I Will Only ever Lived as a Side Character

Nightmares

Catherine was walking the long dimmed corridor, only the flask of the thunders gave light through the high arched windows. She put her hands to her ears, trying to numb the loud drops of heavy rains and thunder.

She had another nightmare again.

Where's dad? He always helps her sleep, but now that he's gone. Ever since she has gotten better. She misses him.

Catherine felt tears swelling up in her eyes just as she tripped and fell on the carpet floor, surely resulting in a scraped knee. She winced.

She wiped the tears that were streaming uncontrollably on her face, but then she heard noises inside the room right next to her.

"It's such a shame what happened to Mr. Enderson."

Her ears shot up.

'Dad?'

Her body crawls to the room and as quietly as possible, peek through the door. There were three maids there, one of whom is close to her mother but even so what could they know about her father?

"I know, how unfortunate really, such a handsome man shouldn't be in a jail cell." She said but then turn to one of the maids in the corner, cleaning some dusks away. She snickered

"Say Mei, you're close with the family. Do you know why he was buying illegal drugs, especially from a criminal?"

Mei stopped what she was doing. "He wasn't buying drugs." She said firmly, each word came louder. "He was buying medicines, a cure—!"

"Illegal medicine." The maid added.

Mei went still as she continued, "Medicine so strong and powerful they could make even a warrior's body collapse."

"I heard it was made from corruption." Another joined in as Mei gritted her teeth.

"That's just hearsay. It worked, didn't it? It's the reason our mistress is standing today."

"And our master isn't. For him to die for that little twit is beyond me." 

Catherine's heart stopped.

She stumbled back, her hand pushed the door wide open, the maid turned in shock but the shock resided when they saw who it was.

"Y-Your wrong!" Her voice cracked, "My father isn't dead! He's not!"

"Oh, but he is." The maid slowly walked toward the girl. "He rotted in jail because of you" With Each step she took, the girl backed away.

Her breath quickened as she was back against the wall. The maid towering over her little body. Everything seemed to turn black and her head was dizzy. And her heart was aching so much, so much. She can't bear it.

"If you weren't so sick, so weak, do you think he would've lived?"

Stop it

"That he wouldn't have to die all cold and alone in a rustic jail cell."

It wasn't my fault

"That your mother wouldn't be grieving at the loss of her husband."

Shut up

"Really.."

"You should've succumbed to your sickness  all those years ago."

Shut up
Shut up
Shut up

SHUT UP!

I awoke from gasping for air, drenched in my sweat. My heart is pounding so much. Fuck what the hell was that?

A dream? No, no that wasn't a dream I'm sure of it.  Then it is a memory? Catherine's memory?

I looked around the empty shallow room with its wooden floor and simple furniture. In no surprise, I'm still stuck here..I shouldn't expect it would be this easy getting out.

I sighed as I got out of my bed, and went toward my desk, rummaging around the drawers. Finally, I managed to find a book and quill. I sat down and began to write what I should've done much earlier.

'The Golden Flower'

The godforsaken novel I picked. I had no intention of reading it, no intention of giving it a chance to its obvious self-indulgent plot. But my goddess of a sister had to buy it, oh so hopeful I would finally read a book and not something from my phone.

I should've resisted. I should've told her no. And I should've read that book if I knew—

I'm getting sidetracked.

The plot of the book was just as I expected. The poor sweet heroine was born with powers that could defeat even the darkest of elements.

Funny that, there actually is another element to this novel. Corruption, a dark force that cause great calamity years ago, some still remained and some take forms.

There was an attack at school in the middle of the novel. At first, I thought that it was finally getting something there but throughout the second half, it never appeared, mentioned, or referenced again. It was probably a one of threat only to boost the heroine's likeability, being the only one to defeat its corruption.

So thankfully I don't have to worry about that but my memory of the plot is getting foggy. I can't remember all the lines and names, especially in the second half. What if I say something out of character from Catherine? What if it's changed the plot?

I take in a deep breath.

Calm down, last time I slipped up nothing changed. Plus I'm just a side character, I don't have any important role or life-changing action. And most of the time the character is absent. So it's okay if I stay out of character from time to time. It will be fine...

Right?

I rubbed my eyelids as I feel sleep catching up to me. What time is it? 3? 4AM? I have to wake up early too, tomorrow will be a busy day with my elements electives and...

Oh.  And the plot. I groaned.

Thinking about it right now in this ungodly hour will only be a waste of time. And the time that I should spend sleeping.

I hid the notebook beneath one of the wooden tiles and tiptoed to bed. Though I can't truthfully say I had a good night's sleep after that nightmare.

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Note:

Hello! I know this is a short chapter and I'm so sorry for that. I have exams coming up and projects due soon so I will have to delay writing for a while. Thank you for reading and until next chapter! 🤍