Chapter Twenty-Eight: Short Relief:
Mike sat in his
room. His eyes looked so empty. The world seemed to stand still. Vivian hadn’t
come back. This was just like last time.
A knock came on
his door. Mike didn’t respond. Not even when it opened.
“Good morning!”
Hotaru chirped. No response. She walked over to him.
“How are you
this morning?” the loli demon asked. Mike didn’t even turn his head. She rubbed
him on the shoulder.
“You pull
through this,” she whispered. “I am here for you.” Her voice sounded so distant.
Tears ran down his cheeks.
He began to see
her face again. She had a gentle smile. What did she see in him? He was more
wild back then. Mike didn’t care who he hurt. The attitude from the 60’s hadn’t
left him yet.
Then, she came
along.
Always smiling.
Vivian is just like her in a way. That other woman was like the sun. He wasn’t
looking for her. She found him. Then, she wouldn’t leave. Mike couldn’t
understand it.
“Who are you?”
he asked.
“Your girl,
silly,” she said. Her laughter could rival the cherry blossoms around them. So
beautiful. This was the first time he had been truly happy.
So what went
wrong?
The tears
wouldn’t stop.
“Shhh,” Hotaru
whispered. “Shhh. Shhh. Shhh.” She put
her arm around his shoulders.
“I am right
here,” Hotaru whispered. “You will get through this.” More tears ran down his
cheeks.
He’s done it
again. Another one gone. First that woman, then Stella, and now Vivian.
“Am I cursed?”
Mike murmured.
Hotaru looked up at
him.
“What?” she
asked. He didn’t respond.
So lost. Mike
felt like he was a drift. It felt so dark too. His lips trembled.
“Mike? Mike?
Mike?” Hotaru asked. The demon felt like he was sinking.
What’s the matter?
You feeling okay?
What happened?
Talk to me.
I want to help you.
Please… let me in.
I want to help you.
Please, Mike.
I love you.
Mike! Mike! Mike!
Please… Mike…
I love you. Please talk to me.
“She’s gone,”
Mike said in a hushed tone.
“I know,” Hotaru
said. “I sent Vivian away.” He shook his head. The loli demon raised her
eyebrow.
“Not her?” she
asked. He shook his head again. It did not take long for Hotaru to put it all
together. She put her hand on his forehead. Hotaru closed her eyes.
Come on. Show me the source of your pain.
Let me help you. Her body went stiff.
---------
Mike could hear
the waves around him. The demon slowly looked up. A hand reached out to his
face. He slowly gulped.
“Laura?” he
asked.
“No,” Hotaru
said. “It’s only me. Talk to me. What happened to Laura? She died didn’t she?”
Mike lowered his eyes.
“Oh, Mikey,” she
said. “I am so sorry.” Hotaru hugged him.
“I didn’t get to
apologize to her,” he whispered. She rested her chin on his head.
“I can help
you,” she whispered. Mike looked up at her.
“You can do
that?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said. “Let’s get you some closure.” Hotaru held him tight to her chest. Both vanished from Mike’s dark place.