Chapter 23: Nageki no Mori

Riba stepped out the back exit to the house. There it was. The entrance to the Forest of Suicide. The gate was open for some reason. Had somebody come through here already? Riba would have thought if someone came through here and lived, it would make international headlines. But that didn't matter now. It was time to save his daughters.

Riba couldn't help but think of the legend behind the forest as he passed through it. It is said that those who get lost here end up killing themselves by way of hanging. They go mad, seeing illusions of their loved ones hanging from trees. Until they join them.

Riba had no way of verifying this. He had been in and out of the forest on his way to the nearby mineshaft so long ago, and remembered the directions. He led everyone through, making extra double sure that every direction of his was right.

The legend behind the forest was spawned by the experience of a man named Lucas Hoover. Apparently, he lived in Evangeline. Riba didn't know much about him, other than he was around there when Riba got there. One day, he went to the Forest of Suicide and never returned.

Officials found him hanging from a tree, his neck twisted in an unnatural position. Giving him the nickname, "The Crooked Man". It was kind of a sour thing to call him, when you thought about it.

But finally, they made it to the end of the forest, everybody was well and accounted for. Riba took a head count--- twice. They were all there, every last one of them. Riba remembered this is where he found Anna buried. No matter how many lives he went through, and no matter how many memories he lost--- he would never forget that again.

Although, there was something Riba didn't notice before. There was a faded, time-worn, muddy ribbon, in front of a mound of dirt. By the side of the entrance to the mineshaft. "What's this?" Riba asked, walking over and picking it up. "It looks like---"

"Hey, mister?" A familiar voice asked. Riba looked up. It was Serina's spirit! Could this be her real grave? "What brings you here?"

"Serina?" Riba asked. "Is that you?"

"I don't know," Serina replied. "Who are you, stranger?"

Riba felt his heart break. His own daughter didn't recognize him. Had it really been that long? "I'm your father," Riba gasped. "Do you not remember me?"

"You're my daddy?" Serina asked. "I can't remember. I can't remember anything except roaming here for a long time."

Riba remembered this ribbon. It was the ribbon that Serina always wore. Maybe this would help her remember? He offered it. Serina eyed it. Then, it looked like something clicked.

Tears rushed to her eyes. She reached out for the ribbon, and when she put it on, her colors turned from faded, to normal. "Daddy? What are you doing here?" She asked. "What is everyone doing here? What am I doing here?"

Riba didn't quite know how to say this. "Serina, you're a ghost," Riba replied. "Everyone here but me is a ghost."

"I'm a ghost?" Serina asked. She held her head. It hurt. "I remember now. Anna killed me with a shovel. Then, she buried me here. Where no one would ever find me. But... you did find me! I want you to tell Anna I'm sorry, for being mommy's favorite. That's why she killed me. Because I took all the attention away from her. I feel horrible for it."

"Anna... killed you?" Riba asked. He never knew. Or maybe he forgot in one of these reiterations. "I---"

Riba felt solemn. He couldn't hate Anna, she was his child. And from the sounds of things, Serina didn't either. "Anna... she..." Riba choked. He fell to the ground. Had it been his fault? He didn't really show Anna too much attention since Serina was born. He regretted it whole-heartedly. He decided... there was one way to fix this. Both of his daughters should talk it out on their own.

"Serina, listen carefully," Riba instructed, kneeling down and putting his hands on her shoulders. "You need to go into that cave. Anna's in there. Keep looking until you find her. Talk to her. It's the only way to fix this family."

"I--- are you coming with me?" Serina asked. "I want to make it up to Anna, I do, but... I'm scared. What if she still hates me?"

"No, I'm sorry. Anna doesn't like me anymore," Riba replied. "But I'm sure you can talk to her. You're a big girl now. Please, if I go with you, Anna may take us all away. Can you do this for me?"

"I think I can..." Serina answered, nodding. Then, she ran into the caves.

Serina searched every corner of the cave, in desperation. Tears were still flooding her eyes. She found nothing, that is... until she came across a mound of dirt very similar to the one she was buried in. In front of it, was a very ghastly Anna.

Anna appeared to hear Serina's footsteps into the room. "Who is that?" Anna asked. "Don't think I haven't been keeping track of you. I've seen you, Riba... I know you're here." Anna didn't turn around.

"Anna?" Serina asked.

"Oh, great..." Anna replied, turning around with that same demented look on her face as the day she killed Serina with the shovel. "It's you, my 'sister'."

"I am your sister!" Serina replied. "Don't you remember all our good times together?"

"I remember our 'good' times well, you horrible bastard child," Anna replied. "You're no sister of mine. You only have part of my blood."

"What do you mean?" Serina cried.

"I was born to my father, Riba, and my mother, Elizabeth," Anna explained, grinning. "You were born to my father and a horrible wench named Alice. Riba loved my mother, not yours. Isn't it obvious?"

Serina's reality shattered. She never would have thought that her sister--- her favorite person in the world, wasn't her full sister. "You're lying! I know you are!" Serina shouted. "Because... we're the Anna Sisters! Remember? We take things on as a team. Like chores, and games."

"You think that meant anything to me?" Anna asked, floating forward. "Please. You were just entertainment and a few more hands on deck for me. I never have and never will consider you a sister!" Anna charged forward. She was going to kill Serina!

Serina jumped forward towards Anna. "You choose to fight?" Anna asked. "Very well. I'll tear you limb from limb!"

"No, I don't!" Serina shouted. She opened her arms wide, and tackled Anna to the ground.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Anna shouted. She struggled to get out of Serina's tight embrace. "Unhand me!"

"No," Serina refused. Anna hurt to even touch. But she wouldn't let go. "Even if mommy didn't love you, I still do. I'm sure your mommy loves you too, wherever she is. And so does Riba. He told me to come in and get you, because everyone cares about you, Anna!"

"They do?" Anna asked. She looked down to Serina, who wouldn't let up. Suddenly, Serina felt the pain go away in an instant. There was a flash of bright green. And everything felt better. She saw Anna, back to normal, hugging her back. "I didn't realize that you cared for me..." Anna mumbled. "I didn't realize that anyone did."

"As I said, everyone does, Probably even my mommy," Serina repeated, helping Anna up. She grunted. She wasn't too strong, so it was good they didn't get in a physical fight. She walked Anna out of the cave. "Now come on, let's get you out of here. It's not good for your skin to be in here. No wonder you were so pale before!"

"Thanks, sis," Anna replied.