A Dangerous Liaison

-12-

! Warning: this is the chapter of Eddie's suicide - read at your own risk ! 

one week later

Kita

Thursday

Olivia sat beside Kita, her hand resting gently on his knee. "Don't worry," she said softly, trying to offer some comfort. "I'm sure Sand didn't mean anything bad by the offer. Just think about it, okay?"

Kita nodded, though the memory of the phone call was like a battlefield in his mind. He had decided to confide in Olivia, because wrestling with the pro's and con's was a struggle to do alone. Now that Akira had moved out, Kita felt it was a sign to accept Sand's offer, and do the same, but his worries still consumed him. The drastic change, and what that meant for their relationship, frightened him enormously. Their love was still fragile, and there was a lot to work through, but it was love in the end; it was something Kita hadn't experienced since Mee died.

They swore to keep their relationship a secret. Kita vowed he wouldn't even talk about it with Olivia and Star, the two people he usually confided in about matters of romance. Kita and Sand were treading in this new and confusing territory of love, trust, and maturity - neither had ever been in a lasting, strong relationship. Kita's love for Mee was insufferable, but he never made an effort to show it, because he was scared to lose her - and in the end he did, in the worst possible way imaginable. And she never knew the truth. Kita swore never to make that mistake again.

If he lost Sand, too, he would never forgive himself. 

"Do you think I should go?" he asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Olivia hesitated, her brow furrowing in thought. "It's a big decision, Kita. I think Sand is just trying to help, but you need to do what feels right for you. If you think some distance would help, maybe it's worth considering. But... don't rush into anything, okay?"

Kita sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's just... things have been so hard lately. After Pa, and now Akira unexpectedly moving out, and with Ma not leaving her room... I feel like everything's falling apart, like our family is fracturing. Maybe Sand's right. Maybe I do need to get away, clear my head, whatever."

Olivia squeezed his knee, her eyes filled with empathy. "If that's what you need, then take the opportunity. I will support you, regardless of what you decide to do."

"Thanks," Kita said softly, leaning his head on her shoulder. 

Their moment was abruptly shattered by a loud thud from the room next door. Olivia's eyes widened in alarm as she released Kita's hand. "What was that?" she whispered, her voice edged with fear. She listened intently, but when no follow-up sound came, she jumped up from the bed and rushed to the door, peering into the dimly lit corridor, calling out. 

No answer came, and the uneasy silence that followed only heightened her anxiety. Kita felt a knot of dread tighten in his chest as he followed Olivia out of the room, their voices growing more frantic as they called out for their siblings.

As they passed Eddie's room, Kita felt a strange, unsettling sensation. Something wasn't right. He reached for the door handle, but it wouldn't budge. The door was locked. Panic surged through him, and he began pounding on the door, shouting Eddie's name. "Olivia!" he screamed, desperation clawing at his throat as he threw his shoulder against the door, trying to break it down. "It's Eddie! The door's locked - something's wrong!"

Olivia rushed to his side, her hands trembling as she banged on the door, her voice shrill with fear. "Eddie! Open up! Please, Eddie!"

Kita turned around and leaned over the banister, screaming for help. Charlie came running up the stairs, his face pale and breathless. "What's going on?" he demanded, his eyes darting between Kita and Olivia. But as soon as he saw them struggling with Eddie's door, a cold realisation dawned on him. Without waiting for an answer, he pushed them aside and with one powerful kick, the door flew open.

Inside, the sight that greeted them was a horrific. Eddie lay on the floor, a bottle of pills clutched in his hand, its contents empty. Three bottles of liquor were within arm's reach. Olivia's screams reverberated around the room, causing Kita's head to spin. He took in the scene, his breath hitching in his throat. Eddie's eyes were wide open and frothy white foam trickled from the corners of his mouth as his body convulsed violently.

It was Mee. All he could see was Mee, lying lifeless on the floor.

Kita staggered back, his legs giving way beneath him as he stumbled out of the room. He barely registered Nino's arrival, who hastily dropped to his knees beside Eddie, slapping his brother's face, shouting his name in a desperate attempt to wake him. But Kita was lost in his own horror, his mind a blur of terror. His hands shook uncontrollably, and he slid down the wall, collapsing onto the floor. His breath came in shallow, hitched gasps as the room darkened around him. 

He couldn't take it. The weight of it all - the fear, the helplessness - crushed him.

And then, everything went silent as he slipped into unconsciousness.

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