Forever Entwined
"It's so dark... I can't see anything."
Where am I?
The question echoed endlessly in my mind as I struggled against the cold chains wrapped tightly around my wrists and ankles. No matter how hard I pulled, they refused to budge.
Then...
Footsteps.
Slow.
Steady.
Each step echoed through the darkness like the ticking of a clock in the middle of the night, sending chills down my spine.
A figure stopped in front of me.
"How do you like it, Emy?" a familiar voice said. "This is my surprise for you."
The blindfold covering my eyes was suddenly removed.
"M-Miko?" I gasped. "Why am I here? What's going on?"
My eyes darted to the heavy chains binding my body.
"Isn't it obvious?" she replied coldly. "I tied you here so you wouldn't interfere anymore."
"But... why?" My voice trembled. "Aren't we friends?"
She laughed bitterly.
"Friends?" Her eyes burned with hatred. "You ruined my life! You always had everything I wanted... including him."
I stared at her in disbelief.
We've been together since we were children. I had never seen this side of her before. Had I been so blind that I never noticed the pain she had been hiding all these years?
"Do you have any last words before I kill you, Emy?" she asked as she raised a knife.
"N-No..." I cried, desperately pulling at the chains. "Please... don't do this."
Every step she took toward me felt like the countdown to my death.
I struggled with all my strength, but the chains refused to loosen.
There was nothing left for me to do except pray.
Please...
Please save me...
"Hiro!" I screamed. "Please save me!"
"Say your goodbyes, Emy."
Miko laughed as she lifted the knife.
I shut my eyes tightly.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I accepted that no one was coming.
"Not so fast, Miko."
A man's voice suddenly echoed through the darkness.
My eyes flew open.
Standing before me was a young man whose calm presence instantly chased away my fear. Under the faint moonlight, he looked almost unreal.
"You're here..." I whispered with a relieved smile. "Thank goodness, Hiro..."
The moment I reached out toward him...
Everything faded into darkness.
RRRRIIING! RRRRIIING! RRRRIIING!
The loud alarm shattered the silence.
I jolted awake, breathing heavily as I stared at the ceiling.
It...
It was only a dream.
I placed a hand over my chest. My heart was still pounding violently.
Why did it feel so real?
And who were those people?
Before I could think any further, I heard my aunt calling from downstairs.
"Ria!"
My eyes widened.
"Oh no... Aunt Yumi!"
I hurried downstairs as fast as I could.
She was already waiting for me, arms crossed and wearing the same intimidating expression she always had.
"Good morning, Aunt Yumi," I greeted nervously. "I'll prepare breakfast right away."
"You'd better," she replied coldly. "I don't want to be late for work today, especially since we have an important guest. Don't ruin my day, Ria."
"Yes, Aunt."
I quickly prepared breakfast before joining her at the table.
After eating, she picked up her bag and headed for the door.
"I won't be home until tomorrow," she said. "Don't leave the house."
"I understand."
As soon as she left, silence filled the house once again.
Our home looked almost abandoned. Dust covered the furniture, cobwebs hung from the corners of the ceiling, and old boxes were scattered everywhere.
Since I had nothing else to do, I decided to clean the house.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
The ringing telephone interrupted my work.
I quickly answered it.
"Hello. Marcellanus Residence. May I know who's calling?"
"Ria! It's me, Lily!"
A smile instantly appeared on my face.
"Lily! What's up?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to come with us later."
"Where?"
"The sweet shop we talked about! It's opening today!"
"Oh..."
I looked toward the front door.
"I'd love to, but Aunt Yumi told me not to go anywhere."
"Again?" Lily sighed dramatically. "Ria, you can't stay locked inside forever! Come on, just this once."
After several minutes of going back and forth...
I finally gave in.
"Okay..."
"Yay! See you later!"
The call ended.
I smiled before letting out a small sigh.
"I just hope Aunt Yumi doesn't find out..."
---
Later That Evening
"Lily said I should turn right after this street... then I should see a flower shop..."
I carefully followed the directions written on the small piece of paper she had given me.
But after a few minutes...
Something felt wrong.
The streets became quieter.
The buildings looked unfamiliar.
My steps slowed.
Dark memories I had buried long ago slowly resurfaced, and a cold feeling crept down my spine.
Was I... lost?
"Ria!"
A familiar voice called out.
I quickly turned around.
"Jas!"
She smiled and waved.
"I found you! Come on, let's go together."
Relief washed over me.
"I seriously thought I was going the wrong way."
The two of us laughed before meeting up with Lily and the others.
The sweet shop was just as cozy as Lily had described.
For the first time in a long while, I laughed without forcing a smile.
It felt...
Nice.
Too nice.
By the time everyone decided to head home, the sun had already disappeared beyond the horizon.
The streets were nearly empty.
Then—
"Well, well... what do we have here?"
Several drunken boys stepped out from the shadows, blocking the road.
One of them pulled out a knife.
Fear gripped everyone.
Just as the man lunged toward them—
Clang!
Another figure appeared out of nowhere, blocking the attack.
His movements were swift and precise.
Within moments, the attackers were on the ground.
Police sirens echoed nearby as the men were taken away.
Ria looked around frantically.
"Wait!"
She wanted to thank the man who had saved them.
But he was already walking away.
Under the dim streetlights, his silhouette slowly disappeared into the darkness.
Ria stood frozen.
For some reason...
His presence felt strangely familiar.
Almost...
Like someone she had met before.
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