Yume no Izumi
'A Shinigami should be dyed in all black. Not knowing this is blasphemy.' – Sheldan
'I don't remember much in pictures… I didn't know what to think.' – Izumi
The pain, it's coming again. She's here for me. A single gasp escapes my lips as her hand nears my face. Such a painful memory she's left in me. I feel small again, just how I was before I died.
The sting of her slap lingers still, even after she's stormed out of the room. This woman, this beast I called 'Mother' only harms me.
I smell smoke. I know what she's doing. She's burning pictures of my father again. Why did he have to die and leave me here alone?
"What are you looking at!" she snaps. "You're looking more like him every day!" As she approaches me, I don't move. I know what she'll do. It's what she's always done to me when she's angry. She takes the smoldering match and strikes it across my cheek. The searing pain brings me to my knees. Mother, did you really hate me this much?
A Shinigami should be dyed in black. Not knowing this is blasphemy.
He's right. The Boss is right. So many memories are flooding back to me at once! Mother, once so kind and gentle, no longer exists. Now, she is the beast I was forced to survive with. Her blows keep coming, alternating between the match and her hands. Does she even feel the tears rolling down my cheeks?
Mother, stop! You're hurting me!
I've heard that voice before. So many times it's cried the same pleas for her to stop.
I can't breathe. I'm falling, falling. Then, there's a wall. My head hits it hard, throwing the rest of my aching body forward. The one who threw me is crying, nearly sobbing.
I wish you didn't exist!
A knife twists in my heart. I cry out, desperately hoping someone can hear me. Yet, no one comes. As the warm blood soaks by clothes, no one comes. No comes, because no one cares.
Izumi…
Falling, falling into darkness, the crushing pain in my chest is growing still.
Izumi…
Darkness is overpowering. I'm losing what little light I have left, what little innocence remains in my soul.
You were given a second chance!
Second…chance? That voice, it's Micky's.
A light shines far ahead. Barely there, Micky is waiting for me. Her hand is reaching for me, but I cannot grasp her hand. I don't want to dirty this pure light of mine.
No, Micky. Goodbye…
There's a painful ringing in my ears. So annoying! It hurts to hear it! I know what it is; I'm back in that railroad crossing. Mother's standing at the closing gate. She's smiling. That's what I wanted, wasn't it?
The train's coming fast. The ringing in my ears is growing louder. It feels like I'm going to split open! There's no use in avoiding my fate. I got what I wanted…didn't I?
Mother…please, say my name.