Corpse Party: Damaged Souls

Chapter 16: Accident

  Of course, I was bound to have a nightmare that same night. Just listening to them talk about their uncle reminded me of my grandparents. 

I had been at school that day with Souta, trailing behind me. We had been called out of school early. In my head, I thought that my parents had wanted to spend time with us since they had been a little busy that same month. 

" No fair, you get to leave," Ruka complained. 

" Mom and Dad get to spend time with us," I said. " If anything, this is the one time I would like to be out of school. By the way, please tell the others I won't be there at the games today. Play on ahead without me." 

Ruka pouted. " It would be hard without you." 

" Sometimes you have to do things without me there," I said, putting on my bag. " I'll be back tomorrow." 

~

That same day, I was  sitting in the hospital chair, the same ones that always made me feel uncomfortable. Mom and Dad were there too, but unlike my brother and I, they were nervous about something. I didn't bother to ask, but my brother did. 

" Why are we here?" he asked them. " Did something bad happen?" 

" No Souta," Mom said. 

" Then why are we here?" I asked. " I hate being here." 

Mom looked at Dad, as if she was asking for help, trying to explain it to us. Though, he continued to have his head down with his hands folded. Souta and I glanced at each other and then back at Dad. 

I walked up to him, taking his hands into mine. I was too young to understand his grief at the time. 

For what seemed like the first time, he raised his head and looked at me. His eyes were a little red. 

" Why are you sad Papa?" 

" Huh? Oh...nothing to worry yourself about little one. Papa is over here thinking about your grandparents is all. They were not feeling well when the staff had called us and wanted us to come over as soon as we could." 

" I see." 

" Then...are they okay?" Souta asked. 

" They....they should be. It wasn't that bad, but they are quite ill at the moment." 

Even in my little brain, I knew they weren't just ill. Something had happened to them and they were preventing the two of us from worrying about it. 

I don't remember how long it had been, but I remember sitting down on that chair for a long time, that I had needed to go to the bathroom. Mom took me, but I could tell her eyes were red from crying too. She had mentioned that her father died when she was a little girl. Now, she had two more people who were close to her that were now leaving this world. 

" Everything is okay Mama," I comforted her. " Papa said they're a little ill and they would be fine." 

" I don't know if fine is the word Anna. Somethings...had happened when you and your brother were at school. Your father didn't want to get into detail with any of it, because he knew it would hurt you even more." 

" What happened?" 

" Nothing for you to worry about at the moment." 

Even for a young girl, my little mind knew what was wrong. They weren't sick, but hurt from something. I didn't want to ask anymore because it seemed like Mama was going to cry again. 

By the time Mama and I returned, there was someone talking to Papa. I couldn't understand what they were talking about, but when the man left, Papa quickly grabbed the chair. Souta continued to stay seated, but he was worried too. 

" Satoshi?" 

" They're gone," he chocked out. "....they're gone." 

Mama left my side and went by Papa's. I still didn't know what was happening. No one would explain anything to me. I turned my head to Souta, who looked at me as well. We were both confused just by looking at them. 

No one ever explained to us when someone is crying. I had only thought they were not feeling well. By then, I don't know what came over me, but I walked over to Mama and pulled on her skirt. 

" What happened Mama? Are they okay?" 

Though, she didn't answer me. That was when it sounded like Papa was choking. It wasn't until he rested his head on Mama's chest, is when I realized that he was crying. My tough Papa, was weeping. 

Souta jumped from the chair and gripped onto my sleeve. " What happened?" he asked. 

" Something bad," I answered. 

By the time we came back home, Papa returned back to his room for the rest of the night. Mama seated both of us at the table, preparing a small snack. Though, neither of us were hungry. 

" Mama," I started, " what happened?" 

" Your grandparents...have passed dear." 

" Passed?" I repeated. " Passed where? Do you mean they passed a test of some sort?" 

Mama looked at me with a frown, but it was then disappeared. She must have forgotten that I was still a child. " Passed means that...they are no longer on this earth. Living with us anymore. God had made their time worthy on this planet, but now they are no longer needed. They have fulfilled what they needed to do." 

" So...are we all like that?" 

" I would like to think so. But, it is still hard on the people that once knew them. Your father is one example. He knew them since he was born and trusted them with his life. It is hard enough for him and your aunt Yuka." 

" She doesn't know?" 

" Your father would have to call her in the morning. Now, I think it is best you two don't go to school tomorrow. You have been with us all night and you must be tired." 

" But Ruka and the others are waiting for me!" I whined. They wanted to play again at the club. 

Mama shook her head. " Now is not the time to talk about it. Come now, time for bed." 

That was it for the rest of the night. 

By morning, everything seemed gloomier than before. Mama was sitting in the kitchen, making calls to others about what happened the night before. Papa was no where to be seen either. I thought he was in his room, but Mama said he went out. 

She seemed upset when as spoke about it. 

" I want to go to school," Souta complained from the living room. 

" You can tomorrow Souta. Right now is not the right time. I haven't seen your father like this before." 

" Like what?" I asked. 

" Broken."  She set down the phone and rested her face in her hands. " I never wanted to see him like this. He seems...like he's given up on everything." 

Given up on everything? That was not the Papa I knew.

The one I knew was always kind to everyone, at least to the people he enjoyed. 

I left Mama there, silently weeping.