Abyss

It's cold, really cold. This outfit really doesn't help much either. I scream for help.

…

"Sis!"

Mina joined me on the balcony. Today's a warm summer day and I brought some popsicles to fight off the heat. Frozen drops of water fall on the floor. Mina laughs at me as I attempt to save what's left of my melting popsicle. As she does, she drops her popsicle on the wooden floor of our cheap apartment. Before the drama of the situation could reach her eyes, I offered my popsicle as a worthy offering. She accepts it and spares me of a tantrum.

…

I crawl along the soft white snow, leaving a red trail behind me. I lay on my back and stare up.

"This can't be happening."

…

I repeat those same words over and over again in my head. Mina studied day and night, so why is this happening? Eventually, those words spilled out of my mouth. Mina peeks down from the top of the bunk bed. I quickly hid her rejection letter under my pillow.

"Yom-yom, are you okay?"

…

I started running. I think I ran for days, maybe weeks. Yet the landscape remained the same. There were no landmarks down here. There was no one down here.

I trip and fall over.

… I finally find Mina on the balcony. She doesn't speak back to me. She stares down. She doesn't listen to me. She doesn't want to. Her knees drop to the wooden floor of the balcony. Water droplets make their way across her cheeks. I embrace her. That's all I can do really.

...

"Mina... I give up."

...

"'It was selfish to think I could ever protect anyone."

...

"You'll have to make do with your own happiness from now on."

...

I close my eyes. Mina hugs me. That's all she can do really