Chapter 4-Temptation

The next day, as promised, Mako came back to visit. She showed up with a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolate.

"These flowers are from my garden, and I made these chocolates. I hope you like them." Mako placed them in front of me. My heart fluttered as Mako sat next to me. "So, how are you? Your doctor told me that you are getting better. I am glad." She smiled at me and the room spun. I offered a weak smile back.

"Mm. I am getting better. I have to." Even though I have no idea yet how to get out of this nightmare. I cooperate as much as possible so I won't get solitary again. I have stopped taking my meds, hoping that my "Sailor Moon fantasy", as they called it, would come back.

"Do you want to go out for a walk in the garden? The nurse said you are allowed for 15 minutes a day. If you wish, we could go…" Mako held out her hand, inviting me to the outside world.

I moved, totally under her spell. She put my jacket on my back and then wrapped one arm around me. "Let's go."

It was bright outside. My eyes squinted under the sun. How long had I been indoors? I lost count. The air was fresh and cold. Fall leaves scattered on the ground, dancing in the wind. Mako still had her arm around me. After a short walk, I was getting tired from all the sensory stimulation of the outside world and my legs turned heavy. I leaned on Mako as we walked over to the bench.

"Sorry. I am feeling really weak all of a sudden." I apologized to "Mako".

"Do you want to stay or go back inside? I can probably carry you back." Mako leaned in, inches away from my face. I could see my reflection in her gentle eyes.

"No. I want to stay out for a bit."I gently patted Mako's hand, reassuring her I was okay.

Mako leaned back on the bench and looked up at the sky. "So, Dr. Tanaka said me and the other girls were in your fantasy world. After saving us, I guess we stayed in your head a bit. If you don't mind, what was I like in your world? Did I get any powers?"

"You were the agent of love and courage. You are Sailor Jupiter and you can control electricity and lightning." I stole a glance at "Mako", wondering how crazy I sound right now to her.

A cocky smile appeared on her face. "Electricity and lightning huh? That sounds badass. Now, do I have a girlfriend in your world?"

I looked down and blushed. "No."

"But you have a crush on her. Just like how you have a crush on me." Mako bluntly pointed out.

I shook my head, trying to deny it.

"I knew you had a crush on me since the day I arrived at your cram school. We never got a chance to talk because you were always hiding behind your books. But, I caught you staring at me a couple times and you blushed every time you were caught. I thought you were incredibly cute. I was going to ask you out that day." Mako grabbed one of my hands. "And then that teacher started going crazy….but you saved all of us."

"How did I do it? How did I save you guys?"

"You don't remember?" Mako looked at me, surprised.

I shook my head. "I only know what I read in the newspaper."

Mako swallowed hard and looked uncomfortable. "I tried not to think about it much. It was scary. It was just like any other regular day. The teacher showed up and gave us the assignment for the day. Then halfway through, she started muttering to herself. We all looked up. It was weird hearing that. She didn't sound coherent at all. Then she pulled a machete out of her desk drawer. She hacked at the four students sitting in the front row. Luckily, one of the blows landed on the desk and her machete was stuck. That was when you yelled to everyone to run. Usagi, the new student was crying in the corner. You dragged her up and shoved her to me. You told me to run. I didn't understand why you went back. So, after I dropped off Usagi outside, I went back inside. Apparently, you were trying to save one of the girls that were hurt. One of them was still alive and the teacher had picked up her machete again. You charged at her full speed and knocked her down. When you were trying to get the other girl to stand up, that was when the teacher swung the machete at you. " Mako looked down at my belly.

Right. I had a mysterious scar on my belly. I had wondered where that was from.

"You barely missed the machete and you got a nasty cut. There was so much blood…." A single tear rolled down Mako's face. She looked sad and angry at the same time, as she remembered the event.

I looked at Mako with confusion. 'This can't be real. This world is not real.' I thought to myself. Yet, the pain on Mako's face was too real. Could I be the one losing my mind here?

If this was my illusion, shouldn't it be all nice and rosy? Why did I construct such dark and torturous outcome? What if this was the real world? I put my hand on my chest, unable to breathe all of a sudden. The floodgate of doubt had opened.

I laughed out loud. Mako turned and stared at my strange behavior.

I realized I couldn't tell which one was real and which one was fake anymore. Which one was more logical? A teacher going mad and tried to murder all of her students? Or a world being invaded by evil aliens with mysterious dark powers? A girl so traumatized from the event that it triggered her onset of schizophrenia? Or a girl fighting evil and saving the world by having the power to control water?

I laughed and laughed until I was gasping for breath. Mako had already run to get help. The nurses came and quickly gave me a sedative.

Either way, neither world makes sense right now. I closed my eyes and hoped it was an eternal slumber. I didn't want to feel anything anymore…..