Sike

Chapter 16: Apologies

I was in another dream. I sat beside the bottom of the waterfall I had previously almost drowned in. I was happily dangling my feet in the cold water as I looked around at the nature around me. Everything was still, there was no wind rustling the leaves, there was no chirping of the birds, only me and the trickling water at my feet. I finally had some peace from the hectic world of Paris.

A while passed, and I started to realize the water had become darker. I closed my eyes and opened them again, only to find that the water looked darker than it had before. It almost looked like... Blood! I got up with a start, and scanned the river for any signs of a body. I jumped a little when I saw a body face down in the water. After a second look I saw that it was a girl, her long auburn hair trailing behind her looked just like yarn. I dived into the water and swam over to the unconcious body. I was startled when I met the water, because instead of the refreshing wet and cool of normal water, I was met with a sticky sensation, it felt like I was being strangled.

It took me a moment before realisation dawned on me. I was swimming in blood. I instantly gagged and swam as fast as I could to the lifeless form. After a little bit of a struggle, I was able to drag myself and the body to the shore.

After resting on the shoreline for a couple of minutes, I regained my composure and flipped over the body so I could see who it was. I jumped back in horror and confusion when I saw Emily's sky blue eyes staring back at me. Her skin was as pale as snow and it was strangely translucent.

Then I saw something so revolting that it made my stomach do a summersault. I watched as Emily's features melded into someone else's. Her brown hair turned night black and her pale features started to turn into a pink skin color. I saw three big blotches of blood soak into her wet shirt. I let out a small yelp when I saw who I had saved. Laying before me was the body of the person who I had killed.

She turned her head to stare at me as she got up. She looked alive, but acted like she was dead. She slowly trotted over to me as I made a dash for the woods by yhe river. All I could hear were the slow heavy thuds of footsteps mix with my wildy pounding heart.

I finally stopped when body was screaming at me and my lungs couldn't suck in any air. I panted and leaned against a tree, I was so drenched in sweat that I slipped off of the tree multiple times. Suddenly, I felt a cold hand on my shoulder that sent a jolt of electricity down my spine. She yanked me around so I could see her. I watched with dread as I saw her hand melt into a dagger. In one swift movement she connected the dagger with my chest and I screamed in pain and terror.

"AAAAAHHH!!!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. I sat up with a jerk and looked around my room for a water bottle. My younger sister rushed into my room with a water bottle in her hand. She had to squirt half of the water bottle all over my face before I calmed down.

"What happened!?" Joy demanded in a high pitched voice. I got out of my bed and changed into the clothes for the day. "I had a nightmare." I stated plainly, sort of embarrassed that I still had nightmares. Joy gave me a weird look, and I added, "What? Big people can have nightmares too!" I gave a pouty face as Joy pulled me in for a hug. I should be the one helping you!

When I was finally able to calm down, I went over to the mirror to look at my face. I had two dark semicircles underneath my eyes. I hadn't slept much, I had been picturing everyone that I knew dead or severely wounded last night. Ugh. I'm going to fall asleep again.

After splashing water on my face to wake myself up, I went and ate the breakfast my mother had prepared for me. After that, I left for school.

The air was fresh and light. I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes. It felt nice to be out of the house and in the fresh air. I lazily opened my eyes and started walking to school. I let myself slip into a daze as I watched the birds fly back and forth between the trees.

It wasn't long until I arrived at school. I let myself slip into the daily routine, happy that at least one part of my life wasn't completely disorganized. I couldn't help but glance occasionally at the bare seat beside me, where Emily usually sat. I should've... I don't know what I should've done.

School passed by in the blink of an eye, and I was on my way to the hospital that Emily was at. I made my way through the plain white halls and plugged my nose at the smell of disinfectant. Room 19. Yup, this is the one.

I cautiously crept into the room and directed my eyes towards the sleeping form on the hospital bed. I sat down on the bed and watched Emily's chest slowly rise and fall. I heard the rythemic beat of her heart, and I squeezed her hand reasuringly, not that she could feel it, it was more for my sake, so I could reassure myself that she'd be okay.

After waiting for a couple of minutes, I left the hospital for the cemetry. I went through the rows of gravestones searching for a name. Heidi Aviles, there it is!

I prodded through my backpack and pulled out a letter, then I carefully placed it on the gravestone. Before I turned to go, I whispered, "Sorry."

Sorry!?! You literally killed her! No simple sorry is going to help at all!!!

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Hi ppl! So... I apologize for being super late in my updates. I think I might slow down a bit though. So instead of updating once a day I'll probably update every other day. Also remember the number of Emily's hospital room, it'll be an important later on.

Do apologies work for dead people? I don't know...

Yay! Nightmares are awesome don't ya think?