Second 👻 Story [Anonymous Text]

[hashtagafreakingghost]

[For the past few days, all Ashley's done is try to figure out how to get the PokéConnect anonymous. It'd been an idea in the back of her mind for a week or so and then- well, it became an urge and now here she is.]

I need to ask for some advice.
This might also turn out to be a moral question, maybe? I'm playing by ear.

The scenario:
You take part in something careless and thoughtlessly cruel. A tragedy occurs. One that costs lives. You've accidentally hurt a dear, close friend.
That friend then methodically and maliciously plans and carries out revenge that inadvertently puts your life, the lives of your friends, and their own life in danger.
What the hell do you do?
Is it right to be pissed when it's your fault it all happened?
IS it really your fault?
What's worse, a horrible accident or a plot purposely designed to hurt others?
How would you try to move forward?
How would you try to forgive yourself?
Do you deserve to?

Consider this a moral quandary if you will. I'd just really like some advice. Some opinions.

Comments

[anon text forever]

[grapeeater]

Since I've been both hurt by a friend and hurt them in return, I can only offer you my personal opinion.

You have a right to be pissed, but the other person also does. It doesn't make what they did back to you right - only that the fact that it was an accident doesn't mean they're not allowed to be pissed off.

Is it your fault? Maybe. It's difficult to say without specifics. If you take responsibility and try to make things right... then maybe it's better. It's hard to say. What that person did is definitely worse, but I can see where they would think that you didn't take enough responsibility. That doesn't mean they're right from an objective standpoint, just from their personal one.

As for how to move forward... I'm trying to figure that out myself. If you've really done all you can do to make it up to the person, I don't know what else you can do. As for whether you 'deserve' to forgive yourself... I can't answer that for you.

[same]

[hashtagafreakingghost]

What if I haven't done all I can to make up for it? What if it's impossible to now?
I want so much to make peace with this in whatever way I can, but if talking to my friend isn't something I can do anymore, then what?

[grapeeater]

... I don't have an easy answer for you, honestly. I'm trying to figure this out, too. But if you can't make it up to them... just hold on to the fact that you want to be better, because it sounds like you do.

Not that just wanting and wishing makes things better, but at least it's moving in the right direction, isn't it? So take steps to be a better person - to not do that kind of thing again. And I think... maybe in the end things will be be better. Even if you can never make things up to someone, you can at least try to balance the scales a bit, right?

[hashtagafreakingghost]

Maybe.
If that's all I can do, then I'll devote myself to it.
And wish you good luck too.

[grapeeater]

... Thanks.

I think a lot of people here are struggling with that kind of thing, if it helps.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

It might.
Better to be a struggling person surrounded by others than one with a group of saints.

[grapeeater]

I agree, honestly. It's made it easier - you can see that a lot of other people have done... bad things. So you know you're not the only one who screwed up, which makes it more... human, I guess?

[hashtagafreakingghost]

That's one way to put it.
All human together.
Thank you, this has been valuable input.

[grapeeater]

You're welcome.

For what it's worth, I think that trying to focus on the future here is better than focusing on the past. You can't change what you did, but maybe you can change how you'd react in the future?

Easier said than done, I know.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

One step at a time. I'm never good at thinking just in the moment, so it'll be a challenge.

[grapeeater]

That's all anyone can ask though, isn't it?

[Well. If you're not a Kureshima, that's all anyone can ask.]