Crown of Thorns

5-6

CHAPTER 5

Translator & editor : Cuties

The young man grumbled for a long time and was surprised to see the plant growing up in the water.

"Did you plant this?"

"No."

"Then it must have come along. It's a waste to throw it away after it's grown this big, so we'll have to raise it."

Then he proceeded to bring new water. I was in a strange mood when I saw the plant in the corner of the tower. It didn't really suit the place to have a creature trying to live in a place where everything else is dying. Despite the lack of light and water, it struggled to grow up. It produced leaves and stretched the stem even though it looked so weak and about to fall any moment.

"Make sure to wash this time."

The young man brought in a little more water. It seems that he also wanted me to take care of the plant.

I decided not to refuse this time. After the young man left, I poured water into the large barrel. Then I wiped off the sticky stuff. My hair that had hardened gradually began to flow down, and my dark body gradually whitened.

I threw away the dirty water and poured more. I didn't know he brought so much water. It was enough for me to wash at least three times. I immersed myself in the full barrel. It's been a long time.

Plenty of thoughts came to mind when I was immersed in the water.

It was so clean that it reminded me of the blue sea that I could see inside, the transparent water that flows in the valley, the warm bath before going to bed, the hot springs that were pushing up through the white snow, and even the water that was contained in cups.

Countless memories, the longing, bothered me, but I let it go.

I was happy.

I had no doubt that the happy times would last forever.

I couldn't see my caring father often but I still had my mother who gave me a tarot card and looked at me lovingly every time we were together. I was very young at that time and couldn't remember many things, but we had a great time traveling together and eating delicious food. There were only good people around me. I couldn't get rid of my laughter because I was surrounded with so much love.

Until the day darkness swallowed the world.

Memories after being driven into a witch came to mind. I was also reminded of one time when a huge stone had been tied to my feet and I was abandoned in the bottom of the river, struggling in the water and forced to drink it over and over again whenever I opened my mouth for a breath.

When I looked down at myself, I was covered with terrible wounds; burning marks, small pins from being trapped in a nail box, and mutilated wounds with swords. Countless scenes haunted me. The phantom pain from each of them made me shudder. This is why I tried to bury everything deep down.

I sank into the water. For it all to get quiet. To break away from my thoughts.

The water brought by the young man turned blood-red when I washed my clothes in it roughly. The old rotting stench reeked badly. But I felt a little clean and refreshed. After throwing out the water, I sat back against the wall.

That's how I began to wait. For the young man to come.

Please come back.

It took him long to appear again this time. The young man who came back was still white and red. His young face remained intact, but it was different from before. While he was growing up like this, I remained the same. But that time felt horribly long.