Shinae Tadano stood in front of the mirror to examine her bruises.

Her exhausted and desperate face stared back at her.

She touched her bruised cheek.

"Ouch. Damn... Mother really put herself into it."

She rubbed the wound for a few seconds.

"Now... where were I?", she said as she picked up the knife and pressed it against her neck.

She felt strangely calm for such a moment. One moment and it's over.

As she pressed harder, she felt her skin finally surrendering under the blade and its cold surface slid smoothly yet slowly into her flesh. She felt pain lurking uncomfortably from the area. Thick blood oozed out from the wound and ran down her chest, tainting her white T-shirt.

Wait. Why am I doing this shit? I plan to just die off already? I coward before a discouraging situation? I choose dying off instead of avenging my brother? Well that decided it. Wow, and I thought I'm a strong character. Common, get your wits back together, Shin. I haven't revenged yet. Haven't I said that is my life mission? Giving up means giving up Aniki. Aniki...

A pang of tangy heat rose up in her nostrils.

She looked down, as a flood of Aniki's memories inundated her with nostalgia.

Aniki... I miss you so bad, dear lord. I will take revenge for you, Aniki! Please... rest in peace... I'll be with you soon...

She choked and wheeze a little. Still she could not shed a single tear.

It wouldn't be so bad... If only I could cry for him... Will you understand, Aniki? You'll understand, won't you...

She sighed and pulled the blade away from the wound. Blood has been trudging down her chest and the collar of her favourite shirt was deep red. She took it off and reached for the only clean tower left in the filthy bathroom and tied her wound up, slightly moaning in pain whenever she moved.

When she was properly dressed again she looked at herself in the mirror.

Well, if you aren't coming back, might as well get the haircut that you've delayed for so long. Thought Shin as she ran her long fingers through her long silky hair.

The knife blade seared buttery smooth through her strand and locks of unevenly snipped hair piled onto the ground.

A few cuts here and there.

"Wow, what a horrible decision."

Shinae said as she stared at her reflection, and then shrugged helplessly.

"Oh well, I've always wanted to be a boy anyways."

"B_tch, wtf you doing in there! Hurry up!! They might kill my precious baby any moment! The poor, poor boy... He must be so scared...! GET YOUR FVCKING ASS UP DUMB SHIT!!", "Mother" screeched as she banged on the door.

"Yes, mother... I'm... I'm just trying to fix up a bit...", she said as her left hand trembly try to straighten her newly shredded hair and the other fumbled to unbolt the door.

*Thud* went the backpack of cash against her face. She staggered back a few steps to stable herself while her hands held onto the heavy backpack.

The knife fell on to the floor.

Mother was standing at the door with a "disgusted as fvck" face on. Her usually pretty face and carefully applied make up was now smeared because of crying, but it is still wreathed with sarcasm.

"There is no need to do THAT, brainless wh_re", Mother smirked coldly, "You're still as fvcking nauseating as every day.", her smile disappeared. 

"So how about you stop attempting to change it and go save my child before the time is up!"

Shinae picked up the knife from the floor.

"I'm... your child, too..."

She whispered under her breath as she tumbled the knife into the sink.

Mother only looked at her slowly standing up, not saying a word.

"I'm going right now, Mother.", Shinae timidly said as she walked past her cold face, trying to avoid her stare.

She walked straight to the doors, put on her best slippers over her white socks and opened the door.

"Hey.", came Mother's voice be hind her.

She turned back, surprised. Rising hope flickered in her eyes.

"Don't you dare turn back without him, and I'll kill you if he has a scratch on him.", Mother said, calmly and chillingly, "I'd know if you hit him. The kidnappers have already promised that they would not touch him if we doubled the ransom money, and we did, so they'd better keep their promise."

The flicker went out, dead and dull.

"Of course, Mother." was the last thing she said as the door closed behind her.