Outside the city limits of Detroit, inside of a gated, residential, sparkling, lavish protected neighbourhood, the most sought after for the rich. Elite manor homes that shined and defined the wealthy. Currently, inside of her beautiful home, bigger than two middle class homes combined was Veronica along with her best friend Anna. The two girls were doing their homework together, discussing their futures once they got through the last year of highschool. Veronica's mother came into her room, surprising the two by bringing some goodies in a nice antique tray.

“Here you go, you two! Some hot cocoa and homemade cookies!”

Veronica’s mother, a tall woman, around the same height of an average man’s height, a light tint of brown to her short hair, and eyes as sparkly as her daughters. Anna’s eyes shone with hunger, drooling over how good the cookies looked while Veronica was having ptsd. Veronica’s mothers clothes didn’t represent their lavious home, she was wearing an outfit fitting for someone that expressed kindness and giving. She had a shining smile on her face as she approached the girls and placed the platter of deliciousness on Veronica’s coffee table.

Veronica knew her mother all too well, so she raised a brow towards her. “Thanks mom, but I think we’re good.”

Anna quickly grabs a cookie, and bit into it. “Nuh uh! Thanks for the wonderful stuff!”

The deliciousness of the homemade bakery made Anna’s eyes twinkle with excitement and taste buds go berserk. She chomped through one and two cookies, Veronica watched in horror, fearing for Anna's hungry ramage.

“Anna! If you keep eating them your stomach might—!”

“Oh my god! It’s delicious!”

Veronica scrunched her face, blinking rapidly. “Say what now?”

Veronica’s mother knew her daughter all too well, so she knitted her brows towards Veronica. “Why thank you Annabelle! At least someone appreciates my home cooking.”

Veronica expressed a forced smile, twitching an eye. “Is that so? Well mother it seems as if you’re still angry about my criticism towards your food last night.”

Her mother does the same, and her eye twitches just like her daughters. “Hehehoho, well I’m sure it tasted great, but a certain someone had to shut herself from society for two months and live off of junk food and cup noodles.”

The two sarcastically started laughing, an invisible bolt of lightning was being pushed by their glaring eyes towards each other's ridiculous anger. Anna smiled though and continued eating the cookies. As the two were having a battle of intense staring, Veronica’s bladder interrupted their duel, so she needed to use the restroom.

“I’ll be back mom, don’t you dare run from me this time!” Veronica leaves her room while her mother pouts her cheeks.

Her mother couldn't help but cross her arms, “Hmph, I’ll be victorious this time!”

Meanwhile Anna’s taking a sip of her hot cocoa, enjoying it too. Veronica's mother smiled again and decided to join Anna and sat next to her on the carpet.

“Oh, this is surprising, you’re joining us?” said Anna.

Veronica’s mother giggles, “Just for today. Say Annabelle, how’s life been treating you so far?”

She grabbed a mug, took a sip of cocoa and blushed from self satisfaction from succeeding in her craft.

Anna sips as well, “Pretty good to be honest, though I still feel a tad emptiness in me.”

“Ohoho? Why’s that Annabelle? Wait, sorry that’s ridiculous of me to ask given the circumstances that you’ve endured through these years. Oopsies!”

“Ah, you’re fine. It’s nothing really, I mean I am happy but also, I just feel somehtings missing. I don’t know, it’s weird, I’m weird!”

Veronica’s mother softly grinned. “Perhaps the past could be daunting, reminding you to never forget. Maybe the reminder of your old late friend Jack?”

Anna hovers the hot cocoa beneath her nose, looking down at the brown liquid. “Yeah… I guess you can say that.”

She saw her own reflection and steam coming to her. Anna frowned and blew on the cocoa to cool it down, erasing her self reflection in the process. Veronica’s mother tilted her head, watching Anna quietly self reflected.

Anna indulges on another sip and sighs. “Ever since that day, I still feel trapped in my own reality. A reality in which I still have a heavy gut wrenching feeling that he’s not dead.”

Veronica’s mother smiles, “Looks like you and Veronica still think the same don’t ya? You know the funny thing is I talked to Jack's parents before they died, bless their hearts and may they rest in peace.”

Anna seemed intrigued, enough to raise a brow and look at the woman. “What did you talk to them about?”

She giggles, “I was trying to set up future marriage arrangements for my daughter and their son. I always thought he was the one for my daughter, but you know what they told me?”

Anna set the mug down and locked her eyes at her with anticipation, “What did they tell you?”

Veronica’s mother stares into the mug of her half drinken cocoa and blows. “I wasn’t surprised by their response when they did tell me their answer, well anyone living in a country like ours will always think this way.”

“What was it? I'm eager to know!” replied Anna, eyes trembling with excitement.

She stares back at Anna and looks deep into her eyes. “They told me of course that he should choose who he should fall in love with, but not only that, they told me you were a better choice for their son, oh how adorable.”

Anna’s heart suddenly broke free from whatever darkness was holding onto it for a moment, making it skip a few beats. Huh? Why is my heart suddenly racing after all these years? Strange…

Anna looked away, leaning her head on her hand as it rested on the coffee table. Veronica's mother chuckles and drinks the rest of her cocas, watching the young girl who’s turning into a young woman discover her feelings.

She set her mug down and smacked her hands together. “Well it was mostly due to the fact he would always talk about you when you guys were kids too. That definitely impacted their decision and conclusion about you two, hehe, oh it’s so adorable talking about these things isn’t it?”

Anna felt her heart beating faster. The drenched chains of sorrowed goo that were preventing any feelings of romance for years were suddenly breaking free from their prison, melting away. The longer Veronica’s mother told her these details of the past, reminiscing them in this conversation grew their unbreakable bond. As all this was swirling, rattling, melting inside Anna’s body, she didn’t hadn't realise she shed a single tear. Eventually, she couldn’t help herself but whimpered mildy, covering her mouth after hearing that Jack always talked about her made her feel happier.

Veronica's mother reached over the table to pat Anna’s head, “I didn’t mean to make you feel this emotional Annabelle.”

Anna wipes her eyes, and sniffs. “It’s okay, I have a bad tendency of hiding sadness or worry from everyone else.”

She got up and sat next to Anna, rubbing her back, “I didn’t know he meant that much to you. You’ve liked him more than my daughter has, haven't you?”

Anna sniffles and chuckles a bit, “Nah, I did like him at one point but something changed in me, but I’d rather not talk about that. And yes! He was the greatest friend I’ve ever had. He was everything to me, so hearing that made me feel extremely happy.”

“Oh it’s so adorable, oh how I wished I would experience those moments with all of you when you guys were younger, but sadly I was too busy with my work to free up my schedule, hue hue.”

Anna smiles and grabs another cookie to bite her feelings away with Veronica's mother’s cooking. “Thank you for making my day feel better, Miss—”

“Jastina, that’s my name. Or you can just call me Jassy!”

“O-Okay! Jassy, what a unique name you have compared to your daughters hehe.”

Veronica’s mother grew a smug smile and got up, crossing her arms. “Well I am her awesome mother! So it’s my job to cheer anyone up that’s close to my daughter and rub my awesomeness on them too bwahaha!”

Anna stands up too, shaking her head. “Some rivalry the two of you have haha! But I guess that’s why Veronica seems so arrogant and full of herself, she gets it from you.”

Veronica’s mother groaned, feeling jabbed and shot at by Anna’s statement. But the two laughed together, sharing new memories and reminding Anna just how much her beloved friend Jack meant to her; they had no idea that Veronica heard their entire conversation. She’s standing beside the doorway and felt really horrible. The feeling of horridness came from not being upset but jealousy and aggravation, she couldn’t even earn Jack’s parents acceptance for even a future candidate wife.

Tch… whatever, he’s de…ad, anyways… Veronica thought.

Veronica sighs and forces a smile before walking back in. “Hey, I’m back, what did I miss?”

Veronica’s back in her room and the two glanced at her, chuckling. Veronica walked up to Anna and placed her hand on Anna’s shoulder, confusing her best friend.

“What’s wrong with your eyes Anna? Did my mom make you cry?” said Veronica.

Jassy twitched an eye and hovered one of her hands over her mouth. “Hohoho, perhaps her eyes are red because you came back in the room smelling like an outhouse.”

Anna giggles, “Stop you two. And I’m fine, but you sure did take your time Veronica. You must’ve taken a big ol 'deuce huh?”

Veronica lets go and turns red, shrieking and both her mother and Anna laugh while Veronica tries to make them listen to her explanation, flailing her arms in embarrassment.

After finishing their homework and the day coming to an end, Anna thanked Veronica’s mother again for everything and Veronica thanked Anna for the company. Anna walks out their front giant door, closes it, and starts walking out of the gated sanctuary of wealth. She couldn’t help but smile as she exited through the security gate entrance and be on her way home. Just thinking that Jack meant that much to her made that empty void in her heart fill with some sort of pleasure.

Anna arrives home and her grandparents greet her with their usual hugs and kisses. She sits next to them in the dining room and tells them about her day, explaining the void being filled by Veronica’s mother. It brought joy to her elders and made them celebrate their dinner with a prayer in which Anna for once participated in respect to them. After dinner, they were tired and gave Anna goodnight kisses while she cleaned up. She thanked them for their time and went to her room afterwards.

Anna laid down and the smile on her face hadn't faded. What a day, strange and weird, but great!

Laying upside, staring at her ceiling, Anna couldn’t sleep with that thought of joy still in her mind.

Anna sits up and looks out her window. “Who would've thought that Jack's parents wanted me to be his future wife, how silly!” She sighs and lays back down, “Goodnight Jack’s parents and Jack. Hopefully we’ll be reunited soon and when that day comes, I’ll make you pay for making me cry, Jack…”

Anna closes her eyes and falls asleep, not knowing that a woman in a red standing below a street lamp in an elegant red dress stared deeply into her room from the other side of the street. The woman grins and walks backwards into darkness, disappearing into the misty cold night, leaving a single rose where she just stood beneath the spotlight of the streetlamp.

***

On a day of regularity, a life of typical highschool life, inside their school and playing a game of chess, both Anna and Veronica were in the school library, testing their minds in a complex game of chess. They were focused and seemed confident in each other's strategy, but no one’s more confident in their abilities of winning than Veronica. She had a secret trap ready for Anna and waited for her best friend to make a move and put her in a checkmate.

Veronica takes a glimpse at Anna’s binder. “Say Anna, when are you going to finish those signatures for your whole campaign on helping others with mental health?” she said as she twirled the chest piece she had ready to destroy her.

Anna with her chin gripped and hand set on a knight piece, stared hard on the board. “Well, to be honest, I haven’t gotten many signatures.”

A drop of sweat came forth, drifting down the side of her face. She picks the piece up and sets it in place. Anna grinned with confidence, a glint grew in her eyes and felt victorious. Veronica stayed calm, collective, expressing nothing but stillness. Veronica flinged her pony tail and Anna slowly came off the piece, glaring at her friend.

“Ha—Checkmate!” said Anna, crossing her arms and nodding.

Veronica chuckles, showing Anna a smug grin. “Hehe! I wouldn’t be celebrating early if I were you my dear friend…”

“Hmm?” Anna replied, furrowing her brows.

Veronica placed her piece, being a rookie, slamming it on the board and checkmates her. “Good game! But it looks like—I won.”

Anna gasps, leaning her face to her king that was trapped by two knights, Veronica’s queen, and the rookie who set the end to her bittersweet short victory.

“God damn it!” Anna slams her fists on the table, “Well no surprise there, I swear one of these days I’ll beat you at chest Veronica, hmph.”

Veronica adjusted her glasses, chuckling. “Yeah when that day comes I’ll be on my deathbed, bwahaha!”

Veronica starts packing the chest set in its bag, grabbing piece by piece as Anna packs their belongings.

“Whatever, it’ll happen, just give it time my friend.” said Anna while finishing packing their bags.

Veronica then brought the conversation back to its origins when she saw another glimpse of Anna’s binder. “Not many signatures ey? So I’m assuming people are as cruel as usual.”

“You got that right, it’s a pain in my butt.”

“Tch, I hate how people take mental health so lightly. It’s the main reason why people go insane in the first place.” Veronica walks off momentarily, placing the entire bag set back in its drawer.

Anna hands Veronica her belongings once she returns and both girls walk out into the hallway out of the library. Anna sets her arms behind her head and sighs about the fact that Veronica mentioned about people not taking mental health seriously.

“Yeah I know, kids being bullied, broken households, not being raised properly; are the main reasons why some people our age or younger go shoot up schools, become a menace to society, and kill their enemies… or worse, wreak havoc on their parents.”

Veronica hugs herself and shivers, “Just those images on its own gives me the chills!” She reaches into her bag and pulls out her notebook, “Welp I gotta study for the finals!”

“We’re still a couple months away though! Relax and live a little Veronica.” Anna stretches and snatches Veronica’s notebook out of her hands, surprising her. “Come on now! Let's hangout today! Please?”

Veronica sighs and snatches it back, “Okay I guess. Oh by the way did you text Sarah? She said some weird stuff in the group chat yesterday.”

“Mm, no I haven't, what did she say? Is she out of the hospital yet?” replied Anna as the two reached the entrance of the cafeteria.

The two girls brought their conversation into the lunchroom and sat at their usual table. But not without wiping down the table first before taking their seat. Veronica grabbed a nearby spray from a cleaning station for each table, Anna grabbed towels and the two quickly cleaned their surface. Once finished Anna sat and Veronica placed the bottle back on its hanger, returning to Anna and sitting in front of her.

Veronica pulls her phone out and scrolls through the chat, “Alright let's see, oh here, look in the chat, she talked about how she met some tall scary looking guy when she walked through the park woods.”

Anna also scrolled through the chat, “Tall scary guy huh? Was he stalking her or something?”

“No, well I don’t know about that but she did say he told her some weird statement like ‘Let down your ponytail!’ something like that.”

Anna shrugs, placing her phone down and takes her lunch out, “Wow that’s kinda creepy to be honest. He sounded like a perv to me if he was focused on her hair.” She takes a sandwich out and bites on it, “Man this sandwich is good! My grandma sure makes the best ones out there!”

Veronica continues scrolling on her phone and browses the web, “That’s not the only thing, did you hear about the news lately? That whole disease situation? Apparently that doctor came up with a cure of some sort and made it airborne.”

“So-Sounds like bullshit t...o me!” said Anna with her mouth full.

“Can’t you be more ladylike? You eat like a guy.” replied Veronica, annoyed.

Anna swallows and chuckles, “Well I don’t care! I eat however I want to eat, but like I said, it’s bullshit. Those two guys are fishy as hell, I can never trust guys who look manipulative!”

“Hm, true, the strangest part was when that Dr. Cato guy stared at the camera and said he wanted to shout out an old friend named Jack.”

Anna stops eating and looks at Veronica, then she sighs afterwards. “That is strange, but hey! There’s plenty of Jack’s out there, am I right?”

Veronica looked a bit down and finally took her lunch out, “Yeah… I guess you’re right, but just the way he said that to the camera just made it seem so odd.”

“Let’s just stop talking about this before you start crying again.”

“Says you!” Veronica giggles, “Oh, hey guess what?”

“What’s up?”

Veronica’s cheeks turned mildy red, “I have a date.”

Anna, amazed, shocked even, slammed her hands on the table with half the sandwich dangling in her mouth. “Y-You have a date?!” muttered Anna.

Veronica smiles and blushes more, “Yeah, it’s probably someone who you’ll hate too.”

Anna removes the sandwich, rolling her eyes. “Ahh don’t tell me, it’s Rodney, isn’t it?”

Veronica nods, embarrassed, “Ye-Yes….”

Anna lets out a loud frustrated sigh, letting Veronica know she might’ve made a wrong choice. “That guy’s such a creep though! Why would you accept him?”

Veronica takes a bite of her lunch, clearing her throat. “Well I have my reasons, and I know he’s a little strange but he seems nice.”

“Ha! I don’t know about that sista.” Anna finished her lunch and threw it away by shooting it in the trash. “Just be careful okay, just because the guys super nice doesn’t mean he won’t try to do anything inappropriate or stupid.”

“It’ll be fine, our date is in a couple of days so I think I’ll be ready.”

Both girls finished their lunch, got up and headed on out of the cafeteria. Leaving out into the halls, Veronica steps out of their zone into her own detour.

Veronica raised her hand and waved to her friend Anna. “Well I gotta get going or I’ll be late to class.”

Anna replied to her wave and grinned. “Alright Veronica, just be careful of you know who.”

Veronica placed a finger on her chin and let out a huge breath. “Oh you mean Danny? I’ll be fine! I barely talk to him now, well that’s mostly due to the fact he’s been acting really strange lately.”

Anna quickly walks to Veronica’s side and playfully pushes her, “When isn’t he! Well, I’ll see you later, you better hang out with us or I’ll make sure I burn all your notebooks, bookwork.”

The two chuckle and go their separate ways. Veronica disappears into a crowd of students and Anna walks to some nearby stairs to get to the second floor. As Anna’s walking to her class, she stumbled upon Danny out of all people amongst the crowd. The two glimpsed and Anna hurried on her way, not acknowledging his existence. Danny grinned and followed Anna, fading into the crowd while Anna made her way to class. She felt his twisted eyes on her and looked over her shoulder briefly, spotting his face behind a couple of students. She paced faster, Danny continued his pursuit, making her feel really uncomfortable to the point she felt the need to run.

Anna power walks her way through the sea of students, and after moments, she arrives close to her next class. She looked behind and felt that he’s gone, and he was. Danny’s out of sight and Anna felt relieved. For a moment she felt stressed but easily overcame it once she arrived close to her classroom with him out of sight. When she turned back round ahead, unexpectedly, Danny was there, standing next to her classroom door with a huge smile on his face.

Fucking creep, what does he want?

Anna’s mad and decides to confront him, marching on over to him with her arms crossed.

Danny whistled as he had his hands in his pockets, leaning against the wall while Anna approached him. “Oh! What’s up Anna? What brings you around this part of the school?”

Anna secretly was worried, but outside she showed Danny her annoyance towards him. Getting in front of him with her arms crossed, Danny raised his hand and waved to her as if they were friends. It struck a nerve in Anna and made her grip her biceps.

Letting out a breath of anger, Anna transformed her annoyance to seriousness. “What do you want, loser?”

“Oh, me? Hm, well friend I just happened to see you from afar and decided to say hello, hehe.”

“Is that really it? Following me around and being a creep? Or maybe you’re just angry at the fact your precious Veronica’s finally going on a date with someone else.”

Danny smacks his lips, still grinning. “I tried telling her that guy’s probably up to no good, but she won’t listen to me.” Danny walks up to Anna with a grin, transforming it to a creepy smile. “But hey! Maybe I can go on a date with you or Sarah to make her jealous, right?”

Anna’s had enough of his games and grabs his shirt, “In your dreams! Now tell me, what do you want?”

Danny grabbed her arms and clutched them, forcing Anna to reel them back to herself. “Relax, no need to get violent.”

Anna massaged one of her forearms, knitting her brows. “Don’t you ever put your hands on me again.”

“Huh, double standard much? Whatever. But there’s one thing that I want you to deliver to our dear friend, Sarah.”

Danny walks next to Anna and tries leaning close to her ear, but she quickly pushes him away. Anna raised her fists and Danny laughed at her, mocking her retaliation. Anna grinded her teeth and was ready to knock his teeth upside his head.

Danny finished his laughter and wiped one of his eyes. “Okay okay! My bad, but tell Sarah this…”

“I’ve had enough of you, you arrogant little—!”

“How’s it going, Witch!” Danny cackles and walks away with his hands back in his pockets.

Anna smacks her lips with frustration, lowering her arms. “What a creep.” Deciding to put this event to the side, Anna takes a breath and walks in the classroom to go on about her day, for now.

As the school day’s coming to a close, Anna and Veronica reunited and surprisingly spotted Sarah waiting for them outside in the courtyard of their school. The goth girl had her hair tied up and sat on one of the benches, reading some pitch black textbook. Anna decided to scare her by sneaking up to her, but that didn't work and she quickly poked Anna’s nose without even looking over her shoulder. Anna chuckles and hugs her friend from behind, Veronica does the same and hugs her from the front.

“Why are you here Sarah? Shouldn't you be at the hospital?” said Veronica.

Anna rubbed her face in Sarah's face, annoying the goth girl. “I don’t care, I’m glad our little gothic Sarah’s here, God you’re so tiny and sexy!”

Sarah sighs, and gently pushes Anna off, “Relax you horndog, and I’m just saying hi, that’s all.”

The three decided to walk back home together and Sarah for once invited them over to her house. It caught the two off guard, leaving them surprised. She normally never invites them over, she’s always shy about herself or she truly is, but throughout the years she’s overcome most of her shyness and has grown accustomed to socialality to not only her friends, but sometimes people too.

A nice walk of girl talk, jokes of love, society, getting cat called along the way by strangers, they arrived at Sarah’s house and were a little dumbfounded at how tiny it was. It’s a townhouse for sure, but more stand out amongst the many that neighbour each other. The two girls thought it was cute and mysterious, it had some vines growing from the bottom to the top, a wonderful garden in the front yard, and a small cute greenhouse at the end of the home. The two finished observing the outside of her home with their wandering eyes and walked on the path to her front door. Sarah’s already at her front patio, she already had a sense that they were going to be observant of her unique home.

Those are my friends alright, heh. Sarah thought.

Both girls arrived and Sarah opened her door with all three walking into the home. Stepping in, the door closing behind them, both girls were awed by the unique furniture of gothic victorian style leather couches, tables, and red oaked wooden floors. Sarah’s loving this, she felt intrigued by their reactions and wanted to give them a proper tour to impress them more. But, Sarah’s mother appeared out of nowhere with a huge smile on her face, placing her tiny hands on her daughter's friend's shoulders. Veronica and Anna turned around and were presented by the definition of gothic beauty. The two barely remember her when they were children so they felt shy and nervous.

“My my, isn’t this something quite, rare.” said Sarah’s mother.

The two checked her out head to toe, a woman still shorter than them, but taller than her daughter, perhaps average height of a woman being five fiver. She had a rocking body fit for someone to hold the title most curved woman in today's history wearing a sundress gothic outfit fitting for someone of their nature. Hair longer, blacker than her daughters with bangs covering an eye mildly, and lastly, mysterious eyes of silver to go along with her amazing beauty. Yet Anna and Veronica after seeing the two side by side, the one thing that caught their eyes and attention most was—

“They both look exactly the same…” The two muttered in unison.

Sarah raised a brow, placing one of her hands on her hips. “Uh, guys, you alright?”

Her mother grinned and took the opportunity to embrace the two, welcoming them to their lovely home. “Welcome to our lovely home, Annabelle, Veronica.”

She let off, leaving the two flustered and muttering words and creating noises of nervousness.

“H-H-Hi! Nice to meet you, Sarah’s mother!” bowed Veronica, nervously shrieking. She smells fantastic! Veronica thought.

Anna smiled and bowed unexpedly too. “Hello, it’s been awhile, hasn’t it? And I must say, you smell so damn good!”

“Oh you, thank you Anna! I try for my wonderful husband, he’s not here right now but he’ll be back soon from work hehe.”

Sarah narrowed her eyes, looking away when her mother mentioned her father. It caught Veronica’s attention and Anna’s as well, they had a sense that Sarah’s upset now.

The goth girl rubbed her mothers arm and sighed. “Mom, why are you always embarrassing me like this?”

“My wonderful daughter, I just wanted to welcome your friends, that's all. There’s nothing I’m doing to embarrass you… or am I?” She suddenly gasped and thought harder for a moment. “Isn’t this how you introduce yourself to your daughter's friends? Or am I missing something. Oh wait! I could've cooked something up!”

Sarah giggled watching her mother freak out. “And there it is, oh mom.”

Her mother deeply sighed and wiped off her embarrassment, “Sheesh, at least let me know ahead of time my wonder of life.” Her mother then scanned both girls head to toe with those mysterious eyes, “You two have grown so much, my, how the years go by.”

Sarah’s mother then reached her arms out to the two girls. “Give me your hands.”

They did as they were asked and both girls allowed Sarah’s mother to massage them with her soft touch. Anna got flustered and Veronica nervously shook as the dazzling beauty smeared her scent on their hands.

“Mom, what are you doing?” asked Sarah.

“Me? I'm just curious about your friends and their structure. They’ve grown really well compared to my daughter who’s still tiny and adorable!” She lets go of the two and walks over to Sarah and pats her head, “But rest assured my beloved daughter, I’ll find a way to make you taller in no time!”

A vein of annoyance pops out of Sarah’s forehead, “I’m not even that short mom, I’m barely below average height!” She slaps her mother's hand away, gently “Sorry mom but we’ll be heading to my room now.”

“Okay! Whatever you say, you girls have a good time!” As the girls started walking up the stairs she smiled sadistically afterwards. “You’ll be perfect for future references and spells I have brewing!” She says as she sadistically laughs quietly.

Sarah sighs and speaks into her mother's mind. Don’t even think about it mom, I can hear you, you know?

Sarah’s mother pauses her expression and forcibly giggles. Hehe, come on though! They’ll be perfect! She began crying sarcastically, dangling her arms down and walking away in a pit of sadness. “Boohoo, boohoo!”

Sarah giggles and the other two take notice. They smiled because Sarah barely laughs or even makes a stutter when it comes to happiness. They were watching their tiny friend Sarah throughout the introduction of her mother. Sarah wondered why they were staring at her and quickly noticed why their smiles were so bright and turned red herself. Anna and Veronica couldn’t help but laugh afterwards seeing how adorable Sarah is. They walked up stairs into her room which was dark, wooden, and very gothic styled. Veronica felt a bit uneasy and forcefully commented on how unique it was, Anna on the other hand was more than fascinated.

“I like it, it’s pretty cool in my opinion.” said Anna as she looked around.

“It’s too much, jeez Sarah, get some light in here now and then.” said Veronica.

Sarah stretched, “Whatever you snobby brat”

“By the way Sarah, you never told me your mother was an exact copy of you, like holy crap!” said Anna as she observed everything in her room including her bed, clothing, and the bookshelf she had which Sarah immediately blocks her from grabbing any of them.

“Hey, kids can be exact replications of their parents once they are born.”

Anna pouts her face with curiosity and crosses her arms, “Hmm, I don’t know about that missy.”

Veronica intervenes and poked Sarah’s nose. “You’re not exactly right, you can look identical to one of your parents, but an Exact! Replica, copy, version, not possible.”

Sarah wanted to rebuttal the smarty pants Veronica, but her statement did make the goth girl wonder how she’s exactly an exact twin of her mother.

“Yeah no kidding, at first I thought she was your twin sister, besides the height. Sure the hair styles are different, eye colour too, but everything else, your faces, skin, structure, it’s one hundred percent identical. And not to mention your mom has some pretty big knockers too.” said Anna as she sat on the bed.

Sarah lowered her brows, seeming confused. “Well, I-I I’ma go grab us some drinks, I’ll be back, okay.” Sarah leaves and leaves her friends feeling a form of guilt.

“Did-did we say too much?” said Veronica.

Anna lays down and stares at the weird symbol on her ceiling. “I hope we didn’t, but don’t you find that strange. They’re so alike, even their voices are the same, but if Sarah was in her mid twenties.”

Veronica also sat on Sarah’s queen sized bed. “Yeah, and her eyes were silver, platinum, one of those two. So bizarre yet so unique.”

Veronica decides to change the conversation by bringing up Sarah’s gothic nature, glancing at all the unique items in her room that caught her brainiac eyes.

“She-she’s gotten very gothic throughout the years, huh Anna?”

Anna grinned and sat up. “What? You’ve barely noticed till now? She’s been like this since sixth grade hehe. Jesus Veronica you really need to go outside more than just study.”

Veronica raises her fists with embarrassment, “Don’t say it like that! You make me sound like I’m a shut in no life!” She crosses her arms afterwards, “Hpmh! I hate you! Wait a minute, I just realised something!”

“What now, miss I’m such a smart ass?”

Veronica looked all smug like, creeping close to Anna. “Could it be that me! The smart brainy nerdy Veronica got a date before the so-called popular, athletic, talented Annablle?! Oh my! I guess I’m not such a shut in after all!”

Veronica laughed like a villain, crossing her arms. Anna moved her lips and rolled her eyes but couldn't help that their conversation wasn’t going anywhere, but everywhere besides the topic that they thought made their friend Sarah worry.

Anna places her arm over Veronica’s shoulder as she picks her ear. “Yeah yeah! Good for Miss Smartass, congratulations you got yourself the man of your dreams now shut up and let me relax will ya?” She lays back down and yawns.

Veronica sighs as well and lays next to Anna. “Man you’re tough, I can never strike a nerve on you… by the way don’t say I got the man of my dreams when that isn’t close to the truth.”

“Yeah I know, sorry. You know me, I’m just a tough nut to crack.”

Sarah finally walks back with some tea on a Victorian styled tray. She spots the two laying next to each other and softly grins.

“Drinks are hot guys, hope you can handle them with how heated your interactions are becoming laying next to each other you lesbos.” She sets them gently on her dresser and sits on an oval shaped rug in front of her bed.

Anna hugged Veronica, rubbing her face against hers. “Mmm, she’s so soft, you’re right it is getting heated how she was just insulting me!”

“An-Anna! Stop you damn perv!” Anna continued and giggled while Veronica stayed embarrassed.

The two finished joking around and got up to sit on the floor along with Sarah. The three all drank together, joking about their lives, love struggles, and typical girl gossip. It turned perverted later on with Anna’s jokes which Veronica hated hearing, but Sarah made it worse by adding in more details into them and made the smarty brain girl cover her ears. Their minutes of joy went on, converting to a full hour of fulfilment, growing an atmosphere of innocence and enjoyment. Unfortunately, Anna remembered what Danny told her earlier in the day, putting an end to happiness and bringing a sense of worried repulsion into the air.

Anna took the smile off her face and got serious. “Guys, sorry to do this and kill the mood but Danny harassed me today…”

“Honeslty—fucking asshole… how dare he, how dare he.” said Sarah, growling and feeling murder tendacies towards him.

Veronica sighs with disappointment and aggravation. “What did he do now? Please tell me he didn’t go as far as to be a creep towards you, Anna.””

Anna took a sip of tea and stared at Sarah. “The bastard was being a creep alright, going as far as stalking me, but he told me to tell you, Sarah—What’s up, Witch! Don’t know why he would call you that but that’s fucking rude.”

Sarah’s anger had gusted away, bringing a cloud of gasping worry to the goth girl's face for her friends to see. She got quiet, and paused the cup of tea she was about to sip on once Anna said the word, Witch. The two didn’t like her stunned face, it made them worry from how much her bottom lip quivered and her eyes rattled. Sarah gasped so much beneath her breath, her friends thought she was about to have an asthma attack. They tried getting up to help Sarah and calm her down but she made them stop by covering her mouth, shutting her eyes even. Sarah tried speaking, but she started stuttering her words beneath her hand. Placing the tea down, dropping her hand, breathing seeming out of sync, the two hurried up and got to her side.

“Sarah, what’s wrong! Why are you freaking out like this?” asked Veronica.

Anna rubbed her back and grabbed her hand. “Jeez, you’re shaking a lot too. What’s wrong, you’re making us worry.”

Sarah opened her eyes, and took short breaths to ease her fueling rage and freight. “Pl-Please, can we change topics…” Sarah tried relaxing her breathing, but she couldn't.

The two refused to change the topic at hand and kept asking her for an actual answer, pressuring her enough so she can spill what's messing with her mind. Sarah tilted her head down for a brief moment, giving herself enough of a thought to encourage herself to tell them what's bothering her. Finally, Sarah took a deep breath and dragged her palm down her face. The goth girl looked up and her eyes were watery as she looked at both of her friends. Both Veronica and Anna hugged their tiny friend, comforting her.

Getting her breathing under control, Sarah sniffles and wipes her eyes, having the will to spill the beans. “That low life bastard has been harassing me for a while now, and I-I don’t know what to do. I’m sorry anna if he’s harassing you too, it’s my—”

Anna felt extreme fury building up inside her, enough for her to slam her fist on the ground. “Don’t you dare apologise Sarah! It’s not your fault.”

Veronica’s shocked from hearing Sarah’s statement and held her friend's hands comforting her. “Why didn’t you tell us Sarah? I’m just as angry as Anna, but I kinda feel like it’s my fault for relieving his anger against you.”

“But why you? Why would he harass you?! He has no reason to, that-that, fucking scumbag!” shouted Anna.

Sarah reeled away from Veronica’s grip to pat Anna, putting an end to her angered state. “Anna, please don’t be so angry. But yes, he’s been harassing me for a while; making me feel uncomfortable, trying to put his hands on me, and going as far as to get in my face, staring deep into my soul with perverted malice.”

Anna stands up and clenches her fist with anger. “I’ll beat his ass for you! Fucking pervert thinks he can just talk to you like that? Touch you! I knew he was a loser but I’d never imagine him being…”

Anna looks at Veronica with a disgusted look, remembering the times he would try to have Veronica touch him. And times he would force her into a hug or grab her without consent.

“Never mind, he was always a creepy pervert.” said Anna, smacking her lips.

Veronica sighs, hugging Sarah. “Well I guess that’s true now. I’ll stop talking to him, just for you buddy!”

Sarah grins and gestures to Anna to join in the hug. Anna cools down and does so, wrapping her arms around the two and feeling emotional enough to let out a tear of both anger and guilt for not realising sooner enough.

“Thanks guys, I knew you two would understand.” Sarah heard Anna’s soft whimper and let off for a moment to head bump her best friend.

Anna couldn’t help it but shed tears. “Sarah… why didn’t you tell us sooner…”

Sarah softly smiled and Veronica too shed a tear watching them. The goth girl let off and tapped Anna’s nose, wiping off a tear.

“No need to be this emotional, dummy. Come on now, let's enjoy the rest of the evening with no negativity, okay?” said Sarah in a soft pampering tone.

Anna wiped her eyes and slapped Sarah’s hand away. Then she embraced Sarah, making the two fall on the ground.

Anna smiled and held her tighter. “I swear I’ll bring his life to an end for you if he does that again. You know I love you right? My adorable little friend.”

Sarah felt her life being crushed by Anna’s body but indulged in the comfort. “Gosh darn it, Anna, I can’t breathe… I love you too, buddy.”

Veronica broke down and jumped onto the two. “You guys! Don’t leave me out of this, you beautiful flowers!”

The two coughed and groaned as Veronica’s extra weight made them suffocate, but all three couldn’t help themselves but laugh away the sadness that overtook the air. Everyone relaxes and enjoys the rest of the evening. First the tea, finishing their conversations and deluding away from those negative thoughts to lighten the rest of the day. When night approached, both Anna and Veronica decided to sleep over the night with Sarah to comfort her for any measures. Sarah’s more than willing to have them sleep over, she’s just worried about her mother potentially doing something to her friends while they sleep. Mainly because she tried doing some bizarre things throughout the day like throwing holy water on Veronica, measuring Anna’s waist line, taking pictures of the two, and wanted them to say some weird words she shouted dramatically.

Sarah convinced her mother enough to not bother them by promising to give her a sample of their hairs in a strand later. Sarah pulled out two air mattresses from her closet, making her two friends laugh due to the fact they weren’t surprised their gothic little friend was waiting for something like this to happen. She was prepared for a night like this and it made the two girls awe, bringing Sarah to confusion as she inflated one but with little to no progress. They both got up and helped her to make the process faster. After thirty minutes of long blowing they got them up to size for their liking.

Once that was done the girls took showers individually, but that was a mistake on their part because Sarah’s mother surprised Veronica by jumping in with her to sprinkle some weird powder while clothed. Veronica of course screamed and Sarah felt really annoyed and banished her mother from entering her room, but that didn’t stop her. It actually motivated her to peek at Anna once it was her turn, Anna knew she was going to do something strange so she played along and once her mother took the bait she attacked her mother with a bar of soap and rubbed it on her head. She finally gave up and smiled afterwards, wishing the three a goodnight and said a prayer but not that of a regular christian prayer but one involving mother earth and some other chant.

Once she left all three got dressed in their respective sleeping garments, ones that were given to them by their guardians earlier in the day once they decided to sleepover. Veronica wore a silk violet pyjama set, Anna wore a very long white tee shirt, high knee white socks, and Sarah a purple tank top and black pantie shorts

While setting her bed, Anna stared at her as well as Veronica who were next to their air clouds. Both girls said, “Damn…” in unison. They were staring at Sarah’s butt. Sarah felt their lustful and curious gaze on her and turned around to them, turning red.

“Wh-What…?” she asked towards her hypnotised friends.

Anna jumped her brows and Veronica looked at her own butt, measuring it with her hands.

Anna winked at an embarrassed Sarah, making her look away. “I knew your butt was big and fantastically shaped, but holy—!”

“Shit! It’s so perfect, the way it sticks out, wide, your hips, thighs… it doesn’t add up! I’m so envious, Sarah!” shouted Veronica who was still analysing her own figure.

Sarah laughed and went back to making her bed. “Jesus, not you too Veronica. Relax, the both of you, will ya?”

Anna jumped on her air mattress and was on the brink of sleep. “I don't know about you guys but Imma sleep now and dream about your hot mom Sarah.” she yawned obnoxiously loud, making the other two scrunch their faces.

Veronica quickly grabs her pillow and slams it against the back of Anna’s head. “It’s too early you sloth! Can’t you stay up just a little more?”

“And why my mom?” said Sarah, patting one of her pillows on her bed.

Anna rubs her head from the force, and smiles. “Okay okay. Don’t have to be so violent, and you jealous Sarah? Or should I dream of the two of you, oh wait… actually that sounds nice.”

Sarah rolled her eyes and giggled. “Do as you please, weirdo.”

“Veronica, shouldn’t I be the one to abuse you, not you!” said Anna.

“Welcome to reality! Oh smart one!” Veronica laughs and tries swinging again but is met by Anna’s pillow first.

“Yeah you’re right! This is reality!” said Anna, hysterically.

Sarah couldn’t help but laugh, just watching those two be themselves reminded her how much she cares for her friends. Sarah walks over to the two and gets between the two’s crossfires. They were about to throw their fluffy tools of destruction against each other but stopped the moment Sarah sat on her knees. They dropped the pillows and Sarah grabbed their hands, abruptly bringing the two towards her and all three were rubbing against each other's faces with laughter. It was a great night for the three, they enjoyed games and talked about each other's futures. It’s more than enough for everyone to grow tired and fall asleep at the same time. They all said their wishes and went to sleep, soundly.

A sweeping mist of cold air swept in from corridors of darkness, plastic chairs empty, flickered lighting tried combating the black that surrounded a hospital waiting room. Anna’s mysteriously in the lobby with the surrounding pitch black, sitting in complete isolation. An errieness of silence produced white noise against her ears whilst she sat still. Her eyes were as cold as ice and stared at nothing, she sailed side to side and hummed a song of some sort, one from presumably, the dark ages. She’s aware of what’s happening, but couldn’t understand why she’s doing all these actions or how she ended up here in the first place.

Where… am I? Anna thought.

Her body continued sailing, her mouth open, it too sporadically spilled out saliva without her consent. She’s fully aware of everything but can’t comprehend why this is all happening and why she can’t break out of this zombie-like state. Though moments later, her senses were given back to her and she took control of her body, blinking a couple of times to bring back life into her eyes of green. Anna snapped back into reality and got up, wiping her mouth.

“Huh, why’s all this…?” Looking to see what’s going on and why she’s here overall, brought utter confusion to her of how real all of this felt.

Is this a dream, a vivid one perhaps?

It’s too dark for Anna to see, the only things visible were the flickering exit signs, a single light bar, and room numbers from down the hall next to a corridor to her right. She glimpsed at herself and saw she was wearing her regular clothes but her shirt was that of an old fabric one, one worn in the dark ages. She reached into her jean pocket and felt, pulled her smartphone out, turning on the flash light.

“What the hell’s going on…” She looks frontward and shines at her straight path and begins walking into the darkness.

Her footsteps alone made her jumpy from the sheer silence of the place. Step by step they echoed into the endless black hallway of total black.

Is this real… It can’t be, right? Anna wondered.

Anna stops and instincts take over, making her freak out, shaking from the intense horror of total isolation. “Wh-Where am I? I was just in Sarah’s room! Why am I here?!”

However she quickly covers her mouth the moment she was raising her voice from being scared. She also felt as if she were being watched from behind, so she shut herself up to not alert anything that would jump out of the blackness around her. Her breathing’s growing heavy, her heart raced from the terror of loneliness, she’s never felt so afraid before, yet all of this felt familiar to her.

This… felt the same as that one dream that I… wait?

Then, she remembered. Her eyes grew wide. This feels like those dreams she’s experienced in the past and wondered if she’ll bump into that faceless girl like she did that one time, that time she brought Anna to a molten death. She takes long deep breaths, ambling towards the exit sign that was at the edge of the hallway. As she tiptoed through the hallway, from the pitch black behind her, Anna began to hear a faint giggle. It forces her to come to a brief stop to quickly look over her shoulder and shine the light in the direction of the innocence created. Sadly, her phone alone can’t dent more than two feet of the void, creating panic in Anna who’s goosebumps rose to max.

Who’s… there?

Anna can’t risk talking and proceeded forward to her original objective and picked up her pace, power walking her way deeper into the dark. The giggling picked up again, not just behind her, but from her sides, the empty rooms she walked past, and even inside her mind. It’s driving Anna insane and made her feel such terror, she said “Screw this!” and started running as fast as she could. She ran through the dark hallway, panting from exhaustion and fear, she just wanted to get out regardless of her ends meet. After a short run, Anna stops to catch her breath and notices that innocent giggling sudden disappearance

She placed her hands on her knees and panted heavily. “I-I can’t take this…!” It’s silent once again, but this time Anna had no clue where to go now, the exit sign was gone when she looked up and the white noise of silence sprung into her mind, driving Anna to the first steps of insanity.

Bring this all to a stop! Wake up, wake up!

Anna dropped to her knees as she grasped her hair with frustration and broke out crying.

Anna quietly cries and cries, her tears dropping to the tile floor, echoing its splash into the hallway. She wanted this realistic dream to come to an end. As she let her fear overflow and flow out her eyes, she noticed her phone wasn’t in her hand anymore.

“Huh…?!” She somehow lost it, temporarily though because she quickly spotted it in front of her a couple of crawls away with the light still on.

Anna crawled towards her phone with tears still running down her face, but once she’s in arms reach, she saw something coming towards her direction from within the darkness. She backs away and covers her mouth, shaking. The figure’s outline becomes more visible as it gets closer and their steps sound like heels. She tried her best to mutter her whimpering so she could hide in the dark from whatever’s coming to her vicinity, yet she can’t help but allow her whimpers to leak through.

Who’s coming… Please don’t hurt me…

Anna could hear those creepy clatters getting closer. She shivered violently and closed her eyes, hoping this will all come to an end. The click-clacking then stops and everything’s quiet once again. Anna trembled, and slowly, let down her hands. The moment Anna opened her eyes she’s left in a gasped, shocked state. A girl in a white dress, but the one from her childhood stood before her, yet she looked much different than before, but the dress she wore was astoundingly recognisable. Anna wasn’t shocked from fear though, she’s shocked by the fact that the girl in white’s no longer the faceless girl she once knew from that one encounter, but a girl who’s grown into a woman. No longer was she faceless, she now looked like any other person you’d encounter in life. She had purple amethyst eyes, hair as black as the darkness around them with a purple tint to it, and skin as pale as snow.

The girl walks off for a moment to grab Anna’s phone and does. She walked back to Anna and with the light shining in her direction, making Anna block the light that's blinding her out of her face as it came closer. The girl smiles and walks towards the frightened puffy eyed Anna. She bends down and hands her back her phone, Anna couldn’t help but stare into those eyes, those purple eyes were mesmerising to stare into. Such beauty that glistened within them made Anna turn red. The girl snaps her fingers and the darkness fades away into smoke. Anna seemed extremely confused now. When it cleared away, they were now in a room of some sort, but not just an ordinary room but a normal hospital room. The girl with her arms behind her back twirls her dress around and makes her way behind some curtains, covering up something from behind.

She pops out again and looks at Anna with a gentle smile. “Long time no see, Annabelle.” she said in a soft gentle tone, one soothing to the ear.

Anna, still dumbfounded, is still sitting on the floor. “What’s, what, wh-where am I?”

She walks up to Anna and slowly places her hand on Anna’s cheek. “You’ve grown so much since the last time I saw you. You’re even more beautiful than before!” She had a sweet smile as she said those truthful words to Anna.

“Wh-Who are you!” Anna wanted to slap her hand away but for some reason, she couldn’t find the courage to do so.

“Me? Well, it’s been awhile but hey! Since I’m here, why don’t I do this!” She caressed Anna’s cheek with a sadistic tendency.

She surprises Anna by gripping her chin and leans in closer to look into her eyes. “What are you—?”

“Now be a good girl Anna, and stare into my eyes…”

Her voice changed into a serious tone, but still sounding innocently gentle. Anna’s eyes shook as she stared into the girls eyes, and she was beginning to arch them.

“Remember what I did to you when we were children and oblige to the order I gave you in your first nightmare before our first encounter!” The girl’s eyes began to glow bright purple and so did Anna’s.

Anna’s mouth drops. She takes one last glimpse at the curtains behind her and sees someone lying on a bed, unconscious. Anna’s eyesight was forced to stare into the girl's eyes and her vision slowly began to fade, fading into complete darkness all over again.

“You’re my property and it will stay that way… that way, I can have Him! All to myself, Annabellas…”

That was the last thing Anna heard before her ears rang loudly and her vision started swirling into a void of purpled misty darkness.

Veronica and Sarah tried desperately to wake Anna who’s still asleep and has overslept over two hours of school time. They were already way too late to school, but none of that mattered when there's something wrong with their friend. After constant shaking and shouting, she finally opened her eyes and looked at the two, hazy. Anna’s vision was still blurry and their voices sounded muffled, Anna looked lost.

“Oh thank god!” said Veronica as she hugged her friend and Sarah sighed with relief, but Anna’s confused and lost.

After letting off of Anna, Veronica caught on to that confused stare Anna gave off, she even drooled too. Veronica snapped her fingers to snap her out of her zombie-like state she looked to be in. Sarah watched Anna carefully, steadily balling her fists. Anna rises up and grabs her head, ignoring the two.

“Anna! Where are you going?!” shouted Veronica as she went to Anna, grabbing her shoulders and stopping her movement.

But Veronica’s voice didn’t reach Anna, it still sounded muffled and her vision stayed blurred. Anna couldn’t remember much of what happened last night or even that dream. She just stood still, grabbing her head and sailing. Sarah stepped in front of her and gave her a sudden slap of a century. It made Veronica jump away from how hard it was and how loud it sounded too.

Sarah with her teeth gritted seemed really aggravated. “Snap out of your state, Anna!” shouted Sarah with her hand still raised.

Anna finally came back into reality and rubbed her cheek. “Wh-Where am I? What’s going on?” Anna looks at her worried friend Veronica and an angered Sarah.

Veronica steps in front of the two and lowers Sarah’s hand. “I think she’s back with us Sarah, but why do you seem so angry at her?”

Sarah shakes her head and blinks rapidly. “Oh I uh, I was just mad that she was ignoring us… that’s all, haha.”

Anna hugs Sarah and Veronica. “Sorry for worrying you two… I was just in a deep sleep I guess…” chuckled Anna. “Let’s go to school even though I made you guys late, what do ya say?”

Veronica nods, “I’m fine with that! Just don’t scare us like that again Anna! You seriously had us worried.”

Anna smiles, “Ahehe, that’s what I get for sleeping so well huh? Perhaps I was dreaming of this sexy goth girl and her mom too much, am I right?” Anna wanted to get dressed first and use the bathroom, but Veronica insisted on accompanying her to see if she’s truly well. Anna obliges and the two leave Sarah’s room for the moment. Sarah on the other hand stays behind. Sarah stood there in silence with her fists clenched. She looked down at the mattress Anna slept on and noticed her pillow’s covered in tear stains.

“This feeling… this—sensation; It’s the same feeling from that guy and…” Sarah has a flashback of the girl she fought in the town and gasps with shock.

Sarah tightens her face and grits her teeth. “I’ll make them pay, how dare they hurt my friend. They’ll pay…”

Anna comes back in briefly to ask Sarah something. “You gonna change with me too?”

Sarah looks at Anna and forces a smile, “Yeah, I’ll be there, give me a minute okay.”

Anna smiles too, “Sweet, this way I can probably see you naked too hehe. By the way, thanks for that slap, I don’t know what got into me.” She leaves again, not releasing the anger Sarah’s hiding from her.

Sarah stares at her ceiling where the symbol’s located. She prays to mother earth and the guardians that are protecting her from any form of foes. Her mother suddenly appears as she walks in with a serious look as well. She too notices something’s wrong with Anna.

“You’re not alone my daughter, let us pray for your friend, and see if we can cleanse her of this horrible feeling within her soul.” Her mother joins in with her prayer and the two wish and pray for Anna, hoping to rid of the intense horridness leaking out of her best friend's captured soul.

I’ll make sure he’ll pay, especially… that girl in white. Sarah’s eyes glowed a fiery red and inside them was her fueling rage ready to come forth and burst upon the ones who’ve not only hurt or harassed her, but who’ve made her friends suffer too.