[ WP ] `` You do n't just ask a girl why she 's dead ! ''

Alysa slowly walked down the street. Her mind still on the assembly the school had held to share memories of Karen, Alysa her classmate who had recently died in an accident. They had been partners in the afterschool club for manga, sharing a burning passion for the Japanese art form. Though they had not shared with anyone their secret passion for one of the genres. 
 
 
 Shaking her head Alysa looked to her sides for traffic and crosses the street. While moving the few strands of hair that hang in front of her face to the side her thoughts went back to the assembly. When the headmaster had told the students of the grief-counselors she had been relieved. Her parents had each tried talking with her about Karen her death but Alysa did not know how to communicate her feelings and thoughts to her parents. She did not want them to know her most personal feelings and thoughts. 
 
 
 After the announcement she quickly got in a meeting with one of the grief-counselors. Just talking about it all with someone, trying her best to put her feelings into words, to share her thoughts released a burden from Alysa her body. She had not realised how tense she had been the last few days. 
 
 
 Turning another corner Alysa looked up at the sky. She had to be home before the sun started setting. Ever since Karen had died a new serial killer had appeared. Increasing her pace Alysa sped up. Looking in front of her the sight she saw made her automatically shout out Karen her name. 
 
 
 Another girl who looked just like Karen, the same black hair, the same bag and strange socks walked in front of her. Her cheeks red with embarrassment Alysa ignored the other girl, she would not react to a name that was not hers anyway, and moved on. Hastening her pace Alysa was about to walk past the one she had confused for Karen when she turned around and her face, she looked exactly like Karen! 
 
 
 ‘ Kar- Karen? But how! You are dead? ’ 
 
 
 The copy of Karen stared at Alysa with a cold stare before answering with a whisper: ‘ Hello Alysa, it is a shame we met. I had hoped to avoid you. ’ 
 
 
 Letting out a chuckle the girl who Alysa now thought surely had to be Karen added: ‘ By the way Alysa, it is very impolite to ask a girl why she is dead. ’ 
 
 
 In shock from seeing her dead classmate Alysa her breath got stuck in her throat. Coughing loudly, opening her airways again she asked Karen how this was even possible. 
 
 
 ‘ You do have to pay the price, which is quite steep, for this Alysa. I am sorry about that but there are no exceptions. ’ 
 
 Nodding Alysa patiently waited for Karen to explain while at the same time trying to get her breathing under control. Listening to Karen Alysa was told an amazing story. Apparently Karen was centuries old, having been granted immortality by a spirit after saving it from a shaman. Having gone to school on and off for decades to get her mind of things, unable to get a job due to never growing up. 
 
 
 ‘ But I am sorry Alysa, I chose this street because you never take it. I was hoping to avoid you but sadly you are the twelfth person I met. ’ Alysa stood there looking at Karen as a tear streamed down her friend ’ s cheek. With a feeling of warmth on her chest Alysa fell to her knees. Standing in front of her was Karen, holding a red knife in her hand. Alysa her vision faded to black as she heard footsteps that became softer and softer. 
 
 
 With a sigh of sadness for her friend Karen walked off. With one last whisper to her best friend from this school she said: ‘ The price to pay is steep and has to align, for I have to return twelve souls for mine. ’ 
 
 
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