Slowly, the world around Riliane had learned to cope without her. I, however, could never understand how anyone could revert back to a world of normalcy when your loved one was snatched away, your world turned upside down. Even now, almost two years after the crash, I still flinch whenever I head over to the Store during my free time for a piece of candy.

Those times simply aren't meant for me alone.

What kind of cruel world was this? What kind of twisted-up, sadistic world was this? Tearing apart love, people who care, and almost killing an innocent little girl who'd done nothing more than enjoy her life! How terrible.

The Accident broke my world straight down the center. Almost immediately afterwards, my grades took a sharp turn for the worse, and I lost interest in anything. How could I care about anything without being scared to bring it in too close only for it to be ripped from me? After Riliane, who I still visited every day, anything taken from me too violently left me crying in my bed, hugging the few scraps of my baby blanket that had been cut up and sobbing like there was no tomorrow. If it happened again, the few things still left within me will be left to die.

Riliane, who I called Rin, looked so peaceful it was like she didn't care about this world anymore. Who wanted to return to this world? Its cruelty was beyond the measure of even the worst tyrants of the world. I wouldn't blame her if she didn't return. Hell, I wouldn't blame her for anything, not even something that really was her fault. She was such a sweet girl, filled with joy and innocence. How anything could go wrong because she was involved is beyond me.

She was pretty much my only hope in this world. Everyone may be focused on grades -- including me, I'm ashamed to admit -- but instead of focusing on Hey, what college you gonna attend in fifteen years? she was happy in the here and now.

My only escape from the torture known as reality.

I entered the room. "Hey, Rin," I say, making sure to keep my voice gentle so as to not disturb her. "I brought you a lily today. I put it in a pretty vase. Orange. Your favorite color."

She doesn't move. I don't expect her to do anything. She's in Lalaland, the place I always want to go but am always denied access. I let her be. I believe that nothing I do is in vain. All this is reinforcing my own love for her, and I believe that she can hear my words. She knows that I am here, comforting her. She knows of the few but heartfelt gifts she's received from me. I know that she can't take care of flowers, can't eat chocolate, but she knows she has them.

"Stay strong, all right?" I ask, my voice still low. "I can only stay a little while longer, but I still wanted to visit you. Still do. I love you. Never doubt, okay? I'll always be here for you. Always."

I pull up a chair and sit down next to her. It contains her innocence, but nothing but her could ever make that face happy again. I don't want to break down and cry, but I still go and let some tears fall. I can't hold them back anymore. "Come back," I plead, feeling very small. "I beg of you. Please come back. I can't stand still being here and enjoying alone what we always did together. I need you. Please. My happiness means nothing to me if you're not there to share it with me."