It had been 2 days since I returned here. Everything seemed new even though all this already happened, like when one just bought a new book, so exciting, but owning hundreds of books? This is so..strange. Am I living in a somewhat fairy tale story?
I was interrupted in my thoughts by a knock on the door. "Shinaiva, dear it's me, your mother. May I come in?" I was surprised and eager. Since I returned back to time I've yet to talk anyone dear to me, because I locked myself in my room since my return. I ran towards the door, opened it and looked at mother. Tears run down through my cheeks. I've missed her. The time I saw her last was when she's a lifeless body in the coffin. I embraced her tightly as my tears overflow.
" Dear, why're you crying? May you perhaps encountered a bad dream?" she asked. Her worried voice made me more emotional. I wanted her to stay by my side for all eternity. Dear God, is that perhaps attainable? She let me cry for a while in her arms like when I was a child, she'd embrace me and would do anything to make me cheer up. She's like an angel sent by the ones above.
After my emotional breakdown, mother insisted that the two of us drink some tea. I asked for jasmine tea and she asked for green tea. Most of the time when she's drinking tea she'd always add a lot of sugar.
"Dear, would you like a sugar?" she asked. I'm quite shocked to hear mother ask me that. Because she knows I'm not the type to add sugar in my tea. Before I'd decline, she said that the sugar is premium made, one of the rarest and most expensive sugar. I was astonished to hear that especially the fact that she'd let me have it. Of course I said yes and mother scooped me 2 sugar cubes. But there this feeling that something feels odd for some reason, like somewhat familiar feeling. Heh. Oh, that.
As mixing, the tea gave out a rather enticing aroma. I cannot resist such aroma so I took a sip. "It tasted more delicious than it smelled." I smiled. She smiled. It's a mother daughter bonding time which felt pretty good. But wait something doesn't feel right. Mother and I didn't had tea before the banquet... What...? What...is...going on...?
" Mother, if possible can I ask you something? " she nodded. "Anything my dear." " How long till my coming of age ceremony?" She looked at me confused. " You have till the day after tomorrow. Why do you ask? My are you excited?"
Huh...? What... "You don't know, huh," a faint voice of a girl spoke to my ears. I'd ask mother if she heard it but she did not. Mother's smile widen. For some reason that smile reminded me of someone... I gasped, stood up and took a step back. Fear is all I can think of that moment. It's that girl. That girl Eiko mentioned as Kristin — the devil.
"Why did you stood up? Why dear? Why dear?" her face looked like the ones in horror stories. I run as fast as I could away from her, outside my room. I hope I get to see my brother. Her head enlarged letting it lead the entire body as it was chasing me.
I was running around the palace. I didn't see anyone. I tried opening other doors, the windows but they can't be opened. I'm scared. I was running non stop until I collapsed. My head banged on the floor making it bleed nonstop. I can't get up. My body seemed paralyze. Well that's familiar. That sugar definitely got something in it.
Before that monster even finds me I wish I already die. So that I won't need to feel anything. " You're already dead aren't you?" it's that voice again. I scoffed. That's right. I'm already dead so what's the point in wishing for me to die again.
A gate opened, and it's no ordinary gate, it's the familiar kind again. "Already done? That was fast," I heard a familiar voice. It's Eiko. I tackled her, clenching my teeth, and grabbed her by the collar. "What's the f*cking big idea? Why'd you push me, huh? Why'd you put me to that nightmare? I though I have a second chance to do something about their deaths but I got a second chance at my death?! F*CK YOU!!
I was infuriated just by the sight of her.