Seriously... how difficult is it for you to vote after reading something just less than a minute ago?? Please?

"Three more flights of stairs...two more...one," I urged myself to press on. My legs turned numb and my knees threatened to buckle. My heart was pulpitating so hard that I actually thought I might get a heart attack.

I raced up the stairs, hoping that by a stroke of luck, I could arrive in time to stop her before she makes a decision that she might regret.

Alice had always been a bright and cheerful girl, but that all ended after the divorce. Her parent's divorce. Everything went downhill from there. During Physical Education in our school, I could faintly see the cuts and bruises that she had inflicted on herself which she attempted to hide with her shorts. Alice was not Alice anymore. She had become quiet and mysterious and her face was drained of colour and life.

I was skipping to my house after shopping when I received a message from Alice, "Goodbye Ella, I'm sorry. I cannot hold on any longer. Thank you for being my best friend," my breathing paused for a moment as I stared at the last three words,"I love you." My face was transfixed with horror, my voice choked with emotions as the puzzle formed in my mind clicked.

Without further a do, I bolted to her apartment and was greeted by a broken elevator that was yet to be repaired. I could not waste anymore time.I had already lost enough. Taking two steps at a time, I dashed up the stairs to the third floor,"Three more flights of stairs, almost there...two more...one," I stood rooted to the ground, right in front of her door, debating on whether I should go in or not. Having second thoughts, I recalled the face of my best friend which had darker visibly over the past few weeks. Why could she be lying? Plucking up my courage, I rummaged in between the shoes to find a tiny key that reflected the sunlight into my eyes. I fitted the key in the keyhole and turned. I pushed the door open.

Without a second thought, I ventured into the darkness that awaited me.

Sunlight filled the whole room when I stepped into the new territory, only to be engulfed in total darkness once again as I shut the door behind me. A vague sound of sobbing instantly captured my attention and beckoned me to investigate further. As I rounded the corner of her room, I saw her.

Alice stood on a wooden and dilapidated chair, just tall enough for her head to reach the noose. The rope was already around her neck, just anticipating her feet to lose her ground. Her dark - brown orbs have lost their usual glint.

"No! Don't do this! I can help you..." I pleaded mercilessly,my eyes beginning to tear up. I saw a vibrant glimmer flash in her eyes but was immediately replaced by a deadpan expression. I had to think twice because my eyes could have easily fooled me. Nevertheless, I knew I saw it. The real Alice.

"Goodbye Ella. I just hope that you'll be stronger than me. I'll... " Her voice hitched for a moment as she struggled to find the right words," see you again?" I noticed the obvious difference in the statement. It had always been our ritual to say those five words ' I will see you tomorrow'. She had changed the words to fit the situation. I stifled a cry and sniffed,realising that this would be our last time saying our ritual. I stared at her, begging me to go on.

"I'll see you again,"

Alice smiled weakly,contented. I waited for her to finally kick the chair, letting the rope to perform it's job.

Instead she did not.

She was slowly regaining her strength, I could see it more clearly now. The real Alice. I let a grin take over my face, elated that she would stay here in this world. Unfortunately, I celebrated too early.

As she was pulling the noose over her head, the chair gave way. Alice tried to use her hands to prevent the rope from choking her but to no avail. Her eyes widen as she felt the air in her body running out, her arms flailing wildly just struggling to find a surface to cling onto. It was only when she started screaming my name did I decide to take action. Grabbing her legs, I pulled her down. However, in the midst of the chaos, my common sense was thrown out the window. My attempt only seemed to make matters worst. I released my grasp from her and scrutinized the room for a steady platform to stand on. I spotted a table that looked sturdy enough to handle her weight and pushed it to where she was.

Everything went quiet.

An eery silence surrounded and filled my ears as I willed to hear her struggling.

Nothing.

I stared at Alice. Her body was limp and her pale skin was as white as a sheet. Her head tilted to the side with just the rope to support her weight. I could have helped her. She could still be alive if I had racked my brain for a perfect solution and used my common sense. Instead she was gone.

I was all alone.