#or they could even be brought back if they aren't alive (copium)

[somebluemelodies]

It's on his way out he sees it. Sees them.

He looks around, but everyone is preoccupied still.

(Maybe it's for the best.)

Cellbit quickens his pace, climbing up the short hill towards the little white blur that'd disappeared behind the tree. He steels himself to fight something, hand resting against the hilt of the red dagger sheathed to his side as he rounds the corner and--

--comes face-to-face with a hatchling in a blue dress.

The investigator runs down his mental checklist. They're not any of the four kids he just saw, and they sure as hell aren't any of the ones that've been missing for weeks now. He's never seen this one before.

They're staring up at him, but he can barely tell with the way their white bangs nearly cover their eyes.

(His heart pangs at the familiar similarity. There's a flicker of anger.)

"Hello..?" The hatching waves to Cellbit as he crouches down in front of them after a moment. "Who are you?"

He only gets stared at in return, the kid's head tilting just slightly. They're not alive, he can tell that much; they have that same aura about them as the four running around somewhere behind him.

Just as he's about to ask another question, the hatchling lifts their hands. They start to mime actions. Writing in a book, flipping the pages.

Cellbit's brows furrow. What could that possibly--

Please know I was here. I was alive... This book gives me a chance to be remembered. Please don't forget me.

(Oh.

Oh.)

He sees the leather journal in his head. He sees the abandoned building, the abandoned cage, lost to dirt and dust and cobwebs. He knows.

He hasn't forgotten.

"It's you..."

The hatchling offers him a bittersweet smile, and part of him wants to break right then and there.

(Part of him does break.)

"You haven't been forgotten." His voice wavers against his own will. "You won't ever be, not if I can help it. I promise."

They only nod. I know.

Cellbit can only stare back at them as his vision begins to blur. Not a haze. Tears. Despite all the seething anger he's felt the last several days, he isn't even sure what's stronger right now: that or the pure despair.

(The pain.)

"I'm so sorry..."

Because this hatchling in front of him is one who should've had a chance. Who wanted one thing more than anything. A family. Love.

Who never got that chance. Who never got what they wanted.

But it wasn't their fault, like they thought. It would never be. There was only one thing, one group, to blame.

Emotional, they watch him for another few seconds. And then there's little arms wrapping around his torso, a tiny, trembling body against him. He holds on tight.

(The anger is coming back. Yet another reminder of what the Federation took from this island.)

"They're gonna pay. They're gonna fucking pay for letting this happen to you. They're all as good as fucking dead."

He pulls them up into his arms, letting theirs go around his neck. Hold on to the good moments.

He holds them tighter, still.

(They need this. They deserve this, after waiting God only knows how long.)

(Even if it's just once. He needs them to know.)

He'll make sure to remind the damn workers of them, whether they knew the hatchling or not. They're all a part of that hellscape organization, after all.

And he'll make sure they're the last thing those fuckers think about, too. Before they rot in hell.

"I'll avenge you. No matter what."

If I'm not going to have luck, I'm going to make their luck run out.

[selfdefrecation]

27

It's the last day of March, 2024 and I felt like reflecting on my 27th year alive.

I started it off with some bad luck in 2023 by getting my brand new 1 month old S23 phone stolen at the Blackpink concert at Philippine Arena. I was traumatized, grieving, and frustrated. I still had to pay for it for the next 11 months at 4,250/mo. And my dumb impulsive response / solution was to find myself a sugar daddy, thinking they could get me a new phone like- jskdfjwakehf. I never got one, but I did sign up on some apps HAHAHA

My next solution months later was to start a t-shirt printing dropshipping business. I still have it shelved until now. But this was the first sign I felt off about my office "friends" after I asked J to help me with it.

Anyways, I ended up not having any other sources of income other than my salary. But it still got me to go overseas TWICE 6 months apart. The downside is I didn't have any savings for the whole year. Only sinking funds and vibes. My daily dose of copium is telling myself that money comes back but the memories will be forever. Cause, I still can't believe I went to Japan and Singapore. <3

Regarding my friendships, cz and I got closer than ever because of the TSwift Eras Tour planning. We chat and send each other memes everyday. kl and I aren't as frequently chatting anymore cause she got a bf now, but we're still cool and supportive of each other. My blinks are still amicable. i love experiencing girlhood with them. <3<3<3

As for my office friends, I guess it never felt the same after I got back from the blackpink concert. And our office seats had new arrangements and older people were brought up as replacements.

Puttin' someone first only works when you're in their top five. (...)

Familiarity breeds contempt.

- Bejeweled, Taylor Swift

Anyways, I've been kicked out from their top five. It was only exclusive for people who could fit inside a 5-seater car. ksanfvakdjfbak

I ended my 27th year with a full circle moment by getting my brand new Buds2 lost in the van omw home. Taylor Swift and the holy week squeezed my wallet dry with almost nothing left on my ATM. And I wasn't able to celebrate my birthday in the office because I couldn't afford to. But they deserve it cause they didn't even greet me on my birthday, and the last resort pity cake was worse cause they barely gave any effort. It was laughable. And some of the top 5 girlies didn't even greet me in the end.

i'm okay. I'm gwenchana. I'm gonna be fine. I'm doing good. I'm on some new shit. I still have good friends. I will try and push through with my new attempt at getting a second source of income this year so I won't wallow in self pity comparing my income with my older siblings. I will be successful!!!

In conclusion, I'm feeling hopeful for my 28th year.