The Beginning

Chapter 36

Riley's mouth was stuffed with something that made her want to spit it out. Her hands and legs were tied up, tighter than the time she was at the Stadium. She already knew Crystal would do this, but she was questioning what her motive was. Was it a selfish motive, or was there a deeper meaning to it?

Crystal stepped out of a bush, studying her with her green eyes. To Riley's surprise, there was no hostility in Crystal's gaze. She looks... sad. As if she doesn't want to do this, Riley realized.

"I should've known that the thing would lead me to do this," Crystal said.

Riley had a class in Psychology, which taught her on how to notice a psychopath. Ever since she met Crystal, she had a feeling that she was a psychopath. Considering on how her emotions flared easily, she guess that her inner self made her commit what she did now.

"I would be mad if I didn't already know that you were a psychopath," Riley said as soon as Crystal got the gag out of her mouth.

"It's not just that," Crystal said sadly. "I have a personality disorder, but I forget what it was called."

"That explains the sudden mood change," Riley observed.

"You do know that my other self may kill you, right?"

Riley alway dreaded her death, but she knew that she would go to Jhaufyther's domain, where she would get to see him every day. "I know. At least I enjoyed my short life."

Crystal nodded. "I honestly saw you as a good friend. When you launched at me, I don't actually blame you for that. My other self made you angry."

"Did you change back when he slammed you into the tree?"

"I did. The entire time I was here, my other self started to pop up more and more," Crystal explained. "And when it does, my eyes turn blue for some reason."

"Interesting," Riley said. "Will it kill me quickly, or?"

"I think it will. It always had a quick manner to do things."

After that statement, Crystal's eyes flashed from green to blue. She smiled wickedly. "You will pay for attacking me, Riley. Say goodbye forever."

It pulled out a knife and flew at her, slashing her throat. Riley gasped due to lack of oxygen and kicked at it, but it was too fast. As Riley's consciousness started to fade, she saw Crystal's eyes flash back to green. Tears ran down her eyes as she whispered, "I'm so sorry."

When Jhaufyther went back to the Blue Forest, he couldn't see Riley anywhere. After searching for a while, a familiar smell hit him. The same smell a human emits when it's dead. Searching through the bushes, he stumbled upon Riley's body. Her eyes were glazed with death, and her throat was horribly slashed by a sharp object. Jhaufyther collapsed, picking up her body and cradling it. He felt tears start to run down his cheeks, and he let them fall. Goodbye, dear friend. I'll miss seeing you on land. At least you'll be up with me, he thought sadly. But I promise you, you will have another chance to live. You were too young to go.

He heard Hazefhur running in, and he looked up at him. "We were too late," he sobbed.

Hazefhur's eyes widened. "Oh, Jhaufyther. I'm so sorry."

"Are her friends with you?"

He slowly shook his head. "I... no. I made them stay here in case... in case this happened."

Jhaufyther nodded. "I'll miss her so much, Haze. You have no idea."

"She'll be with you in the sky, though," he pointed out. Jhaufyther knew he was trying to be helpful, but it didn't help.