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

[yanginthere]

really?
i thought i was being straightforward
for someone that has no idea the exact context anyway

not that im asking for all the gritty details
it obviously hurt a lot and its personal

but since youre asking for advice i have just one question

you said you took part in something
that makes me think you didnt do this alone
like it wasnt your idea? stop me if im wrong
but if thats true then i dont think youve got to worry about repeating the same mistakes
you already seem aware of what you did and the impact it had on others

[hashtagafreakingghost]

You give me more credit than I give myself, I suppose.

There were others involved. And it wasn't my idea. But I had the feeling it would be a bad one, and I did nothing. I just let it happen.
Because I didn't think.
I didn't think again and it almost got someone else killed.
I can't help but think it's a trend.

[yanginthere]

i try to find the good in people where i can
its easy enough to find the bad on your own

so you didnt act
that happens a lot
when other people already have an idea and they try to get you in on it
its hard to say no
its hard to be the voice of reason

not that i can talk
im not the best voice of reason
almost got my sister and i killed when we were kids because i was stupid
impulsive and selfish

but you know what?
i learned from that
i can see the signs now
i may not be the best at it but
im a hell of a lot better at spotting bad ideas

so if you really believe it could be a trend like you say
then call someone next time
get a second opinion
have someone help you smack some sense into whoever it is thats dragging you along

[hashtagafreakingghost]

[There are a lot of people here with sibling issues...]

Smack some sense into someone else. Maybe. I know for sure I can have someone smack some sense into me personally. I can ask for that.
I still don't have the highest opinion of myself, but I can ask for that.

[After all, it's happened once before.]



Nothing will stop the thoughts though. I should have been better. I should have kept myself calm.
I should have thought rationally instead of choosing to go along with something so obviously stupid.
Your advice is still good. Thank you for it.

[yanginthere]

the what ifs never go away
let the questions drive you to do better next time
be a better person
than just to resent yourself

best you can do is think about it less every day until it stops getting in the way you live your life
idk though
it won't work for everyone
dont thank me too hard its just my experience

[hashtagafreakingghost]

At least you're being honest.
I hope it'll work for me. That feels kind of awful to say. But I don't want to go on like this forever.
It's reassuring that it works for someone, at least.

[yanginthere]

you have to take care of yourself

for what its worth
i wouldnt want anyone to suffer when theyre already feeling remorse

[hashtagafreakingghost]

I try as much as I can.

Thank you. I wish my friend had felt the same way
or at least
I wish that I could have expressed to him just how much remorse I felt.

[yanginthere]

there could still be a chance to do that
you never know!

[ Taking the past tense to mean "I may never see them again because of this place" and not, like, the worst implication there. Glass half full, here. ]

[hashtagafreakingghost]

[Well. You know. She's talked with the anon who says people who're dead can come here too so there's
a sad kind of hope]

I can hope.

[yanginthere]

just hang in there

and if you
or someone you know
needs that smacking i talked about before
hit me up on this line okay?

[hashtagafreakingghost]

I will.
Thank you.