[A/N: Chapter soundtrack - Imagine Dragons - Bleeding Out]
Life has taught me to expect the worst in people. I've always been prepared for disappointment and betrayal, even with Aria, that's just how I've been conditioned.
Despite this, I've always had a very little feeling of faith in Aria.
It's like a small fire inside of me, burning brightly, and that fire has always kept the darkness away.
But even so, now, that fire is flickering dangerously close to being extinguished.
Somehow... being face to face with her now feels different. This is the first time I've ever seen Aria like this.
Someone who's truly important to me.
Someone whom I've chosen to believe in.
Someone who I never expected would betray me. And yet...
All we have is each other... or so I thought.
This familiar feeling in my chest... I hate it.
As Aybel observed her bloodied figure, his heart sank and only one word came to mind: "Traitor."
"Is that all you have to say? You don't look that surprised, though. Are you disappointed in me? Are you thinking that I'm nothing but a liar, a manipulative brat?"
Aria cocked her head to the side, her lengthy hair fell to the side as she did so. "Why don't you come closer and take a good look at your sister, hm?"
The blood on her marred white uniform dripped onto the floor.
"..."
"No? Well... alright then. Can't say I blame you." She shrugged.
"You know, I'm sorry for what I did, but I'm also happy about it. Now that you're finally looking at the real me, I have a lot of things to say. It's about time you and I had an honest conversation with each other." A wide smile stretched across her face.
"See... I knew all along that you would figure out the trail was fake. I expected that you'd follow it to my room."
"After all, you always knew what I was up to, didn't you, brother? You always knew what I was going to do before I even did it... You know me so, so well..." As she said that Aria gave him a bittersweet smile.
"..."
"That fact has always made me feel so special, having you know every move I make. So, what do you think, Aybel?" She mocked.
"I wanna hear it from you. Do you understand why I'm doing this? Do you understand why I wanted to make my dear brother come searching for me? Or did it still go over your head?"
"..."
What exactly do I say here? I don't know how to respond... I understand what you're going through right now? No, that's a lie, I don't understand.
What I very much understand is that this is not a situation that can be solved with my usual 'logic.'
"Still quiet, huh?"
"...Say, that day..." Aria's eyes slowly drifted from her brother's. "Do you remember everything I told you?"
"..."
She smirked, scoffing at his silence. "Obviously you don't."
Aria suddenly sighed. "Don't worry though, I'm not so naive anymore to expect you to have everything completely figured out. You're not me after all, so I don't expect you to think the same way I do."
She stared blankly at her brother with an equally emotionless gaze. "Truth is, I don't like you, Aybel, and I don't like this stupid world anymore."
"...I see..." Aybel said feeling compelled to break his silence. "You've finally lost it - your innocence. You've learned some hard lessons... Now you see the world the way I do; for what it truly is..."
"Once you open your eyes to the true nature of the world, you start seeing it everywhere. Everything becomes tainted and corrupted. The worst part is, you can never unlearn what you have seen. It will always be there in the back of your mind..."
His eyes twinkled in sadness. "A grave mistake..."
"Nuh-uh, I'm still the same stubborn, stupid Aria that you know and love. But..." Aria paused as if considering her brother's words.
"Let's just say you're right... I used to think that you were my one reason for living but sometimes I wonder... am I yours?"
Aybel's only response was a heavy silence that matched the dark mood within the room.
"I thought that I had someone who would always be there for me, no matter what. Now I don't know what to think. Tell me Aybel, do you even care if." Her voice broke slightly. "...If I die? You weren't particularly in any hurry to find me."
"..."
With surprising speed, Aria pulled a knife from behind her back, pressing the blade directly against her own throat.
Aybel stared back at her... unfazed.
She slowly lowered the weapon gripping it tightly, seething as she lashed out: "That's EXACTLY what I'm talking about! You didn't even flinch! You look at me like you don't care about me at all."
"You're always so guarded, even with me, and it's making me sick. I'm your sister, but you still treat me like some freaking stranger!"
Aria raised the blade once more. "I know you don't care right now, but in a few seconds, maybe you'll finally feel something for me."
He didn't know what to say.
"I..."
"You care?" Tears began to stream down her face as she let out a choked sob: "...Then make it stop, Aybel."
Aria dropped her head, a thick strand of pale blonde hair hid her face from her brother's view.
The knife fell from her hands, clattering to the floor, as she slowly collapsed.
"Please... make it stop..."
She struggled for breath, her entire body shaking.
"I-I can't take it anymore... stop... stop..."
Her hands trembled as they clutched her hair, almost ripping it out.
"PLEASE! I DON'T LIKE BEING HURT!"
Aybel's eyes widened. The sudden scream had caught him off guard.
He remained where he stood, staring down at her in indifference as she cried.
Of course... she's unaware I've closed that chapter. Even if I did tell her, I can't be completely sure of how she'd react. I need to be careful of how I talk to her. But there isn't much I can do right now without risking more harm. Still, I feel responsible for her current state.
"Aria-"
"No. Don't bother pretending like you care. We're done talking. I should know better than to cry by now. I'll do what I need to do."
Wiping her tears with her sleeve, Aria slowly rose to her feet. She kicked the knife on the floor across the room, sending it sliding towards Aybel.
Simultaneously, she pulled another knife from the pocket of her uniform and pointed it at her brother.
A wild look rested in her eyes. "What are you waiting for, brother, hm? Pick up the knife. Pick it up, now."
Without objection, Aybel calmly stepped forward, his fingers curled tightly around the handle of the blade as he grabbed it.
Aria slowly advanced, knife trained on him.
"We're gonna play another game. But this time it's different. I want you to watch me die..."
To Be Continued...