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Isabella VI: It keeps happening
Last time, we were worrying over how to get out of this awkward conversation about our haunted day. And it's probably best to...
Change the subject
You keep asking me about my work, yet you haven't said a single word about yours. That's not fair! Both you and Zach have literally disappeared off the face of the earth!
Relationship Change
Smooth. Well, good call not trying to lie to the alleged police man if you want to get closer to Ashton... for some reason.
An over-exaggeration, but changing the subject to something else is still better than outright lying to him! Besides, it never works with him. I'm not sure if it's because I'm just bad at it or because he's just really very good at his job.
I highly doubt it's the latter.
He doesn't answer immediately. Only momentarily shifting a glance over me and returning it back to the road when he has to make a sharp turn. Outside, the sun has already started its descent, casting a vibrant, orange glow on the tall buildings.
I wonder how long before we reach the venue for Zach's film? Checking the street signs outside, it appears Ash has taken the longer route. Odd, but he's probably trying to avoid the rush hour traffic.
That's different! Linking your awful memes in the group chat box every morning isn't exactly a conversation!
Excuse me, I don't hear you calling them 'awful' while you're laughing at all of them.
Shut up! And you aren't answering my question!
That earns him a soft punch to his arm. I did laugh at them. But I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that I find most of them funny! It'll only make his head bigger. Stupid Ash.
Alright, alright, lay-off on the abuse. Remember that case I mentioned before?
We've been trying to pin the bastard down, but it required more work than we anticipated; the guy's slippery like that. We got some good lead months ago.
He recounts what he's been doing in the time we haven't seen each other. His usual work, the occasional small investigation, and the big case he's been stuck working on; stuff he couldn't mention in the brief time we catch each other online. Although most of it are the trimmed-down version; only things he can tell. He has always been careful about that. Even in the way he spins his answers to my questions: just enough to satisfy my curiosity, but not enough to paint the whole picture.
At one point, his voice takes on a strained tone when he mentions something about 'The Big Case,' but I don't dwell on it much. That's normal, right? I mean, who wouldn't be frustrated if you couldn't bring someone to justice, because they kept slipping out of your fingers? If I were in his shoes, I'd definitely lose my mind! His stories never ceases to be entertaining to me, regardless. If things weren't the way they were back home, maybe I would've considered taking on the same job as him?
Well… nope. Not really. Mama would never allow that. But the idea is still there. Along with countless others I've let go…
I have this strange desire to listen to Boulevard of Broken Dreams now.
Time passes quickly between us in this manner, and before I know it, we're already at the movie house.
'October 21, Friday | Luxbourne Movie House | Afternoon'
Music: BGM Ashton Theme
A small crowd has already formed in front of the theater when we arrive. The LIFT Fest—short for Luxbourne Independent Film and Theater Festival— attracts a bigger crowd annually, and this year's no different. I've only been to a few indie film screenings with Zach, so I'm not an expert on the matter. But I know that for people hoping to make a break in the industry, getting your film recognized by a local event like this is already a big deal. Especially for a newcomer like Zach! He hasn't even won an award, but— Just getting a confirmation letter that the festival committee wants to include his movie in this year's line-up, already put a grin on his face for weeks.
Speaking of the guy... He's impossible to miss. At six feet, he appears to loom over most of the movie-goers. And with his large build and heavy voice, there's no surprise when people give him a wide berth as they pass by. It's often easy to mistake him for someone intimidating at first glance.
I did, back when I didn't know any better. Ash did, too, I heard! Once, early in their friendship.
Hey, you guys! Long time no see!
Heeey, finally we meet someone with a different body type than Mold A. I like this guy already.
Zach's face lights up with a smile of his own. He moves towards us with careful steps, taking a significant effort to make himself smaller so as to not bump or accidentally hit anyone. Typical Zach. As he nears, Ash casually raises his hand in greeting, and—
‘Sup Z-man! My main man! What's crackalackin', my homey?
Ashton 
Well, this puts into perspective why his ringtone is a self-made rap.
Somewhere to our left, a girl giggles and only then do I become aware of my mouth hanging open. I'm almost amazed how Ash can say that out loud with a straight face. Almost. Considering his track record, I should be used to it by now! Zach seems to be.
Stop trying to act black, Ashton. And you're the only one who calls me Z-man.
There's fondness underneath his exasperated tone. If this were any other person, he'd likely be offended. But years of friendship and familiarity have made those words harmless to the other's ears.
I'm pretty sure he's still offended, Isabella. But he needs to pick his battles.
Or, at least, enough for both to take it in stride.
It's been a while, Zach.
I hope you didn't get into trouble again.
Not much to get into trouble lately without you, I'm afraid. I'll let you know if something comes up, though.
Nah, I ended up with chicken down stuck on me last time I agreed. I'd really love at least this year to pass without some sort of 'accident' happening again.
Hey, I take offense to that. It wasn't that bad.
You really have no idea.
A beat passes. And then, Zach laughs.
It's a story only the two of them are privy to: every now and then, Ash will enlist Zach's help on… something. Becca and I never really found out what the real deal is with those "adventures", as Ash calls it, and both aren't willing to tell due to some unspoken agreement. She insists that if it's Ash, it's likely not something illegal or life-threatening. I tend to believe her on that.
Sometimes. Ah, well. Boys will be boys, I guess?
I give Zach a small wave from behind Ash when his attention eventually turns to me.
Bella!
Huh? Rebecca's not with you? Is she still sick?
A bit. But she's up and went to work this morning.
You know she doesn't listen to anyone that's not Ash.
No, she doesn't. You're literally the only person she'll listen to when she's feeling stubborn.
And it's true! They've known each other far longer than any of us in the group, childhood friends and all.
We get some insight into the group dynamics. Ashton and Rebecca know each other since they were kids, at some point in time Zach joined the group (probably something work related, he's older than Ashton and Rebecca), and then ca. 5 years ago Isabella entered their little circle when she came to England. She's the youngest in the group.
But don't worry, Zach! She's probably on her way here now.
She promised she wouldn't miss your movie—
Hmmm... Nope, not even the fact that Zach is apparently an indie film maker can get me to dislike the guy.
???: Isabella! Oh, thank goodness!
Speak of the devil.
Without warning, a hand grabs me by the shoulder and turns me around.
With three people on screen, it gets increasingly difficult to catch a screenshot without one of them blinking. It looks really doofy.
I have to lean back a little with the way her face is almost invading my personal space. But she places her hand on either side of my head to keep me still. She stares at me intently, concern filling her eyes.
Becca, you're squishing my face.
How are you? Are you all right?
W-Why wouldn't I be?
Rose called me earlier.
Those four words tell me all I need to know. Since I don't have my family living close by and the only other relative I have here works on the far side of the country, I gave my company Becca's contact number, in case of emergency. I should have known Rose would call her.
I push Becca's hands away from my face. Although she lets go, her eyebrows remain drawn together.
Oh, no! No! Everything's good! Rose covered for me at work today.
The first update might have tricked you into assuming otherwise, but don't be fooled: This is pretty much Rebecca's default expression, right here.
How's your head?
Beside me, Ash snickers. I bite back the urge to elbow him in place of trying to avoid Becca's hand, as she tries to reach out for the said area. I do my best to dodge her, all at once moving to hide behind Zach. Sorry for using you as a human shield, Zach!
Oh, it's nothing! I just slipped off a few steps on my way down. I blacked out for a few seconds and had a minor bump, but it's just that.
You blacked out?! It's not something to brush off!
Come on, at least let me check it!
It's extremely minor. You wouldn't even know it's there!
Isabella, this isn't a laughing matter!
Wow, thanks a lot, Ashton! You traitor! I'll get you back for this, just you wait!
What? I'm just saying it as it is. If you mentioned this earlier we wouldn't be having this conversation right now.
I'm sorry, 'saw her'?
Yeah, they arrived together. Bella looked fine to me then. I don't know.
Something crosses Becca's face, but it's gone before I can figure out what it is.
Well okay, Isabella does show at least one characteristic of an average Japanese protagonist: she's denser than lead in everything related to romance.
Oh...that's—that's good. At least she didn't have to travel alone, right? At least. Good.
See? I'm okay! I wouldn't be here if I wasn't!
And—and—I don't want to miss Zach's film!
We can always watch it some other time.
Sorry, Zachary.
No, it's good.
It's the premiere! The premiere's different! Right, Zach?
I shoot him a pleading look. Zach's a sensible guy. He'll understand! Please understand!
Not really, but Rebecca has a point. In the end, I think it's your call.
Oh, for heaven's sake!
Please, Becca. I really don't want to miss it.
You're not 'missing' it! We're just moving it on a different day, so we can have a—
Look, you guys...
Ash's loud sigh unexpectedly cuts through the conversation. He's pinching the bridge of his nose as he speaks; something he usually does when he's getting impatient.
Whoa, watch your hands, Ashton.
Besides, she's still acting like the same old Isabella to me, if she can still run around like that.
Why are you taking her side?
I'm pretty sure we all know why.
I'm not. But if she wants to watch Zach's movie with us, I'm not going to stop her. She's probably the one looking forward to it the most.
Ash, that's—You, of all people, should know—
Tell you what: if I notice something amiss with her, I'll take her to the nearest hospital myself. Is that good enough for you?
I already know the answer before Becca voices it out. When, at last, she releases a deep breath and nods, albeit with great reluctance, I immediately tackle her into a hug.
Thanks, Becca!
Did you say something?
Me? Nothing. Don't mind me.
If you say so...
(click for video until end)
Uh, anyone here who has a smaller bill?
I think I do! Hold on.
I pull myself off from Becca to get my wallet from my bag, and—
(*paper falling*)
What's this?
It's already in Ash's hands before I can even react.
Oh my god
Behind him, Becca and Zach are both giving the piece of paper an intrigued look.
No! Give it back!
It's just a paper.
I don't care! Give it!
... Isabellaaa
I try to reach for it, but he holds the paper way above his head. I've never been particularly sensitive about my own height, but right now, I really wish I have that advantage over him.
Don't open it!
What's the big deal? It's not like it's a love letter. I don't see any reason to—
Hold on a second. This is… isn't it?
Even if it is, it's not for you!
Okay. Now I'm curious.
I'm telling you it's nothing like that—it's—
The rest of my words are lost when he unfolds the paper.
Music: BGM Tension 1
HOW DO YOU KEEP LETTING THIS HAPPEN
Too Early For Halloween - Pass the letter to Ashton, Rebecca and Zachary
I can't breathe. My heart feels stuck in my throat, pounding, threatening to burst out.
Vaguely, I note how my hands are trembling at my sides. Clasping them together doesn't do any good; they are still shaking, but I hang onto them, regardless. The awful, sick weight that has taken its core in my stomach back in the open house returns full-force.
How do I fix this?
How do I fix this?
How do I fix this?
Someone, please. Today is turning out to be a horrible nightmare.
"Send this to five people or else…"
We're actually up to six people now, or maybe seven. So Isabella should be in the clear now. It's just too bad for literally every person we've met so far, except for the taxi driver. 
Well, that's... interesting.
Um, guys? I think we should listen to Bella first.
Aren't you a few days early for Halloween?
Ash waves the paper in front of me, giving me a fleeting glimpse of its contents. I don't need to see; I don't want to see. The letters, the words, every stroke written in blood is already embedded in my mind. Maybe I should've just thrown it away when I had the chance. That way... that way...
It's not a prank.
It makes all of them stop. Even I am surprised with how steady my voice is.
They all look up to stare at Isabella instead of the letter, in case you couldn't tell.
What did you say?
This isn't a prank! I saw something!
Hold on. Are we still talking about this paper? Or is it about the urban legend again?
Both! I know it sounds ridiculous—
You're saying this is a primitive version of a chain letter. And now that we've seen it, we're now cursed.
You've gotta be kidding me.
See? This is why I didn't want to tell you guys!
Isabella, aren't you taking this a bit too far?
It's not a joke! Will you guys listen to me first?!
I saw something in the house earlier! It stood. Right. In. Front. Of. Me. If I hadn't gotten away... that thing might've—
Right. And in broad daylight, Isabella. Even someone gullible would find the logic in that screwed up. There's also no way in hell that this supernatural shit is true.
But it's real! What did you think I saw?!
Hallucination? A delusion? Didn't you say you fell down some stairs? So maybe Rebecca's right.
It happened after! When I was trying to get away! I almost got stuck in the same room with that thing! We're all in danger! I thought you're my friends?! Why don't you believe me?
We are and you know that. But this thing and that thing has got nothing to do with the other! When Rose called earlier, I thought she's just exaggerating. But based on what I'm seeing right now, maybe it's better if we really postpone this for now—
Don't bother.
Without another word, I snatch the letter out of Ash's hand and stuff it back in my bag with more force than necessary.
No! You really should get rid of it! At least now, when you already satisfied the curse! Or at least hand them to your friends, so that they might have a chance to free themselves, too...? No?
You're not a very good friend, Isabella.
I'm tired. I got cursed, saw a ghost, probably lost a sale, got kicked out of the open house I'm supposed to be hosting, my own friends won't believe me, and all of them think I'm crazy.
To top it all off, there's a dull ache at the back of my head begging for a little attention I can't afford to give right now! Honestly, there's only so much a person can take within a single day. I just want to go home, curl up in my bed, and never think about today. But before I can take a single step away from the group…
Music: BGM Zachary Theme
Zach is so done with all this yelling and moping around. Also, gatdangit Rebecca, you blinked again.
Zach rarely ever raises his voice even when there's a point he wants to drive home. And hearing him take on that tone completely throws me off. Even Ash and Becca. Whatever harsh words yet to come out from the argument immediately die on our tongues.
Why don't we all calm down first? I'm sure Isabella has her reasons, too! No need to be hard on her.
And, hey! Ain't this supposed to be a happy get-together? We haven't seen each other for months! I'd really love to know what all of you have been up to. I only ever got to talk to Bella over chat.
He's doing a pretty decent impression of the puppy eyes.
He... has a point. Ash, for all his attempts to look cool and distant, has also been looking forward to this. He even took the time to call this morning for a reminder. He never does that. Becca, too! I'm pretty sure that's another reason why she got out of bed today.
Yet, despite Zach's attempts to lighten things up or Ash's and Becca's acquiescing gestures, the tightness in my chest remains. I should've just kept it to myself or, at least, went with the idea that it's a prank. If I did, things might not have turned out the way they had. No sour mood, no bad vibes.
Careless. So careless!
Better or not, this is a decision you can't make without pissing off somebody. Do we risk disappointing that big adorable lug Zach and Ashton for Rebecca's sake, or do we jeopardize Miss Pink's relationship to the group and ignore her nagging?
Poll: Is leaving the better decision for all of us?
And just in case it might crop up in the near future: If we were to try to find a solution to this curse, would we rather turn to a spiritual or a scientific solution?
Poll: How do we deal with a curse?
Updates might slow down a bit from this point on, since this is where the game kind of starts to branch and i can't really prepare updates ahead of time anymore.