Daybreak Oneshots

Was It Really a Happy Birthday?

(A/N: super late happy birthday dakari ^_^)

"Happy birthday to me," I sang quietly, staring at the tiny flame atop the candle sticking out of the cake slice. "Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday dear Dakari. Happy birthday to me..." I blew out the flame, watching it dissipate into small strands of smoke akin to what lit incense sticks emit. I plucked the candle out, setting it aside on the table.

Grabbing a spoon, I slowly began to eat the cake slice up. I didn't feel much hunger nowadays, which should've been a sign of worry for me, but I was far too exhausted and tearfully regretful to care. Despite the numerous invitations from friends and family to spend time together, I refused and decided to rot at home.

It's not like her departure from my life helped that much either. I wish I wasn't such a huge idiot and gave her what she deserved, maybe then she'd still be with me... At least one coworker was nice enough to drop by and give me a slice of cake. I should pay him back when I get the chance.

I slowly stood up and dragged myself to the garbage can, dropping the plastic container into it. It hit the huge mountain of trash, almost falling off of it. I really should take out the trash but I couldn't be arsed enough to. I can't get myself to do anything nowadays. Dirty dishes and stained laundry piled up like Mt. Everest, and dust filled every crack and crevice of my house.

Not even my own house felt like home. God the stench coming from my body reeks. My hair's a mess. I could only stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror and count every single physical flaw of mine. My scar. My eye bags. My acne. Everything.

Talk about some birthday.

A disembodied voice rang out, but it felt so far away, I paid no mind to it. Then it got louder. And louder. And continuously louder until-

"Dakari, wake up! I need to heal you!" a familiar voice yelled, filling my ears. I blinked, and the walls of my bathroom faded away, revealing the oh-so-familiar sight of Camp Clearwater and the tall evergreen pine trees towering over me. I could feel the spiky grass beneath me poking my body as my blood slowly cascaded out of the wound, painting it red. To my left was a hijabi donned in a horseback riding outfit, aggressively shaking me by the shoulders.

"Hguh? Whuh? Saadiya, don't shake me so hard- I'm awake!" I muttered.

"Whew!" I heard her sigh in relief. "That stupid black fog thing really did a number on you this time, huh?" she asked as she bandaged my arm. I groaned, letting my head roll to my right.

"I guess," I affirmed, not feeling like speaking more than necessary.

"So um... how are you feeling?" she asked softly, fastening a bandage clip. "Aside from the fact that you were bleeding out."

"Like shit," I chuckled. She winced at my cursing, making me frown. "Sorry, excuse my language."

"It's fine, let's go find a generator once you're up."

"Y-yeah," I sighed, mentally repressing the resurfaced memory. It can wait another time, it'll always be there. Watching. Waiting for the moment I let my guard down to pounce once more. I've gotten used to dealing with things later, anyway.

"Let's go."