Warnings:None to Note

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A tear dropped, smudging the shaky writing written in black ink. The message written on the back of an old receipt replayed again and again in your mind. "I won't be back home till next month." Even though there was no name signed at the bottom, you immediately recognised the shaky handwriting as your mother's. The only reminder you had of her was several empty alcohol bottles strewn around the house. Suddenly, the flickering lights in your shared one room apartment switched off, consuming you in darkness. "I should really try to get that fixed..." You shut your eyes tightly, and took a shaky breath. Your sleep deprived brain took control as you unknowingly drowned in the darkness.

Images of your deceased father's kindly face clouded your mind. His wise brown eyes, deep set. The way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. And then, his face covered with blood, unrecognisable as he was carried to the hospital from his beloved Toyota Corolla which you had named Jeff. The car was crushed like a piece of paper.  You jolted awake, only to be  met by the lumpiness of your ancient mattress. It was only a nightmare. Your heart pounded in your chest as you dragged yourself to the bathroom, preparing to face another day of that dreaded institution. High School. But at least you only had one year left of it.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

In the fluorescent artificial white light of the closet-like bathroom, the deep red cuts on your forearm were more pronounced. You shuddered as you quickly glanced at your reflection. Your mother's almond eyes, deep set like your fathers looked back at you. The more you looked, the more similarities you could find. Your father's light caramel skin. Your mother's long, thick, black hair, messed up from tossing and turning, trying to sleep. But that didn't matter to you. All you could see in the mirror was a sickly face clouded in grief.

You looked away with disgust. You couldn't continue living like this anymore. You were alone at home, your mother busy shoving another shot of tequila down her throat at some bar. At school, you were invisible. You didn't want to live in this world anymore, but your grandmother's last words rang in your head, the only thing preventing you from taking your life.

An aching longing spread through you. If only your grandma was with you, then everything would be okay. You fingered the small ruby pendant on the thin gold chain around your neck, remembering your grandmother's final words to you.

"Don't cry, my ruby. You are strong, beautiful and have such a big heart. You are destined for great things." Her frail, withered hand reached for yours. You grasped it tightly, not ready to let go of your beloved grandma just yet. You felt something cold in her palm. She placed it gently in your small hand. "When you feel you've had enough of this world, remember me while holding this. If your will is strong enough, you will be transported to the place on your mind." Sunlight danced off the ruby pendant, making it sparkle. Your tear filled doe eyes met her glassy ones in confusion as she smiled at you for the last time.

You wanted to be with your grandma. That was the only place you wanted to go. You sighed, quickly showering and changing into a black long sleeved t-shirt, hiding the cuts on your arms. An oversized black hoodie, and black sweatpants. The black bucket hat on your head masked your eyes, and your long hair hid your face.

You liked covering yourself up because the more you did, the less people paid attention to you. The more invisible you became. You liked black because it was the colour of loss. The colour of loneliness. The colour of darkness. The colour of mourning. The colour that represented you.

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