Madhouse

[Chapter 24]

"Wh-what?! How-"

The killer was.. Hazel? But she was dead.. right?

"Hazel?" Natsuki gulped.

"You got that right." She winked, twirling the knife in-between her fingers, smirking.

"But, why?"

"Oh, dear.. I guess I may as well start from the beginning." Hazel rolled her eyes.

"When I was little.. my dad married Lucia's mother. Lucia and I weren't close at first. But as we grew, we created a bond, growing fond of one another..."

Highschool

Lucia slammed her locker shut, startled at the sight of Hazel, her eyes glistening with excitement. 

"Lucia! Lucia!" Hazel squealed.

"What's up?" 

"I got a chance to study my art skills in Japan!" She announced, throwing her hands into the air.

"Really?" Lucia paused. Japan was far from where they lived.. she wouldn't be able to see her for a while. "Um, that's great, Hazel." She forced a smile, awkwardly chuckling.

"You seem down. What's wrong?" Hazel frowned.

"No, no- nothing. I'm happy for you!" Lucia instantly replied, the lie slipping hesitantly off her tongue. "It's just.. I wouldn't be able to see you much anymore." She murmured, her head drooping.

"Aw, it's OK. We can call each other everyday!" Hazel promised, smiling sympathetically.

The two crossed pinkies, their way of sharing a promise. A pinky promise.

They arrived at the airport, Lucia frowning. Hazel hugged her tight, raising her step-sister's head with a thumb. "Hey, keep smiling for me." She whispered. Lucia nodded, before she found herself waving good-bye...

Days drifted off..

Her parents argued, and constantly fought.

Lucia lacked at school.. she didn't know anything. She felt overwhelmed- pressured.

Though she found friends.. Sienna. She supported her.

Even through tough times.. when Sienna chose to smoke. Lucia helped her overcome her addiction.. together- just not in the way she thought. They fought. 

Maybe she had lost her friend..

Her father grew stern, as Lucia gained a illness.

She'd meet with a boy.. for medicine. Or what she thought was 'medicine'.

Lucia drunk.. alcohol. She wanted pain to leave. She wanted to feel free...

She went out, finding herself making out with a boy. Natsuki's boy..

Lucia found herself online.. a picture of her and a boy. She was drunk at the time. Looking at the picture made her grow horrified.

Her house was robbed..

Her father grew ill, as hospital bills piled up.

She managed to find some money.. though was never able to return it.