"Love into Shadow"

Chapter 2: The Enigma Unveiled

   Mei woke up once again in the same place by the lake where she and Chihiro had been earlier. Confusion washed over her as she questioned the reality of the situation. It felt like she was trapped in a dark, unsettling dream that she desperately wanted to wake up from. Tears welled up in her eyes as she gazed at the serene lake, hoping for answers.

Suddenly, she saw a young girl struggling in the water, seemingly on the brink of drowning. Mei's instinct to help kicked in, and she desperately tried to reach out and save the girl. However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get any closer, and the girl kept drifting further away.

Mei - Wait, hold on! I'll help you! Just reach for my hand!

In an unexpected turn of events, the girl began to laugh and forcefully pulled Mei underwater. They descended together, deeper into the depths of the lake. Mei struggled for breath as they sank further, feeling helpless and trapped.

Finally, Mei spotted a figure swimming towards them. It was the same young man from before, the one who had saved them once already. He reached them just in time, pulling them back to the surface and ensuring their safety.

When Mei regained consciousness, she found herself lying in bed, with the young man seated by her side, watching over her.

Chihiro - Are you alright?

Mei - Do I look alright to you? (Her voice trembled as she spoke) Do you think I'm losing my mind or maybe I'm trapped in an endless nightmare? Or worse, am I dead? (She stopped speaking abruptly, a sudden fear gripping her) Wait, did I get hit by that car? (Her gaze fixated, lost in thought)

Just as Mei's mind swirled with questions and doubts, they heard an unsettling sound from outside the room a knocking on the door. Fear coursed through Mei, and Chihiro instinctively reached out, grasping her hand. They moved quickly, seeking refuge in a nearby cabinet and carefully closing it, leaving a small opening through which they could observe the room.

The door opened, revealing the presence of a frightened young girl. Mei recognized her as the same girl who had been in distress at the lake, crying, supposedly being physically abused by her own father. Mei glanced towards the young man beside her, noticing his tears as well. Overwhelmed with empathy, she impulsively embraced him, offering comfort and solace.

Their moment of solace was interrupted as memories of a similar incident resurfaced. Mei remembered a time long ago when she, Chihiro, and another girl had experienced a similar ordeal. Two children, Mei and the other girl, had sought refuge alongside Chihiro in the same cabinet they now hid in. They had hidden from an adult who had caused them fear and pain.

Mei - Hold on!

Chihiro covered her mouth, realizing that they had been heard. Mei watched as the person who had been tormenting the young girl entered the room. Pretending to be elsewhere, he took the frightened child with him, leaving Mei and Chihiro alone in the cabinet once again.

As soon as they were sure the intruder had left, Mei emerged from the cabinet, her heart pounding. She saw Chihiro, his face pressed against the closed door, his expression filled with sadness.

Reality ( As the role play shifts to reality )

Mei recalled a memory from the past, when the girl's father had a conversation with a man resembling Chihiro, seemingly an older brother figure to the young girl.

Girl's brother - I'm leaving this house; all I hear is turmoil. (He was angry)

Girl's father - And where do you think you're going? Leave then! Don't ever come back, and I'm leaving too! (He shouted)

The father left the house, leaving the grieving child behind. The girl's brother approached the cabinet, and Mei observed with confusion and curiosity. He took clothes from inside and packed them into a bag. The young girl caught up to him, holding onto his hand, and they made their way to the cabinet, gazing at a photo of the three of them—a memory of a family that no longer existed.

The girl's brother spoke to her:

Girl's brother - I'm leaving, and you'll have to take care of the house now.

Girl - But who will be with me? Why are you leaving?

Girl's brother - Don't you have friends, like Chihiro and Mei?!

Mei was taken aback, wondering why she was included and how they knew her.

Girl's brother - (He stood up, took his bag, and held the girl's hand) I'm leaving; now it's up to you to take care of this home.

Girl - And who will be with me? Why are you leaving?

Girl's brother - Didn't you have friends, like Chihiro and Mei?

The gravity of the situation settled over Mei, leaving her overwhelmed with emotions and a bewildering sense of both nostalgia and loss.

Chihiro - Do you remember anything now?

Mei - (Silent and tearful) Who are you really? (She cried while speaking)

Chihiro looked into Mei's tear filled eyes, his gaze firm and resolute.

Chihiro - I am Chihiro, the boy mentioned earlier, and you are the other person mentioned. We are trapped in this dream by Sisi, who refuses to let us go. It seems like she wants to remind us of her true condition. From the moment I arrived here, she never wanted me to leave, repeatedly forcing us to relive the same events.

Mei - Wait, who is this Sisi? (She remembered something)

Chihiro took Mei's hand and led her towards the lake. Mei followed him, eager to discover the truth.

Chihiro - Remember everything!

As they approached the lake, Mei saw three children happily playing by the water's edge. And among them, she recognized herself as a young girl, joyfully engaging with her friends. But then, she lost control and fell into a treacherous current. Sisi, who was behind her, saved her while tragically being swept away by a strong current. Mei and Chihiro wept together, frantically calling for help, but Mei, unable to swim, could do nothing more than cry. Thankfully, villagers arrived just in time, rescuing Sisi. Regrettably, it was too late, and Sisi tragically lost her life. After that, they buried her, and Mei and Chihiro left the village, never to see anyone there again.

Chihiro - Do you remember now?

Mei - (Silent, staring into the distance) I don't remember anything. I couldn't even help her. (She sobbed uncontrollably)

Sisi - (Watching the events unfold through the window, filled with anger)