DROWNING

Chapter Three

I jolted from my sleep to see nothing but a total darkness. I instantly became afraid . I stood up but lost my balance as my leg collided with an object and I fell. I stood up again with my right leg moving in circles to check anything that will stumble me again. I was more careful this time,I took one step at a time.
Immediately,I saw a ray light coming from a distance, I was happy to see light. I realized that the importance of light have always been underestimated. I moved towards the light with my pace increasing in every step.
Before I could reach the source of the light that seems to be so far away, I saw her,she raised her eyes to look at me and my heart bled as I saw the tears in her eyes,her cheek was sagged from so much crying.
She stood up and ran towards me,she hugged me so tightly. I wanted to ask her why she was crying but no matter how hard I tried,I couldn't say a word.
"I am scared Em, I am just so scared." She cried like she was reading the thoughts of my mind.
"Why are you scared?" I wanted to ask her but I still couldn't speak. She loosened her grip around me and was looking at me directly now.
" It's Dubem and Granny, I don't think I'm doing a great job protecting them." At this point, I was already screaming inside of me. All the things I wanted to say to her,I couldn't because of all times,my mouth decided to be dumb now.
" You've always told me that I was the best person for the Job. You've always told me how awesome and fabulous I am. You also said that they love me more than I can imagine. But I don't know Em,they always get hurt because I don't take good care of them. Granny is too old and can barely do anything for herself. Dubem is too young and can barely do anything for herself too. In turn,both are just too fragile." She talked incessantly in between sob. "Just last week,Dubem sprained her ankle,the physiotherapist said it was severe. I shouldn't have let her sprain her ankle, I should have protected her."
I wanted to tell her that what happened wasn't her fault. I wanted to comfort her and stop her from crying but I was only trying in vain.
"I know it was an accident but I could have prevented it." She cleaned her eyes with the back of her palm. "Thinking about them makes me cry,I don't want them to get hurt."
"Mama said ' when you love someone so much,it makes you cry,it makes you afraid of loosing them,it makes you want to hold their hand all day long and never let go'. I might not understand exactly how you feel but you know I have people I love too. And I don't want them to get hurt either. So,we are in this together." I was surprised to hear my voice speak after deciding to be dumb for a while. I hugged her and she hugged me back tightly.
'Thanks Em, you are always there when I need you the most. You always have your way of cheering me up." She held me tighter and kept her head on my shoulder. After some seconds,she unhugged me swiftly.
"Em, where are we?" She asked
"I don't know but it looks like the school basement." I answered looking around. I'm glad I got my voice back.
"What are we doing in school basement by this time of the night?"
" I'm wondering that too, I think we should go and check." I answered her.
"No, we can't go to check together,it might be dangerous. I will go alone,just wait for me here, okay?"
"Okay, promise you will come back."
"Most definitely,just wait for me."
"Pinky promise,bring your pinky finger." She laughed as we joined our pinkies and sealed it with our thumbs.
"This is actually not necessarily, I'm just going to check our location, that's all." She laughed.
"Okay, I will be waiting"
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Scarlet's POV

"Em! Em! Emerald! Wake up! Wake up Emerald! You're crying in your sleep again." I tried to wake her up but she was still crying.
"She lied,she never came back,she broke her promise." These were her words. She always said this whenever she had this dream. This dream has been repeating for the past one year.
"Emerald!" I called her one last time and she jumped looking startled,she sat for a while then laid back on the bed not saying anything.
"I'm sorry Scar, I woke you up again." She said quietly after some seconds.
"The only thing I'm angry at is that you called me 'Scar'. I won't beat you up now,I will wait till morning." I replied her and I could swear I saw her smile.
"Alright Miss". She replied.
"Em,go back to sleep now, it's a hectic day awaiting us tomorrow."
I waited to hear her soft and frequent breathing to confirm she was asleep but it looks like she's not going back to sleep anytime soon.
"Thank you." She whispered
"Are you dreaming again, Em?"
"No, I mean it. Thanks for everything."
"Okay,stop being emotional and get back to sleep." It didn't take her another 2 minutes to start breathing softly and the sound moving up and down in rhythm. I pray she heals.

Emerald's POV

I know she isn't going to sleep until she makes sure I'm asleep. I know my sister all too well. I will have to use this trick again.
I slowed my breath,moving it up and down in a regular pattern. She sighed in relief as she covered herself with my bed quilt. For the past one year,Scar rarely sleeps in her room, she's always there whenever I wake up from my disheartening dreams.  I don't know why I have so many selfless people around me. I'm supposed to be happy about it, aren't I? But that's not the case,it makes me scared instead. Scared of loosing them because it seems selfless people don't stay for long. I might sound insane but this is exactly how I feel.
"I hope she heals." The girl lying beside me muttered subconsciously. My heart tightened,I couldn't breathe,I instantly opened my eyes as though I breathe with my eyes. I did everything in my power to exhale but I couldn't, I moved my body swiftly to a sitting position,I managed to let out a small breath, I opened my mouth as I gasped for air. I felt my cheek become wet. Headache was gradually setting in.
I want to heal too but the thought of healing makes me guilty. I want to heal because the pain is almost unbearable. Then again,I don't want to heal because it feels like I'm letting go of her, healing makes me feel like a bad person who doesn't even care. I don't know what to do. I'd rather not heal.
I remember how we use to be, Scarlet, Ashley,she and I. We use to be the best four, the fantastic four,the fearsome quartet. Ashley and Scarlet get along so well, She and I get along so well,it was like a group of two pairs.
Ever since that incident, our friendship started falling apart. We stopped doing things together. I started referring to Ashley as Scarlet's friend and not my friend. I behaved as though I was the only one that lost a friend.
I've been looking out for myself alone. Ashley and Scarlet masking their pain with smiles just to comfort me, and in turn nobody comforts them. They suffer alone. This wouldn't have happened if she was here and I was gone. She would have brought everyone together.
Gosh,I even use pronouns alone when referring to her as though she never had a name. I've always known how selfish I am but I didn't realize I am foolish and cowardly too. I want to call her name so bad but I just can't.
I'm going to make a change, I'm going to try to be a better person for the people around me, at least.

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