Spirit in the Light

Chapter 8

Rose stepped forward with the blade clutched, tightly in her hand. She smiled warmly at me and I thought of the last time I received a smile from anyone. It felt great.

"If you slash this across your throat," Rose convinced me, "You'll soon come with me."

What? How is that even possible? I thought.

"Are you sure, Rose? Is this the only way I can come with you to the faraway place, you were talking about?"

"Yes, my dear," she replied.

I sighed, thinking of a better solution. Certainly, I can come with her to the faraway place without killing myself, right? Or maybe she's just lying. Maybe, Rose will make it seem like a dream. Maybe.

What if I say no? Will she be mad at me? Will she not be my friend anymore?

"C-c-can I have more time to think about this, Rose?" I questioned. "I really don't know what to do." Rose seemed to understand my confusion as she tilted her head peering at me with her huge, glassy eyes.

"You are my friend, Emma. You will always be my friend. You can say no if you don't want to come but this is really the only way you can reward me for chasing all those terrifying nightmares away for you. Don't you want to repay me for what I've done?" She took another step making her even closer to me than before.

I didn't know what to do. Of course, I had to repay her with something, but even after all these weeks, I didn't know what that something was. I had to do this, no matter what. Who cares if it's my life I have to give to her; it's a payment to settle my debts.

"It's not just your life, sweetie. It's your spirit." Rose corrected.

"What? What's that supposed to mean?" I asked her, bewildered by her ability to read my thoughts.

"Your spirit is what I need to stay happy, Emma. The spirit of a girl who once used to be so happy with her full and complete family. Now, when you come with me to that far-away place, you'll stay happy forever. No one will ever make you sad and, most importantly, I'll be with you the whole way." Rose smiled at me once again but there was something in her eyes that seemed so distant and far away.

"Really? But wait. That's not fair. If I'm happy, you have to be happy with me, don't you? What will you get from this deal?" Even though it was my repayment to her, she still deserved to be happy as much as I am.

She laughed... And laughed. At me. Once she finally managed to catch her breath, she replied, "Oh Emma, sweetheart, no. I finally have my chance to drag someone along with me for eternity. That's what will make me happy."

Suddenly, her glassy bead eyes that always seemed full of life turned bloody red. In a fraction of a second, Rose's hair was back to the burnt, chopped up dirty hair it had once been. Her laced dress was tattered and ripped again, as though she had survived a tornado.

"Rose...?" I questioned.

"It's okay, dear. We will both be happy when we can spend eternity together, won't we?" she inquired.

I had no choice but to reply, "Yes."

"So you will give me your spirit?"

"Of course," I uttered.

"Say it!" Rose impatiently urged.

"I will give you my spirit as repayment for what you have done for me," I declared. Rose trudged forward and held her hand outstretched to me holding the fateful knife. My feet were stuck in place; they couldn't budge at all. I had no choice but to lean forward and grab the blade from her hand.

My hand clasped the knife tightly as a drop of sweat dribbled down my palm. I held it up to my neck and caught a glimpse of Rose encouraging me. I gulped and felt the sick feeling of my heart beating in my stomach. No, I thought. It has to be done. Stop wasting time and just do it. It's for Rose. You have to repay her, I scolded myself.

I started to slide the blade, pressing harder so that I didn't waste a moment of time as I slashed my own throat with one cold stroke.

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I am looking up from the wooden floor to the white ceiling, noticing how everything seems so large. I think about my last minutes and where I am now. I'm not happy. I will never be happy now because I realize it wasn't my life that I gave to it. It was my spirit.

I peer closely at a little girl, walking towards me, with her arms outstretched and a wide smile on her face.

I will get my revenge. 

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Thanks a lot for the people that read this story and for voting on it. It really means a lot to me and tell me what you think of it! Is it creepy??? Where do you think Rose is, now?

This chapter is dedicated to my wonderful editor, Sam Nicholds (also my core teacher). Couldn't have done it without you! 

Phew, I actually managed to write this in, 4726 words...Thanks a lot, guys! Peace ;) ✌️