IEGO: CS || Wavering Hearts

『 CHAPTER 22 』

Zombies don't dream.

That was something you knew before you emerged from the grave.

Zombies don't dream.

That was something you experienced after you emerged from the grave.

Zombies don't dream.

That was something you understood so well that it made you wonder ⸺ why were you standing in the middle of a space where everything was white on your right, while everything was black on your left.

You opened your mouth. "Hello?"

There was no rebound.

You turned to the right. "Hello?"

There was a rebound.

You turned to the left. "Hello?"

A screech.

You jumped, then stiffened.

The screech eventually faded. When you focused in, it appeared to have faded into whimpers. No. No, wait, sobs. Sobs of someone. Sobs that broke your heart.

You pressed a hand against your chest.

Your heart beats against your palm. At every ten seconds, it pulsed and pulsed and pulsed with a coldness to a hotness, then to a coldness again, for as long as that screeched echoed. our heart that pulsed with a coolness to a warmth to a coolness back again, for as long as you listened to those sobs.

Pursing your lips, eyes into the darkness ⸺ a darkness that beckons your shivering soul, you took a step forward. Then, another, another, and another, and another. With each step you took, the darkness consumed you. You stopped. You looked around. Your fingers trembled.

No no no no no no! You took a step back. Why can't I see? You took another step back. I'm supposed to be able to see. Why⸺?!

Can zombies wake up?

Of course, they can, so long they're not shot dead twice.

Can zombies wake up from dreams?

You wringed your fingers together.

It's fine. You looked into the darkness again. A darkness that stared back; a darkness that had nothing; a darkness that you believed should have something; a darkness that ⸺ that was something Yuukoku would be able to deal with.

Pressing your hands against your chest again, and shutting your eyes, you listened. You listened into the darkness. You listened into the sobs. You listened.

"Bewitching ... Jiangshi...?"

You took a step forward. Then, another, and another, and another, and another and another and another until your footsteps sliced through the sobs. So you had to stop, until you could hear it again.

It never came.

You bit your lips. "Jiangshi," you tried calling out. "Bewitching Jiangshi!" You called and called and called at the cost of your voice. Fortunately, for this was a dream, you were able to call as much as you want until she answered.

Please. Her voice echoed. Please stop.

Your own voice ceased. You looked into the darkness with furrowed eyebrows.

You don't need to see me. The rattling of chains rebounded. You need to ⸺ her voice shook through a bubble of hiccups ⸺ you need to⸺!

You woke up with tears in your eyes, as well to the sight of Beta peering down at you with wide eyes.

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