Many cried it was the devil who ended the world and those who opposed were his collaborators. Mother never questioned it even when father abandoned her. I saw it with my own eyes what light can do to cleanse disbelief. Felix held my hand and led me to a stronger faith than most. I could not challenge their cheerful smiles. I buried it all. My choice would never matter but I could be content with the love around me. I belong.
"I belong… so why? Why me?"
Bile was threatening to spill. Dark tendrils lovingly caress the air. I felt it, a siren singing about the woods. I had become the enemy of every person in this town. From birth until now, I have done everything asked of me. Yet the light had been replaced. Wobbling knees collapsed. Tears dropped, hands shook and shaking laughs tumbled. My moment in the dark didn't last.
"Blake..?"
The voice, sweeter than honey, was unmistakable. A blonde knight looked paralyzed with confusion. My lifelong friend, the high school role model, Felix. I betrayed him. It was only right that he would abandon me too. The tendrils lashed out in his direction. No time to react his arms acting instinctively. Blood dripped down from long gashes. My breath hitched and I ran.
"Blake!"
As I ran, the tendrils followed. My tears were tossed aside by the wind. I now had nothing and I couldn't stay. I turned a corner around the school walls. The forest was within reach. Siren song growing stronger, more demanding, almost desperate. A pull at my shirt ripped me to the sidewalk. I flinched. I felt my palms dug into by the concrete. Felix had caught me.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
I couldn't look at him. It wasn't fair, he was going to kill me. The one person I considered mine was going to kill me. A pair of arms wrapped around me. Blood dripped on my clothes, the concrete. He was shaking, his voice too.
"I can fix you! My light can heal you! Just hold still."
His eyes had lost their shine, now a rusty gold. We knew the truth, but he didn't want to accept it. I had to do it for him before I made things worse. His cheek felt cold his flinch hurt.
"Hey, Felix. I need you to do something for me. Please?"
My palm covered his eyes. He didn't resist. I kissed him. Our first and last one.
"Go home Felix. Go home, get cleaned up."
I moved away. His eyes followed me as I tread to the woods. I'd almost reached it, the siren was quieting, the tendrils fading. Then it screamed, tendrils tries to reach out, but the light was too blinding for the darkness. I wailed, body convulsed, blood flowed out from my eyes and nostrils. Before I lost consciousness I saw the conflict in Felix's eyes. This was the first choice I've made in my life. I just wanted to live. The knight made his choice to fulfill his duty.
Darkness became my new world. The siren grated my ears It was was full of sorrow and rage. It was unreadable until my own voice drowned out the song.
DO CHOICES MATTER?
Yes (Proceed to chapter A1)
No (proceed to chapter B1)