02_ The day everything falls apart
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How long had she been lying there? Jane opened her eyes to a stark white room and looked around. Then, out of nowhere, Sherry appeared. Like a puppy waiting for its owner, Sherry rushed towards Jane and was snuggled into her arms. Her childlike appearance was especially adorable today.
"...zein"
"zein-"
He tried to respond to Sherry, who whispered his name in his arms, but for some reason, no sound came out. He could move his mouth without any problems, but no significant sound came out. Even as Jane opened and closed her mouth, Sherry smiled silently.
"You know, Jane... I want Jane to be happy. And don't hurt yourself with these branches because of me..."
The branch that should have been embedded in his heart was now in Sherry's hand. The thought that she had seen him dying from afar ached. It was as if Sherry had felt the same pain he'd felt at being unable to save her as she died. But now, only happiness would fill the air. So, the two of us, though a little tired, circled back into each other's arms.
"..."
"You know... I want Jane to forget me and live happily."
It seemed like everything would be filled with happiness... but Sherry said she wanted to forget her and live happily. 'What do you mean, Sherry?' Sherry, who had been looking into her eyes, smiled as if she knew everything. Even though she was smiling, her expression was lonely. It was an expression I had never seen before. He couldn't understand why she was telling him to forget her and live happily while making such a sad expression. At the same time, he was angry at Sherry's smiling expression at him. He also felt the urge to undo that smile she gave him. They had met again like this, and she was asking him to forget her and live well... It was full of words that Jane neither wanted nor could understand.
"I love you, Jane. Live hard for my share too."
Sherry's words made Jane unable to move, as if she were bound. Anxiety enveloped her entire body. If she stayed still, she felt she would never see Sherry again. Sherry smiled brightly, watching Jane struggle with all her might. At the same time, she collapsed into the gaping hole in the floor.
"I love you Jane..."
"I'm sorry I can't be with you... Goodbye my love."
Thud...thud_
☘
For a long, short moment, Jane lay there, seemingly unwilling to think about anything. She gazed at the undulating sky. She'd thought he loved her too, but perhaps he didn't. If he truly loved her, he wouldn't send her back to this hell. Her heart ached. Even though the branch that had dug into her heart was gone, it still ached. It hurt, perhaps even more than when it had dug into her heart. Her eyes burned. Before she knew it, the tears streaming down her cheeks soaked her hair.
"Sherry... Was it just my delusion all along?"
Only the sound of someone's sobbing echoed from the cliff in the empty forest.