Run

MARY

I have to admit, this Kevin guy seemed to have a genuine heart. What he just said to Margie appeared to have been coming from his heart and not merely out of his mouth. If I would make a bet, it was most likely because of his experience.

While we were eating, I kept glancing at the two while they seemed to be sneaking glances of their own towards the other. Despite this being the case, Margie still kept denying my claim. I am pretty certain she was pretending not to know. If she wasn't, then she is ignorant.

I shivered slightly as the night wind crawled on my skin. We were walking on the streets, I opted to walk behind as Margie and Kevin silently walked side by side. No one was really talking. Each of us seemed to be pre-occupied and lost in our own thoughts.

December was fast approaching. Christmas lights seemed to dance in my line of vision as they were strategically wrapped around a few trees. Along the streets, posters of discounted dinners and Christmas events could be seen on some shop windows and doors.

This was a festive season. Yet, with everything that had happened, I can't pull myself to feel anything but festive.

Sometimes, when I closed my eyes at night, all I could think of was how different things would have been if only, if only Takahashi Ryuji did not kill everyone close to me and Margie.

Right from the start, I knew that marrying him would be like selling my soul to the devil. Takahashi and his reputation did not escape my knowledge. When I had first heard about his interest in me, I had silently wished to find an escape from the fate that I knew was bound to happen soon.

I wasn't wrong.

Being in the Mafia, to question authority was suicide. I knew that Margie could have done something about it. Her father was not like my father. Mister Cortez favors Margie that her request does not go on deaf ears. It was often considered and with Margie being her father's favorite, she could always get away with anything.

Unfortunately, it was not the same case with me. Besides, I was hoping to influence Takahashi Ryuji and somehow help him realize his bad qualities. I was not expecting to change him, I know that I cannot do that. I cannot enforce my knowledge of right and wrong towards him. However, a tiny part of me wanted to use his interest in me to good use.

I flinched, suddenly remembering how Takahashi had pulled the trigger and killed Mikee right in front of me and Margie.

Thinking that I almost married that man made me feel horrible.

"Hey," Margie's voice cut through my stream of thoughts and saved me from walking further down that sad road. I smiled as she pulled me to her side.

"You okay?" I nod, looking left and right, noticing that Kevin was somehow missing.

"Don't worry about Kevin. He made a call to get us to their new place,"

I looked at Margie, a little confused.

"And we're going there because?"

"Because we need to talk. Remember?"

Slowly, the events from earlier came back to me and I sighed.

"I don't like that other guy and his lady friend. I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual, but, for this some sort of alliance, I think I can manage,"

Margie shook her head, laughing as she pulled me closer.

"Thank you, Mary,"

I allowed myself to chuckle.

"What would you do without me?"

"Exactly, what would I do without you?"

--

MARGAUX

Without Mary, I would probably be in the worst state right now. Without her, I wouldn't have survived that night.

As we continued to walk, I wondered how we were going to celebrate Christmas. Not having our families with us still kind of stung. But there was nothing we could do about it. If I had some superpowers to summon them from the dead, I would have done so already.

That thought made me wish to be in a movie instead of being in reality. That way, the scriptwriter can add some magic, turning reality into something extraordinary. The characters would then be imposed with supernatural abilities such as casting spells and whatnots. If one of the main character dies, there can be some form of magic to revive them.

Sometimes they may use the ability to travel back through time and stop the event from killing the person.

Other times, it was a certain magic spell or potion needing a certain ingredient that would be too rare to find and would require some needed sacrifice.

I took a deep breath and sighed. If only that was the case, then, Christmas wouldn't be so lonely for me and Mary.

'You okay?" It was Mary's turn to throw me the same question. I shrugged.

"I'm not sure,"

"Oho, Margaux Cortez being unsure. How fascinating. Why are you not sure?"

"Maybe I am okay. But, am I really? It depends on the definition of okay. There are a few elements to be considered and if I had to be honest, I don't really know how to answer that question,"

"We both lost so much Margie. It's not surprising for either of us to not be totally okay. Like what Kevin had mentioned earlier. Our world had fallen into chaos. A part of us had died and right now, even now, we are still trying to put our broken pieces back together. So, that's understandable for you to not be okay. At least, we have a chance to make things right and take back what we can,"

What Mary had just said and what Kevin had said earlier too somehow brought comfort. It made me realize that I was not alone in the battle I was facing. I had always known that I wasn't. But a verbal reminder from some people sometimes is necessary.

A loud beep from an oncoming car suddenly made me jump, resulting in me and Mary to pull apart as well.

It did not take long until a red Camry flew past both me and Mary, our hair flying with the impact as well. I mentally sent a curse to whoever was driving the car and wished that he or she gets the karma he or she deserved.

I was about to ask Mary if she was alright but before I can utter a single word, she had grabbed my hand and pulled me with her.

"Run, Margie," she stated, letting me go upon knowing that I had already followed her, our legs pumping us and the streetlights becoming a blur in each of our visions.

"Keep running and don't look back,"