I shake my head, knowing Lucinda's personality. I personally debate if I should Skype her or something or simply forget it and join Kawaii~Chan at this random party three towns over. I decline the idea as I remember my car is currently being worked on.

I wonder if anyone else is home and remember that Michi is visiting Meteli and Lily is out buying groceries.

I twiddle my hair between my fingers, as I begin writing a post evaluation Science essay about the Effects of Benzodiazepines on Brain Activity, something I quite enjoy since it correlates with my dream job of being (hopefully) a physiatrist focusing on depression and anxiety.

I fill out the paper as I have looming thoughts of Lucinda and how she is truly feeling in the situation. I finish a sentence, grab my phone, and begin typing away.

~

New Chat To: Lucy_The_Witch 

Lucy, I'm video chatting you. I have your number and I can tell
you need help.

~
I press send as I scroll carefully through my contacts, finding the one for Lucinda with a witch hat emoticon. I press the video button, adjusting my glasses in the process.

I glance up to see Lucinda but with a drape of darkness, fatigue and sickness caked onto her face. I feel her staring back at me as I attempt not to look, yet it is evident that she can tell I noticed her change in appearance.

"D-Damn." I say, examining her black sweater. Sweat drips down her forehead as she allows to to flow, not bothering to wipe it away. It makes me internally cringe, but I ignore it.

She briefly looks down, as if to shade her face from mine. I cough to clear the silence, finding my voice. "Lucy... You can look at me."

She subtly looks up, almost avoiding eye contact. The tears that she was trying to hide are easily seen in the light, reflecting off her face. She looks to the side as her eyes widen.

"Sorry you had to see me like this..." She sniffs, biting her baby pink lips. I smile weakly, copying her action.

"Lucy... Are you sure you're okay? You seem more than just depressed and sad..."

"I'm fine. I can take care of myself, Aph." She responds in a whisper. "On top of the small death, my favorite show is making my mind run wild."

I can easily tell her coverup, trying to avoid the fact with another topic. She smiles though, sending the automatic trigger of my own smirk. I remain silent, still worried for her while well being. It especially makes me question one thing in particular- the fluorescent bottles in the background on her dresser.

The special kind held for benzodiazepines. Mainly Xanax. It sends a shiver down my spine as I imagine her with anxiety and taking multiple a day being part of her daily routine. She wouldn't do anything drastic hopefully...

"Lucinda." I finally say after my moment of questioning. "Who exactly... Passed away?"

She turns around slowly, looking at the dresser. I stare into space, wondering about her reaction to my minor question. She seemed to be putting it as if a relative died, a sibling at the most.

"My dad." She finally said, turning slightly around and wiping the flood on her face. I can't help but wonder how close their bond was as I attempt connecting the dots. Father. Lucinda. Anxiety. Accident? Medication...

"I... Have to go Aph." She says, before I could even say a word. "Bigglesworth needs to be fed and I have to pick up some stuff at the pharmacy and get a... checkup. Talk to you later."

She shuts of the video call, as I remain seated, shocked. I wonder how this whole thing came to be as I feel my own tears swell up.

She's all alone in her abandoned home. No one to turn to but herself. Fuck.

I'm guessing my new feelings are how she is dealing with the loss right now. Times ten.

Empty.

Shocked.

Annoyed.

Lost.

I try to call her back, but the phone is unresponsive. I wonder how long the sadness in our world will last.

I just want it to end.
~