Mirror

Do you believe in reincarnation? Droplets of sweat raced down my temple as I throw myself into a dark alleyway hoping I would not reach a dead end, otherwise I will be dead-- but do I deserve to die? Again, do I believe in reincarnation? The alleyway lead to a forest and brought me to a spot I've never been into, despite living in this boring ass town for nineteen years— a dead end. I stood and leaned against the tree trunk. Arms crossed over my chest, a knee bent and the other propping my entire weight. Under the guidance of the midnight sky stood a junkyard. I see no signs of an authority or anyone around at least to shoo me away. It seemed old, I can tell. Old and rusty cars covered in vines and branches, scattered bottles and things I do not give even a single f**k. There was however, a wooden sign attached against a barbed wire fence, saying 'No Trespassing'. I chuckled at it, raising a middle finger on it and jumped over the fence. If I like a thing, no one else should go against me.  Perfect. I walked around and only my footsteps can be heard. It was not as wide as I expect it to be, but that will do. I still haven't decided yet what to do with this place, other than smoking in here. Maybe I can start calling it my own hide out. Nobody else wonders around the forest aside from the lost ones like me to be even able to discover this place, if there is one maybe I can assume somebody else's body has been buried in this place. Buried or thrown, who knows. Junkyard is the new backyard. A torn and worn out couch served as a sanctuary to my tired knees, a result of running for roughly an hour away from the school guards. I yanked the green shamrock hoodie off my body, and fished the lighter out of my pocket. Did enjoy wearing this out especially in public, but I do not think I would have to keep this.  Not after I got caught sneaking inside the girls' dormitory to steal something from someone I know. I am sorry for I'll have to burn you.Tossing the wallet in the air, I asked—is it really important to her? Light beige bifold hipster wallet with few bills and coins, and her photo in it... along with a girl. I reckon it was important based on the way she spoke about it with her friends a while ago. I don't know, I do not really care. It's the curiosity perhaps. Just to see how she's going to react to moments like this, losing someone important to you.  It was no kleptomania. Nothing, but sheer boredom. I took the photo and tore the photo into two. I need something else to do and one of them was to make sure no one else other than me can take this place. "A visitor, I presume." I should have probably looked harder. The voice got my hands on the either side of my head to make sure that I do not have my earphones with me, where does that voice came from? Am I hallucinating. For a reason I cannot absorb, the voice reminded me of the breeze that embraces my whole body as I walk along the shore at night, it was cold. She is somewhere here-- that is, if I am not hallucinating. When was the last time I had a good sleep of 8 hours and above. I propped myself up, trying to know where she was"I'm here, little boy." Few meters away from the worn out sofa was an old bathtub, wilted petals and fallen dead leaves surround it and there I found a woman I was sure I have never once met in my life. Exploring this boring ass town was not that bad at all, huh. The moonlight cascaded over her short hair that barely touches her shoulder. Her white hair reminded me of winter, it was as if the snowflakes flocked together in each of the strands. Just as cold as her voice. Forehead veiled by perfectly trimmed fringe. Lying in an empty bathtub facing the night sky with both feet positioned on the rim and a broken tiara on her head. Am I high or something. Her oddly looking appearance spoke to me, telling me that she might be not real. Or am I overreacting? Come on, someone can just show up in front of me with a white hair and still be a normal person like everybody else. Perhaps, it was not because of her hair. The girl looked surreal, like she existed in a world humans cannot and decided to fly down here, in this hell. "I can hear you." A snap of a finger brought me back to reality. That's when I realized she was already standing in front me. Her curved lips grew into a sly smile. Now, she looked like a lost goddess. "Kidding. I get that a lot, that reaction." She then closed her eyes, and took a deep breathe. A pleasant aroma of honeysuckle wafted into the thin air, as she turned around.  "I will fly.." With fingers clinging to another behind her back, she walked away on her tiptoes—like a little kid. And there, I followed her without a single hesitation like I was placed under her unknown spell. "I will fly and.." She then stopped, her bare left feet taking its last step before her right. A gust of wind blew her arctic blue dress above her knee like the ocean wave, lifting it up and the white-haired girl didn't seem to care. She looked at me over her bare shoulder and I couldn't see her expression. All I can see was her silhouette. Just when I was about to inch my way towards her, an ear-splitting and piercing sound stunned me, static noise or metal grinding against another or maybe both. My eyes closed and I covered both of my ears with my palm trying to save myself from a headache the loud sound may trigger.  Gladly, it immediately stopped. Silence began to take over and swallowed the whole surrounding until I heard her speak ".....and they will search you."   Her voice echoed and my forehead wrinkled, confused at what she just told me but before I could even react, she jumped off. For a moment, I felt like  I could not move a single muscle. What the f**k was that? Seconds after, my feet moved on its own like it had its own mind. I ran towards her previous spot. I found myself standing at the edge of a cliff, which is where she was standing awhile ago. I peeked down the cliff, hoping the altitude would not make me flinch but it was nothing but pitch black. But I can tell the cliff was tall enough to kill anyone who would dare to jump off of it. Are you saying I just witnessed a suicide? ----- "You're late." Heather uttered in front of the council with both hands leaning against the flat wooden table as pulled out the chair in silence. Everyone was here and I could tell by the tone of her voice and the frown on her face that there really was something to talk about. "And also, please close the door. How many times do I have to tell you that." And by the time she told me that, I was already on my seat. "Too late." I chuckled then she just rolled her eyes at me. "Just wait for someone else to enter." "Anyway, as I was saying.." Aim pushed the pile of papers across the table towards me, with the usual smile on her face that I found creepy. I shrugged it off and grabbed the papers instead with a hand, and started to pretend I was paying attention to the what was written on the paper because I know I would be not be able to focus on the meeting. Last night, I again made sure no one else knew about my presence and hers on the junkyard, and also decided it was best to just burn the green hoodie into dust as if I was getting rid of an evidence after committing a murder. All, while trying to figure out what just happened. She will fly and they will search for me? They? Who. It was a who and a what question. Should I start to worry about my well being? Prepare to defend myself or call a lawyer in case they try to blame me for her death? I do not know. It was a who and a what question. Who was that girl. I spent more time thinking about her more than myself, about what was probably going to happen to me. I do not know, I felt like I just had to. How can I forget about someone with a beauty I have never seen before, and a strangely looking hair. Not that I was attracted to her, or maybe I was. A single smile from her could make me jump off a cliff along with her. I had heard of stories about how a goddess would often look like, and I think I just saw one. But if she was no longer alive, do I still have to know her name. Especially after what I did. Well, I did nothing-- and that was the issue. A stranger took her own life right in front me and I did nothing. I could have checked her body in case she was still breathing, less probable but at least, or if I managed to take her hand and brought her to a place where I can have her talk to me about everything that bothered her. She would have survived if I did, but who am I kidding? My lips unconsciously grew into a sly grin, idly tapping away with a pen. I could have done all those things not to save her ass from her own demise, but to rescue myself from falling into the depths of remorse and things that would make me feel bad about myself. I suppose that's an interesting part of being a human, how fun. "When's your next class?" With hands on the side of her hip, she raised a brow at me. Heather, the President of the Central Student Council of the University of Hawklein. Second year, chemistry student-- my blockmate. First year and she was already recognized for her wit, intelligence and her decision making skills enough for her to be qualified as the president of the council. She was the ideal student, daughter and a friend? The same girl you see in every student assembly, corridors and even on the school advertisement, so you can also say she's pretty. I glanced at my wristwatch with the other staring at me. "Thirty minutes, you need something?" She then replied with a nod and a cheeky smile at me. Heather somehow had to create a character as part of her job in the student council. Usually friendly, but needed something to intimidate several students and it seemed to be effective. Everyone respected her, and was scared of her at the same time. "Come with me." The female took my hand and I found myself getting dragged outside the room, towards the empty hallway before I could even complain. "Come on, Eros. Stop dragging your feet." We then ended up standing behind the school campus, just the two of us. "Thank me later." Heather proffered a white envelope that was seemingly thick. She tucked a few strands of her jet black hair behind her ear before crossing her arms over her chest. I immediately guessed what was inside. "Got it from the school president's wife. Don't ask me how." I can tell it was one of the reasons why we became friends. We both fancy doing inappropriate things without getting caught or if we did, we gotta make sure we get away from it due to our position. While she was the President, I was her Vice President. Only because she wanted me to join her. Tore the envelope open, and I was correct. A stack of dirty cash from the president's wife, great. Neither of us needed money. While I steal things out of boredom, Heather steals from those who do not deserve it. Being part of the council implicitly allowed us to see through the school's lies. "Saw her wife kissing Mrs. Delli's ass." She inched her way towards me, pressed a finger against her thin lips and has her eyebrows lowered. "Shh. Do not tell anyone about it." I remained silent, noticing how hard it was for her to keep her serious face but she gave up anyway. "Oh right, no I was just kidding, but hey imagine if it's real." I uttered no word and simply positioned my hand over her small head and ruffled her hair which she found a nuisance. "Weird, laugh at least. Anyway, you heard that annoying sound last night?" "Heard it twice, where did it come from? Was it the concert?" Heather replied by shaking her head to the side. "Thought it was too. It honestly ruined the mood last night. Good thing it was followed by my favorite song. You should have watched it with me!" It actually surprised me that Heather was not mad at me for ditching her. She usually turn berserk whenever I do plans without her, how clingy. But sure there was something wrong with that sound. A part me wanted to do something to satisfy my own curiosity but I got stuff to finish. That includes the junkyard minus that weird girl. Speaking of, should I tell her about what happened last night. Nah. Knowing Heather, she probably would not shut her mouth about it.  --- 6PM and I went towards the junkyard Almost forgot the exact location but I knew it shouldn't be far from the campus. Walking through the forest that conceals the abandoned junkyard was a hassle. It was almost dark and all I had was a flashlight and high hopes that the junkyard would remain to be my own little secret. It however did not take long before I reached the junkyard. It was a dumb decision for me not to bring a knife or anything to protect myself. Just a thought. I roamed around, once again making sure that I was the only person here but as I run towards the center, I kind of wished I would see her. I ran a mile to go here just so I can enjoy everyone's absence and my newly found spot. But the stained and empty bathtub convinced me otherwise. Maybe I really wanted to save her? Suddenly, I felt a connection that I did not know was there upon seeing the flowers around the tub. A strange feeling. But perhaps, it was just nothing but curiosity. That, I don't know.  Staying an hour beside the tub forced me to leave. I could not bear the myriad of thoughts containing nothing else but that girl. I tried to shake off these thoughts as I walk back towards the campus. Heather texted me to meet her on the chemistry laboratory tonight to help her with another plan I know nothing about. My footsteps echoed around the empty hallway, lights were off and doors are closed. Students should be at their dorm after class, and here we are breaking the rule. I was aware of the school guards roaming around the main building at night, so we needed to be careful but everything should be a piece of cake to us, she and I have done this before. The door of the chemistry laboratory was left ajar as soon as I reached the fourth floor. I assumed Heather was there, but she was not. Did I arrive late again convincing her to ramble around the building, doing her own thing without me? An independent woman like her needed no accomplice, but she wanted me here to feel safe. Not from the roaming guards, but I was told she fear the dark. Never got any chance to talk about it, I doubt she would say a word about things that she thinks would make her look weak. I dragged a chair towards the corner and sat there for another hour, waiting for her to appear. Also texted her, and tried to call her but I received no answers from her. With that, I left the floor and texted her to just call me in case she wanted to continue her plan with me. Taking a rest on the dormitory seemed to be a good idea, but I found a better one. I left the main building and ran straight to the school pool, adjacent to the school gym. Getting inside the campus with no people at all looked nice, but I realized I would want to experience indulging myself with a 30 metre pool all by myself.  I chose the shorter path which was to enter through the school gym. There was a shower and a locker room in it, connected to the ones for the pool. Everything was locked but if I could enter any room in the main building, that also meant I could access anything else. Heather and I had the keys. Perks of being the president and the vice of the student council? Nope. We stole it.  Supposedly, I had to enter the lifeguard's room so I can switch the lights on since it was an indoor pool but the place welcome me with blinding lights. Well, everything was blue. The lights underneath made the porcelain white ceiling mimic the color of the water and so did the walls and the floor. It was indeed a sight, my gaze roamed the indoor pool and to my surprise, I saw a person that I should not be seeing.  The one I was looking for---- the white-haired girl.  ----- "Would you trust a white-haired girl who only appears at night?" Hiya, I wrote another story again after years and hoping that you guys would try to read the first chapter. Mystery/psych thriller, which you may like. Votes and comments will be very much appreciated. Thank you!!----