- i can't help it.

i don't want you here - perhaps you're not, not really - go away.

i don't say it - i wish i had.

you come closer - the sound of your heels tapping among the stones despite them not being there.

you're an echo.

go away.

hello, you say again.

my throat burns with acid and my tongue is heavy with tar but i manage - what are you doing here?

you gesture down to yourself - wearing the clothes i laid you down in - should i say buried? it's the right term but it doesn't seem quite fitting for how i handled you.

your knees highs are uneven - skirt is torn at the hem - some buttons askew and stained with dirt - but your eyes are the same. they always were - frightening.

i think it's a bit obvious - since when do you ask stupid questions?

my jaw clenched - even in death you manage to annoy me.

i don't bother hiding - not like usual - besides you already know me... and you're dead.

why did you choose to stay behind? i voice instead.

your head tilts - giving the false imitation of life - but you're not.

you're blue and cold - i can't smell ginger and lemongrass anymore. the scent used to be heavy in your hair, it was your favorite tea.

my lip quirk at the notion you can't have it anymore.

i didn't choose.

you had to have.

your eyes narrow, sharp and feline - i think i know more about death than you.

fair enough - i still don't understand. now you'll be tethered to this castles walls forever - just floating - existing but not really.

you're an echo.

it's own twisted form of immortality.

it's not the kind i'm after.

i look around, the bones in my neck wailing in agitation - they're dry and strained and it hurts but i ignore it.

always ignore the pain - that's what i told you.

but you never listen, diana. you let it swallow you whole and now look where you're at.

no ones around - i can't risk it - if anyone sees you they'll ask you want happened.

i gesture to an empty room and you follow - float.

you won't tell - i know that - at least i think so, i'm not entirely sure and i don't like it.

you don't appear to be angry.

you lean against the wall but the stones don't cave - i have an eternity now, why waste my time?

my eyes turn to ink slits and i step closer - nearly through you - it startled me into remembering you're still dead.

your head tilts up, i look how your neck bends and i recall how i used to grab hold of it and squeeze till you nearly passed out.

you loved it - so did i.

did you know?

know what?

that i was going to kill you.

you take a breath - not really - i'm still trying to process. i wonder how it feels, being here but not existing.

no.

i grin, were you surprised?

your hand reaches out - retreats - forward again and it sinks through my chest and i'm rooted to the floor.

cold - so very cold.

i try to yank back but you won't let me.

you're holding onto my heart - i can feel it.

it hurts.

you're not letting me neglect it this time.

stop - i rasp, my voice coming out like molten iron.

you come close - kiss my cheek - it felt like a droplet of rain.

ask me again.

what game are you playing? i can't breathe - it's strange - bitter - it hurts.

let go of my heart, diana.

ask me again, you grab hold of the artery tighter.

were you surprised? - i can't breath, my knees are starting to buckle.

i was, you retreat and i drop to the floor, knees scraping and raw and i look up at you - panting - eyes red.

i hate you.

you lean down, brush my curls back - how are you doing that? you're not here.

why do you think i was smiling when you did it?