Diana and Elianna stayed still in silence until everything was clear, until they didn't hear any noise from outside. They were sitting side by side against the door so that if someone or something tried to open it, it would be impossible. However, with all things happening anything could be possible.
"I am sorry… I am truly sorry, Elianna," Diana held her knees tighter and dug her face between them. She didn't want to look into her eyes. She knew she had to apologize years ago. However, she didn't feel bad as she was right now, especially with the threat of death.
When people approach the signs of leaving to the afterlife, they start apologizing. As if it was only right for them to do the bad deed and ask for forgiveness after that. It was a life treatment. An apology is always sincere when it is accompanied with actions. She apologized ridiculously close to tears.
"I don't what you are apologizing for… But I guess I owe you one. If you hadn't come, I don't know what would have happened to me," the reply came as a whisper. It was intended to not be heard. She didn't want to speak about the past or what happened between them. It was late to ask for an apology when it was already far past what she intended.
Diana raised her head and squinted her eyes trying to get a glimpse of Elianna's thoughts. Elianna changed; she changed in a considerable way. Diana lowered her gaze and opened her mouth not knowing what to say.
"I am sorry for speaking ill of you back in high school… I know it must have been hard for you to…"
"It's not important," a harsh voice cut her words sending chills down her spine. "I am not interested in what you want to say."
"Just give me a chance to apologize. I know it's my fault but I want you to know," as Elianna didn't say anything, Diana took it as an affirmation and kept asking for an apology. "I was your first friend… I really appreciated being friends with you; you were always listening to whatever I said and you never criticized what I did… So much time had passed and I realized this quality of yours is rare to find."
There was nothing to remember in high school period. There was nothing she wished to recall except, she guessed the moment where Emmanuel came to her asking if she had difficulties in mathematics. She struggled so badly in it; it wasn't the best part of subjects she liked. There was nothing in mathematics for her except headaches and trauma. Yet, Emmanuel made it seem so easy to understand. She got an A plus and it was the first time she felt so happy about getting an A.
A smile burned her lips as she remembered how her father praised her but her mother, she just stayed still while thinking for a while. Then by the end, she told her it wasn't enough. When her father said to give it a break, she just insisted on not spoiling the brat. She was a brat.
Diana was a girl who just gotten transferred and was seeking answers; no one wanted to tell her anything but Elianna did. It was the way to start any friendship. She always listened to her problems and never got anything out. She had never spoken a word about her secrets. It was a sweet friendship that anyone could want. A well to bury your torments and you peeking out below; there was only darkness below. Diana had never learnt anything from her mouth, about her life, about her everyday routine, about her hobbies. All her answers were dismissive.
"I ruined our friendship. Truly speaking, I never thought we had something. Friends share things between each other and you never told me anything about you. I feared I was burdening you so I wanted to fit in with the others. Each time I talked to someone it felt like there was a barrier not allowing to go any further and then… Maria came to me. She was so sweet and we talked about everything."
"I am really not interested in any of this and I don't blame you for anything that happened. It was your choice, not mine. You chose to leave and I don't have the right to keep you next to me. Everyone is free to do what he or she wants and you were free."
Elianna picked up her phone from her pocket and scrolled down the messages from the unknown sender; there was nothing else in her phone except the creepy lines that warned her. She kept staring at the screen expecting another message and almost jumped when Diana spoke again.
"Isn't that what you wrote earlier?"
Elianna nodded.
"Why did you write it? There could have been chalk or a pen somewhere."
"I don't know but I understood something. Only blood can make us talk to others. Remember the body; it certainly means someone or something is sending a message. I don't know who it was or what t was but it is coming for us. It's better to look for a way to get out of here."
Diana looked around scared. The silence that established around them was too much for an ordinary predicament. She knew something was happening and the place had power. It was always like her to believe in unseen things but she saw them. The shadows, the creepy rustling of the winds, the whispers… It was too hard to keep denying it. They were in a place that had power and she didn't know what awaited them.
"Elianna. I am really sorry. Just tell me you are alright with my apology…" she tried to smile to hide her fear but Elianna's stare made her tremble more. "I am really sorry. Maria told me to tell her about what you spoke with me about… I didn't know what to say and the only thing I remembered and told her about was my visit to your house, you know when your father…"
"Just shut up alright," Elianna stood up abruptly. "I will go around and search for clues. Stay here if you want… Just don't expect me to accept something I can't do. I was called a bastard by everyone. Did you imagine how I felt? Or was I some robotic humanoid monster in your eyes? I can't hover about this," she turned her head and put a trembling hand over the knob. "It's already in the past and I don't like living in the past. There is nothing there to look forward to remembering. At least, in my case."
Elianna left Diana behind. She tried to push the door to open it and noticed the door can be opened from two sides, pull it or push it. She didn't give it much thought but she pushed the door and disappeared into the corridors. When Diana tried to catch up to her, pulling the door, she didn't find her silhouette anywhere.