Chapter 6
1244 Words
“You can't.” His simplest statement questioned my decision. “You don't want to die.” he said like it's true.
“I can.” I felt brave to answer him back. “I can.” then, it sounds like I am convincing myself.
“If you say so.” he said that in full sarcasm that made me smile involuntarily.
His sarcasm is amusing. I feel like he is so kind as to even deliver sarcasm. “Say that again.” I chuckled.
“What's funny?” he said in an honest wonder that made my smile grow wider.
With my eyes closed, I carefully adjusted myself to sit comfortably on the branch. The rope is still around my neck but I feel relaxed.
“That rope wasn't meant to be a necklace. It's disturbing.” he commented nonchalantly.
“You're disturbing me.” I fired back with an amused smile. I can tell he moved nearer due to the loudness of his still developing manly voice, yet there's no sound from his movements that I find amusing.
“Just get rid of the rope.” he commanded again like a full grown man.
I shook my head. “Can I open my eyes no—”
“No!” he blurted out loud like it's forbidden to see him.
I frowned. “Why?” Is he that horrible to look at? I don't think so, I just saw a blurred silhouette of him. He's there near the tree looking up at me— it's what his silhouette looks like.
“Not with the rope.” he negotiated. He is smart, I can tell.
To change the presented topic I asked. “Do you do this every time people attempt to kill themselves?” Is he some kind of a patrol in this forest? A life savior? Is this now a job?
He chuckled that I found it amusing again. He sounds cute. I bet he's younger than me. “I'll tell you after you get rid of that rope.” Of course he'll bring back the rope topic.
“You negotiate a lot. You'll be good at running a business.” I tried to change the topic but this kid is consistent.
“You'll be good without the rope.”
I laugh humorlessly. “Your consistency is something.”
“And you lack it?” he fired back at my ego. Hell, this kid knows how to answer questions.
“I just got distracted easily.” It's somewhat true. I always lack focus and consistency while studying. As a result, I can't finish a whole book to read, making my tests shaken.
“Obviously.” he chuckled again.
I frowned when I remembered he's reaction about opening my eyes. “Why can't I see you?” My curiosity is growing.
“You know that curiosity kills a cat, right?”
I grunt. “I'm not a cat—”
“But your neck has a rope.” he cut me off like it is the answer to my question. “Remove it first.”
I want to roll my eyes but then my eyes aren't wide open. “I doubt that I'll see you when I remove the rope.”
“Why do you think so?” he asked.
“I don't trust you. I don't trust anyone.” confessing it was my first time. I only trusted Faya, but then she stayed away from me. I can't or don't trust Kaizo, he's a bit touchy that makes me uncomfortable.
“You don't trust anyone?” he asked to confirm. I slowly shook my head. “How about . . . f— friends?” he's hesitant about his question.
Does Guki count? She knew I'm sick because of her observation. She knows I'm suffering yet I don't tell her anything. My dialogues— ‘I'm doing good’, ‘I'm alright’, and such, are already old news to her.
I gulped and shook my head again. Deciding that Guki does not count. She's becoming a shrink and she's different.
I heard that he cleared his throat. Must be finding me hard to deal with. “Do you have a . . .person who takes care of you?” I commend this kid for being so careful in his questions.
“A family.” I pointed out what he meant. “I have? Biologically.” hell, this topic is uncomfortable. The last time I talked about family was with my first and last shrink.
“Biologically?” he doesn't get my point. Or maybe because it has a lot of interpretations.
“Biologically.” the stern in my voice was visible.
“Yeah?” he said unsure. Knowing he's pondering my point I humorlessly chuckled. “Yeah, funny.”
His sarcasm really is cute. This kid is too kind to even use the tone. Having some heart I decided to explain.
“Biologically. Like it's our only relationship. They are my parents, I'm their child. They cover their responsibilities, and that's it.” explaining it to some stranger is— weird.
This is my first time talking freely to a stranger. The overrated advice of everyone seems to agree, talk to a stranger they won't judge you. Or maybe strangers also judge but just keep them to themselves.
“You're like a princess.” the kid said nonchalantly that made me chuckle.
“I'm now Aurora, The Sleeping Beauty, then?” I laugh. Kids really are something.
“You're not. But you want to sleep forever, that makes you like it.” I heard him chuckle.
“You're the frog prince who keeps me awake by now.” I teased about changing the Disney's version of movies.
“You're somewhat crazy.” he just said, letting the Disney topic drop.
Silence filled the air between us letting the dangling sounds echoed in the forest. I shivered when the cold wind blew, embracing my body that is covered in thick cardigan, thick stockings, sneakers, and my floral white dress that now has a ripped design all over, plus the huge rope on my neck.
A sad smile carved on my face. My sight remains dark not wanting to open it— I want the kid to feel at ease and if my blindness makes him comfortable, so be it.
My curiosity on the kid grew again. “How old are you?” I asked out of the blue along with the creepy sound the forest has.
“Seventeen, but I di—” he cleared his throat. “Yes, seventeen.”
He's unsure about his age. “I'm just a year older than you.” That thought made me smile. “What's your height?” boys grew taller and faster than girls do.
“5'3?” he's unsure again but, “You're taller than me!” I blurted out like it's the most intriguing news in Japan.
He chuckled. “Yeah?” then he took a deep breath. “Will you please remove the rope now? It's disturbing to look at.” The kid's tone is a bit pissed. Does he have issues with ropes?
Will I be happy if I continue living? Will my parents change how they see me when I go back? Will Faya run back to me as her best friend again? Am I still welcome outside this forest, to reality? Will I still survive?
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Day Biasca
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