I could hear a clinking sound like glass far away. But the more I listened, it sounded like water creating ripples on the ground.
What's that sound? I thought to myself. Why is it distributing my sleep?
I covered my ears and shut my eyes tightly, refusing to open them. However, no matter how hard I tried, the sound kept coming closer to me.
And out of the blue, I could feel cold droplets suddenly sprinkled down on me.
A mini waterfall? Maybe rain?
The cold droplets stopped as I felt something like a teardrop on my cheek.
It's warm.
One drop fell on my other cheek, then my head, and started sprinkling down on me again; however, the warm droplets gradually became hot. Even with my eyes closed, the droplets felt sticky, and they smelled horrible.
Eventually, one fell onto my lips, making me taste it.
Is this… blood?
"Blood?" I suddenly opened my eyes, feeling a chill running through my spine. Hesitating, I slowly looked down at my trembling hands.
However, before I could, a hand-like shadow covered my eyes.
As if on cue, the next thing I knew, I was surrounded by a field of iris flowers. I then looked up, realizing the sky above me was white, and my heart suddenly ached within my chest as I raised my hand towards it.
But instead of pain, I felt strangely relaxed and at peace.
What is this feeling?
"Serenity?"
I looked at my surroundings, searching for the voice that called me, but beyond the beautiful irises, there was no one but me. At first, I thought about ignoring it, thinking it was my imagination. However, because it was calling my name again then constantly, I had no other choice but to follow it.
But no matter where I went, there was nothing beyond the field of irises.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked the voice, who then stopped. "Who are you? What are you? Why did you bring me here?"
The voice didn't respond, and just when I was about to question it again, it just called my name. I sighed in defeat and turned away until I noticed a small figure far away from me.
Could it be–
I didn't understand why, but I ran in a heartbeat towards the figure. The closer I got, my eyes widened, and all at once, I could feel all my emotions bursting into tears as I called out her name.
"Hanako!"
I reached my right hand towards her shoulder, and when Hanako turned to look at me--
She suddenly slapped my hand.
"Hana...ko?"
I looked at her in shock and at the red mark that she left. My knees instantly fell to the floor, making me look up at Hanako as her pink eyes glared down at me.
"It's all your fault…!" She shrieked. "It's always been!"
Suddenly, the field of flowers and the white sky transformed into a familiar scenery: a cafe that I used to work at before I came to White Clover.
"Hanako, I–"
A dim light suddenly shined on a silver-haired girl wearing a pink headband. Matching her outfit, she wore a white ruffle short sleeve shirt with a pink skirt and tan sandals. And there, she sat still on her chair, looking glum at the small round table.
Like a stage play, the scene performs its next act when I look at Hanako.
"I thought you were my friend! I thought–" Hanako choked on her words, gripping her skirt. "I trusted you! But why… Why are you risking to protect yourself while someone else is hurt in your stead?!"
She then looked at me as her pink eyes were glistening in tears. "Don't you think it's selfish?! You're no better than a child!!"
No! That's not–
I wanted to tell her it's not true. But before I could do so, I realized there was somebody else here with us. A face that I know all too well. Her black hair was up in a ponytail, and she wore a brown and white maid outfit. Her purple eyes looked down at the sitting and teary Hanako.
"A child? A child, you say?!" she shouted. "What do you know about me?! Did you forget that I did this to protect both of you?!"
Her stoic face and tone when she said those words were as cold as ice. Despite raising her voice, she is very calm about the situation. Hanako shook her head and made a sad, wry smile.
"You're wrong, Serenity. You know the truth better than me. You weren't protecting us. Admit it! You're only protecting yourself!"
"That's not true!" she said, slamming her hands on the table.
"You don't care about me!" Hanako did the same as she stood up from her seat. "God…! You're just like my parents…!"
She gripped her hair in distraught, leaving more tears overflowing her eyes. The girl was quiet when she looked at Hanako, and as if she was reflecting on something, she spoke.
"Hanako, I'm–"
She was about to walk toward her, but Hanako moved away from her in disbelief.
"Don't touch me!" She screamed. "I hate you! I HATE YOU, SERENITY!"
Hanako rushes towards the door, leaving the sound of bells chiming by itself. Now on the stage was just the girl looking at the empty table and seat where Hanako was not too long ago.
"What are you doing?!" I panicked and yelled at the girl. "Hurry and go after her!"
However, she didn't move and looked down at the ground, feeling guilty.
"Don't just stand there and feel sorry about yourself!!"
At this rate, Hanako will–
As if my prayers had been answered, I heard the cafe door open with the same sound of bells chiming. That's when I realized that the girl went after Hanako.
"Please," I prayed, clasping my hands together. "Please save her on time!"
I prayed with all my might that everything will be alright.
However, everything is short-lived.
Nothing lasts as you hope.
At least, that's what I've learned.
The stage fast-forwards to its next act. Standing before me, I could feel the adrenaline in my body as my anxious heart beats irregularly fast. I couldn't hear anything as my legs walked towards a familiar, bloody sight.
As my hands made their way towards my hair, gripping it--
I screamed.
Following that scream, I forced myself to wake up with tears in my eyes and sat up. I then looked at the window, realizing it was already dark.
"What hap–" I was going to ask myself until I finally recalled what happened. "Right, I unpacked my belongings and took a nap on the couch here. Now, where's my phone?"
I took a couple of deep breaths, calming my beating heart while searching for my phone. Luckily, I noticed it lying on the ground beside the couch and reached toward it.
At the same time, a ding sound on my notifications said that I got a text from my uncle with a picture. I unlocked my phone, and went to the Messages app, clicking our group chat. He wrote, "I told you I didn't break our promise!" and took a selfie picture of himself with a peace sign, smiling.
It's so him.
I was about to text him back when I heard a knock on the door. I placed my phone to the side and made my way toward it.
As if it's been a routine for me, I asked who, the voice responded, and I opened the door. In front of me, her curly orange-brown hair looked frazzled, and she seemed very gloomy. I could tell because of the dark circles under her eyes.
"Hey, how's the–"
Before I could say anything more, Serena walked past me with her head down.
"I'm sorry," she said. "Right now, I don't want to talk about it."
In response, I locked the door.
"Would it be fine if I rest here tonight, Serenity?"
I looked at her, baffled. "I don't mind, but–"
"Good night."
"Ah–"
In a blink of an eye, Serena lost her footing and fell onto the floor, asleep. Once again, I was baffled at the sight of what happened just now.
Let's just pray that she didn't break her nose.
And with that, I spent the next few hours dragging Serena to my room and slept back on the couch.