This mansion is certainly grand but has a somewhat dull atmosphere. It's the first time I've entered her house without prior notice, and the worst part is that I came in alone.
Can this be considered breaking and entering? No, it's my best friend's house—we're supposed to be like sisters. She won't mind, I tell myself to feel better.
There's still this persistent feeling of insecurity and madness within me.
I've been in her garden before but never inside her home. Now that I think about it, she always insisted that I stay outside.
I remain by the large door, which I carefully closed behind me. My eyes wander, examining the room filled with valuable items, and I call out.
"Victoria!"
Nothing. I try again.
"Victoria!"
Silence.
"Victoria! Please, is anyone here?"
I start to think she might not be home. Perhaps she went out. But what bothers me is the smell that fills the room, a smell I can't get used to.
It's strange. If no one is here, why wasn't the door locked? Anyone could just walk in. I feel a twinge of fear.
I don't dare move, but admit it—this isn't normal. The smell, the half-open door, and Victoria not answering…
Oh, I must be silly. She could easily have gone out, forgotten to take out the trash, and left the door unlocked. Why am I overthinking this?
No.
Victoria isn't the type of person to be so careless. She pays attention to every detail and leaves nothing to chance. She must be here.
This time, I decide to explore the strangely empty house while calling her name.
"Victoria! Victoria!"
I see a grand staircase leading to another floor. Well, here goes nothing.
At that moment, I probably didn't realize what I was doing.
I ascend the stairs and come upon a hallway filled with doors. I get the impression that the source of the smell is coming from one of these rooms, one in particular. I rush to it, ready to open the door, feeling on the verge of fainting
I place my hand on the doorknob and slowly turn it, pushing the door open.
This scene will be engraved, etched into my memory forever. I fall to the ground, overwhelmed by the sight before me.
Incapable of uttering a single word.
Victoria, lying in a pool of blood, pale as a sheet—much like the white t-shirt I'm wearing.
A lifeless body.
"AAAAHHHHHH!"
I scream in agony.
No, I'm hysterical. I… I need help.
With my eyes shut tight, I rush to her side, placing my hand on her tender heart.
Nothing.
I feel nothing… it's simply unreal.
I shake her with both hands, praying that she'll open her sparkling blue eyes. I can't bear the thought of never seeing them again.
Her golden hair, once so vibrant, now mingles with a color that was once my favorite.
Red.
As I sat there, holding her lifeless body, memories of our time together flooded my mind. The laughter we shared, the secrets we whispered, the dreams we built together—they all felt so distant now, like fragments of another life.
Tears streamed down my face as I gently brushed a lock of her hair away from her face. "Victoria," I whispered, my voice trembling. "You can't leave me like this. We had so many plans, so many adventures left to live."
I remembered the first day we met, how she had welcomed me with that bright, infectious smile of hers. We had become inseparable since then, sharing every joy and sorrow. She was more than a friend—she was my sister, my confidante, my rock.
"Do you remember our secret spot by the lake?" I murmured, my voice cracking. "We used to sit there for hours, talking about everything and nothing. You always said that place was magical, that it could heal any wound."
I clung to her, wishing with all my heart that the magic of our secret spot could bring her back to me. "Please, Victoria," I pleaded, my tears soaking into her hair. "You have to wake up. You have to."
I felt a sudden surge of desperation. "Remember when you said we'd travel the world together? See Paris, climb the mountains, explore the deepest jungles? You promised we would. You promised."
I pressed my forehead against hers, closing my eyes. "I can't do this without you," I whispered. "You were always the brave one, the strong one. I need you, Victoria. I need you to come back."
The room was silent, save for the sound of my sobs. The weight of my grief felt unbearable, but I couldn't let go. I wouldn't let go.
In that moment, I realized that Victoria had given me something precious—her unwavering love and friendship. And even in her absence, that love would be my strength, my guide.
"I'll carry you with me," I whispered, my voice breaking. "Everywhere I go, in everything I do, you'll be with me. I promise you, Victoria. I won't forget."
As I held her close, a sense of calm washed over me. It wasn't the end—it was a new beginning, a journey I would embark on with her memory etched in my heart.
With trembling hands, I gently laid her down and stood up, looking around the room one last time. "Goodbye, Victoria," I said softly. "Until we meet again."