There were two strands of hope that kept me from losing my sanity.
I don't remember exactly when I lost the first—my grandfather—but I still vividly remember our last moment together.
[Promise me, my sweet grandson. Promise your old man that you'll never show your true nature to anyone.]
My grandfather used to say that all the time but I never really took it seriously. I thought it was just the ramblings of an old man, some strange thing he always muttered.
That was my biggest mistake.
A mistake so huge that even when my body, my soul, my very being is broken, I regret it.
I remembered how even in the face of death, my grandfather kept saying those words.
[Cough, cough… Promise me.]
[What do you mean?] I asked, not understanding.
[Never… ever... reveal… your true nature…]
[You should live… a happy and normal life.]
Those were his last words. But I never understood them. Not until now.
...
I had barely held on, kept myself from slipping into madness, with the help of my second hope—Shre, the love of my life.
And then, just like the first, that second hope died too.
And I remember it all too well... just like it happened yesterday.
"I... love you, Ryan. So please... live... live, even if it's just for my sake."
"Shre, don't talk anymore. Your health will only get worse. Wait until the doctors treat you."
"N-No need, Ryan. I know my condition better than anyone else. I know I'll die soon."
"Keep quiet. Why... are you saying such things? Y-You know you're the only family I have left. So why? Why are you saying... it?"
"You—" I cut her off before she could say anything else.
"You remember our promise, right?" I whispered softly, just enough for her to barely hear.
"Yes. H-How could I ever forget it?"
**
[Ryan, you will marry me when we get older and earn a lot of money, so we can live happily forever. Okay?]
[Huh? Why would I even marry you in the first place when I could marry a rich woman?] Bang!
[Ouch! Why did you hit my head, Shre? You know, this is why no one will marry you in the future and you'll forever be a single old hag.]
Bang. Bang. Bang.
[OUCH. OUCH. Okay, okay! I'll marry you when we get older. Happy now?]
[Hmm ummm. We'll be together forever.] [Forever.]
[It's a promise.]
[Pinky promise.]
**
"I know we promised, but... some ju—"
[3:47 AM] Exactly at 49 seconds. Friday. 23rd of May, 2025.
It was at that moment she stopped breathing in the ambulance.