"MIA!!"
I rush toward her without thinking while she lies on the cold pavement trembling. What was that thing? Was this why Rubielle had been on edge all day?
"Rubielle! What happened?! What was that thing?!" My voice cracks with desperation, my heartbeat loud in my ears as I demand answers.
Rubielle's face hardens as she stands, her eyes narrowing with unexpectation clearly written on her face. She stares at Mia's trembling form, then her gaze snaps to me. Her voice drops to a worried whisper.
"It... was Darkness..."
Darkness? What does that even mean? A creature? A curse? My thoughts swirl, panic clenching at my chest as ton of possibilities flood my mind.
Her expression turns grave, her voice tight with guilt.
"It's... an existence from my world." She pauses, visibly steeling herself.
"Its nature is to possess anything living—plants, animals... people..." Her face darkens further.
Her words sink deep into my gut, each syllable like a stone pulling me deeper into dread.
"W-What's going to happen to Mia...?" I stammer, barely able to form the words as cold fear grips my throat.
"I... don't know..."
Her voice trembles, her head bowing in shame. She looks away, fists clenched at her sides. Her body tenses as though she's punishing herself for being careless.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW?! IF... IF YOU HADN'T COME... SHE WOULDN'T!" I lash out, anger and desperation twisting my words.
"WAIT!"
Rubielle shouts back,
I pause, her sharp voice holding me in place.
"It's not that I don't know because there's no hope!" she exclaims, her eyes suddenly fierce with renewed resolve.
"It's the opposite."
"What are you talking about?!" My voice shakes, trapped between anger and fear.
"In my world, Darkness is a natural existence... but when I touched it just now, it felt... unnatural, like someone created it. And it was small—weak even! If it's still like that, we might be able to pull it out of her!"
"Then...! Help her!" I beg, my voice breaking. Desperation clutches at me, twisting in my chest.
"Mm! Give me a bit of time to think, but I promise I'll help her!" Rubielle says firmly, her tone filled with confidence, giving me the smallest glimmer of hope.
Suddenly, Mia's body trembles violently. Her skin pales, dark veins spiderwebbing beneath her flesh like ink spilled in water. My breath catches in my throat as I hold her tighter.
"Rubielle, hurry!"
I plead, my hands shaking as I struggle to keep Mia steady, watching in horror as the black veins creep up her neck. I hold Mia tightly wishing to solve this case faster.
After a while, Rubielle's eyes widen, realization sparking in them.
"Hold her upright, facing me!" she commands.
"W-What are you going to do?" I ask, terrified but desperate for something—anything to be done.
"Normally, we'd have to kill the host because Darkness fuses with its victims..." Rubielle's voice falters slightly, but she presses on,
"But since this one's weak and unnatural, I think we can force it out if it's not too late..."
Her determined gaze steels me.
"Alright,"
I nod, swallowing hard as dread settles in my gut. The weight of her words crashes down—if it's not too late...
Rubielle steps into position, her stance firm and resolute. "On three..."
She counts steadily, raising her arms as though grasping something invisible, her breath steady, controlled. On three, she thrusts her hands forward, straining as though pulling against some unseen force. The air seems to crackle with unsettling energy.
"UGH!" she grunts, her teeth clenched as sweat beads on her brow.
I watch, helpless, as she struggles. Then, in an instant, her tactic shifts. With a sharp, decisive motion, she slams her palm into Mia's chest.
*GASP!*
Mia jerks violently, her body convulsing as if the air itself has been sucked out of her. She coughs, hacking up, vomiting the black shadow that flew to the air.
Mia's eyes flutter open, unfocused, but alive. Her chest rises and falls with labored breaths, her skin slowly returning to a healthier color. Relief crashes over me like a tidal wave, and I nearly collapse from sheer emotional exhaustion.
Rubielle quickly traps the expelled Darkness in her bracelet she always carry before it can flee, her hands trembling from the effort. But she holds firm, maintaining control.
"Is it... over? Is she safe?" I ask,
"...For now," Rubielle replies, her voice quieter now.
Her words land like a heavy stone in my chest. The trouble isn't over, it's just beginning.
"That thing... it was probably meant for me," she confesses softly, her voice full of shame. She looks away, tears glistening in her eyes, a sorrowful expression twisting her features.
"They're still after me... and my sisters... though I'm the only one left now."
Her voice breaks on the last word. The guilt she carries seems almost too much to bear. And for a moment, I realize she's running from a nightmare of her own.
Something still nags at me..
"If it was after you... why did it target me instead?" I press, needing answers.
Rubielle's face turns blank and unreadable, her eyes darkening as she pauses. She then lifts her gaze to me, and I see the mask she's trying to wear. She shrugs, her face shows a fake, dismissive smirk.
"Maybe because I killed one in the cafeteria earlier?" Her tone is casual, attempting to lighten the mood, but I can see the hollow in her eyes.
I'm not convinced. Something still feels... off.
-------------------------------------
The sun went down and I walk Mia home, apologizing profusely, inventing a weak excuse about a school project gone wrong. Her parents seem to buy it for now.
Rubielle and I walk back home in thick, suffocating silence. Neither of us speaks. Neither of us dares to look at the other, the weight of the unsaid between us heavier than any words.
As soon as we step inside, I drop my bag on the floor. Usually I head to my room to change clothes but this is more important. I sat in a chair at the dining table finally break the quiet.
"Rubielle... can we talk?" I try to sound calm.
She silently takes a seat on the couch, as though already expecting the worst.
"First... thank you," I begin, sincerity thick in my voice.
"For saving me... and for saving Mia... really..."
Rubielle's expression softens for a fraction of a second. She nods, and replies,
"Think of it as paying you back... for helping me that night..."
I take a deep breath, summoning all the courage I have left, my heart pounding in my chest.
"That's why..." My throat tightens.
"Can you leave now?"