Dear Kafka,
How can I keep her?
-Xu
< Haoran’s POV >
The pain from the stab was making me dizzy but I was still conscious enough to notice that we passed the stairs which was the only way to the exit.
But I did not have any more strength to open my mouth.
So, I just let Riko lead the way.
When I opened my eyes again, I saw that we were inside a room and she was crying.
She held my face and bawled. “I’m sorry.”
“No,” I breathed and held her hand that was holding my face. “I’m sorry that you had to endure something like this for a long time all by yourself. It must’ve been lonely...and cold...and tormenting. I’m here now. Take me with you. Wherever you go. Don’t leave me behind.”
“You’re going to get out of here alive.”
When I felt her grasp slip from my skin, I tried to pull her back with the remaining strength I could muster. I squeezed my mind, my heart, every part both broken and whole to pour everything of me on this very moment to hold on to her – so I could not hold back the whimper when the desperate grip loosened.
“Riko.” I hoped that my voice would at least be enough to make her stay.
“I love you, Haoran. I’m not going anywhere.”
But she still left the room.
A few seconds later, Shufen emerged from the door and hurried to run after Riko after taking in the situation.
Clutching on my wound tighter, I pulled myself up and relied on the wall to push myself forward. My legs were as wobbly as jelly, my mind on Riko, my heart in complete tatters.
But the noise was just two rooms away.
When I reached them, Shufen had already ended the madam’s son.
But Riko was lying on the cold, dirty floor, clutching her neck, choking in her own pool of blood.
When she felt my presence, she closed her eyes shut. Refusing me to witness the life being seeped out of them in just mere seconds.
She said it herself. How quick and efficient of a method it was.
It wasn’t long until she stopped moving.
I crawled towards the side of the room where a cut wire was lying around. I bent it into the perfect round shape, returned to her side, and slipped it into her ring finger.
It was the only way I thought I could tell her I'll be with her memory forever.
YOU ARE READING
Dear Kafka
Romance[CPN] Riko was nearing the end of her life. What she decided to do for the remainder of it was to find someone to love. She never knew it would be so beautiful, maddening...turbulent. She got what she wanted and Lord knows it was the first time.
