MangaHelpers Art Contest Week 05-06 ~Reincarnation Short Stories

Reincarnation - "Until we meet again..." by riki
Comments: As usual, the full version is on my website. It was hard for me to decided what part to post so I hope it makes sense.

He suddenly let out as garbled cry at the sight in front of him. A young woman’s body lie in a crumpled heap on the tiled floor. Cuts and bruises covered her entire body; her chestnut hair was matted with blood. Her eyes were closed as if she was asleep. She reminded him of an angel sleeping peacefully like that – except she wasn’t breathing.

Screaming with despair, he slammed his fists on her corpse as he collapsed on the floor; her lifeless body jolted slightly off the floor from every hit. Dammit, he was too late! He wasn’t able to make it in time. Now she was dead, and there was nothing he could do about it. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he lay his head on her chest and let himself die. Closing his eyes, he resigned himself to his fate. With her gone, there was nothing for him to live for. If only… If only… With his dying breath, he vowed, “We’ll meet again one day in the next life, I’m sure of it. And when we do, I’ll…”

Several years passed until they met each other again by happenstance. Although the woman didn't seem to remember him, he did and recalling his tragic past life, set out to rekindle their relationship. At first, she was reluctant to go out on a date with him but finally agreed after much persuasion. During their date, they immediately clicked and decided to see each other again. After several dates, he invited her to his house, to which she agreed. There, he set his plan into motion. While she was distracted, he spiked her drink with the intention of getting revenge on her for killing him in his past life. However, things didn't go as planned when he found her point a gun at him.

His face became ashen at the sight. Swallowing his saliva, he demanded, “What’s the meaning of this? Is this supposed to be some sort of sick joke?”

Instead of answering, she asked calmly, “Have you ever heard of the Chivalrous Killer?"

Blood drained from his face as soon as he heard that name, but he kept his cool. He didn’t want to give away that he was at a disadvantage. “The Chivalrous Killer? Wasn’t he a serial killer from several years ago?”

She gave him a look like she knew that he was lying. “The Chivalrous Killer would target women whom he deemed deserve to have a better life than they have. He would treat his victims to the best restaurants, lavish them with extravagant clothes and jewelry, and take them to every performing art events. Then he would take them to his place, where he drugged them and bind them so they won’t escape. There, he would torment them by slowly torturing them to death. Then he would dump bodies where the police would find them dolled up in the finest clothes and jewelry. In other words, he wanted to give them the best times of their lives before they die.

“Unfortunately for him, his last victim proved to be much more difficult than he has thought. She put up a fight and managed to stab him in the eye and side before she tried to escape. It was a pity that her action was pointless since she died anyway although she did manage to kill the Chivalrous Killer. That was rather impressive, to say the least. To kill her own killer before she died especially with her wounds. It’s quite commendable.”

As she told her story, he could feel the sweat drop down his forehead but didn’t dare wipe it lest she thought he was doing something foolish. “Why are you telling me this?” he wondered aloud.

“Because, my dear, I remember it like it happened yesterday.” She bared her teeth as she looked at him hungrily like a wolf. “You see, I was the Chivalrous Killer in my past life, and you’re the one who managed to elude me. This time, I'll make sure you won't escape from your fate."

 

Reincarnation- "Little sister" by Holt

Rose closed her eyes and found her mind drifting to memories long past. Recently, she had been thinking of those tragic events often. Without warning, she found herself back there once again...

Rosemary and her older brother Alex saw off their mom. She was going to be away on a long trip. Rose had marked her 12th birthday a few weeks ago. She glanced at Alex and he smirked at her. He would be 15 in 2 months and mom had entrusted the affairs of the home to him.

'Phew! I'm free. I'm definitely going to call some friends over tonight' Rose laughed
'No you're not' Alex paused, 'Little sister'. Rose growled at him. He was fond of calling her little sister. It always got on her nerves and he knew that. He smiled and ruffled her hair, his blue eyes regarding her cooly.
'You can't tell me what to do' she hissed.
'Yes I can...little sister'.
She screamed at him but he simply climbed upstairs laughing.

By the time they went to bed that night, she was still sulking. She was restless and couldn't sleep. She was thinking of maybe sneaking out when a sound stopped her cold. She couldn't place it but it sounded like a muffled bang. She paused, straining her eyes to listen, her heart beating rapidly. She was about to dismiss it when she heard it again, clearer this time. A small gasp escaped her mouth. She jumped off her bed, heading for the door when it suddenly exploded open. Alex stood there, his blue eyes frantic. He gestured for to be quiet and grabbed her arm, pulling her along with him.
'What was that?' Rose asked in a shaky voice. Tears were already coming unbidden to her eyes.
'It's..' Alex hesitated. 'Some men are at gate, trying to break in'.
'WHAT?'
'Keep your voice down silly'. Rose clamped her hands over her mouth. The tears were flowing freely now.
'We should call the cops' she finally managed.

Alex and Rose had reached the backyard like by now.
'I know. But I left the phone behind in a hurry to get you', he replied through gritted teeth.
Rose muttered, 'Well what are we going to do now, you're the older one'
'I know. Listen, go lock yourself within the hidden shed underground'
Rose began to complain but Alex stopped her. 'You can't be picky right now. Just stay there and be completely quiet'.
'What about you?'
'It's too tight for both of us. Besides, you have the right of it. We need to call the cops. I'll handle that'.
'But...'
'Just wait there until I come calling'. Alex said firmly.
Rose stared at him warily, unsure. Alex smiled, 'It'll be fine, little sister' and then he reached for her. For a second, she thought he was going to ruffle her hair as usual. It would normally get her angry but she realized she didn't mind. Instead he placed his fingers behind her head and drew her close, so their foreheads touched.
'Be strong little sister. I won't let anything happen to you'.
Rose nodded and made for the shed. Alex watched her and once he saw she was safety hidden, he made back for the house.

Rose wasn't sure what happened after that. She heard noises that indicated the men had breached the compound. Some minutes later, she heard the wailing sirens of the police. She'd been giddy with excitement then. It meant Alex had made the call. It didn't end completely well though. The cops eventually found her. Some of the men had been arrested but she discovered Alex had died in the process.

A sudden tap on her arm drew her back to the present...
An old woman sitting to her right pointed across to a young boy sitting alone across the park.
'That young one has been staring at you a long time now. Is he your brother?'
Rose looked to the boy in question. She guessed his age to be about 10. 'That's funny, it's been roughly 10 years since then' Rose thought to herself.
'No, I had an elder brother once, but...' Rose couldn't bring herself to complete the sentence.
The old woman began to shuffle away and left a final word 'Maybe he wants a candy. The children always love that'. She waved with her stick and she made her leave. Rose smiled and waved back at her.

Suddenly, the boy got up and began to make his way towards her. Rose watched him, wondering who he was. She didn't think she knew him. As he got closer though, she became acutely aware of his gait.
'He walks just like Alex' she thought. 'And those eyes. They were brown unlike Alex's blue but that gaze is exactly like his'.
He finally got to her and then he stopped, his eyes cool and unflinching.
'Who are you?' Rose asked.
The boy frowned, 'I suppose I look a bit different. You, on the other hand, haven't changed much'.
Rose lurched to her feet 'Do I know you?'
The boy's cool eyes never wavered. They stared at each for a while. And then the boy finally laughed. 'I never thought I'd have to look up at you, little sister'
Rose eyes widened in surprise 'You are...No, that's impossible. You died!' It was more of an accusation.
His smiled sadly 'Yes, I did. That wasn't exactly part of the plan'.
His eyes glittered, 'I go by a different name now and perhaps I'm not exactly like you remember. But it's still me, Alex'. And then Rose was hugging him fiercely and weeping as he muttered in her ears, 'It's alright. I'm here now. Little sister'.

Spoiler: Comments

I've been trying to find spare time to work on something and kept procrastinating that I almost didn't make an entry. Finally started late last night and at least managed to come up with something. From the time the contest began, I knew I'd go with a story about siblings, though I wasn't sure how I would. Originally, I planned to have the Alex reincarnate as Rose's child but that seemed weird to me