Kaylen

In the darkness, time is immeasurable. Hours, days, and weeks are all but a blur. They're simply merged together while they wait until January 1st, the date when they gain the peace they so desperately crave. It'll be an eternal sleep where not even this dark hole will have a hold on them but just nothingness.

"Hey, Kaleigh, Kaylen. It's me again."

Chantel. It's not her first time coming to visit, as she's done so alongside Tiara and Jun-Seo. The person she enjoys hearing above them all is the one who brings the most pain to her. I was hoping to hear Dad talk to us again... His sorrowful pleas to return to him always make her heart bleed, no different than their wrists when putting themselves in this position. Nevertheless, getting these deep one-sided conversations with her parent is more than she's received from him in months now.

"You know, Tiara and you two were the perfect trio. I never saw my sister have as close of a bond with any other friends she invited over. I enjoyed your company myself, and you were like additional siblings in my eyes."

"That's rich considering what you did," Kaleigh grumbles, her head facing down towards her lap. This talk is starting off a little different than her previous trips. Usually, Chantel would urge them to wake up, reminding them of the future they're giving up, not focusing on the past.

"Though as you both experienced firsthand, my cowardice rules over morality. It was wrong to leave you two behind at the fairgrounds. The shame is doubled knowing that Kaylen had been injured, and a gunshot wound can be fatal if not properly treated."

The sensation of the bullet piercing through her flesh, and the fear of another would hit her or her sister is something that can't be forgotten. Just as this scar her hand brushes across on her leg, it's permanently sunk into her mind.

"I'll flat out admit that I was too pathetic to be back then. That I was selfish, scared, and that I-I'm sorry."

The crack in her voice doesn't go unnoticed despite not being able to see her expression. Is it out of dramatic effect, shame, or a fear that her words will reach them?

"I can't imagine the betrayal I'd feel if the roles were reversed; if I was left to die by a person I admired. Well, I'm sure that's past tense now, but I'm not who I was before. The dream state made me face my inner demons, and I refuse to run away anymore."

Kaylen's head lifts upwards to gaze at the dark expanse, realizing how deeply she's listening to the woman's speech.

"Don't be who I used to be. The hardships you're going through are difficult but temporary. If you hide away until New Year's Day, there is no re-entering the race. I know you're fearful and weary, but your mother would never want either of you to throw in the towel."

The younger twin swallows thickly as Chantel's voice is no longer heard. She said her piece and has taken her leave, her earnest apology still lingering in her ears. The once cowardly female might've been the cursed individual they have the least grudge against—minus a certain exception—but it still feels good to finally receive one from her.

Just as she believes their Dad will chat next, another visitor softly clears his throat.

"Kaylen..."

She feels her sister's eyes on her as Jun-Seo verbalizes her name, and her heart flutters for different reasons than back in the old days.

"I-I know you kind of heard my apology in the dream state; regardless, I want to do so again to you like this! My mother, I was aware of how awful—how racist she was to you. Yet, I played oblivious out of fear of losing her, and that caused me to lose you instead. After I spewed those cruel insults to you that day, I thought you'd never forgive me. So, I failed to ever apologize and wallowed in guilt and pity over breaking ties with my closest friend..."

Kaylen bites her bottom lip to prevent it from quivering, all of those emotions resurfacing. I yearned for him to just say a simple 'I'm sorry' and we could go back to how things were... But it never happened. Even after her mother got sicker, Jun-Seo forever kept his distance.

Maybe he's struggling to keep his emotions at bay as well, quiet sniffles able to be picked up from the boy at her bedside.

"I'm sorry," he whispers. "Y-You and Kaleigh must've felt so alone. The two of you already had a falling out with Tiara, and I-I turned my back on you too. I know it's late but I'm here now, and I won't allow anything or anyone to stand in the way of our friendship moving forward."

It's as if she can feel the warmth of his hand gently squeezing her own, the girl's misty vision directed at her balled fist.

"So please, don't let the darkness drown you but try your best to fight against the storm."

A tear threatens to escape with Kaylen releasing a shaky breath. His second apology has hit harder than the first as her once numb limbs start to gain a little feeling. Though she can't say the same for her sibling, who only frowns at Jun-Seo's piece, numbing something she can't make out.

"Greetings. It's Pravati, your dad's coworker, but I'm sure you need no reminder of that."

In chronological order of the dream states, the third nightmare sufferer is ready to admit her wrongdoing.

"Although this must've affected you both, my apology is solely for the older one."

Kaylen glances at her sister, who doesn't acknowledge the sentence. She remains glued in place, not seeming to give the cursed group any possibility for redemption.

"I can vividly recall the sorrowfulness in your eyes when Gregory stressed his disappointment in you. A mutual expression I often wore when my father belittled me growing up. The fault in his ruined image of you was mine because I desired to earn respect in my father's eyes. Undoubtedly, the promotion would've gone to him—who truly deserved it—if I hadn't painted his daughter in a bad light."

The ginger only huffs while Pravati explains what was revealed during her dream state. Social media is something she never messed much with, but she always believed in her other half. Additionally, their Dad failing to get the promotion gave him an excuse to spend the majority of his time at the office; this conveniently aligning when their mother was in the hospital that went beyond covering medical bills.

"The matter I dirtied my hands to excel in my career is revolting. It may be too late to change the past, but not to say how sorry I am. Your father has now been neglecting his job to spend every day in this stuffy room, crying over you."

It's a fact they already know, but when spoken, it causes her chest to hurt.

"You're both so young," she continues, her voice motherly as if it's her child to whom she's speaking. "I can simply plead that you don't bring your father anymore grief, and you girls won't have your lives erased when it's just truly beginning."

The older woman must be done with a period of silence. If they're all going to apologize, then... The latter portion of the cursed six is still to speak. Goosebumps form on her arms, though she knows it's impossible for the blonde to harm her in this location.

"I don't exactly know where to start this..."

Sure enough, it's Rebekah and this is someone even she isn't really interested in hearing.

"Well, I guess I can throw it out there that I won't be repeating my sob story. It's no excuse for the crap I put you both through."

That much is true. Kaylen did learn burdens she was clueless about their main bully was harboring when she shared with Dionte. The slightest hint of sympathy might've sparked, but not so strongly as to get up and forgive her.

"I-I brought your necklace. The heart-shaped piece your mom gave you that I stole."

It's as if she can feel a sudden coolness in her palm. Perhaps she hasn't discarded it after all.

"It made me jealous that you both have a keepsake to share with your mother. I bet it was more valuable than the rest of your stuff I swiped..." She's taken so much over the months that I lost count. "It's impossible to return everything, but I guarantee you I'll get those rollerblades back from Naomi. Then you two can go to the skate park when the cherry blossoms fall. You will be here next spring because you can't meet your end in a dang hospital bed."

A deep sigh escapes her; it's hard to tell who the frustration belongs to: them or herself.

"This probably means little and I'm one of the worst of the bunch, but I'm sorry for making your lives a living nightmare. I am."

It's a serious tone in her vocal cords lacking the childishness she forever displayed while tormenting them. Though her other half is still tortured by the past with the fury in her green irises.

"You can give me a beating or a tongue-lashing when you wake up. Whatever will satisfy your resentment towards me, but don't let me get off scot-free by choosing what seems easiest."

Kaylen's thoughts are mixed when Rebekah finishes her offer. Did the curse actually bring about a genuine change in one of their biggest enemies? A life relieved of bullying would be a precious gift; however, that's just half of why their hearts gave up on the waking world.

"Nobody wants to listen to an old man babble; therefore, I'll keep this short."

Her blood runs cold when the Luis's turn comes, and she wouldn't be surprised if the heart monitor is going crazy at his presence. Her mouth curves downward as Kaleigh covers her ears, though it'll do little to block him out in this darken space.

"I made a promise to myself to admit my wrongs, and that's what I intend to do right now... I never hated your mother. Yes, you'll find that hard to believe, but what weighed on me was my son being taken at the prime of his life. I let my grief be channelled into anger in order to press on. That vengeance was unleashed on your family, and for that, I am sorry."

His apology can't rewind time. It's not like their mother would rise from the grave and wrap them in her tender embrace. It's empty words to ease his guilt when in reality, he probably would be pleased if they joined her.

"You're a hypocrite." Kaleigh's emerald eyes glare up at the endless dark expanse. Perhaps hateful enough to be felt even with her eyelids being closed from their curse-induced coma. "You never forgave Dad for what he did to your son, and we're expected to just forgive and forget since Mom is dead."

"I don't expect either of your forgiveness."

The sisters exchange looks at his direct response, the old man reading their thoughts.

"I hadn't accepted that from Gregory, and Selena paid the price for my twenty years of mourning. It was no guarantee she would've survived, but I made sure that probability was about none. As satisfying as it would be to forever punish me, do you aim to break the promise to your mother?"

Kaylen blinks at this, her previous anger replaced with confusion. "A promise to Mom?"

"Now, Daniel's death happened unexpectedly, so my wife and I weren't prepared for it. Nevertheless, in your mother's case, she was well aware her life was near expiration," he explains, a hint of softness in his dry tone. "Selena must've done her best to comfort you two, so she'd be at peace on her deathbed that you wouldn't follow after. If the curse brings upon your demise, then you're selfishly breaking that promise because she's unable to see the fulfillment."

Her body trembles all the more, despite being unaffected by the cold. I-I wasn't lying to her... She wasn't planning to take such drastic measures, but everything fell apart once her corpse went underground. I couldn't delude myself that Mom would magically get better.

Luis' voice sounds farther away or maybe it's her mind playing tricks on her. "Ponder on that with the limited time you both have."

Mr. Gonzalez and they might be similar in a singular aspect. He has been going through the motions for two decades, and they aim to cut their lives short on New Year's Day. The result is mourning being the victor for both, with her heart holding a greater confliction than before.

"It's my opportunity to talk with my siblings."

Dionte, their older brother, is the final person to give his input.

"I guess I don't have anything to—No, actually. I can say sorry for how I acted during my nightmare. I ought to have just been grateful you two didn't hold animosity against me. My outburst was a contribution to Selena's absence, but she was guided to the light because of it. And I pray you two can do the same."

A shaky exhale he releases, and she can feel a lump forming in her closing throat.

"What terrifies me isn't the curse sealed to be permanent, but me getting robbed of the chance to get to know my sisters..." A small chuckle from him isn't missed, finding some humor in the dire situation. "Heh, I can't say how badly I secretly wished for a sibling growing up. But the couple I was adopted by was only just getting their church off the ground. They lacked the financial means to provide for another child. I blotted you from my memory for a span, and that turned out to become my biggest regret."

The second-born quickly rubs at her eyes to try and prevent tears from staining her cheeks. It might correlate with her actual body, but the bottled-up emotions are close to overflowing.

"Your Dad nor anybody else will hold against you casting this curse. The only thing that's important is your well-being. Please, I'm begging you to open your hearts and come back to us."

When first casting the curse with her sister, she allowed precious memories to sweep her away to a never-ending dream. A method to be at peace upon losing consciousness, but her heart is currently restless.

There are a lot of things I'll be giving up if I fall into an inescapable slumber two days from today... Funny moments with her Dad poorly proving he still knows new school math. A fresh start with Tiara and Jun-Seo. Reuniting with her older brother face-to-face. Watching the sun set while swimming in the calm waters. Very little elements that make life worth living, but do these outweigh the misery that put her there to begin with?

To answer the question, her mind drifts back to gentle reassurance from her mother...

It was a beautiful evening as the mother and daughter pair walked into the busy pastry shop. She loved to dine there and relax, though that marked the first time her company was a parent. Yesterday, her mother went to get manicures with Kaleigh, and this is what she chose for their individual bonding activity.

"The sweets here look good and are affordable. Two for the price of one. I can see why you like this place."

Kaylen giggled while her mother savored a bite of her macaroon. "Yeah, Jun took me not long after it opened and I stop by regularly ever since."

"Oh, is this Jun a boy or a girl?" she interrogated with wiggly eyebrows, and Kaylen nearly choked on her tea.

"Mom!"

She could feel her cheeks grow warm, but it suddenly vanished when she recalled their messy break-up.

"Jun-Seo is a boy who's my ex-friend. He cut ties with me a while back..." Her hazel eyes stared at her reflection in the liquid, which reminded her of something else she missed. "I used to have and keep track of how often I visited, but counting my calories doesn't matter anymore since I quit swimming."

Her mother frowned and gave a gentle rub of her arm. She was the main source of comfort when she explained through sobs what happened at tryouts.

"You shouldn't allow that humiliation to hinder you from accomplishing your goals. Freshman year can be a new beginning to join the swim team, but what's more frightening is passion drowned prior to receiving your cap and gown."

It was quiet for a minute with her mother's advice resonating in her chest to discuss a topic that was difficult to even mention.

"Are you afraid of your...condition?"

She sidestepped what she outright intended to say, though it seemed the message got across to the frail woman. Her weight had dropped significantly with her lack of appetite, not a surprise if she failed to consume the tiny dessert on her plate.

"No."

The one-word response was direct with no hint of lying just to ease her daughter's worries.

"My old self probably would've felt numb. I'm unsure if I would've cared at all. The past two years have brought me so much joy, so you'd think I would be terrified of my time to go." Her fingers brushed against the cross around her neck, and there was hardly a day she went without wearing it. "But being saved, I understand this isn't the end; it's only the beginning. The destination I'll soon reach will be without the suffering this world brings."

The soft sunlight beamed through the nearby window on her pleasant face, as if the heavens were giving a sign that her future arrival was welcomed.

"I was fearful of going about my new beliefs the wrong way—to overwhelm you like my parents did me to this unattainable level of perfection. One they demanded yet couldn't uphold only human themselves. But I have been praying that you, your sister, and your dad will all come to find Him at your own time; regardless of if I'm around to witness it."

The idea of the existence of a higher power had piqued her interest, but she could never work up the courage to attend a church service with her.

"I'm still on the fence about it, but if there truly is a God, then I'm glad he brought you home."

"I am too, Sweetheart. My parting wish is simple: For you to pull through as you did when I left back then." The woman pulled an envelope out of her purse she clutched with a wavery smile. "And to connect with your brother so you could be a family together."

"Is that the letter you wrote to Dionte?"

"Yes, I just finished it last night. Your Dad will deliver it to him the day I breathe my last."

A blush surfaced at the ruffle of her afro hair with a tender grin tugging on her mother's lips. It reminded her of the rare but priceless acts of affection she showed when she was only a toddler.

"I feel so blessed to have been welcomed into your lives and become a parental figure you can confide in. I hope when I'm gone you can appreciate our outings like these after your period of mourning."

Kaylen gave a firm nod despite the heaviness in her heart. "Okay, I will."

She did make a promise to her at that pastry shop, yet it was but forgotten as negative emotions swallowed her whole. A small dose of hope kindled that had been absent all month long; the younger twin attempts something she hasn't done before. If there is a proper time for me to come to Him, this is the moment I desperately need guidance... A path to reverse her mistake, considering it's not already too late.

God, if you're listening, I ask to be awakened from my coma sleep. I cast this curse with Kaleigh at our lowest, but having all of this time to think, I can't have my life cut short. Mom is still dead, but she had joy that where she was going would be better than what was left behind. I desire a peaceful sleep like she must be experiencing from natural causes. Not because I weakly went back on my word, s-so please grant me the strength to pull through.

She's unsure if her babbling can be called a true prayer or if there is a correct manner to do this, but she spoke from within. And no sooner do her eyes slowly open than they squint at what has suddenly appeared. It's not her Dad with her lying in a hospital bed, but rather a faint light glowing in the distance. What is that?... The powerful shine illuminates a path through the darkness; her body takes a stand as if drawn to it. Kaylen doesn't move a single step when a shaky grip keeps her rooted with only one culprit.

"W-Where are you going?" Kaleigh weakly demands, the younger twin entranced by the route to salvation.

"Don't you see it?! God is giving us a path to leave this darkened solitude. We owe it to Mom and ourselves to give life a second chance."

"Mom isn't here and there isn't anything there. You're just hallucinating because of how long we've been like this."

"B-But..." Kaylen's gaze remains locked on the light, and the heat on her once cool skin is no delusion. "You're really blind to it?"

This causes Kaleigh's trembles to worsen, and maybe she is coming to believe that they're seeing different realities.

"So, you aren't dependent on me anymore then..."

"W-What?"

It's said at such a whisper, her ears fail to register it in this deafening silence. In the next instance, the ginger releases her hand, curling tighter into a fetal position.

"Just leave," she orders, her voice colder than the darkness surrounding them. "I have no intention of waking up."

There's a fraction of hesitance. They always have preceded as a unit to where it's a challenge to form decisions without her other half's approval. It won't do either of us any good with me staying put. For an outcome of both of their survival to come next year, she must separate from her a little bit.

"I pray He reveals the light to you too, and I'm not leaving the hospital until you do."

Kaylen deeply inhales, mustering the courage to turn her back towards her sister and focus on the light source. Step by step it grows stronger and brighter, producing a powerful loving warmth she's never felt before. Did Mom have a similar encounter with finding God for the first time? When she reaches the center, her wandering soul is revived in the hospital room.

A/N This chapter was a little longer than planned, but this is the first of the special P.O.V I'll be updating again soon.