(Flashback Over)
Everything came rushing back to Angela a.k.a Vi.
Even waking up as a baby named Angela Wu and everything that happened between then and now.
She looked at Zoey and suddenly the pink eyes and orange hair transformed into green ones.
" Vi? "
Zoey was quickly cut off by Angela wrapping her arms around her head and pulling her close.
" Hey, I never got to say this before. It was mostly my fault, "
Zoey felt something drop onto her head.
She looked up and gasped at the tears now flowing down Angela's face.
But despite her tears, Angela put on a smile with closed eyes.
" I love you, Jade. Or should I say, Zoey? "
Zoey made a weird hiccup noise.
" *HIC* I- "
" SHADDUP!!! "
The women's reminiscing was interrupted by Noah's sleep talking.
Or more accurately sleep yelling.
They looked at each other.
" How about we continue this on the patio? "
Vi had a sort of chuckle in her voice.
Once the two were outside Zoey squeezed Angela tight.
" Ah, you're so tall. You were taller than me before too. *Ha* "
Angela laughed as she was smothered by Zoey.
" You're just a shorty. *Sniff* "
Zoey tried to joke back but she was sniffling.
" Hey! I still have more years on my belt, then and now.
Mine your elders!"
Zoey let out a laugh that could have easily been confused for a cough.
Then her arms tightened around Angela and she began to weep.
" I, love you too. But- "
Zoey was practically crushing the life out of Angela by now.
" *Agh* Hey, kinda strapped for air here. "
Zoey abruptly released her.
Angela let out a dramatic and pained groan.
With her hands on her knees and deep breaths, she was able to stand up straight again.
" What the-"
She stopped mid-sentence as she saw Zoey basically hyperventilating. Loud wheezing, clutching her chest, clouds forming in the chilly air from her hot breath, and tears that were overflowing.
Angela immediately went into mother mode.
" Honey, what's wrong? Come here, sit down, sit down. "
She pulled Zoey over to some chairs near the railing.
Once she sat her down, she pulled another chair closer to her.
It took a while for Zoey to calm down.
Finally, she was able to string together a sentence.
" I hate you. "
Angela was taken aback but her facial muscles stayed unchanged. It became a natural function in her new body to become an ice cube whenever the slightest emotion built up. The tears when she figured out that she was a reincarnation, was a once in an millennium occurrence.
" *Sniffle* I love you, but I hate you so much."
Her sobs would make even the devil cry.
" You... I wanted me and you to be together forever. I didn't even think I could live without you. You gave me the most... happiest memories I could ever hope for.
I wanted to leave that place and live happily as mother and daughter. Sisters. Family!
But I was willing to give up my life so you could live happily!
But then you... you... YOU! "
She began shaking with rage.
" You left me all alone! I was on my own for twelve years! I wished you were there! I cried out for you in my dreams! And when you did show up you were telling me how I was such a monster!
Do you know how many sleepless nights I experienced!? The coping mechanisms I had picked up and spent years trying to get rid of!? The years I spent saying I'm fine when really I wanted someone to desperately help me!?
I.... I....
I know... - you did it for me. So I wouldn't give up on my life.
But I spent most of my life in my own misery! I was emotionally, mentally, and socially stunted!
You were the only person I knew and loved! I literally couldn't imagine life without you until you just....
*Hah hoo* I just can't help blaming you. And feeling so angry!
You spent twenty-four years up until this point, not feeling the pain, the guilt, the sadness.
I know it's selfish but.... I want you to hurt. I want you to feel pain.
Some kind of pain to let you know how much I went through. I'm sorry, but I just can't-"
*Chomp*
Zoey looked up to see Angela biting down on her thumb so hard that blood trailed down her hand.
When she opened her mouth and was ready to bite down on her forefinger.
" Stop! "
She grabbed Angela's hand.
" This wasn't what I was saying, idiot! "
" I know. "
" Huh? "
" This is for my own selfish desire. I need some way to punish my self even if it means hurting my body.
You're right. I was so worried about you signing the contract and I still had the want to stop all my misery.
So, I just killed myself.
For all, I knew they could have kept you locked up. No matter if there was contract or not.
So this is my punishment. I am SO SORRY.
There is NOTHING else I can say to show how sorry I am.
I can feel this... this... GUILT! This fire! Gnawing at me! And it's unbearable! You've felt this, maybe even worse for years!
And I'm sorry. "
Angela's voice was beginning to crack. The moonlight showed her eyes were glossy with tears and were just about to plummet down her cheeks.
Zoey then leaned down and pressed her head against Angela's stomach. Angela could only see the back of her head and neck, but, by the way she trembled it was clear that she was still crying.
Zoey gripped Angela's dress and wailed, " Idiot~!"
Angela put a hand on the back of Zoey's head and rubbed.
" I know. "
Her voice had a bit of a laugh in it but it was obviously breaking up.
Finally, she couldn't hold back, and the saltwater created twin grimy rivers on her face.
And at the same time, the two let out identical cries.
~
After a while of nonstop crying.
Zoey had the bottom half of her body resting in a chair and her head resting in Angela's lap.
Angela gently stroked Zoey's head with a smile on her face.
" *Heh* Even in two lifetimes you're just as spoiled. "
Angela chuckled.
Zoey's ears turned pink in color.
" S-shut it! I deserve at least this! "
" Hey, I'm not complaining. I never thought that I would get the chance to do this again. Now, here I am. "
"... I missed it too. " Zoey mumbled.
Though the two enjoyed having their loved one back. There was something in the back of their minds that had hidden in all the drama.
And they were ready to surface.
The two suddenly stiffened.
" Oh shit! "
" Oh shit! "
Zoey gingerly sat up and turned to Angela.
Angela stared back at her while anxiously clenching her fist.
While Zoey bit her lip and swallowed.
" I have to tell her about her sickness! "
" I have to tell her we're inside a novel! "