HATCH

VII

⚠️TRIGGER WARNING: CRINGE STUFF AHEAD. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.⚠️

Letting go of everything, I wrapped my arms around him as much as I could. It was a bit difficult since I was on top of him and he was laid on the floor. But I still did.

I was quite thankful that the woman was already dead because of his sudden outburst, but just watching him do that didn't sit right with me.

I continued to cry while Aniki just stayed still. Suddenly, I heard him drop the bat and wrapped his long arms around my small and frail body. I felt at home once again despite everything. He might be Aniki's dark side but he was still a living part of his subconscious.

We stayed like that for a while, not even talking. I had already stopped crying so silence filled the air.

If his love really got to his own dark side, then I'm sure his evil doppelganger would be able to change. Love changes you for the better, at least in novels I have read.

"Hey... I'm afraid you'll have to get off," Aniki said regretfully but I could tell he tried not to be awkward. I felt his chest vibrate from speaking.

I pulled myself away from him and looked him in the eye. He was avoiding my gaze, blushing. I never knew he could get so shy.

I was sitting on top of his abdomen but he didn't seem to mind despite telling me to get off.

I couldn't stop myself from giggling but still stood up, helping him stand. He dusted off his back and walked over to the lady's corpse after staring at me for a whole minute.

"I'll go bury her in the field," Aniki said as he proceeded to pick up the body easily over his shoulder, blood dripping on his back from the woman's head.

I cleaned up the rest of the mess he made on the floor.

It was gross but I knew I had to do it. After a while, Aniki's dead body suddenly entered my mind. I rushed to the living room and was relieved to see him there but it still broke me to pieces. Staying with his doppelganger only seemed like putting my broken pieces in vain with glue.

I crouched down beside him, suppressing my sobs and cries. I caressed his cold bloody cheek.

"He was too good to others. Other kids take advantage of him, if you only knew," Aniki said beside me, startling me.

I wasn't expecting to hear that. Aniki never told us. I was very saddened.

"W-What?" I croaked, putting a hand on my mouth. I smeared some of his blood on my face but I didn't care.

Aniki didn't reply and crouched down beside me. He stared at his exact copy glumly.

I was surprised to see him pick up Aniki's corpse in a piggy back ride.

"He was too stupid, so I killed him. I can take his place and defend myself better," he grumbled.

I followed him to the field outside the house to help him bury Aniki. To be honest, I wasn't ready to say goodbye to his good side. It was his good persona that I had been with for my whole life.

"Aniki," I muttered. "I'm sorry."

Aniki stopped in his tracks, staring at me.

"Stop it. None of it was your fault. Please... stop blaming yourself for things you didn't even do." His voice shifted from angry to sad.

I saw hope. I could change this guy. Sure, he would still have those negative traits in him but I can at least lead him to a better life as long as he was with me... if we ever escape from here, that is.

Without a word, I pulled him to the field. He carefully placed Aniki in a hole he had already dug earlier. I handed him the shovel but before he could start burying, I wanted to say my last goodbye to Aniki.

I kneeled on the moist ground, soil staining my grey sweatpants.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me and I'm sorry for burdening you by liking you." My message sounded lame but I couldn't care less.

"I would have still kept his feelings to myself even if you didn't like me. It's inevitable, yn," Aniki said from behind.

"I love you, Aniki."

I ignored his doppelganger behind me and just stared at the dead body. Aniki's face was mutilated from all the beatings but I could still imagine his face.

My tears pooled in my eyes and eventually dripped down my cheeks down to Aniki's shirt.

Seconds later, I burst into tears and cried uncontrollably. Aniki carefully pulled me up and took my spot, throwing dirt on top of the corpse until no part was protruding from the ground.

I was still crying even if he was already done burying.

"Stop crying," Aniki said. I could sense the pain in his voice.

I felt him engulf me into a tight embrace. Although I knew he was the same person, I still couldn't get a good grasp on the whole situation. If only that stupid hatch hadn't appeared.

Now that everything was over (or was it?), I was lost once again. How do I get out of this world?

Killing myself did not guarantee that I would wake up in the real world like everything was only a dream.

Do I have to accept the fact that I'll be stuck here forever?

¬.¬

*disgusted inaudible gagging noises*

i mean... DID YOU SEE THAT?  EUEGEHEUEHGEELBBBRLELEUDHDHEW

just... ew

idk man.

what the hell is this?