Hard Paper

-Chapter 18.5- •Dark Dream•

Once again, Shiko finds herself in a deep dream. Not seeing much but hearing voices echoing through her head.

"I don't know who I am..."
"I don't know who he is..."

"Who's there...?"
"I'm...alone...?"

"You trust me don't you?."
"Do you trust me?."
"Can I really trust you?."
"I don't know who you are!"

"Two faced..."
"We aren't who you think we are...
"Their eyes are dark..."
"Not Good people.."

"So tired..."
"Gonna faint.."
"..."
"..."

"I'm here."

"I don't know you completely..."
"That's a good thing..."
"Would I regret it if I went too far..?"

"Curiosity killed the cat.."
"So what's it gonna be kitty?"
"Come close.? Or... would you rather run away..?"

"I'm scared..."
"My legs... I can't run... the stress is overwhelming me..."

"......"
"....."
"...."
"..."
".."
"."
Suddenly, Kuro's voice echoes very clearly in her mind.

Kuro?: "Stay Away... Don't go in..."

Shiko sees her arms reaching towards a shadow like figure of Kuro in a dark room. Her body isn't visible, just her pale arms that look like ghosts in darkness

Kuro?: "Ignorance can be bliss sometimes. You don't have to know everything."

Shiko tries to call out to Kuro but words don't come out

Kuro?: "I don't know you. You don't know me. Not completely. Nobody knows me."

Shiko sees Kuro's shadow like figure turn is back as three other dark man like figures appear next to him

Kuro???: "It's better that you don't... I'm like a mask on dark times to people. You want a bright future? Stay away from me..."

The shadow like figure next to Kuro's one suddenly grows big and strong looking dark wings, looking like illusions. The wings grow and go over Kuro and the other Three Shadows including the one with the wings. The wings spin a bit and make all the figures disappear into thin air.

Shiko doesn't see her body but feels is if she's crying and falling mid air. She tries to scream but no sound comes out. She hears a familiar voice... It's Hikari's! No doubt!

Hikari?: "Follow your heart... Happiness will follow you next!~ Believe yourself!~"

She suddenly feels stuck mid-air. Like the falling has stopped harshly. She can feel herself shivering but can't see her body. She takes a deep breath and silently listens. One last voice is heard but this time. It's for certain that it's Kuro's. However no figure is anywhere to be seen.

Kuro: "You always were observant."
His words that echo, they feel lighter and nostalgic.

Shiko looks at both of her hands, the only part of herself she can see. She's porcelain white. Just like a ghost. She takes a deep, silent breath before putting her hands together tightly and tries to talk once more. Her voice sounds like it's struggling to come out but slowly gets through.

Shiko: "I.... I....will...be-lieve.. in... h-him..!"
As soon as her words are heard. They slowly echo in the room.

Suddenly the dark room completely turns white. She looks at her hands, but the room is so white that her hands are invisible. She turns around to see a mirror against the white wall. The entire room looks like an illusion but the mirror sticks out. And on the mirror, in a reflection. Shiko's favorite dress that Hikari picked out is floating, her body, invisible. But... the dress is...
Completely black! The patches that Kuro fixed up looks kinda silver but besides that, the dress is completely black!
Shiko feels her arms reaching towards the mirror. Even though she can't see her body, she somehow puts her hand on the mirror.
The room feels like it's shaking for a split second which makes Shiko close her eyes. When she opens them back up and looks at the mirror; She sees herself. Wearing that black dress. Her skin is back to its pale yet skin tone color. She can see her fingers. She can see her face, her eyes that are filled with tears of fear and uncertainty. She can see it all.
She takes a deep breath and realizes that she can hear her breathing. Her eyes widen. She gulps and opens her mouth to speak..

Shiko: I can talk.... her voice seems to echo a bit in the endless looking, small, white room. She looks around to see if there is anything in sight Exept the mirror

Shiko: Where...am I...? The echo seems a little lighter this time. She looks at her dress. Somehow looking totally different.
A dream again...? The echo is barely heard anymore. She lightly touches the side of the mirror.
"What a strange dream..." she tries to say out loud. But her voice is gone again. She can only think. She gulps and looks down, her tears start flowing again as she gets really mad and harshly punches the mirror. It shatters completely and the room falls completely dark. She can't see herself anymore. She listens closely for voices, a change, something to disturb silence.

After hoping for so long, she finally hears a voice from afar. Kuro's voice...?

Kuro: "It's okay to ask for help..." She Hears as she feels a hand holding her own. The voice was no doubt Kuro's... however the hand feels small...
She feels her body shaking as she starts hearing a voice from far... far away.. the voice seems to be calling for her and getting closer

"Shiko....."
"Shiko...!!!!!"
"Shiko-Nee..!"
"Wake Up! Shiko-Nee!!!!"
She suddenly wakes up from her deep and terrifying dream; tears in her wide eyes, still shivering. She puts one of her hands on her forehead, finds herself sweating a little and looks at her other hand which is being held by...

Shiko: H-Hikari! She says In surprise, looking at her sweet little sister holding her hand in worry

Hikari: Y-You slept in... It's 12AM... You missed breakfast so I came to get you... B-But you were crying... Are you okay..? Shiko hugs her tightly and nods

Shiko: I-I am now...

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