Folly & Agendas & Talulah

Chapter 69: Tragedy Long Overdue

NOTE: All credit goes to Energeia_Aiegrene

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"I won't," She huffs, marching away as I groan. "Quit your groaning, ■! I will not have a conversation to make up with you—period!"

Ch'en fumes while I take a step back from her harsh wish. Not wanting things to end as they were, I grit my teeth and press on to get a chance to fix things with her, "Hui-Chieh, if you can at least listen-!"

She interrupts me by unsheathing her black sword—pointing it at my face. "I listened to you a lot, and look where it got me, ■," She snaps, her grip tightening on the handle while I stare unflinchingly at her, "Listening to you in the past may have helped me. But did you even listen to me when I asked you in the past? Did you even care for what I said?"

I felt my gaze uncontrollably look away from her despite my recollection of our many conversations in the past. Why did I look away from her? Why can't I look her in the eye?

"You told me that my hard work would pay off, that if I open myself up to someone, I would see the world's beauty while accomplishing my goal—to witness its duality!" She sneers while I can't do a thing; my mouth won't move—no words are coming out! "But when I opened myself up to you after asking you to stay beside me. Where. Were; You?"

I tried to tell her the truth, to say something, but why did I break who I am and lie to her? "I-I was there, Ch'en," I lie, not meeting her gaze—even when I try. "I ha-Was called and couldn't ignore it. Y-you, understand, right?"

WHY DID I LIE? WHY CAN'T I LOOK HER IN THE EYES?

"If I called, why did you hesitate and let me die?"

My eyes widened as that wasn't Hui-Chieh's voice. Immediately, I got control of my face and looked up.

However, I saw Mother looking at me with glassy eyes. "If you even cared like you said...why did you let me die?"

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Why did you become like me?

I woke up in my dorm with a pained gasp, the cold air thrashing my lungs while snapping up, my body freezing before I started coughing upon the flood of horrific memories drowning my senses. "I'm sorry!"

I hyperventilated, rolling out of bed with a bang, my elbow hitting first before the rest of my body followed, waking up from contact with the metallic floor. However, I quickly roll onto my feet and stumble forward, promptly falling to all fours before hastily making my way into the bathroom; The door expressionlessly slides open, allowing me to reach the toilet and throw up what little was in my stomach.

My throat and eyes sting; however, it doesn't compare to the immense fear that took me over, 'Was that a dream? Or was that real?' I vacillate mentally; my breathing burns my lungs—my nose clogged as I lurch over the toilet, vomiting into it once more as hot tears burst from my eyes. "Guh!"

I gasp, erratically breathing as my body shivers. Everything hurts when nothing hurts. 'That was a nightmare, right?' I gasp, eventually ceasing my retch while I gasp for air, hoping to down the cold drink. "K-Kal'tsit..."