OBSESSION

::prologue::

Who Is She - I, Monster
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The wind blew between the strands of your dark brown hair as you tucked a lock of it behind your ear, smiling at the screen of your phone. I watched you closely, keeping my breath steady and stable so that I remained unseen by you.

I slowly blinked at you, taking the time to register the features that had nearly erased themselves from my consciousness: your pale, almost translucent skin that welcomed soft wrinkles as time smoothly passed, your lavender-tinted undereyes, and your eyes- Those brown eyes that engulfed me in insanity and despair, your eyes. My heart thumped against my ribcage as I battled with my emotions.

In uncertainty, I drowned. Was I supposed to remain there, cowered behind the wall of the arcade or was I supposed to act as if you never made yourself seen by me? I was torn but then, you made the choice for me and walked away from the rusting fountain, making your way to the other door of the arcade.

I remained there, a mixture of dizziness, discomfort, pain and sorrow churning in my gut. Why were you here? You were supposed to be 9 200 kilometres away from me. Fourteen hours and sixteen minutes had to remain between our souls, yet you were here, almost 7 metres away from me, smiling, happy as my heart ached, burned, screamed at your absence.

Eyes itching as tears formed, I walked pass the fountain and followed you through the other door. I stepped carefully so that the keychains of my bag would not jiggle and alert you of my presence but you advanced quickly into the red corridors and took the stairs that would led to the first floor of the building. I can't take the stairs; you would have heard me creeping behind you.

So I took my bag off my shoulders and placed it behind a porcelain flower pot and followed you up the stairs, keeping a safe distance so I would remain invisible, invincible. As you reached the top step, you abruptly stopped and sighed. I stumbled, about twenty stairs away from you before swiftly turning my body to the ramp, pretending to stare at the souvenir shops' display windows.

I watched you from the corner of my eye as you took a picture of the hallway, of course, on this land, you are a tourist. You walked further away from me. I sighed, in relief and followed you. I walked up the stairs and when I stepped onto the top stair of the staircase, you were nowhere to be found.

I looked around, looking for you but you vanished, or were you actually here?. Was I imagining your presence, or were you present? I sighed, shaking my head as I walked into the hallway. That was stupid, and indeed it was, why would you even be here? What it was, it was impulsive, deranged of me to mindlessly follow your ghost.

Disappointed, I took out my phone from my pocket and checked the clock, 9 : 35. The bookstore must have been open for five minutes, so I hurried to the doors of the shop that was found at the end of the corridor. I peeked through the glass doors, noticing that the shop lacked of customers, it was empty and the sign at the door indicated "closed".

I pushed the door knob and entered the shop, calling out, "Marianne?" as I looked around, searching for the copper-haired woman. I walked over to the counter, only to be greeted by the unpleasant scent of a steaming cup of ginger and lemon tea, fucking hell.

"You're late" a grave voice uttered making me flinch in surprise. I turned around only to meet Marianne's wide hazel ords staring into mine. I exhaled, with a hand resting on my thumping chest, "Why did you even do that?" I questioned with a frown on my face as Marianne straighten her back, fixing the few strands of hair that formed her fringe.

"The shop has to open, why did you take so long?", because I was being whimsical, following around a mirage, hasn't that ever happened to you? I scratched the back of my head as she crossed her pale arms, "Where even is your bag?", she asked, shit. I had forgotten about my bag behind the porcelain pot. I shut my eyes in annoyance, "Behind the flower pot, the one near the staircase". She tilted her head, confused.

Marianne had a frown on her face as she raised up one of her eyebrows, I exhaled before continuing, "I'll go get it-", I was cut off by her veiny hand, stopping me from moving forward. "I'll get your bag, you stay here." said Marianne before turning around and walking towards the door, her green floral dress flowing by her sides as her ponytail bounced with each step she took.

I was left alone in the library, with my bruised self. I rested my elbows on the counter, my head in my hands. Fucking christ, that was fucking stupid. Why would you even be here? Why was I even expecting you to be here? You were supposed to stay behind, in the past but here I am, following what I thought was you around. I hit the counter, enraged. Get. Out. Of. My-

"Excuse me?", a voice uttered. I turned around and felt my gut falling out of my stomach, onto my feet. You.

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