The Haunted
Part 7. Bargaining – 518 words
Misaki appears in the hallway holding on to the ornate box. He opens the door to Narumi's room and is greeted by the lifeless corpse of Subaru. Yuka has returned to the bed and is now sitting on Narumi's chest. The red marks on the young doctor's neck are enough for Misaki to understand what has happened. He crouches down and feels for a pulse. Nothing. Subaru's corpse is as cold as the air in the room. He closes Subaru's eyes then stands again.
"Yuka, what have you done?"
She slowly turns to him. "He had to die. Like me, he had to perish."
"You're supposed to be dead!" Misaki's speech is hoarse and frightened. "You were beyond saving!"
"Beyond saving?" Yuka's whisper now adopts a more sarcastic tone. "Was that really what you thought, or what you wanted him to believe?"
"I thought you loved Narumi!" His voice is desperate as he looks at the sleeping man beneath Yuka.
"Once! I did love him once!" she sneers back. She trails her fingers slowly along Narumi's neckline in a possessive and cynical caress.
"Then why are you doing this to him?!"
"Because he left me!" Yuka jumps off the bed and glides to him. "You knew I could be saved. You knew, but you took him away and he willingly abandoned me to my death. Do you know what agony feels like, Misaki?"
"Yes, I know what agony feels like, only because I've seen Narumi stand by your side for years." His voice hardens. "He watched you and took care of you, forgetting himself and the fact that he too had his own demons. He wasn't strong enough for both of you. You should have known that too."
Yuka bursts out in unsuppressed laughter. "I should've known. The agony you speak of isn't even your own. You don't know anything."
Instead of responding, Misaki holds out the box in front of him. Yuka stops approaching and stares. He wonders if giving it to her would be enough. Was she even corporeal enough to touch it?
The look on her face suddenly becomes benign. The fire in her eyes settles somehow. That is when he realizes that the box still held a power over her— a power not lost in death. She had wanted it for herself, and not just because she knew Narumi needed it to get better. It had been her greatest treasure, and it had remained so, even in the afterlife.
"Give it to me."
He is about to surrender by handing over the box but then he hears a groan behind her. Narumi starts to stir. They both freeze. Misaki's grip on the box grows tight and he pulls back. Yuka recoils at the motions. She opens her mouth to speak but is cut off by Narumi's stirring. They both hear Narumi speak. It is his turn to call to her.
"Yuka..."
Somewhere in my youth, I met you.
It was the happiest day of my life.
Then somewhere as an adult you left me.
And I cursed you all the days of my life.