Erm... How should I start this?

It's not like anyone will be hearing this anyway, but as I'm all alone here in this darkness, for god knows how long, I've decided to think about it for a bit.

By the way... Is there anything as a God? I mean... I'm dead, right? Wasn't I supposed to be judged or something? Is this what they call purgatory? Is that "light at the end of the tunnel" hell? I'm sure it is very hot, so it would only make sense...

I'm not sure I want to think about that... Starting to panic here in the midst of nothingness wouldn't be very pleasant. I'm pretty sure eventually I'll come up with an answer to that, anyway.

So... Back to where I started.

Let me tell you how everything began...

[6:30 AM] - *Cellphone starts playing "Symphony of Destruction" from Megadeth*

"Fuuck" I said while sluggishly searching for my phone.

I usually got up at this hour during weekdays, since the school was quite early in the morning and I had to take a bath, do some homework... Morning stuff. This routine was close to an end though, as this was my last year in high school. I was nearly 18 already.

I got up from my bed, still half asleep, and looked at it with a sadness that only someone that wakes up this early would understand.

I'll miss you my dear... - I thought, while lightly patting it.

I got up and went to the bathroom. I got up all sweaty because I like to use lots of blankets. It's very comfy, don't judge me!

As I walked past the mirror and saw my face. Blonde hair, all messed up, baggy green eyes, and a slime stain on my white little cheek.

"You look very pretty today, Milady." I pointed at myself in the mirror.

Then I proceeded to undress and go under a hot shower. I always found it very relaxing to have the water pouring on my head, I did not get to do it so very often though. Today I was in luck, as it was hair washing day!

"You take a mortal man... And put him in control... Watch him become a god..." I sang calmly as I washed my hair.

[20 minutes later] *Shower noise stops*

So good...- I stretched myself.

And so my hand went to take my towel... but...

Shit, I forgot it! - I moved to the sink and picked my phone up

[6:53 AM]

Well, sis will have to wake up early today!

I went to the door, and with all the respect and acknowledgment that everyone would still be sleeping I lightly shouted with all the power that my lungs could muster:

- CRISTIIIIIIINNE!! - I *accidentally* smirked when I heard her falling off her bed.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT, YOU JERK!?"

Oooooh boy, she's pissed - My smirk got wider.

"Would you please get a towel for me" I said, pretending I didn't hear how angry she was.

"Fuck you!" I heard her steps.

[Some seconds later]

A towel was placed in my hand.

"Thanks, Cris" The sarcasm in my voice was crystal clear.

"Yeah, whatever, just hurry up, I need a shower too" She went back to her room.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

I dried myself up and brushed my teeth. I'm not planning on getting any breakfast today, anyway.

I went to my room and got dressed up. My wardrobe ranged from band shirts to all the 50 shades of jeans, I put on a hoodie and some comfy clothes. I had some physics homework to do, so I soon got started.

I had to finish this giant essay about combustion physics that I had to deliver today, and it just needed some final touches. It was a group project, but as always, I ended up doing it all by myself.

[8:00 AM]

I finished everything up and got my stepfather to print it for me, he worked at a home office and had to print all sorts of documents that people sent him, so we had a printer at home.

I then proceeded to wait for Cristine on the sidewalk.

[8:18 AM]

We were entering school, the flocks of people were pushing each other to enter the small hallway, and I didn't want to get squished so...

"See you later, Cris" I started looking for an empty spot to sit, at the school's entrance.

"See you, ******" - And so I looked away and started listening to some good old music.

[Metallica - The Day That Never Comes] And I put it on repeat.

[9:50 AM]

I had a strange gut feeling. Something was off.

I purposely started coughing and gestured for my teacher that I had to leave class. And without waiting for a response I just got up and left.

I had to find Cris. I didn't know why... I just had to!

I rushed through the hallways and saw her class in the distance.

[Class 305]

And then... All hell broke loose.

My ears were ringing when I hear the first gunshot. In a matter of milliseconds, others followed and the classroom doors opened. Kids were running for their lives, screaming, desperate.

And yet, one thing was hammered in my mind.

I have to find Cris, no matter what. I. HAVE. TO.

Cristine was my younger sister, we had different fathers but we grew up under the same mother, a hardworking woman who would always do the best for us, my family was really loving to me and my sister, although I wasn't that lovely with her, nor she with me. We pissed each other off all the time, we fought on a daily basis, we took each other's stuff without permission and yet... The feeling I had that she could really be in danger... I had to find her.

I started to run, pushing people aside and trying to look over that crowd. I saw her, she was being pulled by a friend to the gym.

Kicks, punches, people shoving each other out of the way, in the middle of that hell I took too long to get there.

As I entered... - Where is she!? - I started screaming her name.

"CRISTINE WHERE ARE YOU?!" My voice almost suppressed by the sound of hundreds of people trying to run away.

I was getting desperate, screaming louder and louder, and then I saw a hand waving in my direction. She was hiding behind a stage that was assembled when we had presentations and such. I ran up to her.

[Gunshots started firing again]

As I lowered myself beside her, I could see a guy in a black trench coat entering the gym, he shot two guys down, while the people dispersed and ran past him.

Soon there was only silence. The guy started looking around, he didn't seem to notice us, while he walked and finished off a girl who was crawling on the floor.

There were too many hiding behind the stage, we should try to hide somewhere else... But as I thought that, it was too late, a guy that was hiding with us put his body weight on a piece of the stage and it fell.

I felt the shooter's eyes turning towards us and... Locking on to my sister. She was trembling, crying and a stain was slowly growing in her jeans. He slowly started walking in our direction, people started running and I tried to pull her to run with me but...

She was frozen, she didn't even move.

"Cris! Look at me! We have to run!"

Her eyes locked on mine, tears swelling up in them.

"I-I-I'm s-sor-" She tried to speak.

I heard the shooter take another step.

I wasn't thinking.

There was nothing I could think.

I hugged Cris, hiding her under my body.

[BANG]

The first thing I felt was my ears ringing, that sound had been so loud, I could only head a crisp, high pitched note.

In front of me, my sister had her eyes wide, with her mouth agape I could even see her larynx vibrating...

Is she... screaming? You shouldn't scream, silly, he'll see you...

I felt a sharp pain on my back. It hurt! It hurt so much! So much so, that I started regaining my awareness.

Oh... Yeah... Too late now. He already saw us, didn't he?

And... I was... shot...

[BANG][BANG][BANG]

I heard three more gunshots. The pain took a while to come, this time... But I didn't move, I didn't try to run away. I only held Cris lower, so he wouldn't hit her.

[BANG][BANG]

My arms were failing me, I could barely hold onto her. But I wouldn't let her die.

SHE. WILL. SURVIVE.

I kept repeating to myself. Even if I die, she will survive. I just have to hold on a little longer.

Yes... Just a little...

[BANG]

I feel... warm...

My arms started losing strength, I started sliding to the side, my phone sliding out of my pocket.

My eyes were losing focus as I looked at her face.

I tried to lift my hand to touch her cheek, but I ended up just falling, looking directly at the shooter.

Huh... He's strange... There's... something... off?

I lost focus.

[9:56]

[THUMP!]

I saw a blurred figure running up to him... It seems to have hit the shooter with something in the head... I blink... The shooter is already on the ground...

I let out a chuckle... No, that's not it... I'm coughing... There's a metallic taste in my mouth.

At least Cris is safe...

If something happened to her...

It would have been...

So... Ba...d...