Before you read, I warn you, this is a story that does end with a sad note. If you are uncomfortable with topics of death and or suicide, stop reading this.
Enjoy.
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Ki-chan wasn't a normal girl. She had problems with her head. She saw things that weren't there. When she told her Mother and Father about what she saw, they told her the same thing they always told her: "Ki-chan, keep your gift to yourself!"
She hated her gift. It made her different. All the kids in school called her names and bullied her because of it. Even worse, they sang a song every time she passed: "Ki-chan, Ki-chan seeing monsters! She's one too!" Luckily, she did have one friend, his name was Misfortunate One (Fukōna hito), but she called him Shadow. (Kage) However, Shadow was made up. He was an imaginary friend. But she did not care. He kept her company when she was alone. And that's all that mattered.
One day during lunch, Shadow visited her. "Ki-chan," he said softly, "I want to show you something," Ki-chan looked at him.
"What do you want to show me, friend?" Shadow smiled and held out his hand for her to take.
"Trust me Ki-chan," he said, "it is a wonderful thing, I promise. It is a place where you won't be laughed at or bullied in, it's a place without hurt." Ki-chan thought about what he said.
"What is this place called Shadow?" she asked. Shadow smiled.
"It is a surprise," he told her. Ki-chan smiled.
"I like surprises, can you show me the surprise?" Shadow nodded. Ki-chan took his hand. And together, they walked out of the school grounds and disappeared into the streets of the city.
After Ki-chan disappeared, hours passed and her parents got worried. They called out her name and called the police. "Find our little flower (Hana)" they pleaded. As minutes turned to hours, and hours turned to days, Ki-chan was nowhere to be found. However, after 2 weeks, the police called Ki-chan's parents saying they found her. The mother and father quickly asked where, but the police said: "you will have to see for yourself."
As quickly as possible, they hurried to the police station where the police drove them to a bridge. There, at the bottom, was a girl. A small girl, with a small smile on her face. The bottom of the bridge was a gorge. There, Ki-chan lay, on her back, dead.
"She committed suicide," the policeman said, "I am so sorry." The parents could only do one thing: cry. And that is what they did.
