The Moon That Rose

Chapter 3: Frame x Memories

"Ruben... is dead?..." I said, taken aback by the sudden announcement. I hated him with my life but... what about Crystal? That's right, Crystal!

My sight landed on Crystal's light brownish face being covered in glittering droplet of tears, streaming down to her chin. That sunshine... that energy that drew me so close to her — nihil. Her and Ruben must've been way closer than I thought for me to have thought that she was overreacting.

The effect her gray sweater and black shirt tucked inside her navy blue jeans, no longer matched the energy it was meant to give off. No, my expectations of her just aren't being met. Because I'm the one left with the void of emotion and inanimate of my own actions. Change. Change. Change. CHANGE!

No change is happening. Only empty, parasitic voids gorge on my purpose. That's her doing.

I tried to feel pity for her but I couldn't bring myself to wipe out the negative emotions I had buried. It felt like she was slowly straying away from me. That glimmer of hope no longer shined. The sun rose down to dawn. I couldn't help it... it hurt. Those empty voids went after my breath — straining my breathing as it got heavier by the second.

If I was to name what I felt, I'd name it an issue or a burden I chose to bury and run away from. I can feel it weighing on me even harsher. Or was it because I was told to not bury my issues, but why does it feel like I'm the one that's buried. I'm bound to my own issues I tried to release myself from.

It was the wrong way.

I understand it now, I'm a coward. I can't comprehend how I feel about her. So many thoughts just suddenly swarmed inside my head like an angry mob. They're too loud. Too overwhelming. Too Scary. Too suffocating. Too much. Loud loud loud loud loud loud loud LOUD NOISES LOUD NOISES. MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP, DAMMIT!!!!

Kill him. Kill her. Kill me. Kill them all. DO IT!!! STOP THIS. NO DON'T. I CAN'T. What am I even here for? Nothing felt worth it, but instead a living hell. What was going on? Why am I holding onto my chest? My thoughts questioned everything as my breathing paced and tensed up. "No... don't leave me." is all I could hear in my head. While scenes of a silhouette turning it's back on me played, walking away leaving me to die.

Suddenly, the room went dark. Empty. Quiet. And then it stopped. The room shaped back to normal. My breathing and heart no longer felt tainted and bloated. That's when it hit me. I can't face her like this. No, not like this. I slowly calmed myself before it got to other's notice.

As I was looking around, I saw others shedding tears for him. As for me, I couldn't comprehend why they teared up. Not because of my hatred towards Ruben, but because I found it odd to be in grief over someone else's loss. Let alone over anyone in general.

It's not like they would bring him back if they did. "Does... anyone have any questions before we give a moment of silence for him?" Mr. Geraldo looked around with gloom on his face. Out of the entire class, I was the one who remained stoic about the situation.

I mean, what reason is there to mourn for a guy like him. It's harsh to say, but even I wouldn't mourn for me. Some things are just left to be forgotten.

"M-may I ask... how it happened?" Crystal stood up high. Her black hair blocked the view of her face in despair. Mr. Geraldo scratched the back of his hair in contemplation of answering her question.

He puffed in and out, letting out his worries. "The media hasn't picked up on this yet, but the one murdered at this school is obviously Ruben. The police just this morning found out. However, the police don't have evidence on who it could be at the moment. Especially since the cameras stopped working last year."