She looked at him with those sad, pitiful eyes. As if looking at a wild beast. Her hands quivered.

“This is a fake world,” he repeated.

“Then do you think I’m a fake as well, ███?”

“Of course. Nothing here is real.”

“If this world is a fake, then can we change locations?”

“No need to ask. Just do as you wish.”

She closed her eyes. Centred around him, the world shifted and warped. Light bent, and colours bleed into each other. He didn’t know what being high was like, but he guessed that this was close. Much of the world was familiar. A field of red tulips and green grass. She donned a long sundress, and a hat made of straw.

“Do you remember this place?”

“How could I forget? That bastard proposed to you here.”

“You really hate him, don’t you?”

“I was truly happy, you know.”

As she sat in the air, a wooden bench placed itself beneath her. He sat beside her, and took in the fresh air. The flowers swayed in the wind. It was a nice break. A white cloud floated above, in the shape that resembled a chicken nugget. But he couldn’t rest, not for long. He had a vague understanding of what was happening outside. Iris. He had to return to her.

“This isn’t the place I’m supposed to be.”

“Why is that?”

“It's a difficult situation to explain. But I need to leave. Preferably, without you dying.”

“You’re going to abandon me again?”

“When did I ever?”

She chuckled. Pushing herself off the bench, she took his hand. She walked through the flower fields, pulling him along and leading further in.

“Please. I’m not supposed to be here. I know it's a good dream. But I need to wake up.”

“Can you muster up the courage to kill me?”

“I... Don’t want you to die again.”

“You can afford to wait. This is a pleasant dream. Take a rest.”

The flower field cleared. She gestured to the area around them. The familiar walls. The nostalgic smell of freshly cooked food. Two plates sat uneaten.

“Eat.”

“I can’t. Please, I really have to go.”

“The truth is, you’ve already replaced me, haven’t you?”

“You know I haven’t. You know that Elise and Estelle can’t replace you. They can’t fill the hole in my heart.”

“I just can’t seem to ever hate you.”

“Do you still love me?”

“Of course I do.”

“Have you forgiven him?”

“Who? That shady guy?”

“Your father.”

“Oh.”

He stayed silent. He didn’t know what to say. That he killed him? That the father that barely took up even a percent of his life was eliminated? She didn’t say anything either. Instead, she just ate. Tearing through the leafy greens, she stared at him.

“Do you regret anything?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Your relationship with her?”

“That’s complicated.”

“I warned you not to get involved with her.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

“For everything.”

“Do you feel guilty?”

“Of course I do, I’m not a heartless monster.”

“I told you not to get involved with her. But you went ahead and fell in love.”

“You don’t understand. We’re different. She was the only one that understood me. And I understood her. We’re both insane in similar ways.”

“I saw what she did to you. On the rare times you come back home, there are bruises all over your body.”

“There’s no point trying to lie. You’re literally my memories. Then you should be able to tell if I minded.”

“Masochistic. And at the same time, sadistic. You two play with each other's emotions. You deny her your love, and she keeps biting. At the same time, you give her your body for her use.”

“She has quite the libido. And quite the kinks. Well, she gets off on having power over someone that doesn’t bow to her. You know, she often tells me that I’m one of the only people that isn’t scared of her. Maybe that turns her on.”

“I’ll never understand you two.”

She stirred her tea. The cubes of sugar dissolved in the dark water. A column of steam rose from their cups.

“No need for you to get it. I know I’m not normal.”

“Yeah. No one would ever think about dating a crime boss.”

“No one sane,” he corrected.

“Yep. You’re insane, alright. Do you want to just have a hug, for old times sake?”

Without waiting for an answer, she stood up and embraced him. She caressed his head. Her warmth spread throughout him. It was far too familiar. Before he even realised it, the heavy tears flowed out onto her sleeve and shoulder and chest.

“You should do what you need to do. This isn’t where you need to be.”

“I don’t want to kill you. Not again.”

“███, no. Frances Rayleigh. Fulfil what you’re meant to do. You need to move on.”

“I’m sorry.”

With a thought, he formed a familiar weapon in his hand. It was his beloved pistol. Fit right for his hand, he took a deep breath.

“I trust that you know where my heart is,” she whispered.

“You’re too kind for the world. I’m sorry. Really. I don’t want to leave you again. I don’t want you to die.”

“Thank you. I love you.”

The gunshot spoke over his words. He slumped down, and wiped his face. All around, the world began dissipating like steam.

“Well. That certainly was a showing. I don’t believe I need to reintroduce myself, Frances.”

“No. How do I get out?”

“The culprit’s right here.”

Francis, the librarian, gestured to the small timid child by him. Chocolate stained his clothes. He clung to the adult’s leg, avoiding the oncoming gaze.

“What do you plan?”

“I’ll keep him here. Any objections?”

“No. I don’t. Just make sure he doesn’t pull anything like that again.”

“You sure? He can let you see them anytime you want.”

The librarian chuckled. It was strange to see the previously scummy person being so dignified.

“I’ll guide y-”

“Why didn’t you interfere?”

“Haha. I couldn’t do that. I only hold power in your spiritual inside. Thus, I stopped the second prong. You had to deal with the mental aspects yourself. If the situation was reversed, that is, your being here and mine being out there, it would have been the same thing. Most likely, I wouldn’t have been able to break out of it that easily.”

“You could have still helped me.”

“Nope, you didn’t want me to.”

“Why would I not want your help?”

“I know you, more than you know yourself. Now then, let's get you out, lady.”

“Lady?”

“Yeap. Plus, it helps the child.”

“I will not be your wife.”

“But you always planned on becoming Frances Rayleigh. A fine name, if I do say so myself. Why not start now?”

Francis gave a devious smirk. His words were far too real. He spoke directly to the spirit. The librarian shook his head, and raised his eyebrows. With a quiet chuckle, he ejected her out.

“How lucky it is that you have two mature people outside that you can talk to. Keep them close, Frances.”