It's Better This Way

Ruby's POV

Ruby’s POV:

The entire rest of the day was weird. Dia was always there. She just stood silently and stared at me. I’m a little scared, if I’m honest. I don’t like this at all. The way she’s looking at me is giving me the creeps.

It was almost morning at the point. I couldn’t sleep. Not with her there. It was unnerving. I was lying on the bed and just staring at the ceiling. I don’t know what to do. Why won’t she do something instead of just stare. What happened to how it used to be when she would act like a normal person? Why is she acting like a statue now? What went wrong?

I felt movement at the foot of my bed. I sat up quickly. Dia was gone. On the bed there was now a knife. Is it real? Should I touch it? Should I call a nurse? But if it isn’t real they’ll think I’m going crazier.

I hesitantly reached out and touched the knife. It was solid. It might be real. But, how did it get here? Did… did Dia put it there? But why?

Don’t tell me… that dream was… it wasn’t just a dream. She really does want me to die? But why? Why would she? Wouldn’t she want me to live on? Maybe she’s lonely?

There was a knock on the door to my room. I looked over. It was a nurse. She walked over to me. Her eyes widened as she looked at the knife. I guess it’s real then, huh?

“Where did you get this from?” The nurse asked as she took the knife off the bed.

“I don’t know. It was just there.” I replied. It’s the truth.

The nurse gave me a suspicious look, “I’ll see about that.”

She left the room after that. I hope she sees that it’s the truth. I didn’t bring the knife in and no one else did either. I don’t want to get in trouble for this. It wasn’t my fault.

…

A few hours later, I was taken to the therapist again. I sighed as I was brought to her. I don’t like her at all. She’s the reason I’m here. She’s the reason I can’t go home yet.

Therapy was different this time. When I was taken into the room, I was greeted with Yoshiko and Kanan sitting in there with the woman. I eyed them warily. Why are they here?

“Ruby, I believe it would be helpful for you to see the event that lead up to all of this.” The therapist said.

“I don’t want to.” I grumbled.

“You don’t have a choice. This will help you.” She replied.

I glared at her. What does she know? That still doesn’t explain why Kanan and Yoshiko are here. I don’t want them here. I don’t want them to see me fighting this woman.

The therapist turned her laptop toward me. It had a video on it. It looks like a news report. Is this… a video of her death? They really want me to see this? But why? Won’t that make it worse?

She pressed play on it. I didn’t want to watch it, but I couldn’t look away. It was so strange. It felt surreal. This was the first time I was seeing this. I don’t like it. I don’t like seeing this.

When it was over, she turned it off and turned her laptop back toward her. I looked over at Kanan and Yoshiko. They were looking at me. What do they want?

“That will be all for today.” The therapist said.

I was taken back to my room. Kanan and Yoshiko followed. They sat on opposite sides of the bed. I don’t really want to talk to them right now. Why can’t they just leave me alone?

“So, Ruby… um, how are you doing?” Yoshiko nervously asked.

“The same.” I replied blankly.

“You don’t seem to even be trying to get better.” Yoshiko said.

“What do you know?” I snapped at her.

“This isn’t the normal you, Ruby. You’ve changed.” Kanan stated.

“It’s your fault! If you would’ve just left me alone I would’ve been fine!” I growled at her.

“You tried to kill me, Ruby.” Yoshiko said.

“Because you ruined everything! You should’ve minded your own business.” I grumbled.

“Ruby, this isn’t healthy. You need help.” Yoshiko said as calmly as she could. I could tell she was trying not to yell at me.

“Get out. I’ve had enough of you!” I yelled.

Yoshiko sighed and then left the room. Kanan glanced at me and then followed her out. Like I care. I don’t need either of them. I’ll get out by myself if they won’t help me do so.

It can’t be that hard. All I have to do is just act like I don’t see Dia and they’ll let me go. I just need to deceive the therapist. That’s going to be a little harder. She probably knows how to tell if someone is lying. I’ll have to be very good to trick her. I think I can do it, though. I’m determined to get out. Nothing will stop me.

…

After a long month, I had finally convinced the therapist I was better. That wasn’t true at all. I still see her. She never says anything. She just stares at me. She never did anything else quite yet.

The doorbell rang. I sighed and went to go answer it. It, of course, was Yoshiko. She still refused to leave me alone. She’d drop by often to come and visit me. I wish she wouldn’t.

“Hey. You doing good?” Yoshiko asked.

I nodded, “Yep. I’m fine.”

I pretended to be fine with her here. I don’t want her to know anything is up. I don’t doubt she’d take me back to the hospital if I showed signs again. I refuse to go back. I only want to be home. I don’t want to be in a hospital.

We sat down in the living room and talked for a while. I looked around. Dia wasn’t here. Normally she was always around. Does this mean she’s going to do something again? 

An hour passed without any signs of her. Yoshiko has to leave. Even after she left, Dia didn’t come back. Is she gone? Am I better? Did the medicine actually work?

Let’s hope so. Now I wouldn’t have to pretend. I could finally be normal again. That’s all I want. I just want to be normal again.