Content Warning
This chapter contains heavy themes, including grief, trauma, existential distress, and a character expressing a desire to die.
Reader discretion is advised.
| Kris POV |
…
Where am I?
Why is it… so dark?
Is there something wrong with my eyes?
When I try to lift my hand toward my face—
…I can't feel it.
I can't feel my hand.
Why…?
Why can't I feel my body at all?
…
Am I… dreaming?
I must be.
As soon as that owl shows up again, I'll wake up.
…
Any moment now.
…
Okay… I guess the owl isn't showing up.
Maybe I just have to wait for my alarm to go off.
How long is that going to take?
…
How long have I already been here?
Did my dad let Rose mess with my alarm again?
Damn it… I'm tired of waiting.
Come on. Wake up.
Huff.
I swear… when I wake up, I'm giving that brat an earful.
…
Why—
why am I not waking up…?
Did I get into an accident?
Am I in a coma?
Damn it… Dad's already been so stressed lately.
I hope I'm not worrying him too much.
How did I even get hurt?
I think… I hit my head.
I can't really remember…
And Rose…?
She must be really worried.
She's going to nag me nonstop when I wake up.
It'll be fine… I'll wake up soon.
…
Comas are terrifying.
There's no way to know how long you've been gone.
I don't know if it's been days…
Maybe weeks…
Or months…
Years…
…
I miss them.
I wish I'd spent a little more time with Rose that day.
I never thanked her for the teddy bear.
I wish I'd finished the pancakes Dad made.
They were really good.
I never even got to try the cake…
I—
…
I know.
I…
…
I'm so hungry…
Starving.
How long has it been since I last ate?
Aren't they feeding me?
Damn it.
What I wouldn't give for a piece of that bubblegum cake.
When I wake up, I'm going back to that café.
I think I'll order the whole thing—to take home, so we can eat it together.
…
I…
…
I'm not in a coma… am I?
I remember—
that flash.
My… flesh… burning.
My eyes bursting as—
my throat scorched away…
I…
…
Why…?
Why am I still alive?
Why am I here?
Why me?
Why?
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
…
The hunger is back…
This pain—like something gnawing at me from the inside…
It won't stop.
I just—
…
Rose…
Dad…
I miss you so much…
Why didn't I die with you…?
Why am I the one forced to stay and suffer…to feel this damn… hunger?
…
Please…
LET ME DIE.
LET ME DIE. LET ME DIE. LET ME DIE. LET ME DIE. LET ME DIE. LET ME DIE. LET ME DIE. LET ME D—
"Stop being a pussy!"
…
I…
I'm sorry, Rose…
You're right…
It's just that…
I'm so tired…
