Viola squeezed through the gap in the wall.
She came to another violet area.
"Ib...where are we now?" asked Aya.
"Another part of the violet space," Ib replied. "Be careful here."
"Wh-why?" Viola asked anxiously.
Ib didn't reply. She stared around the space, then spotted cords hanging from the ceiling.
"Don't touch those," she said. "Don't even move. I heard something."
It sounded like a scream.
Is it coming from up there? Viola wondered, glancing briefly at the ceiling. There was a large gap above them.
"That sounded like Aki!" Aya hissed.
"Aki?" I huddled close to Ib and Aya. "We have to help them!"
"We can't get up there!" Aya said.
"I...don't know...what to do..." Ib muttered. "I want to help them, but can we?"
Suddenly, there came another scream. Louder and clearer.
Viola screamed too. A sharp scream that pierced the air.
A body landed with a thud into the middle of the room.
"Misao!" Ib exclaimed, taking a step back and nearly crashing into Aya.
Misao got to her feet, and grabbed a knife that was lying a few feet away from her.
"If I can't get revenge on them, I'll have to kill you first!" There was a wild gleam in her eyes, something that Viola hoped she would never have to see again.
Viola clung to Ib and Aya, and waited for Misao to attack.
But she didn't.
She stopped in her tracks, and opened her mouth.
It was a soundless scream. Misao wasn't able to voice it, but Viola heard it as clear as if it had really happened.
"N-no..." Viola covered her ears.
Suddenly, Misao burst into flames. The room was filled with an orange light.
Then everything was silent.
"M-Misao...was just...burnt..." Ib whispered. "They must have killed her..."
"Ellen, Madotsuki and Aki?" Aya inquired.
"Yes..." Ib muttered.
Suddenly, there were raised voices from above.
"What's going on up there?" Viola whispered fearfully. "Ellen?!"
Nothing
What's going on? Is everyone okay?
Aki...help me...please...
Flames danced around me as I stood, watching Misao's painting wither away to nothing.
I heard a plea of help in my head...and I closed my eyes.
Aki...please...!
Misao...
Help...me...
I'm sorry, Misao...I'm so, so sorry...
I heard a scream from the gap where Misao had fallen.
"AKI!"
I stepped back from the ruined canvas and opened my eyes.
Madotsuki had her hand on my shoulder, and Ellen was staring at me anxiously.
"I'm okay..." I whispered, shaking my head and looking at them.
"Misao...was your friend...right?" Madotsuki asked gently.
"No..." I shook my head again. "Not exactly...she was bullied, she didn't have any friends. I wanted to be her friend, I truly did...but I never got the chance to ask, and I didn't speak to her at all."
The painting wouldn't stop burning.
"She was so kind...I don't know how this could have happened to her...but I'll never forget her...Misao..." I murmured, leaning against the wall.
"Aki, are you sure you're okay?" Ellen asked anxiously.
"...Fine..."
Flames licked at the wall.
"A...ak...i...i..." Madotsuki's voice sounded strange. "M..O...V...E...!"
I opened my eyes. The world was spinning. I closed my eyes again. It wouldn't stop spinning...
I tried to open my eyes, but this time I couldn't manage.
"Aki!"
This time I heard the call properly, but my legs wouldn't move.
I could hear the flames, roaring in my ears.
I slipped and landed on the floor, on my side.
I heard a scream.
It was dark. The world was dark. I felt the heat of the flames right next to me.
It was so dark, and I was so, so scared.
Then it all stopped.
I stopped being scared.
And the darkness became friendly.
And she came to me.
She came to see me.
She was glowing slightly, and her face was no longer twisted with fury.
She looked happy and safe.
"Aki..." she whispered. "It's time."
I smiled at her, then got to my feet. She held out her hand.
I took it. "I am ready."