I boarded the plane to Germany. After all these years, the final trial was going to be held. My family was finally going to get justice after being brutally murdered by the ones they trusted the most.
A hollow ache settled in my heart.
And then I saw her, after months. She sat in the aisle seat, still and delicate like a porcelain doll.
We used to be childhood friends yet the only time we ever saw each other now was in the trial room. So many words I wanted to say, perhaps she did too but could never voice them.
"..Hey Zei"
She turned slowly, her golden hazel eyes meeting mine.
"It's Been a while, hasn't it?" I asked, a faint smile painted on my face.
"..It has," She replied quietly.
"Mind if I sit down?"
"Make yourself comfortable"
I took the seat beside her. Silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken regrets, sharper than any blade.
"What do you want?" she asked, her voice solemn. "I'm afraid I don't have anything left I can give to you"
"...I'm tired, Zei" The words spilled out, torn somewhere deep.
"Every day feels like hell, relieving the same nightmare over and over again"
"If only things could go back to how they used to be."
"But it just seems like a distant dream now doesn't it" she said softly
"Yeah" My smile turned bitter "It does'
"...Rayne" She uttered, her hand reaching out for mine.
Just then the alarms went off, followed by a voice crackling over the intercom. My heart dropped.
Then—
BOOM!!
The engines of the plane exploded, tearing through the silence with a thunderous roar. A violent Tremor ran through the entire plane.
My breath caught in my throat as the lights flickered.
That was the last thing I remembered.
I awoke to flames, scorching flames roared on all sides.
Distant cries of people, pleading for help echoed through the air. Neither of us bothered to help. It didn't matter anyway, since we were going to die shortly.
My right leg was gone. Zei's right hand was mangled beyond recognition.
"So.. this was thier plan" I rasped, blood bubbling in my throat.
Once I'm dead, they'd take it all—my families assets, the shares and everything else. They went so far as to kill everyone on the plane, including me. Everyone on board...was just collateral.
I turned my head slightly, catching a glimpse of her face. Raven black hair tangled in ash and blood, her face was covered in bruises. Yet when her eyes met mine, she smiled. Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth.
"So this is how it ends" I murmured, coughing as blood surged up my throat. Her fingers tightened around mine. Neither of us spoke for a while, just held on as screams of pain, fear and death surrounded us.
"Rayne.." Her voice was fragile "...I'm sorry. For everything"
Tears streamed down her face, warm droplets fell onto my face. I managed a faint smile.
"It's okay" I whispered "I don't resent you, I never did"
"...I know," she replied softly.
I lay there silently, holding her hand. The only person I ever truly cared for.
Zei would often ask me in the past. About what I would desire if I were reborn again. I could never answer her question, but somehow lying here beside her on my last breath, I couldn't help but reflect on it.
If given a chance.
I'd wish for a quiet life. A peaceful one.
Together with her, perhaps.
As the blazing flames engulfed us, I closed my eyes and embraced death
I died
At last, it was all over.