The sound of the wind raging was soothing, and felt like a fresh breeze welcoming my entire being. Though at dusk a quiet calm settled over the campus, it was like no other.
It was chilly but refreshing. I had finally gotten to breathe in air after a suffocating, excruciating day. I thought, "I had finally gotten away," even if it was just for a moment.
The sound of the old, rusty door creaking attracted my attention. No one should be here at this time. Who could it be?
Before I could have the time to react, the footsteps that followed one after another started to hasten.
It was coming towards me.
Maybe it was a mistake. It was a huge mistake on my part to stand near the ledge.
I should've considered taking safety measures. I should've taken into account that this was a dangerous situation. Silly me, maybe I should've thought to not wander off alone on the balcony, huh.
"I'm falling now, aren't i?"
Before I closed my eyes, I saw the silhouette of my murderer.
A huge splat and the sound of a hundred bones breaking followed shortly after.
I probably did break more than a hundred, but I pray that I did not, so that at the very least, I could still live and not become a handicap for life's sake. But at this rate, could I even hope to live? Currently lying on the cold floor, stained with crimson red, I realize that my consciousness is slowly slipping away.
Whatever did I do so wrong, enough to get me killed? Well, sure, I do have a myriad of enemies and foes, but I am pretty certain that there was never something I did that would make someone have such a deep desire to kill me.
What the hell? Do they really have such a huge grudge that they engraved it in their hearts? Will they be satisfied with my death?
Probably. I guess they'd be laughing up there right now.
Maybe even this was the 'escape' I was wishing for all this time. I am finally free from those evil people; it's quite ironic that I died by the very same hands of the people I despise. It's unbelievable—unacceptable, in fact.
But whatever shall I do? This is where my story ends.
...
I thought that, but what am I seeing right now?
The reflection in the mirror was not my own, but another's. Her skin was smooth and pale, the complete opposite of my complexion.
She was familiar, not because I was 'her' but because I felt like I had seen this figure before. Above all, why am I so small?! I'm as tiny as a child's body. I did not go back in time, did I?
So right now, who am I?
Too engrossed in my thoughts, the sound of knocking made me snap back to reality.
"Miss Naia, it is time for breakfast; come out when you're ready." They must've been talking to me, as the proximity of the knocking was literally right beside my ear.
I am certainly not whoever 'Naia' is, but it is best to pretend to be her for now.
My first instinct was to find some of her belongings, and perhaps I could have a clue to 'who' I am right now. Her name did sound familiar, but there was no way for me to confirm that I did know her in my past, and I know more than enough people to overshadow this person's name.
The only choice I have now is to go out there and meet her family.
I got up to change my clothes, as I was too sorry for this person's body to bathe. I can't just start treating it as mine now, just because "I" am in here. Part of it is because I was not in the right state of mind to think about my morning routine.
I went out the door for the first time, and I am sure that it is my first time. However, my reaction is not that of a curious and surprised person, but a sense of familiarity instead.
I initially thought that maybe it's because it's this body's reaction, and not mine.
It's contradictory, but I'll believe in it for now because I, too, have no answers for this.
I passed huge hallways and rooms, but never seemed to find my way to the dining room.
My surroundings were so quiet that I started to question the person who called for my presence earlier.
I already hated that I was walking alone in this godforsaken place and always found myself facing the same wallpaper. Discouraged, I turn back to follow my traces until I catch sight of a person.
"Hello? Please wait a moment!"
Rushing towards the silhouette of the figure, in hopes of getting guidance, I was met with a dead-end instead. No way this was going to turn out to be a haunted house, right?
A quiet squeal escaped the gaps of my lips; I was rolling down the stairs before I knew it.
Was I too scared to observe my surroundings? Why did I not realize that there were a series of stairs right in front of me? Should I just blame the house for having the same look to everything that it camouflages?
I don't know. Because right now everything hurts. The sound of multiple footsteps and the hard ground rumbling tell me that there were people in this house, and right now they're coming towards me.
Ah, I'm saved.
...
From afar, there was children's laughter so joyful that they seemed not to give a care about the universe. They were just so carefree in their own world.
"Lenny! Hurry and catch up!" Lenny? It's been so long since I heard that name. I was but a small child back then when someone gave me that name; now I wonder, 'Who was it again?'
Watching this scene happen before my very eyes as someone's point of view felt too surreal. "Just wait!! Hey Naia!!"
A familiar ceiling greets me.