Necy

Necy never thought about the little things. Like how Kui seemed to share her aesthetic and style, regardless of how often she’d change it. Or how she’d end up with the same haircut, down to the color change, despite shaming her for it. Or especially how she’d follow Necy to her hobbies or daily visits just because Necy was doing them.

Even when Kui suddenly became obsessed with things Necy would take an interest in, she still thought it was a coincidence. I mean, they were best friends, as close as sisters. It wasn’t weird for them to match, after all, they’d grown together and taken care of each other. It was nice to share interests with someone.

But sometimes, Necy would wonder how much of it was a coincidence.

Then one night, it all changed; the veil was lifted.

Kui had invited Necy to her parents’ house, nothing strange about that as they had sleepovers all the time. Her parents were nice and always treated her like part of their family.

On this night, Necy decided to sleep early since she was tired, only to startle awake an hour later due to some loud voices and someone whispering angrily:

“Be quiet. Do not react. Just listen in.”

Terrified, she leaned against the wall which was shared with the kitchen, she heard Kui speak, “……It’s honestly too easy now. I don’t even have to do anything.”

Confused, Necy leaned in even more. She had never heard Kui sound so mean before.

“Our family’s success relies on you now. You have to make sure she’s always by your side.”

“I know mum. I mean, look at me. Everything she touches, I get a taste of. The grades, the jobs, the luck—it all shifts. I barely have to try anymore."

“Ha-ha, you better hope she never figures it out!” her father exclaims.

“She won’t,” Kui said easily. “She thinks we’re best friends. That I care for her. And as long as she does, she’ll keep feeding me. She has no idea what she’s losing.”

Necy’s stomach twisted. Her skin felt too tight, her breath too shallow. It all made sense, the puzzle clicked in her head, one piece at a time.

She had been losing things. But she always thought it was just her carelessness. Her things, her thoughts, her ideas. Her job, her motivation, her opportunities, even her memories!! And Kui—Kui—had been taking them.

“Get ready,” The voice whispered urgently, “You need to run! You have to get away!”

Necy tiptoed out of the room, phone in hand, past the closed kitchen door and to the unlocked back door. Run! She ran as fast as she could to the bus stop. Her phone is constantly ringing. Kui’s name flashing with every ring.

Luckily, Kui lived close to a main road. She caught a late bus out of town, her phone turned off, her mind racing and tears of regret and betrayal flooding her eyes.

She needed to get away. Needed time to think, to process. There was only one place Kui didn’t know about—a distant relative Necy had barely ever mentioned. A safe place, far from Kui’s reach.

As she rode through the night, watching the city disappear behind her, she felt something shift. Like a bond breaking.

For the first time in years, she wondered—without Kui, what will my life become?

She didn’t know.

The End