A day in this life is just like how any other teenager's is, well was until it wasn't. School, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, parties, extracurriculars, bullies, a part-time job, the whole package. I have known such a life for a period of less than a sitting of a novel. In reality, the only one of the bunch that I am quite well versed in is school-work, maybe a pet and the comfort that is my part-time work. Nevertheless, I never expected to see such a graphic scene in my reality.
Since I can remember I have always witnessed the trails of death. Monsters formed from pure darkness were a staple through the analogous charge. While my peers enjoyed a stream of flurry cascades, I was wrestling with the norm that was blood, death and carnage. My first takes of the matter shook me at my core. I often wrangled with the human bio, borrowing minutes off my recharge just to escape the gory scenes that awaited me in slumber land. I couldn't take regular visits from the macabre but as my biology would have it, a visit to hell was paramount. At a certain point, hell crept into reality. The visage of darkness became a true companion accompanying me not only through the night but also through the light. A cloak of darkness encompassed me shrouding the line between reality and nightmare.
Mother finally noticed the severity of the situation, a band-aid as she was used to dealing out was no longer a viable solution. It would take more than sweet words, lullabies and all that she was used to doing to sate my demons. In came the mind wizard with a never-ending tale of it is all in my mind and how together we could overcome and conquer those demons. She spoke as if she had experienced my hell but how could she? The only experience she had was from my own words. Much like how most of my attempts at finding familiar sentiments from the world I knew the help she was offering was nothing more than smoke and mirrors. This curse has been concretely established to be mine and mine alone. The warm bond that is friendly ties was and will never be in sight. Well, that was until my pet came along. Now that I think of it, the only reason I came to know of that sweet little light was because of my visits to the mind palace. I suppose something good came out of that place. I really miss that little brewery of goofiness.
That's enough of my trip down memory lane. I need to get to the bottom of this. I might have not been enamored by that bag of bones but I owe those two an explanation. There is a need to know who decided to turn the artifact into a display of primal art. Also, where is that sorry excuse for a predecessor. It reeks in here even though the art has just been freshly laid out. Well, I suppose it's a good thing that simple being is not present to see a glimpse of the broad tale I get to enjoy every moment of my existence. She would surely crumble at the seams, and what about mother? Oh, that gentle soul would surely be devastated to see her beloved courier turned into such a graphic sight, I know if mine ever does experiences that I would do everything in my power to avenge her. So, to protect my now family of three I need to get to the bottom of this. I know it would be better to let the people in blue take care of this but that will take time. Besides this might be a case related to the darkness that constantly follows me. I would like to think differently but I can feel the familiar energy I usually get from my eternal companion. Now where to beg-
***
Light! It's already morning? Well, that is a bit weird. And how did I get to my bed? Never mind, I need to get to the bottom of the murder.
"Good morning sweetie, how did you sleep?"
"Mom!!! I thought you went to London?"
"Wow, are you that eager to get rid of me?"
"No… I just want your trip to be done with. Can't you postpone it and stay for a bit?"
"You know I can't sweetie, but don't worry, I will only be gone for two days max. I just came to say goodbye."
"I know, but I will miss you. I already am missing you."
"Me too... Do you remember what I told you to do whenever you feel like you miss me?"
"Yes mom, I remember, but I am no longer a kid. I don't need a song to make me feel better."
"Oh, my darling, you are growing up so quickly. It feels like it was just yesterday that you came into this world, and now look at you!"
"Mom, you are emotional again. Look, tears are flowing down your cheeks."
"It's just …"
"I know mom, I am grateful to have you as my mother."
And then in came the third wheel disrupting the intimate exchange between the mother-daughter duo.
"Sorry I have to take this darling."
"It's okay."
"Hello…"
As she took her call, I sat on my bed trying to understand what was happening because I remember my mother leaving for London yesterday morning. I checked my phone to confirm the date and the only conclusion I could come to was either as my sister likes to say there was a glitch in the matrix or I am tripping or someone just played a very horrible prank on me.
"…Emma!!"
"Yes mom?"
"What's on your mind that has you in such a daze love."
"Nothing mom, I was just a little bit out of it."
"Wait! Don't tell me the monsters are back?"
"No, they aren't. I was just deep in thought about someone."
"Deep in thought? … Is it a boy?"
"Mom!!!"
"Or a girl? I won't judge."
"No mom, it's not like that."
"Oh, bless! Looks like my little one's caught the love bug at last!"
"Don't you have somewhere to be?"
" Yes, I am very late. Let me scoot off for now, but when I'm back, we can have a little chat about your crush."
"I am really serious! I don't have a crush on anyone."
"Okay, if you say so love. Anyway, I am leaving now. Make sure to take care of your grandmother and sister. You might be the baby, but you're also the one with the most sense between you two.
"Sure thing mom. I will make sure that they are both well taken care of. Here are your bags mom."
"Thanks love. Right then, cheers. Take care now sweetie and love you."
"Love you too mom and safe journey."
And off she went to a journey away from this baggage. Now the new mystery stands. How is the bag of bones still kicking? Don't tell me I only dreamt about her expiry and nothing more! That can't possibly be it can it? The stench of raw iron, the monochromatic hues of red, the feel of her cold flesh all that I can clearly remember. I know that my relationship with the imagery of death is strong but surely all I remember must have occurred. Yet there she sits blankly observing as always. Well it can't hurt to approach her and confirm her existence in the land of the living.
"Hello, you bag of farts. I am here again as always. Don't worry, today I have no complains or rantings to blast onto the artifact. I am just curious. You see, I dreamt of your expiry. It felt so real and gruesome. I mean I respect the artistry but it was such a graphic sight to take in. Anyway good thing it was just that a dream. Its nice that you are still around even if you are a vegetable. I can't imagine how devastated mom would be if you ever meet your end. My precursor too, well maybe she would be happy I mean less chores for her. For me, I have no strong feelings for you but it would suck to not…
"Looks like the nurse is here. Our short chat ends here, I have to go back up and prepare for school. See you in the evening."
I have to find a way of confronting this companion, I can't keep seeing death every time. Although the nightmare today was not my usual dose. Maybe the darkness has decided to shift its product. Now to that sorry excuse for a precursor. A burst through the door should suffice.
"Emma, Chill. Are you an opp? I am glamming up over here."
"…"
"What do you think of this red dress. Does it slay?"
"It looks good."
"Really, no cap?"
"No cap."
"What's with you today? Aren't you going to give a snarky remark"
"Nope!"
"Ok, What about the white one then?"
"It also looks good."
"So which one makes me look like a snack?"
"They both do just wear any of them."
"Yeah, I guess I look good in anything. I will go with the red one. Rafael is definitely going to eat it up."
"Sure thing. Anyway it's a good thing you are up. I am going to get ready too."
"Yeah, you do that. You can borrow the white dress if you want. No offense but your fits are terrible. They low key make you look emo. You do know there are other colors you can wear other than black. I thought you are an 'artist'."
"Don't patronize me. What happened to my dress my choice?"
"Okay, suit yourself. But you won't be pulling any one with your kind of drip."
As obnoxious as always. I can't believe we are even related. We are just so different. But that's enough of that. Mom has requested multiple times for me to be nice to her so I suppose since I am the grown up I will. It's time for me to also get out of my pajamas and be ready.
Within a couple of minutes I was ready with the 'emo' clothes my sister was talking about. I dropped down to the kitchen and partook of the morning scraps. As always Josie was doing a clense, or a diet or whatever she called it. Now it was time to dredge through another day scavenging for information I will most probably not be using anytime soon. The day was slowly drifting by until third period when a familiar face popped up in the middle of class.
"Hello everyone. We have a new transfer student today. Go on introduce yourself."
"Hey everyone. I'm Jasmine White and I come from Jackson, Wyoming. I am a great lover of nature and spend much of my free time doing nature walks. Although I am new to this class, I am not at all new to the school or the town of Mystic grove. I have spent twelve of my years here and I am sure some of you also recognize me. Anyway I am so happy to be here again, let's all be good friends."
"Okay, you can have sit wherever you like."
She is back! After two years apart she is finally back!! Why is she not coming to sit next to me? And what is with that look? Isn't this suppose to be a happy reunion?... I suppose it was foolish of me to think we would go back to how it was.
The next parts of the day were much more torturous than anything I have had to endure through the school year. Every single cell in my body was screaming trying to reconnect with that lovable goof from memory but all she did was give me a look of indifference whenever we met.
Her current character suited her face more now. Those blues eyes echoed what was in her heart. I suppose people grow into somethings and out of others. I would have loved to rekindle what little fire we had but all I can see is a cold Icy heart in place of the warm one she used to own. Anyway, why should I care for her? She was nothing more than a pet.
When the school day was over I scurried over to my haven which just happened to be my part time job. I wore a wide smile until I walked into the dojo to find she standing there.
"Hello, Emma how are you?"
"… Are you talking to me?"
"Yeah, who else would I be talking to silly."
"I don't know maybe the other molecules that don't comprise me. I mean haven't you been doing it all day?"
"Hahaha! You are still you I see."
"Is there something funny?"
"Kinda. You should look at your face right now Em."
"What do you want?"
"What do you think, I want?"
"Nothing to do with me apparently."
"Stop being a big baby Em. There is a good reason as to why I acted that way and besides don't you think you deserve it?"
"Huh, seriously? If you have nothing else to say, then can you leave? This is my place of business after all."
"Ok fine will do it your way."
"Will do what my way?"
"Talk of course but instead of using words we'll use fists."
"What?"
"We are going to spar, like we used."
"Now you remember how we were? … Okay, get ready then."
"I am ready let's go now."
"Fine get into the ring."
And there we went. Sending punches and kicks, full on blows to the face, body, legs with a bit of trash talk on the side.
"Have you really gotten that weak."
Jasmine kept taunting me but I do see how it would seem so to her seeing as her fighting had gotten better. But she was still lacking in many ways.
"I see you have gotten better over these two years, but you are still weak. Here comes my finisher."
And off I went flying across the ring, that was some incredible strength but that stench. I felt it for just a second but there is no doubt about it, it's the same one that I smelled in my dream.
"Thats enough for today, I have to go."
"What? Why? You chickening out?"
"Think what you want but I have somewhere to be."
Initially I thought that it was maybe a dream that came to me as a torture device but what if it was a warning. I need to get back home and protect that old bag of farts. I can't afford to make mother suffer like that.
After about twenty minutes of running, I arrived home everything seemed to be in place except that I could faintly feel that awful stench. I busted the entrance down and oh boy what a flood gate I opened. I walked slowly towards the source and there again laid the piece this time instead of a single subject it held two.
I stood there still taking in the new version of the art. My body went numb and everything slowed down as if the universe was waiting for me to understand the piece before me. I was fixated on the visual spectacle right before me that I failed to hear her voice. A birth suited Jasmine stood right across me, mouthing words that I could not make out, a whiff of that stench wafting from her body straight to my nose. Then the rumbling began, an exposition followed by its encore. The last thing I felt was a strike at my neck before the eternal darkness engulfed me. What a fitting end to this exhibition.