Johanas awoke on the beach the next day, groaning. He reluctantly got up and shook himself off, sand flying everywhere. The cat stayed there for a while, silently watching the waves roll and crash into each other. He saw the volcano in the distance, smoke still pouring into the atmosphere. Tears formed in his eyes as he tried to forget what had happened yesterday. There was no point moping on the beach forever, he had to do something to fill the void. Maybe he could explore the area. He walked around the beach, the sand was dull and the water was desaturated. No life other than himself was in sight, until he saw some trees in the distance. He went towards the trees, each step sinking into the damp sand. The forest he found himself in was similar to the forest on his island. Lush and full and vibrant, but still dull in comparison. A pang of longing hit him deep in the chest,
"Oh I miss that island, don't you?" a cold voice whispered from below him. The shadow was back.
"You aren't real," Johanas said dryly as he continued walking. He refused to look down.
"Maybe not, but you can still hear me," the voice responded.
Johanas ignored it and kept walking. He wasn't going to let it bring him down again. It wasn't his fault. It wasn't his fault.
"It was your fault, you're crazy" the shadow responded to his thoughts.
"You're crazy" Johanas couldn't help snapping back.
"I'm not the one talking to nothing"
Johanas looked down realising he didn't even have a shadow since he was in the shade. It's definitely normal to have conversations with yourself. He tried reassuring himself. He continued through the forest, hoping for a nice sheltered area. As he continued, he heard rustling around him. A white blur of something raced next to him, he turned his head.
"JOHANAS! I missed you!" Rahul squeaked just like he had the day he died.
"Rahul!? How did you survive the volcano?" Johanas exclaimed, overjoyed that his little brother was alive.
Rahul ignored Johanas's question, "Why did you leave us? Where did you go?" Rahul asked, his once warm blue eyes turned cold and icy.
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"I thought I went to the volcano, but it happened again. I'm so sorry Rahul, I didn't mean to leave you," Johanas said, bending down to try to comfort his brother.
"Yes you did. You did mean to leave us" Rahul responded, stepping away sending a stab of hurt through Johanas's heart.
"No, I promise. It wasn't me, it was..." Johanas stammered, unable to come up with what to say next.
"There is no one else here, no one made you do it, it was you. You have always been a disappointment" Rahul said slowly, he didn't sound like himself anymore. His voice was deep and cold and unfriendly.
"No please, it wasn't. I would never. I love you" Johanas said, tears pricking his eyes as he reached out to touch Rahul's face. He ran his paws through Rahul's fur, it felt different, it felt strange. And just as suddenly as Rahul appeared, he disappeared.
