Am I Pretty? #TNTHorrorContest

The Ugly Truth

I look at Daichi my mouth wide open in shock and then my expression contorted in confusion. I look at the woman to make sure she isn't joking, her face is dead serious.

"Are you serious right now? Daichi, why didn't you tell me you had such a close connection to my case?" He furrowed his brows at the floor and meets my eyes.

"This family has been trying to exorcise Kuchisake-onna since she came back as a spirit, all to try and fix that man's mistake. No ever has though, not completely. I didn't want to tell you because...I was too late to save your sister." He averts his eyes and leaves me spiralling at his words.

"What do you mean?"

"I saw you and your sister that night in the club. I go there every weekend to make sure no one stumbles out alone in a drunken stupor. I saw your sister and we danced for a while, until I saw you drunk and moving towards the exit, I thought I was going to end up bringing you back before you left, but that was before I knew you were related. Your sister excused herself and ran after you, then you left together." Tears welled in his eyes and his voice caught. "I should have tried to stay with you two, maybe if I did I could have still been there before your sister left and went with her. I'm so sorry, Aliya. It's my fault."

Tears spill down my face as he puts his face in his hands. He was there and knew? He could have prevented my sister from being killed! What am I supposed to do with this? This won't bring my sister back, damn it! I'm falling and I don't know what to do! This was my sister's life that he could have saved! What do I do Yana? What do I do? Forgive him. I snap my head up. It sounded like Yana... The woman walks over and grabs my hands.

"It's okay, this is a holy place." I look at her confused but there's no question about it, that was Yana. I walk over to Daichi.

"You couldn't have known Daichi, it's okay. I forgive you." He looks up at me and wipes his face.

"I will fix this, Aliya, I promise you." I nod. His mom pulls a box out of her kimono and hands it to me.

"In this box are ofuda. Protection for the both of you and three for Kuchisake-onna. Use them tonight under the full moon. If you can get one on her she will be exorcised, you have only three chances, use them wisely." Daichi bows and I follow suit.

"Thank you, mother." With that we leave and wait for nightfall.