Daffodils and Hyacinths (3rd book in the Forgotten Truths series)

12. FORGOTTEN SECRETS

~Kawasumi?~

"At... At who?" I stutter, as the words of the Queen left me feeling uneasy. The name, Atlanta, felt familiar but yet so... strange. Why did Her Majesty call me Atlanta, when my name is Kawasumi?

My head began to throb in an unbearable amount of pain. I clutched my head in a frenzy. Memories that weren't mine flooded into my mind. I lost my balance and fell down onto my knees.

Names of which I didn't recognize bombarded me. My mind was a complete mess, a tornado perhaps. Dates, diaries, faces, events—everything flooded my mind. The realization struck my mind at once. I wasn't Kawasumi. My name was never Kawasumi. I was, and always have been, Atlanta.

The past begins to play in my mind. I release my grip, and my arm falls onto the ground. I... remember it all now. From my upbringing to now. I remembered my diary, of which I had placed on the spot where Sayuri... ended her own life in front of my eyes. I remember the diary of the other person, the one I had hid in my old home. 'Sometime,' I think, 'I should return and find the diaries.'

Tears began to form in my eyes. Everyone was gone, and I was a murderer. Father, Thought, Wisp, Rustic, Drought, Ji-ho.... And Sayuri.

My mother of which I never known, passed away before I was born. The death of my mother caused for the death of my father's spirit, and he was turned into a bereaved dewdrop, into someone who only reflected negativity on the world. I remember how I decided to become the opposite of my father, someone who appears perfectly fine. Someone who refuses to spread those negative emotions. However, I have become a killer. I was no longer the person who I wished to be.

When I was little, my long dead father and mother never felt like my parents at all. However, little me, cared about them, as a child. I was hurt by them, but I still cared for them. But, now that I think of it, I wonder if they truly were my parents. I remember how we never looked related in any way, and I remember how off they treated me. What if... they weren't my parents?

I then stopped pondering about that question the moment I asked it. More memories flooded through my mind. There was no breaks.

I recall a moment where Ji-ho was rambling on about his younger sister—I believed her name was... Me Orange-Juice? I don't remember. That was the longest conversation I had ever had with Ji-ho, and it was the last I had with him. The thought of another death clouded my mind with sadness.

I begin to remember more final moments I've had with others, trying to leave Sayuri's moments in the dark. I knew if I reflected upon those events, I would completely lose it. Well, I can't really hide such memories.

I have clearly remembered the time Sayuri told me about her thoughts, to the time of which she put an end to her own life. I remember her last words. I remember how she looked at me, her eyes clouding with emotions of all sorts, and as her voice cracked as she spoke, "I'm sorry, Atlanta. I am incapable of keeping my promise to you."

I try to take my mind off of the death of Sayuri, which happened years ago. I... never had the time to grieve. Now, even though it's over a decade later, I'm grieving as though I just lost her. I then recall how... the new queen, Edge, brainwashed me.

"Kawasumi, did you hear me?" That... Queen growled. How easily she just covered over her mistakes. How easily it was for her to stay in control.

No, Edge did not have control. She lost it the moment Drought died. Once a crown was placed on her horrible head, all hell broke loose.

This was no longer Edge. This was a shadow of Edge. A dark, new person revenged over her body.

Power corrupts all. However, once one is already corrupted, that power does.. so much worse. This time, power made her a power hungry, blood-loving monster.

A monster who ruined not just the tribe she was crowned into being Queen, but four others. A monster who slowly sucked away the life from this planet we all live on. Already, most life has ceased to exist here.

Just a dry, former shell of itself.

Just like that "Queen."

Hidden, just a girl, chained to the ground like she is Edge's mutt, looked up. "Atlanta? Your Majesty... who is Atlanta?"