Mélange

- The Labyrinth -

Warning:
Imagery might be upsetting for some. Proceed with caution.
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"Harina!" I yelp as I sit up. Cold sweat running down from my forehead to my neck. The pounding of my heart slowly makes my ears ring. My surroundings are overwhelming. I rush out of bed, tangling myself with the blanket. I fall out, struggling to get to the bathroom. The sunlight from the small ajar window hits my face, letting me see the horrific wide eyes in the mirror. I look down at the sink, almost wanting to bring back up last night's dinner. It was all right in front of me, only to disappear once again with just a flutter of the eyes. They're all gone. I slam my fist on the counter and my wrist pounds in pain. I couldn't save them. I couldn't even if I tried.

And I did.

I look up again at the fool in front of me. I gather my faded-apricot hair back. The sensation reminds me of it all. The way Eron pulled my hair back and made a small slit on my neck. The scar is still there. I try to keep myself together. The tightness of my chest loosens, letting me breathe.

I open the faucet, reminding me of the flowing river. Cold and unchanging. The constant splash on the rock was all I could hear as I hid behind a tree. I needed to save them. The only way I can is to escape the jungle-like labyrinth he's put me through. He took them captive. He knew everything about me and used it against me. He knew I would fight to the death while he had his grimy hands all over my siblings and father. My father was never a good man. Not to me. Not to anyone. Not even to himself. However, Eron knew that I would throw myself in front of a train just to push my father away. The next thing I knew, something dragged my father away as I reached out to him. "Hara!" The blood-curling scream he let out as it dragged him by the legs, leaving me mangled on the cold train tracks. I knew and told myself that I shouldn't stay lying on the tracks but the pain turned me numb. I knew I shouldn't stay there when I heard another train chugging. I could barely feel the vibration of the tracks as it grew closer but I knew it was coming.

Then it stopped.

Everything fell silent but nonetheless deafening. It was never silent in the forest. The train just stopped beside me. Its cold metal burns my skin. Then a rustle from the bushes. I knew whatever is about to jump at me will be just like what dragged my father. I didn't have a choice but stumble up, no matter if my body is shattered. I had to go. I had to run. Run. That's all I did for who knows how long. I reached the river, hid behind a buttress. My legs ached. My thighs burned. My ribs pierced through my entirety as I heave for a breath. I wobble down, hitting my hips on the ground. I had to save them. I had to escape the labyrinth he's put me through.

I splash my face with the cool water and immediately turn off the faucet before looking up at myself again. I couldn't keep the stare up for long. I know I will lose it again. I leave the bathroom and the stairs threaten me, moving back and forth. My hands shake as it reminds me of the small shed I saw near the buttress I hid behind. It was out of place. Seemingly recently built but it didn't look new. I dragged myself towards it. It will be a trap again. I knew that. That didn't matter. I reach for the handles, opening it wide enough for me to enter. Though there was nothing. Nothing but stairs made of mossy cobblestone. The shed was a ruse to get me down there but that's not all of it. I saw a familiar figure at the bottom of the flight of stairs. "Hadelline," I whisper to myself as I realize. My 7-year-old sister at the bottom of the stairs. I almost fell myself as I hurried down. Her unconscious body and the wounds all around her face made me think of the worse. I checked for breathing and a pulse but there was nothing. She was colder than usual. That sick bastard did this to her, I just knew it. I placed my forehead on hers. "Live. That's all I ask." I mumble hoping somehow something in her would hear me. He did this, I knew that. Eron, that heartless buffoon. I didn't even notice but I was screaming Hadelline's name. I wailed. I couldn't save her. Everything hurt. My head is pounding and my heart is breaking but I had to leave her here. I took off the bracelet she made me back when she was 5. The square beads have my name in them. They had crown-shaped beads in different shades of red and purple. I placed it in her hands hoping that when she wakes up, she will know I was here. I turned my head and saw the seemingly endless corridor ahead.