"Huh?"
The sunset gleamed in my eyes so warm and gentle. Realizing the spot where I am standing now, A vast crowd greeted me. The crowds were a whirling, eddying pool surging with a roar up to the narrow cleft which was its only outlet. Either the noise was undying sinking through my ears. It was new, this place that I haven't seen for a long time ago.
I deciphered my mind thoroughly. Rather than remembering this place, it was a total disappointment. I don't recall anything nor the reason for all this.
"Why am I in the middle of nowhere? Am I not in the middle of the exam?"
I took a breather and attempted to recall the exam from where I was before. However, the more I look into it, the more my mind shows something else, there's this vision of a person drenched in blood pleading for aid. "Help." I couldn't see his face, but I could see his smile. When he called for "Help" the second time, my head began to throb violently. Attempting to enlist my assistance repeatedly, I had no idea what was going on.
"Who is that person?"
Why am I seeing that kind of image in my head?
"Sister!"
Abruptly, someone tugged my sleeves. A young boy who was not very familiar to me was smiling and even embraced me tightly.
"Sister!"
Thus, every time he called for me my heart starts pounding heavily. I could hear it, the loud and raucous. It seems there was something in this boy that was affecting me after all, when I glanced at his mysterious emerald eyes, the image of that person is flashing across my mind. His voice appears to be familiar but my head is already in this pain so I quit hunting for memories I couldn't recollect at all.
He looks around 12 years old. But, can't be that sure.
"Am I the one who you are calling 'Sister'?" the boy turned his head side by side as if he is looking for someone. Then when he glanced back at me, he made a wide smile. "If not you, then who else am I going to call Sister?"
He didn't respond but instead asked me another puzzling question. This kid was witty. My first impression of him was not favourable, God lord. Who is he? Why is he talking to me anyway? Why is he addressing me as Sister? I couldn't answer those questions on my own, so I had to ask someone. However, asking within my thoughts will not get a sensible reply.
"Sister! What are you still standing here for? We're going to be late! I told you that the chocolate store has a lot of customers!"
"H-huh? Chocolate store?"
On my left hand, the boy bent his arm. As he drew me closer to the masses. Wait. I never told him to pull me along with him in the first place.
"Yes! I told you right? I'm going to let you taste the most delicious chocolate you have yet tasted!"
"Who said I want to eat a chocolate?!"
I tried to take my arm away from him, but his grip was too firm. He is squeezing my arm between his hands. Now I'm being forced to join this kid in whatever he wants to do.
"I'm sorry, Sister." I couldn't see his exact expression; all I see was his tiny back, I was somehow bothered when he apologizes unexpectedly. "Please, can you give this little time to this boy? I just want to be with you, after that. I promise I won't bug you anymore." My eyes were slightly widened. I didn't think he would think that way. However, I should just let him do anything, he promised anyway.
"Alright. You have my time." I responded, "although... I wasn't sure what am I doing here. I'll just find that out for myself later on."
"Horray! As I've thought. You are an Angel!"
"Stop saying nonsense, just take me to where we were supposed to go."
"Yes~"
Just watching him walking with me, somehow, I can feel that he is drowning in happiness right at this moment.
"Given by your appearance. You seem young. Where are your parents?"
"Hmm. They are with my brother, in the mansion."
"Aren't they worried about you?"
"No. They knew I'm with you after all."
What a negligent parent. They're just letting a little child run around in this crowded environment, with no concern for the possibility that he'll get lost or that he'll be kidnapped. I'll take him home myself and scold his parents for it. They are certain that nothing bad will happen to this child; they are fortunate that I am with him and not with anyone else.
"Wahh! Lucky! " When the kid gleefully yelled, my attention was split in two. We were already in the place with the banner saying 'the Choco shop' when I noticed it. Perhaps this is where he intends to lead me. Snatching a peek at him, the kid appears to be content, which is commendable.
"I assumed there would be a lot of people today, but seeing how empty it is only shows that both of us are lucky!"
"Is that so?"
The boy didn't hesitate, and he dashed inside the store as quickly as he could. I was left awkwardly standing here. Sigh.
"Sister!" said the kid. "What are you still doing there? Come on in!" he looked for me once more, telling me that I should come inside. I couldn't help but give it a go. As I went inside the shop, the candies and chocolate scents welcomed my nose unpleasantly.
"Welcome! "The personnel greeted us; however, the chocolates and other sweets were not particularly scented on my delicate nose. I grinned at the personnel but not at the chocolates. I covered my nose. Now that seen this shop, it appears to me that this one look to be vintage.
An ancient candy store I could say. The sunset's light cast a strong glow on each good, but it didn't bother my eyes. For me, it was calm and soothing. I saw an open seat close and decided to wait for him there. He was joyfully collecting some sweets, and I could see a broad smile on his face.
While I waited for him. My eyes can't help but examine the environment around me. The entire area was surrounded by candies and chocolate. Well, it won't be a chocolate shop if it doesn't sell chocolate. It's just that this place is so unfamiliar to me. I've spent my entire life in a prison-like environment where all we do is to study and hold weapons to kill. I'd never considered picturing myself in this classic setting but take a look. I'm here, if this is real then I probably gained my freedom. Then, I couldn't just recall it.
"Sister! I'm done. Let's go somewhere else. I'll show you some good scenery."
"Somewhere?"
"Yes! Follow me!"
Eventually. We went to a location where there was a colourful floral garden. The wildflowers are waving gracefully in the gentle breeze. What adds to its beauty is that the flowers' colours differed from one another. It was like a rainbow displaying its diversity.
"It's beautiful..."
"Hm..."
We're sitting under the huge tree. The kid was happily eating some of his bought chocolates, while I'm just observing the perpetual sunset setting down.
"This is calming." I can't help but smile bitterly to myself. I can clearly see how different this world is from the one I've come to despise. My reality was nothing more than a gloom that only shined in the dark. No, my world isn't even this bright.
"Say, sister..."
"Hm?"
"Can't you really remember me...? or no, you don't need to remember me. It hurts but, I want you to at least keep my name. Because if no one remembers my name, I'll be like something that didn't exist at all."
I turned to look at him. As I noticed the kid's gaze, which was partially searching for something in the dying sun, he was smiling soothingly to his heart's delight. This boy is so young, but he seems to be carrying the entire weight of the world.
Sighed. "It's nonsense. You've brought me here forcefully and now—." when he suddenly set his eyes on me, his tears flowed. I've fallen into silence, there's no word I couldn't even say out loud. My heart was somehow stabbed a thousand times.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't cry but—."
My eyes were only focused on him, I can't seem to take my glance. Then a particular image began to flash. 'Hey, sister—can I know your name?' I gasped, the image I couldn't see before was getting clearer little by little. 'It's Euphemia. Brat.' and seeing myself in that flashback. This can't be real.
'My name is...' I know it, "Ashley."
Once the first tear broke free, the rest followed. I cupped his cheeks eagerly. "Ashley!" as if my tears have their own will, I couldn't stop the stream of it. Even my chest was in deep pain.
"You've remembered me."
Everything is making sense. Yes. Someone, someone stabbed him, and then he—"Sister. I'm glad you finally remembered me." he is smiling yet, look how sad he is.
"Ashley, you're okay. We're here then that means we graduated!" but what's with the tears. I couldn't understand, there was no need for us to cry but I can't stop.
"I'm sorry...this whole thing... I-it was all from the memories I have... I w-wanted to bring you to the real chocolate shop..." his words were stuttering. "I wanted... to follow you until... the end..."
"Then you can follow me! Why are you crying for?—."
I failed to protect him. 'S-sister...' he, he died.
"Ah..." he glanced at the sun that will soon fall into the twilight night, "My time is up..."
"What do you mean? No! You're not dead, this is—."
"It's alright. Sister... None of it was your fault."
"How can you say that, how can you smile like this. It's goddamn painful!"
"I'm sorry, Sister. This will be my last time...hehe."
Soon after, his body began to fade, and a peculiar light enveloped him. His silhouette is gradually fading from view.
"No!" I tried to grab him but I can't touch him anymore. "No!"
.
.
.
"Don't go!" and for the last, he smiled at me gently.
"Thank you...for everything..."
"Ash...
...ley..."
(I felt warm. The darkness became deeper, yet the warmth engulfed me and drew me in. I was hoping we'd be somewhere warm the next time we met.
.
.
Perhaps somewhere brighter. Somewhere where the light was overflowing. . .
I'd like to see you again. Wouldn't that be nice? Don't you think so, Sister Euphemia?)