Breathing Soul

╰┈➤ ❝ [C H A P T E R O N E] ❞

Rena woke up in a field of grass, the familiar backyard of Aunt Helen's house- the home that had been Rena and Ren's crib since they were kids. It was bright up there, in the clouds. The sun shone too bright, the warmth seeping through Rena's skin as she laid there on the grass, squinting her eyes from the sunlight. Sweat ran down every inch of her skin, reminding her that she was alive and that... lying on the grass in the backyard when it was almost 30 degrees hot outside was probably not a good idea.

But what was she doing out here?

"Get off there, silly," Ren's shadow blocked the sun from Rena's view. The girl's toothy grin was like seeing Rena's own reflection on the mirror- except for the cute pairs of dimples that accessorised Ren's cheeks. "This isn't Winter for you to make snow angels."

For a while, Rena stared at Ren's figure moving past her, plopping herself down next to Rena. She stared at Ren's earth-coloured hair that cascaded down her back in soft locks. They seemed a little longer now. "That's weird."

"What is?" Ren asked, without looking back at Rena. Her arms were slender, under the sun it looked paler than usual.

Rena hummed, staring back up at the darkening clouds. It was just bright earlier, where did the sun go that fast? "I had the weirdest dream. Kaz and I... we attended your funeral."

There was a pause, then. A silence that was broken by Ren's giggle. Rena couldn't see Ren's face, only the girl's back filled Rena's view. Rena smiled at the girl's shoulders shaking with laughter. "Come on, Rena," Ren almost sang-song. "I know we argue a lot these days, but do you really want me to die that much?"

There was a sense of unease that prickled through Rena's skin from the question, but she snapped the feelings away. Rena wanted to ask why Ren kept her back on her, but the question didn't leave her mouth. "Dreams are meaningless. You know that."

"Of course I know that!" Ren's voice rang through Rena's eardrums like a child's excited squeal. "You wouldn't want me to die, do you, sister?"

Rena stared at Ren's back, the dress that the girl was wearing had dirt spots around it, staining the white colour. Rena wondered why she didn't notice it earlier. "...of course, not. You know I love you, Ren. No matter how much we argue."

Ren giggled, her shoulders shook with silent laughter. "I love you too, sister! I love you too much, I would do anything for you!"

Rena's eyebrows furrowed as she stared at Ren's back. The dress had red spots around the dirt, staining the white dress almost completely. "...Ren? What's wrong with your dress?"

Ren kept on giggling, her laughter almost echoed through the backyard. "I love you, Ren. I will protect you with all of me and- hahaha!"

Rena forced a tremulous smile as she heard Ren's high-pitched laughter piercing the air. She watched with growing unease as her sister's arms moved in a series of jerky, spasmodic motions, Ren's fingers clawing at her own face in a frantic, almost manic manner. Rena knew Ren had always been prone to allergic reactions, especially in the face of pollen and heat - it was a bad idea for them to be laying out under the relentless sun like this. Rena tried to push herself up, but to her dismay, her hands seemed to be stuck fast to the grass beneath her, as if glued in place.

Furrowing her eyebrows in confusion, Rena's eyes desperately searched Ren's back. "Ren, can you help me get up?" she called out, her voice betraying a hint of trepidation. "I think I'm too tired, I can't move."

Ren's laughter only grew louder, her high-pitched squeal echoing across the backyard in a manner that sent shivers down Rena's spine. "I love you, Rena!" Ren cried out between manic giggles. "I love you, sister! Hahaha!"