The Day Before The Core

On a crimson sofa stood two girls. One of them was holding one of the pink pillows that belonged to the couch. Her white hair was without flaw, the purest gradient you could ever see, not even the snow could compete with it. And her red eyes alongside her pale skin gave her a vampiric look. The only thing missing was some sharp fangs.

She wore fancy but not extravagant clothes since no one could have seen her. Their black color contrasted her appearance.

Sitting beside her was an older woman who looked exactly like her. Except her eyes were like an old amethyst that had slowly lost its beautiful color. She wore some simple clothing that even the color pellet didn't work, but she didn't care.

As they were talking while watching the news, the door slammed open and a boy entered.

'Im home.' I said while trying my best to predict how the boy would have acted if I hadn't taken over his body and become a contractor instead of him.

As the sun stabbed me from behind with its warm gaze, the younger girl jumped out of the couch from the scare she had experienced from me slamming the door open.

"Oh, it's just Jacob." She said while walking over to the couch and sitting back on it, then continued watching TV. But after some time she froze, slowly turning her head at me. Then while pointing at me she started accusing me.

"Wait it hasn't been a week, so how are you back? Did you even do your trial, or have you been messing around all this time?" 

'Oh, dear sister... don't worry about it.' With my mind failing to make an excuse, I had accidentally broken my cover. 'Hopefully I didn't ruin anything.'

She stared at me dumbfounded, the wind blowing inside her mouth that was jaw open. But after she regained her composure, her anger could be seen even by the blind. "Mom, did you hear him? He should be punished."

"Oh, dear, your brother is probably just tired from his trial, so you have to forgive his bad attitude." I should have used that as my excuse instead of essentially telling her to shut her mouth.

"But she is also right dear, you should at least explain to us what happened." I sighed, I guess there was no other way.

...

"You what!" My sister said after I told them the truth. "And you're telling me you want to go to The Core tomorrow? What happened to my to you."

You would have never guessed what had happened. And I don't think you ever will. By her reaction, she couldn't handle the truth.

I just stared at the ground, letting her express her emotions. 

"Honey I think you should be nicer to your brother, after all, he came back alive." My mother quickly took my defense, which made me smile. 'So this is how it feels to have a mother.'

My sister sighed, then turned back to the TV clearly done with the situation. "Whatever, it's not like I'm interested in anything related to memories."

 Not interested in memories, that was something I never thought I would ever hear coming from a human. Most can't wait for their journey in this new world to begin, but she didn't care about it. How interesting.

I sat down beside them. This was my first time seeing a TV in person. I had heard of it, and other human creations, but I've never seen one with my own eyes.

'What are you watching?' I asked while captivated by the appearance of this magical box.

"Since when were you into shows? Anyway, it's just a random show me and mom started."

I see, so there is nothing special about it. But still, what's the harm in staying for some time, after all its what I came here to do.

...

It had been five hours since I started watching, and I couldn't get enough. Apparently, this show was part of the mystery genre, so I thought I wouldn't enjoy it because I said before, I hate mysteries. But watching a bunch of detectives work together to find clues and stuff was so interesting. Well at least for me, since only I remained.

But as I was focusing on my show, I heard my mother's voice.

"Hey Jacob, can we talk for a second?" She said while sitting down beside me. I could instantly tell something was wrong as the expression on her face wasn't like before. It looked like she was about to tear up, her calm tone had vanished and she had black bags under her purple eyes.

"I know this might sound selfish of me, not letting my child follow his dreams and everything, but... I don't want you going to The Core."

I instantly forgot all about the show as I heard her say those words. 'What's with her all of the sudden? Damn it, I almost got through the whole day.'

'Huh? But why?'

She looked down at her hands, and while some tears flowed from her eyes she spoke.

"I don't want to lose you. I don't want to lose another loved one to The Core. I don't want you going on the same path as your father."

She buried her face inside her palm as her tears finally broke out. She tried wiping them, but they constantly came back.

I bit my lip, I part of me doubting my decision. If I were to leave for The Core would mean abandoning my mother, and I would be recreating my greatest misfortune. 

... 'Im sorry, I just can't do that.' No, I only had one mother, and she wasn't that one. I had to fulfill my revenge, I couldn't stay with them, if I did it would mean the world would continue to be cursed. I couldn't continue experiencing a mother's love, the fates were never that kind.

After that, I left. I stepped foot into the wrath of the cold night, without even saying goodbye.