I was in bed, it felt like an eternity as I tried to gather the thoughts in my head, but every time I checked the clock, it had only been a few minutes. I looked back on my past, my present, and was too scared to think of my future. I rolled over in my bed and I began to think like was an endless miserable dream. I remember watching Takeshi's little brother dying, and the hollow look in Takeshi's eyes… He had to relive that because of me…

My mind started to stray again… That rainy night, the blinding lights, the deafening sirens, and the agonizing image of that body hanging out of the wreckage all rushed into my mind. I was so shell shocked by the crash. I clearly remember my leg and arm were badly injured, but I couldn't even feel the pain. I huddled for warmth and security in the bloody blanket. My head started to ring, and I closed my eyes while burying my fingernails into my palm… Suddenly my phone began to ring. I popped up and grabbed the phone. I just found myself staring at it for a few seconds before flipping it open. I pressed the speaker button and put it down beside me.

"Hello?" I muttered angrily.

A shy a timid voice echoed out from the speaker, "Um… Hey, it's me… Hanako. I know we kind of left on a bad note, but I just wanted to talk to you for a bit."

I turned away from the phone and asked, "What do you want?"

I could detect the hesitation in her voice, she said, "When I saw you run out of Takeshi's house today… I felt horrible…"

I placed a hand on my forehead and said, "You have nothing to feel that way about! Please don't put yourself in this position for my sake…"

Hanako stuttered for a bit, and said, "W-well, I never actually told you, but you were my first actual friend."

I sat back up and walked to my desk, I sat down on the chair and replied, "You don't have to lie... A friend wouldn't endanger you like I have…"

I looked out into the chaotic dusk sky, and the sun struggled to survive before inevitably being consumed by the horizon. I turned back into my phone and asked, "Why is it we do this?"

She remained silent for a few seconds before answering, "I'm not sure what you are talking about… You need to elaborate."

I looked back for one last glimpse at the sun before the night had finally ravaged it. I called back, "Why are we alive? Why do we go through life while accepting it is just torture and fighting… And in the end, all we can look forward to is death… We are all dying, we all fear it, and we openly all hate our lives… Takeshi, Aimi, and what of you Hanako? What have you lost, what is that hate-powered fire that is burning inside you? God knows we are all miserable, it's our only common bond."

There was an intense silence, only permeated by the sound of a few raindrops hitting the window. "Is that how you feel?" she quietly whispered.

I anxiously awaited a response. She continued, "When I was a child, I was always quiet… The quiet kids were always the best targets, and the sharpest knives are the eyes of children. I can't remember a day in my life until I met you where someone was nice to me… Either they harassed me or just ignored me. I felt as if I died, no one would care…"

I turned back and asked, "So, the cruelty haunts you? Is that it?"

I heard her beginning to cry, she struggled to get the words out, "You have no idea! HE RUINED MY LIFE!"

My mind became fixated on the phone as I asked, "Who?"

I heard her crying her heart out. She screamed, "YOU HAVE NO IDEA! TO GROW UP WITH THAT SHAME! THAT HUMILIATION! YOU HAVE NO CLUE! IT GOES BEYOND CRUELTY!"

"What are you talking about!?" I shouted.

"25 South Cherub Street! Go there! Look at MY HELL!" she screamed as she hung up the phone.

I kicked on my shoes and ran out side. I ran down an infinite stretch of road and turned right. The sound of the rain smashing the ground drowned out every other sound in the world. I kept running, but why? It made no sense as to why I was so eager to see this source of torture… Maybe I just wanted to help… It would be the least I could do. After all the pain I was causing, the pain I will cause… I hit North Cherub Street and ran down to the main drag. The image of Takeshi crying over his brother's body was still engraved in my mind. I began to wonder, what goes on in the minds of the others? I know about Aimi's parents, but what of Patrick? He seems to be the only one happy… Is he really? I then hit it, South Cherub Street. There was a clock tower atop of a church. The clock struck 6 and the bells sounded. The address on the church read 25 South Cherub… I slowly ascended up the steps. The outside of this place was covered in moss, trapping so many horrific feelings. I put a hand on the door and pushed it open. I walked in slowly, and I slowly walked down the aisle. I sat in the pew and closed my eyes. I could hear Hanako crying next to me, I felt the pain… The rage… She did not even need to say a word, it was obvious what had transpired here. It hit me like a bullet to the chest, and I struggled to breathe. It was unforgivable… I looked at the confession box as I slowly stepped towards it.

I only stared at it for a few minutes before walking in it. "Good day my son, what is on your mind?" A voice asked.

"How long have you been the active head priest at this church?" I asked.

He took a second and replied, "20 years next month…"

"Hanako Yukimora… You know her… Right?" I asked. The anxiety, anger, and tension was exuding from each word I said.

There was a silence, and no answer for a minute. I then whispered, "What gave you the right?"

"Please leave… I have no time for the accusations of an attention starved girl!" The priest said cold and callously.

Our eyes locked, and I am not sure why… But I felt as if I couldn't just attack him, but the hatred was burning inside of me. He walked outside, and I was paralyzed. I sat there for a few minutes me before going outside. As I closed the doors behind me I saw Hanako across the street, she was soaking wet, despite being under and umbrella being held by Patrick. As the tears rolled down her cheeks she shouted, "We all have suffered before! Please… Just help us make it through this! Don't feel guilty, just FIGHT!"

At this juncture in time I think I made my mind up…