Verafalsa | Different Worlds, One Tunnel

2

I gasp for air, leaning my back on the door. Bullets of cold sweat came running down my face, the blood from my hand continued it's pace of flow.

I panicked at that moment and ran straight to the house.

I gulped my saliva, my breath still not catching up. I looked down, and saw that tiny droplets of blood has dripped down the floor. I calmed myself down, making sure that I won't pump more blood into my hands.

I calmly took out a piece of paper out of my bag, my hands started to sting from the cold air. I wrapped them temporarily around my hand, making sure I won't stain the wooden floor boards while I try to get to the bathroom. I'm glad the entrance isn't made out of wood. It would have stained.

I removed my shoes off my feet and left it at the entrance. I dropped my bag when I came to get the papers. I'll remember to get it after washing.

I ran to the bathroom, forgetting everything else for the moment, focusing on my hand. I opened the faucet, cold water started running down the sink. The translucent water started to combine with the red color as I wash my hands.

I looked at my hands, seeing some little wounds on it. I tried to remember what I felt when I was carrying the thumbtacks, but failed and just concluded that my hands went numb. I remembered there were more thumbtacks than the other days, and it seemed that some was piled up in one place.

"...Magnet?"

I felt the thumbtacks, were heavier, but paid no mind to it. I guess adding that to the grip I made while I tried to hide it from the guard made it poke through my skin... who would even have that much thumbtacks to use for?

As I was done trying to find the reason of the wounds, I dried my hands with tissues, hurrying at the process. I still have to clean the floor where my blood dripped.

I wrapped my hands with bandages, and went ahead and get the mop. I mopped the floor in front of the door clean, and started to wash the mop with water.

I fasten my pace, getting my bags, changing my clothes, and act normal. But of course I can't hide my hand, wearing gloves in a house seems ridiculous. I sat on the couch, staring at the closed T.V. as I think of an excuse.

1. I cut my hand accidentally while handling scissors.

2. I accidentally scraped my hands while I was doing something.

3. Got paper cut.

4. Tell the truth...?

As I debated in my mind, I heard the door knob turning. I hurriedly get the remote, gripping it in the process. When I tried to hold it, my hand sting immediately, making me drop the remote from the pain.

"Cheeses..!" I cursed quietly as I held back my hand. "I'm home-...?" Her voice turned into a question. I heard foot steps going near me, as I was in a slouched position because of my hands.

"Amatoshi, are you okay?" My mom said with a worried tone. I turned my head to my mom, making a closed eyed smile. "Ah, yeah."

"I helped my classmate carry the hand outs my teacher was going to give us. It seems I had a paper cut, haha." I laughed awkwardly. She furrowed her forehead, some wrinkles showing. "Ah, it seemed like it cut deep, so I had them bandaged. I went with a classmate."

She pouted a bit, and pat my head. "Geez, you're too kind." I rubbed the back of my head, noticing that my hair wasn't tied up with two buns. "Worrying things will only make you age more, mom."

"Eeh? Do I really look like I'm getting old? I'm still young! Please don't take my youthfulness away from me!" She joked, and went ahead to her room to change clothes. I chuckled at her, feeling a bit lighter than before.