Chapter Eight: Dying

Before she awoke she already knew. What had broken and what couldn't be repaired…

"Keiji."

A voice called to her. Who would be waiting for her now? She couldn't see anything. Everything was bright, full of white. Where was she? She couldn't see a tunnel…could it be…?

"Keiji."

Then it was clear. She could see the person speaking, it was Kira. The light began to erase itself and the room filled the empty space. It was a hospital room. Hospital! Memories filled her head and she remembered… the fall, Rei. Did he make it ok?

"Keiji, please wake up." Kira was almost crying now. She buried her face in her hands, clutching the white cloth. I'm here Kira. She had no voice. Why couldn't she speak? What was wrong? She watched Kira, her head rose. Her hand reached for someone, someone asleep or, or…dead…

Keiji strained her eyes, impatient as the image cleared and took form. It was a woman, a battered woman. She looked like she had fallen ten stories. The back of her skull had been crushed and her spine looked paralyzed. As good as dead Keiji thought. But then, why would Kira cry over the dead woman?

Then it hit her.

The woman's face was hidden by an oxygen mask. She wasn't dead…yet. Keiji leaned in closer. When the woman's face was visible, Keiji jumped back and screamed in terror.

The woman was Keiji herself.

The fall…it was caused by a fallen beam, an accident…no, no wait that hadn't been it…Rei fell, Keiji jumped for him…lost her grip and fell…she had seen someone before the beam fell.

MASAO!

She screamed his name over and over. No one could hear her, no one could see her. Her spirit had separated from the body incase it couldn't be saved… now her body was nothing but a lifeless shell so long as she stood next to it. She had to wake herself up. She winced as Kira touched her hand, but Keiji could feel nothing.

Her coma had been no accident. Masao had been apart of it somehow…what did he want? She had no ties to any man anymore. She hadn't even slept with anyone since…

Kira suddenly stood up from the bed and turned to leave. A doctor and a few nurses ushered her out. Keiji was pained to see her go, even if she barely knew her. I guess I can't give you that painting after all…But she could end Masao.

Keiji turned from her body. She looked towards the mirror and saw no reflection. An idea dawned on her. She touched the mirror, her hand fell into the glass and suddenly Keiji felt she could go anywhere.

She walked through the door, only to jump aside as the nurses returned to her room. She didn't know what it felt like to walk through another living thing and she didn't want too. She walked down the hall, looking for the exit. There were so many people to avoid. Were there always this many in one place, and had she never noticed before?

All around were nurses, doctors, children and husband with arms full of flowers. It was all so white. Hospitals were bright white; supposedly pale colors helped the brain to heal. Keiji scoffed the idea. Walking past, she soon felt confident no one could see her or feel her presence. She had wondered in anyone with any psychic ability could sense her. No one gave the impression they could.

She continued down some stairs when someone appeared that made her freeze. He had a bunch of flowers in his hand; roses, yellow and red had been her favorite. Only one man knew that. She turned to see him run up the stairs and settle in a wide stride that carried him quickly down the hallway.

She followed him, wondering if she could be seeing things. He walked skillfully around doctors, trays and nurses towards the far end of the hall, where she stayed. He stood outside her door before deciding it was clear. He stepped inside and locked the door behind him. Keiji followed, stunned even for a spirit.

Masao.

He turned around, his blonde hair shifting over his head, as if he heard her. But that wasn't possible was it? Masao turned back to her body and knelt beside it, resting a single rose from the bunch on top of her. He laid the rest aside and took her hand. Keiji felt a slight tingle where her hand should've been.

"I know you can hear me." He spoke softly into her ear. Keiji walked closer, observing him from the other end of the hospital bed. "Listen to me. You're not dead and I know it. I can feel you watching me. You must hate me for thinking I caused this. The chain that held the beam was breaking. I tried to warn you…the doctors say you'll never make it." He touched the petals of the rose and took in a deep breath. "I won't let you go. You'll live. You have too."

Keiji opened her mouth in horror as Masao removed the oxygen mask from her face. Keiji could feel her world going gray, Masao standing over her, his face over hers. Her heartbeat had stopped.

Masao!

She saw his chest expand, forcing the air into her lungs. What good would that do? A man breathing for his lover? He would exhaust himself and then she would be as good as dead.

She rushed forward, her hands gripping his body, forcing him off. She couldn't understand why she wasn't going through him. Masao kept breathing. Nothing could make him quit. Nurses had appeared at the door. They started banging on it hard, doing no good.

Keiji stepped away, feeling very hopeless. She couldn't see her hands anymore, nor feel herself at all. He was killing her. Maybe that was his ploy all along. If I can't have her, no one can. Keiji sank lower to the ground, feeling herself materialize. It was over and she succumbed to her fate.

In her sight, Masao never stopped breathing. A hopeless attempt. Keiji fell once again into blackness, unable to save herself. She closed her eyes and fell away.

In the deepest depths of her mind, she once thought she heard her heart beat again…