TW: Accidental murder, implied disassociation, panic attack?? framed suicide, drowning
My eyes flinch and close at the sound of the splashing water. In order, I hear a sharp inhale, yelling that soon stopped, and something hitting a rock, though it was muffled. I stood still for a few seconds, not knowing what I had done.
I finally look down to see the bubbles in the water disappear and slightly tinted red.
My thoughts started racing and my breathing sped up. I jumped into the water and grabbed Sunny's limp body.
I grab the wooden plank to pull us above water and lay Sunny on it while I crawl out of the water.
"No no no nonononono...," my words slurred. I grab Sunny in my hands "Sunny... Sunny answer me.. please. This- This isn't funny... I'm sorry!" my vision started to warp the world around me.
He has some scratches and bruises, but they're hardly noticeable.
I finally regain some sense and start frantically looking in my pockets for my phone so I could call the police.
"They're empty. Nonononono I- I left it at home." I start to hyperventilate. "S-Sunny everything is okay, everything is just fine. J-Just wake up. Please"
He's not dead.
He can't be.
Why is he cold?
He's fine.
Everything is fine.
He's okay.
He just needs to sleep.
He just needs to rest.
He's just tired.
I begin to feel something on my hand. It feels wet but not like water. I carefully lift my hand from his head and see a red stain painting the palm of my hand.
"W-What...?" Is all I could say.
I take my jacket off and tie it to his head, hugging him close. I can't bring myself to stand. My vision is warped and I feel dizzy.
Despite my ears ringing and my slight mumbling, I hear something. I think it's something in the grass...? I don't care though. I don't look up. I won't look up.
I think someone is speaking to me. I can't tell. At least, I couldn't tell until I heard my name.
"Mari...? What- What happened to Sunny? Is he okay?" The voice is mature and handsome. I can hear the worry.
I don't reply. I can hear the voice asking me incoherent questions. Throughout them all, they crouch in front of me. Their hands are moving as well as their mouth but I don't pull my eyes away from Sunny.
They put their hands on my shoulders and say my name loud and clear once more. "Listen. I-I'm not going to judge you I just need you to answer me." They say quietly, so as not to scare me.
I subconsciously mumble, "...I'm a monster... I pushed him... I didn't mean to." in slow breaths.
"No, no you're not. It's too late. If- If we call the hospital or police they'll find you guilty. We can't have that happen. I... I won't let it." I can hear their fast and heavy breathing. "Come with me, Mari. I'll save you."
They extend their hand to help me up. I'm not really in control of my body right now so I grab their hand without looking away from Sunny. They lead me alongside the sidewalk with one arm while I carry Sunny with the other. I don't look at where they're taking me. I don't care. It feels like I'm in a trance, like I'm hardly in my own body. They haven't talked much other than slight mumbling.
They lead me to a door and my surroundings look slightly familiar. I think it's my house. They walk in and turn to a room towards the left. They take back their hand. I hear a drawer open and hear them pick something up. They close the drawer and began to speak.
"Hey-...Hey Mari...? I just want you to know that- that uh everything will be okay and I will support you and save you no matter what," They wryly smile and hold the counter to balance themself. "I am your he-hero, after all."
They grabbed my hand once more and led me up a flight of stairs and into the bathroom.
They set something on the sink. It sounded metallic. I'm not sure what it is. I feel sick.
"Mari... Um... Ca-Can I have Sunny...?" They carefully request.
I look up a little and then back down at Sunny. I give him a hug before handing him over. I stare at the floor and then up. My vision distorts more. Despite that, I look at the guiding voice who is holding my brother and see a familiar face.
"He...ro...?" I mumble, trying to keep my balance.
"Yeah. That's... That's me." He pauses to look at the thing he put on the sink and then at me. "Hey, can you go put on your recital outfit...?"
I nod and walk to my room to change without questioning. I'm tired. Too tired to question. This has got to be fake. Sunny is fine. He's alive and well, He's just sleeping.
When I finish changing, I drowsily walk back to the bathroom, looking at my feet the whole time.
By the time I reach the door, I hear heavy breathing, but I still mindlessly open the door.
