Whispers of the Lost

"Really, Lea? Is this the best thing you can do? Are you really my daughter? You know what? It embarrasses me to have you as my child. " Do you believe in reincarnation? I may never have encountered miracles; I’d be flabbergasted to see myself happy in my next life. Forgetting all the aching memories and worrying about nothing but the overflowing joy. Yes, hearing these words every day is normal for me. I got used to it, but I can clearly reminisce all the sharp unpleasant sensations in my heart. It would be much better if I had the looks, but sadly, I was always tormented because this as well. It seems like this world was infuriated with me for giving me this kind of punishment. Why do I have to be this ugly though? My only parent? My dad? He thinks I’m not good enough to be entitled as his daughter. Could it be that… having me in exchange of my mom- made him curse me this much? Is it acceptable for him to think that way? I know it’s wrong to fantasize about the life in the next chapter, but I even sometimes wonder, "What would have happened if one day I ended myself?" Would it make a difference to the people around me? "Am I still not good enough?" Considering my dad's job, we must always move to a new neighbourhood, and therefore me and my older brother have no choice but to transfer to a new school, and yet I suppose this school is the best so far, for the good thing is, there is this one person who appreciates and values my existence. It’s weird. I’ve been complaining my whole life about how messed up my world is, but God gave me someone who I don't even deserve to be friends with. Her name is Loise Mendoza. Well, I really can't say that she's my best friend. Because first, she hangs out with many students since she's sociable. And the best part is, she is the most prominent student, not to mention how genius and friendly she is, but also because she's drop dead gorgeous. Most of the students are dying to date her and be friends with her. In short, she's "heather". And that’s why I feel, like, why would someone like her be friends with… someone like me? As I was arranging my thoughts, my ears suddenly rang to the rumor at the table beside me. "Really? Someone died here? " "Yes, her name was Melisa. I think it was about less than 15 years ago, during summer. I heard she's one of the most famous students here and she's a legend because of her ethereal looks but... unfortunately she died at such a young age... I pity her. " "Woah, she must have dated a lot." "Well, I don't know. I heard that she’s creepy and a backstabber. " "Really? How did she die?" "Actually, no one knows how. They think it's murder, but there's no trace at all. Her friend found her and reported it to the police, but when they came, the body was shattered into pieces, her eyes and mouth were open, and blood was all over the room! And guess what? There was a note that said, "Betrayals should always be paid by Life. Even the detectives couldn't tell why, based on what the witness saw, so many people believed that it was a monster and parents refused to send their children here. But it’s rumored that it was just a prank those two made up and they were suspended. But still, it’s creepy. You never know, it could be just a lie to save the school. " I nearly fainted and got a heavy feeling when she pointed to the classroom where they said Melisa died... but it was a prank? I got confused and somehow got hooked in the story. "Geez, well, they both deserve it if that’s the case. They almost destroyed the school’s reputation." "I don't know, it remained a mystery until now since the school didn’t even issue an apology from the students." "I got goosebumps. Just eat okay! Stop talking about that. It's creepy. " I searched for the rumored incident, but there's nothing on the web except creepy related searches. I felt relieved knowing that maybe it's not actually true. I sighed in my chair and received a message from Loise. She wants to hang out with me on Saturday. Well, who am I to take down her offer? For others, sleeping may be relaxing. But for me, it's a total nightmare. I keep on having some strange dreams every night, and luckily, I can't remember them exactly. I just wake up every morning with my abnormally fast heartbeat. And it feels as if I'm dying. I woke up the next day and saw my dog trying to wake me up again from a bad dream of mine. I saw the total chaos of confusion in his face again and again. "What!! It's already 7:30? My class starts at 8, I must have lost my mind! " "Lea! Clean the house! The chimney, the backyard, do the laundry, wash the dishes and everything that needs to be done. We'll be going out for a few hours." "But dad, I have a class at 8." I was confused when I saw them laugh as my older brother pointed at our calendar. "It's Saturday. What can we expect from someone just like you? Girls should just clean the house. It’s your responsibility. " "What a jerk-like mentality you have. Such stereotypes have been ceased years ago. I wonder how a so called "genius" like you still has that mindset. What the- maybe... do you really cheat on your exams?!" My angry brother was about to attack, but dad stopped him and told him not to waste time on people like me. He always supports him, but he doesn’t do the same for me. But- It's Saturday? Am I crazy? It's not like I slept for a few days??? or did I? I clearly remember yesterday was Monday. I must finish cleaning up first so that I can meet with Loise right after. She texted me to meet her at the park. I arrived earlier than planned, so I had to wait for a few minutes. I felt low-spirited as I saw some families. I witnessed the heaven-scented tears from laughter gliding down from their eyes when they're with their family. All I wanted is a relationship like that. Is it too much to ask? Plus, what does my mom look like? I never saw her even once in my life. My dad left no pictures of her for me to see. He’s evil. "Lea! I’m so sorry for being late. Let's go there, I heard their cakes are totally awesome." I'm lucky to have this angel. We talked about the things we wanted to do and even took pictures together. "Lea, can you accompany me to the comfort room, please." she asked, and I agreed. As soon as she got out of the CR. She glared at me with her blazing eyes, and she suddenly stopped and touched her chest roughly, as if she was hurt somewhere there. She checked if there was someone else apart from us, and quickly closed the door. I asked her why that made her speak after a long time of silence. "Lea, I like you, so please let me give you a hand." I was stupified and confused at the same time as she asked me to let her help me. "Actually Lea, I ascertained this capability of mine when I was a kid. But I can do anything that your heart desires, anything that you want. You're my friend and I don't want you to suffer. Let me be your helping hand." I saw how serious she was. I didn't believe her, but I just tried to go with the flow. She asked me to close my eyes and tell her everything I wanted to have. I asked to have a prodigious life and to have beauty and fame as that is what I am dying to wish. I smiled, playing along with her was fun and weird at the same time. I heard her strange giggles. It made my heart drown, and it almost stopped when she asked me to open them. I opened my eyes and, and as soon-, I- I’m in my room? My brother was glaring at me with a bothered touch of concern in his eyes. It made me confused. Was it all just a dream, a phantasm? "Lea, are you okay? Dad said to wake you up before 8, you’ll be late for school." "School? What day is today? " "It's Tuesday, Lea. Are you really okay?" He paused for a while as he saw how confused I was. "By the way, dad made your favorite breakfast and I already heated it. You should go eat now." It surprised me as I saw an attractive ravishing maiden in a mirror. Is it true? What the- It all came true! Loise is not a fake. I've never felt this much joy and happiness before. I even became famous in school. They all wanted to be friends with me. I'm so happy. Because of what Loise did, I felt as if I owed my entire world to her. She is truly an angel. A few weeks later, Loise asked me to help her with her project. I was completely taken aback when we decided to meet at school. I mean, we could do it in her house. But she said it’s a big and messy project, so she had to do it in the old buildings in the school. It’s going to be renovated anyway. But it’s still unsafe. Why would she set there? The sun was shining so hard, but I felt this unusual freezing cold air whispering at me. "Loise?" I looked around and found this place disgusting. The air up here doesn't smell nice. I felt like the walls and the doors weren't strong enough and could fall at anytime, as expected. There are cobwebs in the ceiling and dusts on the chairs and tables. I was worried for Loise. Where could she be? My eyes stopped travelling around as I saw this familiar bloody note that I've certainly heard before. "Betrayals should always be paid by Life". My blood ran cold. My mind almost went blank, but I just knew I had to run away. "Hello Lea, you're here." Loise surprised me when she suddenly appeared. "How can I help you, Loise?" I can’t settle my eyes on her, I am genuinely scared for my life. "I’m so sorry for asking you, but can you help me paint the project? By the way, are you okay?" "I am, I just need some f-fresh air." I was about to go when she suddenly spoke again. "Why? Does this place bring back memories? " I stood frozen in my position. What is she talking about? "I told you to help me." She continued. "I am here to help Loise… Nevermind, what do you want me to paint first?" I grabbed the paints and started opening them while Loise just stood there in silence. "Simple Lea, I want you to pay for the price." I became scared as soon as the door shut in the middle of nowhere. Loise's eyes and hair turned white, and her nails developed into sharp, long dirty claws. I was horrified by her transformation. "Lo-Loise??" "I helped you in your wishes, so you have to pay." She is terrifying me right now. "Ookay, how much do you wan-" she cut me off by touching my face. "-pay with your soul and your heart" "Soul? a-and Heart?" I want to run, but I'm so scared. I want to know if this is also just a work of my imagination. I quickly turned, planning to get the hell out of here, but I was terrorized when she suddenly appeared in front of me. Her saliva was falling to the floor like a mad dog and she furiously smiled at me. "Where are you going Lea? Is your heart still beating for the man that I loved? after betraying me! " Even her angelic voice is scaring me to death right now. Then suddenly, some weird memories just came into my mind. It's a girl that's been killed, with her mouth and eyes open, and her chest was brutally opened by a monstrous being, and lastly, that monstrous being ate her heart. "M-Melisa-" Before I could finish saying it, she grabbed my neck and stabbed her claws right into my chest. I felt her long, sharp claws tearing my chest apart. Was it all just a show? No one ever loved me. She took my lonely soul who just wished to be loved back. Lastly, I heard the final beat of my crying heart in her hands. It was a beat of sadness who was just begging for happiness. It… it happened, again. My best friend was blinded so much by love, that she killed me for the truth that the man he loves loved me. She made a deal with a demon. She hates my existence. My soul and heart were her only way to save herself from dying. "Even the most precious blessing I received turned out to be my greatest nightmare in the end." In my next life, I hope to end this curse. I am Lea, the reincarnation of Melisa.