Duality

Chapter 3

Amiya's state of mind worsens even more as she opens the drawer of the table and watches the small lighter with an unusual anticipation. She snickers deliriously as she picks up the lighter; she flicks it around carelessly as she brings it close to the bracelet. Amiya hums lowly in a psychotic manner as she lights a burning bright flame. Her eyes stare into the raising flame with a passion as a malicious and shrewd smile shows on her face.

The girls blink twice in agitation; they yearn to keep the bracelet safe, but it is as if nothing is in their control. The girls feel like a doll, each string in the control of Amiya, no choice but to witness all her deeds merely as bystanders. No power in their voice nor actions even hold value at all.

Amiya's main vision is at the ever-growing blaze from the lighter, her eyes glistening from the burning residue of the bright fire. Within seconds, she sets ablaze the bracelet; the thin string and beads quickly catching on fire and burning to ashes. She lets go of the bracelet recklessly as it burns on the floor.

The bracelet that also was a symbol of the girl's undying friendship was burning into nothing, as it ceases to in-existence. The flames dying slowly after completing its set task as the remains lie destroyed. Suddenly, Amiya stomps her foot against the now burnt memory, crushing it even more as she stares at it, deeply without care of the heat.

Thousands of questions arise in the heads of the girls but vanish quickly into the abyss as all they can do is stand still speechless. Well, not speechless by choice but by force of the situations that they all witnessed. However, one thing for sure was that if by chance Amiya ever got an acting role of an insane psychopath, she would justify the role like no one else. Like Amiya was destined to be a true psychopath, you never know when she will strike next and how. But certainly, this is not true, she is not a psycho nor is she insane, she just needs time to think right?

The tension builds up more in the room. Amiya sees Misaki for a quick second before turning her gaze towards her friends. Amiya feels a sense of guilt and regret grow strong within her as her smile drops instantly to a pitiful frown. She looks down at the glass shards and small pieces of the photo along with the droplets of blood and tears. She lifts her foot off the bracelet and stares intensely as her previous emotions shift to a more painful expression.

Amiya says nothing as her eyes start to water in agony as she storms out of her room leaving her friends left behind stranded and alone in the room filled with negative emotions. Tears now furiously stream down her face as she holds in her whimpers and cries not wanting to be heard in this unfortunate state.

Her friends just stare in disbelief of what happened as Katlyn and Annette decide to clean up the shattered remains of what was once a symbol of their friendship. Misaki sobs silently as she clutches her cheek; her cheek still stings in pain. Was this the very end of the friendship between the four girls? The one minor argument caused such a huge drift which blazed apart every girl; however, the flames are the true emotions that Amiya withheld for so long in herself.

Amiya rushes to the bathroom and slams the door shut, as she jolts in fear from the loud noise. She holds onto the doorknob as her tears make their way to leave a coat of moisture on the knob from her arms and face. She cries with her hand finally sting in pain as she removes the broken glass shard and chucks it away in the darkness.

"These many years of closeness and friendship, did I really go and ruin it completely?" Amiya asks to herself knowing that no answer is forthcoming.

She turns to face the mirror after turning the light on, only to flinch as she sees her reflection in the mirror. An Amiya with tearful, puffy red eyes and nose stares right at her; the trail of blood still stained on her body. Her heart feels heavy; it feels like it is blown up to tiny pieces scattered apart in a huge mess. Amiya watches the tears slowly slide down from her eyes as new tears reform.

"I hate this, I hate myself. I am nothing but a freak who finally showed my true form, that I tried so hard to keep to myself and hidden away. I failed; I am nothing but a disappointment, maybe even a mentally sick person at that." Amiya talks to herself through the mirror, as she loses herself slowly to time.

Amiya stares deep into the mirror before seeing a change in the reflection of herself. The mirror emits a strangely positive aura and the Amiya in the mirror smiles sweetly and uses her hands to make a smile, so she smiles as well. Amiya's serene and pleasant laugh of joy echos throughout the bathroom. The same smile which encouraged everyone to spread happiness and laughter now drives her insane.

She tilts her head to the left and then to the right to see if her reflection does the same and it does. This is Amiya, or rather, it truly is her reflection but then why is she so different than her reality. She clenches her fists tightly, her nails digging into her delicate skin her eyes never once leaving the mirror.

"I wish to embrace the Amiya I once was, carefree and who knew only about making others happy while feeling a sense of belonging with everyone. And most importantly, who was satisfied with who she was and could care about nothing how she was viewed as." she whimpers as her breath gets shaky hoping her wish can come true with just a snap.

The echos of the laugh and giggles grow louder around Amiya as she covers her ears and closes her eyes to see nothing but darkness, anything but that increasingly kind and pure smile. Amiya screams aloud in pure angst and agony to overturn the suppressing laughter of naiveness and purity.

'I cannot bear this no longer, the relentless fear of judgement and taint to my character and personality. I want me back; I am sick and tired of it all.' she thinks to herself amidst of all the other train of thoughts rushing through her mind.