Morning began to arrive. I was still lying on the bed. At that time it was eight in the morning, quite late from the schedule that Anna and I had planned.
The sunlight began to pierce through the curtains of my bedroom window, until the light hit my eyes and woke me up.
Slowly I opened my eyes. I turned to the side where Anna slept last night; it turned out she was already awake. Immediately I got up from the bed, took my crutch, but my steps stopped.
"The pain in my leg is starting to disappear," I glanced at it for a moment. "It doesn't make sense if I suddenly walk without using crutches again. Should I try to hide it from Anna? I think this is also included in the rules of the contract with the Special Detective team, right?" I walked out of the room, step by step. The creaking of the wooden floor could be heard, and the noisy atmosphere outside was quite disturbing.
When I arrived at the kitchen, Anna greeted me. "Good morning, Jeanne." She brought a bowl of soup and lots of food she had cooked to the dining table.
"Good morning, Anna," I replied. "Why didn't you wake me up too?" I asked my best friend; guilt for being a burden appeared in my mind, but I decided not to say it.
I looked at Anna. She just smiled and took off her apron. "Because you need enough rest. Like you said last night, we will watch a movie and then go for a walk, right?" Anna said in a teasing tone.
I nodded. "Thank you," I replied. I walked to the bathroom and washed my face, then I returned to the dining table, pulled a chair, and sat down.
"Enjoy your meal," we said at the same time. I ate Anna's cooking. It tasted very good—I really missed it.
"Aren't you tired?" I asked, curious. I thought it must be tiring. I thought it must be tiring, especially since Anna prepared this much food.
Anna only shook her head slowly. "No, why?" Anna asked me back, as if it was normal for her. Yes, of course it was normal for her.
"N-Nothing," I answered, shaking my head. I took the spoon, scooped the broth and the meat, and ate it. "This is really delicious," I praised. The mutton soup with peas and macaroni that Anna made truly felt perfect.
"Thank you," Anna replied with a smile. A satisfied and sincere smile was clearly shown on her face.
...
We had breakfast for a few minutes, and after breakfast we finished washing the dishes. "I'm going to take a shower and change clothes first," Anna said while glancing at me.
I nodded, then walked to the sofa and sat down. I watched the television broadcast while drinking warm milk.
I looked around the clean and tidy room. "She's really diligent," I rubbed my forehead. "As a woman... I'm a little jealous of her," I thought while drinking my milk.
A few minutes passed, Anna had finished showering and changing her clothes. "Now it's your turn," Anna said after coming out of my room. I turned and looked at her.
She wore a long white loose dress with ruffle accents on the skirt. On her chest there was a small matching ribbon, she also wore a light blue cardigan left open. Her blonde-brown hair fell naturally, in her hand was a small black handbag, and a small picnic basket filled with sandwiches she made.
I glanced at my best friend's appearance. "That really suits you, Anna," I praised.
Anna smiled. "Thank you," she replied, and walked toward me.
"Alright... I won't be long," I got up from the sofa and walked using my crutch toward the bathroom.
...
After showering, I went to my room to change clothes. I saw the paper bag on my bedroom table. "Anna moved it there?" I asked myself.
"I remember I put that paper bag on the table in the living room," I thought, but I decided not to think about it further.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror; the bags under my eyes were getting a bit thicker. Some of my hair fell out when I combed it, I took a few strands of hair that had fallen.
"I thought I wasn't taking care of my hair health, but that's wrong. I've been thinking too much lately," I murmured softly while glancing at a few strands of hair in my palm.
At that moment I remembered my mother's words when I was little. "Jeanne, hair is also a crown for women, take care of this beautiful hair of yours," my mother said while combing my hair when I was about to go to elementary school back then.
After throwing away my fallen hair, I opened the closet and took my clothes. A white long-sleeved knit top with a loose high collar. Yes, today's weather was quite cool. I wore a skirt that was not too short nor too long, paired with tight black leggings. I wore slightly tall black-brown boots, and a small shoulder bag.
When I was about to leave the room, I remembered something. "It's like something is missing, but what?" I thought. I observed my room for a few moments, but finally decided to think about it later.
After a few minutes of getting ready, I came out of the room. Anna was already waiting for me in the living room while enjoying warm sweet tea and watching the news broadcast on television.
"Done?" Anna got up from the sofa while holding her glass of warm sweet tea.
I nodded. "Yes, sorry for making you wait," I replied as I approached Anna.
"It's okay. This is my house," she said jokingly. "This is my house," I replied in my heart. She walked to the kitchen and washed the glass, then returned to me, then held my hand.
"Come on, the weather is sunny, but they said it will rain in the afternoon; that's what I watched on the weather broadcast," Anna helped me walk.
I nodded. "Yes," I answered with a smile.
We walked out of my apartment. On the way to the nearest bus stop.
"It's been a long time since we walked like this in the morning so calmly," Anna said while looking around.
I followed her gaze. "True, it's like we're walking to the university," I said, in a relaxed tone.
"I agree, this feels like when we first met, but at that time you acted like you were avoiding me when I tried to talk to you," Anna covered her laugh with her hand.
"I-It..." I felt a little embarrassed remembering it. It made my face turn slightly red. "At that time I was just afraid you would also become a target of teasing and exclusion from people at the university," I looked up at the morning sky. "Right... at that time I avoided Anna for this reason. My life at university wasn't that smooth. I was often labeled weird, a bookworm—I think that one is true—and arrogant, that's what the rumors were," I thought of memories that were quite bitter, for me. "And one of the reasons that made me sick of it was because I came from an ordinary family. Yes, most people in my university were from noble families," I muttered in my heart, my eyes watching the passing vehicles, and the industrial smoke that made me feel a little uncomfortable.
I scratched my cheek slowly, awkwardly while glancing at my best friend who was telling stories about our past at university.
"My goodness, you still think about it, Jeanne?" Anna looked at me seriously and worriedly. "I've said it many times, you don't need to think about it. Besides, I'm fine, even until graduation, right?" Anna explained proudly.
"You're right," I answered, softly.
BRAKK!
Anna fell after bumping into someone because she was too focused on talking.
"Anna, are you okay?" I asked and helped Anna stand up. The things in Anna's bag fell scattered.
"Are you alright, Miss?" asked the priest. He picked up our things that had fallen.
"I'm fine," Anna answered softly. The priest handed us our fallen bag. "Thank you," I took her bag. The priest smiled.
"Sorry for bumping into you," said the young priest; he looked around twenty-four years old. He had long black hair, I couldn't see his eye color clearly because it was covered by his long bangs. His voice sounded calm and gentle, but I felt something strange.
Anna shook her head slowly. "It's okay... it's my fault for not looking ahead," Anna replied.
"Alright, see you. May God protect you," the devoted priest said in a devout tone. We nodded.
"Thank you," we said at the same time.
...
After arriving at the bus stop and waiting for a while, the bus we were waiting for finally came.
Anna and I entered and sat in adjacent seats. The seat near the window was my favorite place to observe the changing scenery.
The bus had been moving for a few minutes. Our destination was the capital city of Gheena. I took my phone from my shoulder bag.
11.53 AM
I stared at the time on my phone; time passed so quickly. Then I opened my messages; as I expected, there were no messages from anyone.
"I'm very grateful to have her by my side." That was the murmur in my heart. I turned to Anna who always fell asleep whenever she rode a bus. That habit still continued even after we graduated from university.
I put my phone back into my bag, then leaned back in my seat and glanced at the scenery that kept changing through the bus window.
...
Thirty minutes passed, Anna and I arrived in the capital city of Gheena.
"Anna, come on," I called while waking Anna up. Anna immediately woke up from her sleep. We got off the bus after paying.
"Forgive me, I get very sleepy when traveling." Anna gently rubbed the corner of her eyes with a tissue.
I only chuckled. "Isn't that normal?" I said in a teasing tone.
"You're not wrong," Anna replied. "Come on," she said while holding my hand; her tone went from sleepy to enthusiastic.
"Let's go," I replied while nodding slowly.
...
We walked toward the cinema where we usually watched movies on holidays.
Inside the cinema lobby.
"Just wait here, I'll buy the tickets and the food," Anna said. But I refused. "Let me buy the tickets," I slowly got up from the chair.
Anna looked at me. "Are you sure?" she asked. I nodded slowly. "Yes, besides it's just lining up for tickets. If you do everything it's tiring, so let's just split the tasks," I persuaded my best friend.
Anna watched me for a moment in silence, then she sighed softly. "Alright, I'll buy the food," she said. "Be careful," she added before walking toward the cinema cafe.
"It's only a few meters ahead," I replied in my heart. I nodded while trying to smile.
After I walked toward the ticket booth, I was a little surprised. "The line is quite long," I thought. I immediately joined the line; my gaze traced what I saw. A family on vacation, a couple, a group of teenagers laughing on the lobby seats waiting for their movie time.
"For some reason, I feel isolated," I thought. A heavy feeling and pressure that came from nowhere. "I don't even dare to look people in the eyes around me," I added in my mind.
Eight minutes passed, I returned to the original place after lining up for a long time. I saw Anna who had also just arrived carrying two cola drinks and popcorn.
"Done?" Anna asked me. I showed the two tickets to Anna. "Of course," I replied while placing my crutch down and sitting on the lobby seat. "I wonder how long I have to keep lying in front of Anna," my eyes glanced at one of my legs that was still wrapped in a cast.
We talked for a few minutes, until the movie we were going to watch started being announced.
"Come on," Anna said while reaching out her hand. "Alright," I reached for Anna's hand and got up from the chair.
As usual Anna helped me walk into the theater. We sat in the seats we had chosen.
CLAK!
The lights went off; the big screen in front began to shine. I looked around. "It's quite crowded," I thought, watching a couple sitting side by side holding hands, and enthusiastic teenagers.
I took my popcorn and ate it. "This... original flavor popcorn..." I didn't really like it, but Anna must have chosen it. "Whatever..." I added in my heart, then my eyes focused on the big screen in front.
The movie had started, and time kept going. Until in one scene of the movie where the protagonist detective was cornered by the enemy and saw his partner's life disappear right in front of his eyes.
He said while holding back tears, "If I could repeat time, I would save you," that was what the protagonist said and left his dead partner behind to protect him—a classic line meant to ease the pain.
"You're wrong," for some reason that was the answer in my mind to deny the detective protagonist's words. "You will suffer more," those words appeared in my head; my fingers clenched instinctively.
"Wrong... this is wrong..." my thoughts kept appearing as the movie continued.
I turned, glancing at Anna who was sobbing. She cried seeing that scene. For some reason I couldn't feel it.
...
Two hours passed until the movie ended. My mind felt like it was being tossed around.
"What do you think about this newest series?" Anna asked, her ruby red eyes staring at me. Her eyes looked slightly swollen from crying.
I stayed silent for a moment, thinking of an answer. "It was a good movie," that was the answer from my lips. "No, it was a bad series," this was the answer from inside my head.
...
We came out of the cinema building. We planned to go to the city park to relax while having a picnic.
The distance between the cinema and the capital park wasn't too far, we could just walk. Almost eleven minutes passed, we arrived at the city park of Gheena's capital.
Anna and I spread the carpet rented from the park, then Anna took out the sandwiches she made.
"Anna..." I called while biting my sandwich. "What is it?" she asked gently while smiling at me.
"What do you think life is like?" That question appeared spontaneously in my head.
"Why are you suddenly asking something like that?" I could already guess Anna's reaction; she was slightly surprised by my question. But in the end she answered, "What is life like, huh?" she repeated my words while thinking. "Life should be enjoyed and lived," she answered, then she continued. "Sorry if my answer is weird... but why are you asking something philosophical like that?" Anna bit her sandwich, looking at me in confusion.
I shook my head, and once again lied to her. "It's nothing," I answered. "I was just asking for fun," I added softly.
We continued our picnic and started talking about various topics, and sometimes talked about events in the past that made me nostalgic.
Suddenly my eyes landed on a little girl sitting alone on a park bench. The girl was crying. "Anna, there's a child crying," I told Anna.
"Where?" Anna asked while looking around. I pointed a few meters ahead. "There," Anna immediately got up without thinking. I followed her.
"Hello? Why are you crying?" Anna asked as she approached the girl. "Mom... where is my mom..." the little girl said. She had short black hair; she wiped the tears that flowed down.
"It looks like she got separated from her mother," I said.
"Come here," Anna reached out her hand to the eight-year-old girl. Anna and I took the initiative to bring her to where we were picnicking; Anna guided the little girl, I followed behind.
When we arrived at our previous spot, Anna asked gently. "What's your name?"
"Mica Cattlyn," Mica answered softly. Anna nodded and patted her hair.
"My name is Anna Bellrose." Anna introduced herself, then turned to me.
"I-I'm Jeanne Weels." I continued this short introduction.
"You got separated from your mother?" Anna asked to make sure.
Mica nodded, then Anna took her folding phone from her bag. "Cattlyn, do you remember your home phone number?" Anna asked, her voice still the same, gentle like a mother.
Mica shook her head. "No..." she answered softly.
"Alright... then wait here with Sister Jeanne. I'll contact the park's lost-and-found staff," Anna glanced at me.
"Sister Jeanne..." I repeated it again in my heart; for some reason it was a little embarrassing.
In response I nodded slowly. "Alright..." I answered while scratching my cheek softly.
Anna slowly left, I looked at the girl named Mica Cattlyn. "S-Sit down..." I invited her.
Mica obeyed and sat beside me; she was still sobbing softly while hugging her knees.
"Don't cry... your mother will definitely come," I tried to calm her. Mica didn't respond to me.
"What should I do..." I rubbed my forehead, then looked toward the picnic box containing sandwiches, then took one of the sandwiches.
"Here," I handed it to Mica while trying to smile.
Slowly Mica lifted her head, turning to me; her expression looked slightly surprised—no, I think she was scared, but soon returned to normal. "O-Okay..." she replied hastily while accepting the sandwich. Finally she responded to me and slowly stopped sobbing.
"For some reason I feel like she's not sad anymore, but scared. Is my smile scary?" I thought, but I didn't care further.
Mica slowly took a bite of the sandwich. "T-This... is delicious," she praised; her voice was soft.
"You're right, Anna made it," I glanced at her briefly, then looked at the sandwich filling. "Do you feel better now?" I asked again while biting my sandwich.
Mica nodded. "Thank you... Miss Jeanne."
"Y-You're welcome..." I answered. For some reason the atmosphere felt awkward.
"I'm sorry about earlier... I was rude because I got scared when Miss Jeanne smiled at me," she said, then added, "It looks like my strict mother's smile..."
"Yeah, you were rude..." I said in my heart while forcing a bitter smile.
"But your hair is very beautiful, Miss Jeanne..." Mica praised me.
I was slightly surprised by her sudden compliment. "Thank you," I answered softly.
"May I touch it?" Mica moved closer to me.
"Of course," I allowed her. Mica slowly stroked my hair; I could see an expression of admiration and satisfaction and happiness on her face.
"I like your white hair, Miss Jeanne... and it's soft and smooth, and beautiful." Mica stroked my long hair. Then she continued. "I want hair like this... but my hair is black."
"Does it have to be white?" I looked at her in confusion. "A woman's hair is a princess's crown. You don't need to complain about your hair color... that's the same as being dissatisfied with your beautiful crown, you know." Without realizing it my hand reached for Mica's hair and patted it.
"Crown?" Mica asked me.
I nodded. "Yes, because hair is something precious for women," I said, then I continued. "No matter what color and what kind of hair a woman has, as long as they take care of it and maintain it, it shows that a woman accepts her crown," I explained to her.
"I understand," I could see Mica nodding and smiling with enthusiasm. "I will take better care of my hair."
"That's good," I smiled at her.
Not long after, I saw Anna coming from afar with a woman around thirty-six years old.
"Jeanne, Mica!" Anna called. Mica turned at Anna's arrival.
"This is Mrs. Helen Cattlyn." Anna introduced the woman to me.
"Mom..." Mica called softly. She lowered her head slightly as if afraid to make eye contact with her mother.
But Helen only stayed silent with a cold expression, then after a moment she said, "Let's go home, Mica," Helen invited her daughter.
Mica nodded slowly, and slowly stood up and approached her mother.
"Thank you, Miss Bellrose and Miss Weels," Helen thanked us briefly.
"You're welcome, Mrs Helen," Anna and I replied, nodding. I watched the mother and child walk away.
"Is Mica okay?" Anna asked me. I was still staring at the girl walking away with her mother. "Yes... maybe," I answered softly.
A few minutes passed as we enjoyed our time, the afternoon sky slowly became cloudy.
Anna looked at the sky. "Just like the weather forecast on TV," then continued, "Let's go home," Anna invited me.
"Let's go," I replied with a smile.
We packed our things, then left the park and took a taxi to the train station.
...
A few minutes passed, we arrived at the train station. We decided to use the train because the rain came faster than expected.
After we bought train tickets, Anna and I stood waiting for our train to arrive.
But suddenly I thought about Anna's words. "Life should be enjoyed and lived..." those words kept disturbing my mind. Without realizing it, my fingers tightly gripped the handle of my crutch.
"Enjoyed... and lived..." I clenched my teeth. "Anna..." I called softly and heavily.
Once again Anna smiled and turned to me. "What's wrong, Jeanne?" she asked, turning toward me and her beautiful ruby red eyes glanced at me.
The announcement from the station speaker sounded faint, as if everything was silent in my ears. I only heard the sound of rain and thunder that appeared and disappeared.
The whistle of our train locomotive sounded. The train came, the train cars passed in front of my view.
"Actually..." my voice seemed to break, but I forced it while closing my eyes. "Actually I can come back from death and repeat time!" I said loudly.
I couldn't feel the sounds around me, everything was silent. Slowly I opened my eyes.
My heart beat fast. I was shocked, scared, and hopeless.
The world seemed to stop.
"What?" that was the first word I said, confused and afraid. My chest felt cold, tight.
The rain stopped in midair, the fast train seemed to stop on its tracks, the lightning showed its shape and its light more clearly.
My legs trembled, but my heart kept pounding as if beyond its limit.
My vision began to distort.
"Why," I asked in confusion, but I knew no one would answer. I glanced at Anna, she was frozen and not moving.
My vision distorted even more. Blood flowed from my nose, and also from the corners of my eyes.
Whispering voices that could tear my head apart kept appearing; various information I did not know and limitless, and flashes of countless events appeared and filled my mind.
BRAKKK!
Time seemed to return to normal. I fell to the floor; blood came out from my ears, eyes, and nose.
At that moment I heard Anna's hysterical scream faintly before my consciousness disappeared completely.
I died again.
...
The morning sunlight swept across the bed until it hit my eyes.
I woke up in shock, my breath ragged. I died again for the second time, and time repeated to before Anna and I went to watch a movie.
My body on the bed stiffened. The pain from a death I didn't understand still lingered; my head felt like it was being stabbed by countless needles.
BRAKK!
I fell off the bed, screaming in pain. It hurt so much. My eyes widened. This was far more painful than being killed by Karl Ryker.
"Painful, painful, painful," I kept saying in my mind. I gripped my head.