Catharsis | AVOOCU Sequel

Chapter 1: Once More, Back Again

A/N: Warning— there will be dark themes in this book. If you are easily triggered, either stop reading or proceed with caution.

[Chapter 1: Once More, Back Again]

    Wh... Why does my... my body feel... so heavy...?

    Everything felt different. It was dark-- dark and full of nothing. The abyss was dark enough for me to see nothing. My mind... was so fuzzy. I wondered-- what's-- am I awake?

    A tingle on my fingers, I felt my fingers despite not seeing them. Ah... I knew what was happening: I was asleep.

    Okay, I told myself, actually feeling the utter exhaustion in my body. Let's... let's wake up. "Mmhm..." I heard myself say, the sensation of my body rolling helping me wake up. It was harder than usual to peel my eyelids open. It was as if I was waking up from the dead. "Ugh.." I groaned, tearing up from the sudden brightness. My throat feels gross. Even though my entire body felt like a limbless puppet, I pushed myself up, clutching my head.

    Aah... my head hurts. My eyes closed as I pursued my lips. They felt dry. Just what the fuck did I even do to... I blinked blearily. Huh...? I stared at my hand in front of me. For some reason I-- this wasn't my hand. Unlike mine, this was drier, larger, and more... detailed? I watched as it curled and uncurled under my will. How in the--

I craned my head around in a daze-- only to widen my eyes. This... this wasn't my room. This is nothing like my room. This place was a mess, with papers and pencils scattered everywhere. Next to me was a messy yet empty bunk bed, with a metal desk next to it. There— there was a sort of familiarity to this. Glancing up in wonder, I noted absentmindedly at the bed just hovering above me. What the... When did I sleep in bunk--

Something nagged in the back of my mind. Wait... why does this all look familiar? It's as if... as if I lived here before—

And then it hit me.

No.

No no no!

Fear struck me like a bullet, the mere force causing me to fall. No-- I-- It can't be-- I let out a gasp at the sight of familiar yet dreadful locks of dyed blonde hair. A horrified scream came out of my mouth as I scrambled up, My longer legs rushing out of the familiar room.

Please-- please don't let it be--
Bursting into the different (yet familiar) bathroom, I closed my eyes as I hunched over the sink. I let out a deep breath, almost terrified to see who I was.

Please... I prayed to whoever was out there. I don't want to--

I took a sharp intake as I got my answer. In the mirror, was a scrawny woman in her early 20's with warm ivory skin. She had messy dirty blond hair with brown roots sprawled all over her shoulders. The most noticeable part was her eyes: bright yellow and disturbingly beady.

I... I was Ashley.

Disgusting.

Her stomach (my stomach) coiled around like a snake. God, I felt like puking. I... I can't be. I didn't want it to be true-- none of this is true!

I... I can't be Ashley.

My heart-- no, this isn't mine-- pounded so loud in my-- her, I'm not her--  chest. This has to be a dream, a-- a genjutsu. I gripped onto that flimsy hope like a lifeline. Yeah-- that's it! A genjutsu! I pressed these stupid hands together, "Release!"