.:Diana:.
Everything seemed blurred as it happened. The order, Cory's face as he stared at the knife handed to me, my father's stern and disapproving face... A moments hesitation felt like a lifetime. Never before had I disobeyed. Never had I questioned. But this... this was different. Nothing was ever this confusing.
And suddenly, it was all clear. I knew what I had to do. With a sad smile, the knife ment for my only friend in the world was plunged into my own chest.
Screams...
Falling...
In mid-air, everything seemed to whirl around me, and suddenly I was outside myself, watching my body fall. Cory stepped forward and caught me, or it, considering we were no longer one entity. He was yelling my name, and... crying? My dead heart cringed at the scene. But it was for his good, and mine. We couldn't live like this, and there was so much he could be with out me there to hold him back, to make him risk everything for me.
Just as I glanced at my father's cryptic-as-ever face, everything seemed to melt around me. No, I didn't want to go anywhere yet. I could be dragged to hell for the rest of eternity, but I wanted to know what would happen next, what would my parents do? What would happen to Cory?
The silent plea didn't seem to reach any d*mned ears, excuse the pun. However, a woman with beautiful silver hair and markings like those I had seen on a cartoon picture of a Amazon warrior. I stared silently at her.
"Miss Diana Fraiser, correct?" she asked with a kind voice. In return, I gave a curt nod. "My name is not important right now, but you may call me your Aunt." She paused letting me digest it, obviously more than a little thrown off that I didn't seem at all curious, then continued with her obviously well rehersed lines. "Now, what do you wish to do? I cannot escort you to a place of happiness, only a place of sorrow and vengeance..." A door appeared next to her. It was probably where I belonged. "My master can give you a do over, but just one," her voice was silky smooth, enticing. I could go back, and retry. Make things right with Cory, tell him everything, admit everything, and just let him hold me, like he once did after a particularly horrible night...
"What do you choose, Miss Diana Fraiser?" her voice broke my thoughts. "Turn away, and find true peace. Follow me, and you just might walk with the ones who breathe again." So I could choose to move on. To find peace, without suffering. But... could I deal with the guilt? I knew I didn't deserve it. It was people like Cory that deserved it, not me. Not for eternity.
"I'll go with you," I tried to keep my voice steady, but it sounded a bit choked at first. Her hand was outstretched, and I watched curiously as my own reached out and took it up. As I grabbed it, the cold touch suddenly burned like I was touching molten hot metal.
The Contract Has Been Sealed
A voice echoed around me, and the door opened. "Welcome to the games, Ms. Diana." Aunt's voice said. And I blacked out.
/
Doll
I woke up slowly, blinking around at the unfamiliar faces. A girl was crying not far from me, and a girl with large white wings was trying to help calm her. Aunt appeared and also attempted to help. As I watched, the girl changed into a guy. Well, I guess anything could happen in the afterlife.
"YOU!" some guy yelled at her. She spun around calmly to answer him. "Where are we?!" he demanded.
"Where are we?" echoed another voice, followed by a "Who cares." I could swear it came from the same guy.
It seemed like all chaos erupted after that, everyone demanding Aunt's attention. Of course, I kind of zoned out once I realized something odd. My hand had been resting on the table, but it was different... Every joint was made of little balls, and they looked like old painted wood. I looked up my arms, which were the same way. Testing my mouth, it made a hollow click. So I was... a doll? How appropriate. Strings hung loosely from certain parts on each limb.
Aunt seemed to remain calm enough as she was rushed with demands. Answering questions about this "game" we had entered. Then she was getting ready to excuse herself, to go check on some "others".
"So there are others?" a girl demanded, not far from me. She and another boy seemed to be related.
"Yes, many others," Aunt answered with a smile.
"And... They're like us? Right?" I piped in, curious. My head tilted to the side inquisitively. It moved a lot further than I expected, no longer limited by tensing muscles.
She continued to tell us about our "true forms". Then she left us to introduce ourselves.
After several not so warm welcomes, I jumped in.
"Doll," it came out bluntly, my mouth clicking as I said it. "Call me Doll." That was all that needed to be said, and I sat back and waited for this "game" to start.
