Well here we are. The end is almost upon us. Chapter 17 will end the story and like Chapter 16, it may not be quite as long as the others. One thing that is interesting to note, in the book Melmoth the Wanderer, Melmoth was given 150 years to rid himself of the curse. Whereas in this story, Osaka was given only 50 years to do so. I chose a shorter time so Osaka could interact with her friends. Which as a reminder, the current year is 2052, for those who have forgotten (I don't blame you). And hopefully it hasn't been too difficult following along. So please enjoy the chapter and if you have the time, I would love to hear what you think of the story. Don't be shy. And thank you for reading.

Chapter 16

Standing next to the bed as if she'd been there for hours, Osaka hardly moved. She'd curl her lips and open her mouth, then hesitate and close it back up. Chiyo watched this uncomfortable movement of hers for some time. Deciding that Osaka wasn't going to say anything, Chiyo said, "How long have you been here?"

Osaka's demeanor didn't change, but she answered, "Since Tomo arrived."

Osaka pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket and stared a long time at it. The crumpled paper zigzagged with folds, wrinkles, and tears. But Chiyo remembered it well. It was that copy of the picture she used to have of all the gang. She'd given it to Osaka back when she was in college. So she still has it. Chiyo couldn't imagine how important that thing must've been for Osaka. But then, Osaka did something she didn't expect. Osaka handed Chiyo the picture and said, "You can have this back, Chiyo. I don't need it anymore."

Chiyo held the paper as if it would turn to dust any second. She felt confused. "What does this mean Osaka? Are you . . ."

"My time is nearly up," Osaka interrupted. She placed a cold hand on Chiyo's forehead and rubbed it like a small puppy. Osaka looked longingly at Chiyo, as if she'd never see her again. "I'm sorry Chiyo. I couldn't control it. I . . ."

But Chiyo moved her head away from Osaka's hand. Osaka, mildly surprised, withdrew her hand and lowered her gaze in shame. Chiyo, however, couldn't stop looking at her. "Why," Chiyo said, a slight hint of anger in voice, "Why would you do such a thing? Selling your soul . . . of all the stupid things . . ."

"Please Chiyo," Osaka's voice shivered.

"Ayumu," Chiyo said, determined to get her friend's attention.

"Please don't call me that. I don't deserve it."

"Tell me."

Osaka said nothing, but nodded. Grabbing the TV remote, she flicked on the television to one of the news stations. Some woman sat behind the desk. It resembled every other news station out there, except for one difference. The date at the bottom of the screen was off, way off. It said June 4, 2002. But that was fifty years ago. Chiyo thought, when suddenly it clicked.

". . . And welcome back," the reporter said, in the exact same tone as every other reporter, "For those of you just tuning in; Kiyohiko High School has caught fire. It all happened during a post graduation celebration for this year's graduating class. We don't have any word on how many people were in the building, but at least two graduates are still unaccounted for . . ."

Osaka flipped the channel. The station changed to another news station. The date at the bottom the same, the reporter this time a man said, ". . . Mihama Chiyo, a child prodigy, was found unconscious in one of the many classrooms of the school. Miraculously, firefighters were able to pull her out with only minor injuries. No official words yet on the other missing graduate . . ."

Osaka again flipped the channel. This time, the news station sported the date of June 5, 2002. A man on scene, at the site of the fire, stood holding a mic. "Well the flames are out, and all that remains of this once beautiful and prestigious school, is now a mound of smoldering ash. And among the wreckage we are told, the remains of the other missing graduate have been found. Kasuga Ayumu, whose remains were discovered just hours ago . . ." And Osaka turned the television off.

Chiyo glanced from the TV to Osaka. "I don't understand."

Osaka dropped the remote onto the stand next to Chiyo's bed. She didn't seem to care where it landed. "I was near the room where it all started. Unfortunately, I had fallen asleep. I woke up, alone. Smoke was everywhere. In my confusion, I stumbled through classroom after classroom, just trying to find a way out . . ."

I rushed from door to door, trying the knobs. Nothing. Locked and locked and hot and hot. Smoke filled my nostrils. I could hardly breathe and the sound of crackling fire was everywhere. I ran down one hallway and then back up another. Whichever direction I would go, I'd get cut off by fallen beams, walls of fire, or just plain dead ends. The few doors that I had managed to open only breathed hot, black smoke onto me.

"There's gotta be a way out," I said, and repeated it countless times; just to keep calm. But that proved difficult as each breath I took filled my lungs with the black clouds. Eventually, I stumbled up against a door. I had to stop and catch my breath, though there was no breath to catch. And I could no longer run from the fire. What floor am I even on? I couldn't remember anymore. Fumbling over the door, I prayed this thing wouldn't be locked. A light creaking and the door slid right open. I hurried inside and slammed it shut.

"Aw shoot," I said, quickly scanning the room. Small embers flickered here and there while the other door to the classroom was blocked by broken beams and other debris. But the harder I looked, the stranger some of the debris turned out to be. I could've sworn there was a pair of shoes lying underneath. And approaching them, I saw a set of legs attached, which disappeared beneath the rubble. "Oh my God," I gasped and ran over to dig the person out. I flung scraps of wood one way, and plaster in another. My fingers splintered after only a few shovelfuls, but I continued the dig until at last a face could be seen.

"Chiyo? Hey are you alright?"

No response.

My mind raced. "What are you doing here? It's kind of a silly place to take a nap." A large bean lay broken across her chest, pinning her down. "Come on get up, we gotta get out of here." I tried lifting the beam, but no use. Not only was it heavy, but it lay tangled in a mess of wood and other black junk. Then I noticed the pillow of blood she had her head on. And I couldn't stop the tears. I maneuvered around the beam and over to Chiyo. Lifting her head off the floor, I laid her in my lap. "Chiyo," I said, cradling her, "Don't go. You're too smart to die. I'm the bonkura, remember?"

I brushed the bangs out her face. She felt nothing. "Chiyo," I called, "What should I do?" I cried. And soon, I fell asleep; that or I passed out. But it wasn't for very long, because I woke up in the same room with Chiyo still in my lap. Only the smoke had grown thicker and the fire had roared into the room. I realized there'd be no escape. I couldn't make a run for it even if I wanted to. And I didn't. I couldn't leave Chiyo. I closed my eyes. It was so hot in the room. It felt as though my skin were melting. I drowned in sweat and could feel it soaking through my clothes. And I was scared. Scared to die, scared I'd lose Chiyo, just scared.

Then a voice called my name. "Ayumu. Ayumu open your eyes."

I did and in front of me stood a man. He wore a black suit and sported a strange looking blue tie. Clean shaven and tall with short stubby black hair, he ignored the flames as they engulfed the room. Rather, he wore a strange smile on his face as he stared at me. "What are you doing here?"

"Dying."

"Why? Run out the door. You can make it. The fire has died down some in the hallway."

I clutched Chiyo and shook my head. "I can't leave her."

"But she's dead. Just save yourself."

Again, I shook my head.

"Very well then," he said, and he paced back and forth, looking around the room as if he were viewing paintings in a museum. "I could help you."

"Huh?"

A grin spread across the man's face as he walked slowly over to us. Despite the flame, I heard each step. "I know who you are Ayumu. I know the girl you're holding is Chiyo, and she's very important to you. But if you don't leave now, you'll die."

"I know that," I said, trying to sound confident but truth was, I felt weak.

By now, man had squatted down right in front of me. He looked over to Chiyo and then to me. "We can still save her. We can return her back to how she used to be. With your help, I can save her life and can guarantee she'll live to an old age. But," and the man put such strength into that word, "there is one condition."

"What?"

The man only smiled as he said, "You have to do something for me. You see, I'm a cursed man Ayumu. And I want out. Take my place, and I'll help you get Chiyo out of this mess; alive. That's all I ask."

I didn't have much time to think. My head felt like an overstuffed water balloon. Everything burned. My mouth had gone dry and I struggled just to stay awake. I looked down at Chiyo's still face in my lap. She doesn't deserve this. I need her. Before losing consciousness, I nodded and accepted the man's deal.

". . . He showed me your rescue to prove his word. And then he left." Osaka finished. "I never saw him again."

"So," Chiyo said, feeling guilty. "You did that for me? Why? Why would you . . ."

"I couldn't let you die," Osaka said, trying to avoid Chiyo's piercing gaze. "I didn't know what else to do. I'm sorry. It's all my fault." Osaka's eyes traveled over to the clock on the wall, very concerned with the time. She cast one last longing glance at Chiyo and said, "Goodbye Chiyo. I'll miss you."

"Osaka wait," Chiyo blurted. "I can't let you do this." Chiyo's lips trembled with her body. She knew the weight of the words she was about to speak. And since she'd heard Tomo's story, she somehow knew that she'd be the one to speak them. "I-I'll do it," Chiyo said, her voice shaking. "I'll take your place."

"What?"

Swallowing her body's response to the decision, Chiyo said, "You've suffered enough because of me. I mean, what you did was wrong. With Tomo, with Kagura, and everyone else; but it was all because of me wasn't it?"

Osaka was speechless.

"Don't do this because of me. Let me take your place. I want you to be free."

Osaka's eyes widened at the prospect. So much so that she nearly tripped over a food tray as she worked out the words, "You mean it? I can be free?"

Chiyo nodded. "Yes Osaka. You can. Just get me out of this hospital."

Osaka moved hungrily towards Chiyo. She stumbled over several cords and stopped when she hit the floor. When Osaka got back up, Chiyo expected her to do whatever it was she needed to do. But instead, tears streamed down her reddening face. Chiyo tried to comfort her but Osaka shrank away from the hand. "I can't," she whispered. "I can't let you do it."

"Yes you can," Chiyo reassured, motioning for Osaka to come back to her. When Osaka refused to move despite her body's convulsing, Chiyo said, "You can, and you will. Please Osaka. It's okay."

Osaka shook head. But the more Chiyo soothed her, the more Osaka fell apart. And finally, Osaka nodded. "Thank you," she said, "thank you." Osaka stood herself up straight and approached Chiyo's bed. Her expression hard to read, she placed a loving hand on Chiyo's forehead and patted her. Chiyo closed her eyes and allowed Osaka to run fingers through her hair and softly pet her cheeks. She savored every touch from her best friend. "Chiyo," Osaka's voice was soft, almost sounding as it did back in high school, "I want you to know what you're getting yourself into." Chiyo nodded. She was ready.

The softness of Osaka's hand dissolved into hardened rock. It tingled where Osaka touched her and started to grow warm, like moving closer to a fire. The sensation spread throughout her body. She felt the heat growing around her. Chiyo's mouth went dry. She licked her lips with a tongue of sandpaper. Sweat trickled down her face as her body temperature steadily increased. Chiyo moaned in agony, but she did not ask for it to stop. Is this how Osaka feels every day? How'd she do it?

With her body turning to fire, Chiyo also began to see things. She could see Tomo and Sakaki in her mansion, going through her things. They read through more papers from that room and discussed Osaka. She could almost hear their words, as if they were right next to her; but the voices were blurred. Then Chiyo saw the nurse that always cared for her and whom she loved to see; Misagi-sensei. But Misagi-sensei wasn't caring for a patient. The young nurse instead sat on her knees in some doctor's office, performing indecent acts. And Chiyo saw Kristina, and she saw others as well. It was like having a thousand televisions turned on at once, something different on every one.

Finally, Chiyo felt a deep sense of fear rising up in her; like someone was watching her. Just from over her shoulder, someone or something waited for her. It sent shivers through her spine, feeling those eyes on her. And in the distance, she heard a voice. It was Osaka's. "Did you want something to drink?"

"Yes." Chiyo's throat had almost completely dried up; and her tongue shriveled. She felt a cup being placed to her lips and Chiyo drank just to put some moisture back into her body. But when the liquid hit her tongue, it burned and she wanted to scream as some of it dripped down her throat, scorching the flesh. Chiyo shoved the cup away and shot up in bed, opening her eyes. Dizziness swept over her as all the sensations quickly vanished. Unable to speak, Chiyo glanced over to Osaka.

But Osaka was gone. The room was empty. And on the floor was the cup that Chiyo had pushed away. Ice scattered across the floor. Water everywhere. Stumbling out of the bed, Chiyo rose to her feet. She almost toppled over from exhaustion, but gripped the bed. Inching her way to the door, she muttered, "I have to find her."