S C A R L E T

Logan dropped me home and left angrily. I know he is silently cursing me. In his head, I'm sure, he is planning many brutal ways of murdering me for stealing his time with his girlfriend but I needed his help. I went completely blind when that stupid idiot named Ayo blabbered nonsense about me and him dating so I had no other option than to boss him around, which was the only way I could get home with no one noticing.

When I got home, I decided to call the only person that knows about my condition, my cousin Brandon. He is twenty six and married to a woman I don't really like, I think her name is Tara or Mara or... I don't care. I had my AI phone named Alex call him.

"Alex, call Brandon." I demanded.

"Request confirmed."  The robotic voice of the AI answered and dialed my cousin.

"Hey Scar." His voice came in through the phone which I demanded to be on loudspeaker.

"Brandon..."

"...what's wrong with your voice?! Are you hurt?" I rolled my eyes at the drama queen even if he could not see me. I learnt how to do that from him.

"It's my eyes again." I informed.

"Oh, are you okay? Can you wait for like an hour or two?" He asked.

"Yes, I'll be fine. Please come quick."

"Oh, you said please. Is it that bad?"

"I am completely blind." Maybe if I didn't say that, I wouldn't have to worry about my cousin leaving his annoying pregnant wife alone on earth but I did and now I'm worrying. After an hour and some forty seven minutes of waiting, I know cause I asked Bloodrich for the time like every minute, he finally arrived.

"Scar, I am so sorry. I had work and I had to take Tara to the clinic for antenatal care..." One main reason I hate Tara is because she talks a lot and it has rubbed off my cousin who is usually very quiet.

"Hn." I answered.

"Okay uhm, I will help you to pack your bags because you are coming to Beastopia with me then I'll call Asa..."

"No!" I interjected with my voice being louder than I meant it to be. I don't know if he was startled by my outburst but if his silence was any indication, I'll say he was. I quietly explained why I didn't want to tell Asa and besides, she finally got a boyfriend and I don't want to spoil anything between them.

Brandon sighed. "Fine but I am calling Mayorkun since he is your principal." He firmly stated and I agreed. It was not like I had a choice anyway.

"Yes Mayorkun...yeah it's been a long time...it's about Scarlet... She would be absent...no she didn't get into a street fight or did she?"

I guess he is flashing a suspicious glare at me because of the dark aura I'm feeling.

"Sure...no... I'll keep an eye on her...Tara and the baby's fine, you still single?...>ha ha ha<...yes we'll catch up sometime."

He ended the call and went upstairs to pack my bag while I felt around for my headphone. It was a long ride to Beastopia considering the fact that I couldn't see the road but we finally made it to his bungalow. I was greeted by my over cheerful and talkative cousin-in-law and we talked, if you consider answering with one worded answers talking, Brandon led me around to memorize the layout, we ate dinner and went to bed.

I did not sleep though, I just watched my imaginary moon and thought of my sister. Somewhere along the memory lane, I ended up thinking about Logan and his sunny smile. I am no reader of persons but his smiles are fake and seems to be covering up some sadness. I only saw a genuine smile once or twice when he was with Shelia or Ayo, and it was the brightest thing I ever set my eyes upon. If he is sad, why is he smiling?

"Alex." I called out to my AI and it answered. "Play me Polaris." I ordered and pretty soon, I heard the music jingle. This song soothes me and raises my dead spirits, which is why I love it. It also reminds me of my sis and brings back memories in a cool way and not nightmares.

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I could see a little bit so I went to the kitchen where Brandon was cooking since Tara was almost due.

"Morning Scar." He chirped and I nodded. I wonder how Logan voice entered my head but it did and said and I quote 'Rebrum, it wouldn't hurt to say good morning now, would it?'
When I tried to shove it back to where it came, it popped back up like an ad and taunted me until I replied with a word and not a nod. Damn you, Sunny.

Brandon drops a spoon when I replied him with a good morning, yeah I am pretty shocked myself. He cleared a nonexistent bile from his throat to overcome his shock and spoke up.

"We would be visiting lady Suree tomorrow." Lady Suree is the mayor of Beastopia and she is conveniently a doctor. I know her through Mayorkun since he is a mayor candidate of Beastville where I come from... I didn't mention that earlier.

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I lied on a hospital bed with a material wrapped around my eyes. I had taken a test and lady Suree asked me a lot of questions which were annoying but I answered anyway. I heard the door open and close and I figured it was Brandon due to his voice.

B R A N D O N

Lady Suree called me into her office, most likely to discuss about Scarlet's test. I knocked and went in after a muffled 'come in' was heard.

"Brandon." She acknowledged. "Have a seat." I did that exactly.

"About Scarlet..." I trailed off.

"Are you sure it is only her eyes that disturbs her?" I was confused by her question so I expressed my feelings. "I asked some questions to which she replied vaguely. She doesn't know what she ate this morning."

I frowned hard at that, what gives?

"I know, I was confused too so I tested her by giving her salt water to drink as though I were giving her some ordinary water. She gulped it down without making a face or pointing it out. I also put smelling salt in her room and she did not observe it."

"What are you implying?" I had a good guess what she was implying but I wanted to be wrong.

"Not only can she not see, she can not smell or taste either." She stated the facts clearly. "I suspect it is a side effect of insomnia if her eye bags are any indication."

Insomnia? She has insomnia? For how long?

"And blood tests show traces of narcotics in sleeping pills but it seems they didn't work. Meds won't help her now, therapy would."

"So you're saying that the problem is psychological?" I asked.

"Yes. It should be because of her trauma or her medical condition." Lady Suree said.

"The symptoms drastically increased these past years but she showed signs of change yesterday like how she greeted me a good morning which she normally won't do." I explained.

Lady Suree seemed to be in deep thought for a while and then she finally spoke up.

"What she needs is a therapist, Brandon. I think you should find out who made her greet and make her spend more time with the person but a professional help is most recommended."

I went to my cousin's room to speak with her. She must've been hiding the insomnia for quite some time now for it to develop into that. "Scarlet." I called out to alert her of my presence. I went nearer to her and held her hands while taking my seat on her bed. "When last did you sleep?" I asked softly.

"Some months ago, if you consider nightmares and thrashing around sleep, that is." She bluntly and sarcastically answered my question.

" Scarlet ." My voice was stern to show how serious I was. She sighed, something she does a lot, and answered truthfully.

"Since Benshima's death." My mouth fell open and all words got trapped at my throat. That was eight years ago, how is she still alive?! She's a walking corpse! I shook the shock (no pun intended) out of my head. "You need therapy, you'll die this way!" I practically yelled.

"I've been waiting, for death. No one wants me anyway so it's good riddance." She emotionlessly said. Oh my faithful God, she wishes for death!

"What are you saying?! Wanna try dying for once?!" I yelled. I couldn't control my emotions anymore.

"Want to know how it feels like to be me? To live everyday on the edge and not have any one to relate to?! To have a father who treasures his image and company than his own?! To lay awake every night because stupid memories haunt you?!"

I noticed her hand tapping the bed rapidly, the symptoms are kicking in.

"DO YOU BRANDON, DO YOU?! I WANT DEATH BUT IT ISN'T COMING BRANDON!!!" She screamed and started gripping the sheets, preparing to rip them when I gave her a hug.

"Scar, you're gonna be okay." I said in a hushed voice. I would call Asa and ask about the person responsible for Scarlet's changes, I hope she knows who it is.

"Don't worry Scar, you'll be fine."

***

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-★Star.