Chapter 12
Beginning and the End
Soon, winter arrived, and Ushio's condition improved. She finally started eating again, and the color in her face returned to normal. She soon regained her normal bouncy demeanor.
She wanted another trip. With all the roads frozen solid and the trains decommissioned, a trip wouldn't be possible. I tried to tell her but she didn't understand. She wanted one so badly, it tore my heart out.
"Did you really enjoy it that much, even with a meanie like me?" I asked.
"Yes! I want a trip, you and me!" she said again. Finally, I gave in.
"Okay," I said, "if you say it has to be now, then it has to be now."
I dressed her warmly, and put gloves on, then we headed out the door. I honestly had no idea what we were going to do, what with the transportation system shut down. I guess we could just go walk in the park or something. I held her hand tightly.
"Be careful Ushio," I warned.
We made it halfway down the road before she collapsed.
"Ushio!"
I grabbed her and provided support. She lay in my arms, her cheeks flushed. Snow fell all around us, turning the empty streets white. Ushio struggled to breathe. I held her close.
"Ushio!"
She looked at me through half-lidded eyes.
"Daddy? Are we at the train station?"
My breathing stopped. She…
A tear fell from my eyes.
"Y-yes! We're on the train now!"
"Good… why is it so dark? Is it night time?"
Now I struggled to breathe.
"Y-yes, Ushio. It's dark."
The tears continued to flow. Ushio. My jewel. My baby. My daughter.
"Daddy?"
"Yeah, Ushio?"
She touched my cheek.
"I love you."
"I love you, too, Ushio."
Her hand fell. My eyes widened.
"Ushio?"
I received no response. Terror gripped me.
"Ushio!"
No! This couldn't happen! She was all I had left!
"Help! Somebody! Nagisa!"
I screamed. I cried. I hugged my little girl close. Nobody came. She didn't wake up. My baby was gone.
I hated this town. I still do. But this godforsaken place held only bad memories for me. It gives joy on a whim then snatches it away just as quickly. We never should have met on that cherry blossom hill. We should have just gone our separate ways.
A/N: One more chapter left. If you stuck with me this long, please stick for the final chapter. I know it's been difficult so far, but please bear with me!