Azarus Interview

Azarus awakes to find that she isn’t in the same place that she was only a matter of seconds ago. She hears a ringing sound, probably from the coma. As her eyes fade in and out of dizzy blurs, she sees the book writing itself in the corner. Then, her vision clears itself, and her eyes focus in on me.

Dark R. Reaper: Good morning Azarus. Did you have a nice nap?

When Azarus looks down, she realizes that she’s tied to a wooden chair, by long white ropes around her hands, arms, and legs.

Azarus: What the…

I lean forward and pat Azarus on the head.

Dark R. Reaper: Don’t worry you’ll be just fine. I just don’t want you running off like the last one.

Azarus: Why you!

Black spirals swirl out from the middle of her pupils until her entire eye is black.

Dark R. Reaper: Now Azarus, you should know more than anyone. I have no pathos to burn. I’m a writer ya know.

Azarus’ eyes revert back to normal. She rasps her fingers against the edge of the chair’s armrest. She closes her eyes and takes a long deep breath.

Azarus: Okay Reaper, what do you want?

Dark R. Reaper: An interview. Short and simple.

Azarus: You kidnapped me for an interview? You could have just asked you know, weirdo.

Dark R. Reaper: Hey, you’re the one that walks around in dead purple bunny pajamas all day.

Azarus: What? They’re cute. At least I know that’s what you’re thinking.

Red rushes through my cheeks as I slowly let the air out of my nose in a sort of wheeze. The noise that comes out is similar to that of a snarl or a growl of an animal.

Dark: Listen. It’s not like that. You just remind me of someone, the name escapes me.

That is to say if I ever knew that person’s name.

Azarus nods her head.

Azarus: I know. I understand that.

There was a short silence so quiet that one could hear a flame flicker in the wind. I scrunch my eyes. I can hear one of my expressions coming out.

Dark: How does it feel to know that you’re the only one that fits together with no one? Does it hurt? Do you cry knowing that you’ll always be the odd one out?

Azarus grasps the front of her chair. Then, she turns her head toward the ground.

My eyes converge to their normal state. I can already feel a sour taste on my tongue.

Dark: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. What I meant to ask was—

Azarus: No, it’s fine. I’m fine.

Azarus shakes her head back and forth until once more her eyes focus in on me.

Azarus: Maybe I am alone in the world, alone in my thoughts and my feelings, but I know I’m not the only one that’s alone. I can hear the voices of those like me out in the void, where I stand, listening. Their pain resonates with mine.

Dark: Are you sure it’s not an effect of the transformation?

Azarus shakes her head, dangling her black locks from side to side.

Azarus: No. I’ve always felt this way, ever since I grew up, ever since I can remember.

I lay my black boots on top of the table as I glimpse over her. I’ve upset her. I can tell. The way that her eyes shift towards me tells me so. But then again, what do I know?

Azarus twists her back in order to see me over my boots, so I put them down.

Dark: Tell me. Do you love him, with all your heart, or do you lust for his company?

Azarus: Him, you mean… I’m not entirely sure anymore. At first, I thought it was love, but then… I don’t know. Things change. Fears change. Hearts change.

I slipped my teeth over my lower lip. Have you thought about what she told you, the woman that Asura mentioned?

Azarus: How do you know—

Dark: I have my sources.

Azarus looks at me for a second before continuing.

Azarus: Well, in that case… In all honesty, I don’t know. Maybe I am on the wrong side. I feel like I’m waging a war against my family. But, you know what? That’s okay. Because at least I know I’m the me who is me.

I take a few steps over to her, secretly taking Cha and pulling him to my side. I continue walking as I say.

Dark: Be careful. The you that is you is on fire. Don’t lose yourself in the flames. You’ll find someone that loves you, the same way that you love them.

Tears fill Azarus’ eyes. One of the teardrops rolls down her face.

Azarus: You shouldn’t say stuff like that you know. Sympathy isn’t an option for you remember.

Dark: But empathy is.

I touch Cha to the side of her neck and she falls back asleep. Afterwards, I walk back over to the chair and slump myself into it. It appears I’ve been a tad hypocritical. I’m the last person that should be questioning the theories of love, after all.