirror. When one faces death, they can’t help but have regret for things they did or didn’t do, and speak the truth about everything.

Death does come from a world of darkness. It emigrates into the world just like yours, and takes you on an unexpected journey. Think of the current setting you are currently in, but it has a hazy mix of nostalgia. It takes every second from the past and merges it into one. Now take this same batshit crazy description, and apply it to the front of a black gate, with a large highschool in the background. That is where Lia is having her meeting with Death.

“I never got to experience voting for the next asshole of the country, but I guess the country spared me from that,” Lia echoed to herself.

“Oh, you’ll get to pick one soon,” said a reverberating voice.

“Who’s talking? I’m seriously looking 360, so now I’m pretty scared.”

“How about looking up?”

Lia saw what appeared to be the sun, but 1000x larger than what she normally sees.

“God damn, that is super bright.”

“You asked to see me.”

“No, I asked WHO ARE YOU?”

“Oh, shit I’m sorry. I am you, but I am your conscious I could say.”

“That doesn’t make any sense since I’m thinking right now.”

“Shut up and listen! You are not dead, and in fact you will come back in a bit. However, it’s time to reflect and think. What the hell are you even going to do now?”

“I’m going back to destroy this assassin game. It is clearly evil.”

“The same assassin game you joined?”

“Well yeah. I can’t like drop out. I’d rather get rid of it and then try to pass my classes. I just dropped out for a couple of hours, and it sucks. You can’t eat or nothing.”

“So basically, you are going to waste so much effort to get a normal school life, which is what you should’ve done from the very beginning.”

“Duh!”

“…And you plan to stop it by playing the assassin game?”

“Well yeah. The director of the school has avoided prosecution. Isn’t this the point where I should literally stop him in his own game?”

“But, he’s the director. He’s not even playing the game. He’s just watching idiots like you play it.”

“Which is why I’m going to do my master plan. Get some friends, and we will work together so I can infiltrate the student council. Once I’m there, I’ll have direct contact with the Director. Then I’m going to use my power to change everything in this school, and get the Director to beg on his knees, and -”

“STOP! You skipped like 20 steps in your plan.”

“It’s pretty straight forward. Just get some friends, and go to the -”

“Honestly, I’m out of options. Do whatever you want.”

Lia’s conscious explodes into a blast of light. The light radiated so much that is burned Lia’s mental vision. It was enough to awaken Lia from her semi-eternal slumber.

“I don’t know if I want to have dreams like that again or not.” Said Lia to herself, as she re-adjusted to her environment. Lia looked around and realized where she was oriented.

“The hell? I collapse in front of the school, and NOBODY cared to help?”

“Sorry, can’t risk like the last time I saved someone like you. I’ve got 10 stab scars to prove it,” said the guard at the gate.

“I never asked for your story,” said Lia as she had her belongings checked through the gate.

After some time replenishing herself, Lia mentally prepared herself for Jaka again. She was the only person whom really had a conversation with, so she seemed to be the easiest to befriend. However, Lia still had an important question to discuss first.

“Hey, what the hell happened a couple of days ago?” Lia asked, without giving Jaka any time to even look at her.

“What thing? You mean me trying to shoot you?”

“Less of trying, and more of succeeding. You shot me, and I had to go to some hell hole camp thing for several days.”

“Oh, so you learned your lesson?”

“So, you admit it then?”

“Yes and no. I planned for you to get shot, but that was not me. Remember when you hit me in the fucking face? Well, some wise ass actually used that opportunity to shoot me. It’s quite rare for me to legitimately get shot.”

“Hmm, well how do I know you’re not lying?”

“How the fuck do you expect me to prove something that is absolutely pointless now?”

“Okay, let’s just bury the hatchet. I admit it, I screwed up. Going to this school. Trying to play this game. This was all stupid!”

Jaka stared at Lia’s grief. She tilted her head.

“Is that all you wanted to tell me?”

Lia gulped and started tremoring a bit as she was about to give her request.

“Jaka, I can tell you dislike this school as much as I do to some degree. So, I bet you have been having a similar idea incubating in your mind. We should stop this whole assassination game. Let’s force the school director to end this game, and turn this school back to normal”

Lia straightened herself and talked with full confidence.

“Working side by side, even though I definitely need training, we can both beat this assassin game, work our way to the top, and stop the one looking down at us as if we’re just toys for his own game. Please Jaka, I need your help.”

Jaka stood up, and stared down at Lia. She slowly lifted her right hand, and swung is across Lia’s face, creating an audible slap. Jaka’s body began to tremor now, but this was coming from her fuming emotion.

“Why do you keep talking to me like this? Have you ever thought even once that maybe you’re not the protagonist in your own story? We have hundreds of students coming in with the same story, complaining about the same shit, and end up going absolutely nowhere in their endeavors! You just keep making up dreams with no skill to carry anything out. Now, you’re trying to get everyone else carry you to the end.”

Jaka picked Lia up from the ground and straightened out her head so she locked eyes.

“You want to stop the director of the school, but at what cost? All you will be doing is wasting all your energy fighting for something that would never would have happened if you picked another school. How much studying will you even accomplish in the end? What would you even do once you graduate, huh?!”

As Jaka spoke her facts, Lia’s fists clenched.

“Well what about you? You have nothing to lose and refuse to do a damn thing to make it up.”

“Because I am no better outside of this school.”

“What if I can change you? If you had nothing to study, no assassin game to worry about. Maybe, just maybe, you could find something else in your life.”

“But didn’t you just learn by yourself what happens if you’re put in that situation you described?”

Lia turned around in disappointment.

“Fine, you’re absolutely right. This conversation is stupid. I enjoyed learning from you during our brief cooperation. I failed at being respectful by refusing to accept your words just now.”

Lia pulled out her phone and looked at it, and continued speaking.

“I kept note of everything you showed me. I really don’t have anything better to do than just copy whatever I have here. I guess I’ll see you around.”

Jaka looked at Lia emotionlessly, and scoffed at her. Lia walked away while staring at the notes she wrote.

“This is seriously me just bullshitting around now. How the hell do I even do this stuff? I can’t even make one friend so far,” Lia pondered to herself.

Lia looked back at Jaka one last time.

“Oh come on! This is the part where you’re supposed to be like ‘WAIT, LIA!’ and decide to help me!” Lia blasted.

“I literally have no reason to work with someone like you, now leave me alone!” responded Jaka.

Completely depressed at her situation, Lia walked around the campus. She kept thinking about Jaka’s words. She realized how pointless her entire plan was, how futile it is with her skills, and how ridiculous it is to do all of this just to get mediocre grades.

Suddenly, right before Lia entered the school’s courtyard, she sensed someone’s presence. It was like someone was pulling a gun at her.

“Go and shoot me all you like. I don’t care anymore” Lia turned around and was more enraged. “You’re just wasting your time and effort for a bunch of stupid points!”

As correctly stated, the man had a paintball gun in his hand. He was indeed Lia’s assassin. However, he had a paint splotch on his face. From the way the student was rubbing the spot, it seemed almost as if he just realized it right now. Before Lia could ask him something…

WHOOSH!

Something grabbed hold of Lia, and took her away from her spot.