"Mom!!!!", I screamed at the top of my lungs as I sprinted out of the bathroom and over to the kitchen.
Mom was startled by my sudden outburst that she cut her finger with the knife by accident. "Ow!" She clutched the injured finger as she glared daggers at me. "Look what you did you brat!"
"Insult me later! Come with me!", I grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the kitchen.
"Hey! What are you-", She stumbled behind me, not having enough time to react. But there was no time for that nonsense. She has to see the black blood on the mirror.
I finally pulled her over to the bathroom. "Look over there! On the mirror!"
"What about the mirror?!", She snapped, her tone impatient and fueled with annoyance as he tapped her feat.
I looked at her in disbelief. Was she blind?!! I turned to mirror and pointed at it. "The black substance on the mirror-"
...
What...?
Where did it go...?
It was as if my vocal cords disconnected as I stared in shock. The black blood...It was gone...
"I...got my finger cut...", Mom spoke in a low, threatening voice. "And got dragged out of the kitchen...OVER A PRANK THAT'S NOT EVEN FUNNY?!"
"No no no! I swear it wasn't a prank-"
"Minakami's pranks were better when he was still as short as Ringo!"
What...
"Next time, try to be funny!", Mom barked in my face. Before she stormed out, she pinched my arm hard.
"Ow!", I yelped, a look of disbelief on my face. I was literally suffocating to death a few minutes ago and all she was thinking about was my brother?! What is wrong with that woman?!
I snapped back to the mirror. The black, shiny blood that splattered all over it had vanished. It couldn't have been a hallucination...I was feeling it! It was too real to be not. I stared for a good two minutes at the mirror, contemplating if what happened actually happened or was this the beginning of my endless spiral into insanity...
Tiny droplets of rain poured down as me and my brother walked through the dreariness of our city. Given that I didn't own a blazer, I could consider myself a warrior walking through this weather in just the summer uniform.
Minakami was embedded into his phone, almost hitting a lamp post on our way. That brat had his sleeves rolled up in the WINTER, in the middle of the rain. You'd think mom would go through lengths to throw a kazillion layers of clothing on him to make sure he won't catch a cold.
Minding the rain, I was deep in thought about the paranormal activity my body went through in the bathroom. The strange thing is no one heard me screaming nor did they witness what happened. Like a forgotten memory that never happened to begin with.
The image of the black blood splattered all over the mirror sent a shiver down my spine almost as much as the red eyed man I encountered in school did...
...
No...I can't go about this day normally.
I'm not crazy.
I'm hallucinating.
What happened happened.
And I'm getting to the bottom of this...
"Yasu give me a needle!"
"H-Huh?! Megumi?!", Yasu jumped in surprise as he spotted me sprinting towards him.
"GIVE ME A NEEDLE."
Yasu was stuck between a fight or flight response. He was practically fidgeting so hard that he stumbled off of the bench and hit the concrete floor with a squeak leaving his mouth.
My sprinting came to a sudden halt as I stared down at Yasu in confusion. "Uh Yasu...?"
Yasu looked back up at me with teary eyes, a mild bruise on his already red face. Luckily, he didn't fall flat on his face otherwise the broken shards of glass from his glasses would've impaled his eyes. Instead, the glasses fell off before he even made contact with the floor. They were lying crooked on the ground next to his hands.
"Dude, I didn't even touch you...", I said, kneeling down to his level.
Yasu whimpered as he rubbed the bruise on his bleeding nose. "I-I'm okay..."
I didn't ask if you were though...
"Yasu!", A mature voice called out. My head shifted up to find Aoyama Sensei, our chemistry teacher, rushing over to the soft pink haired boy and helping him up. Unlike Akumetsu Sensei, this teacher is less of a pain in the ass. If only her tests didn't require an IQ of 300 to solve.
She gave me a stern glance as she picked the broken glasses up. "Megumi..."
"What?! I swear I didn't do anything!"
"Then care to explain the position you two were in?", She crossed her arms, her tone stern. "Yasu was on the ground and you didn't bother to help him?"
"What gave you that impression?", I asked.
"The fact that you're just staring at him and doing nothing?", She raised her eyebrows as she tapped her finger.
"I mean...uh..."
"M-Megumi didn't do anything...", Yasu added, his voice toned down to a whisper. He clutched his arm out of pain.
"I know Yasu.", Aoyama Sensei responded, her tone more gentle. "The problem right now is- You know what, just forget it. Let's get you to the infirmary."
She placed an arm around Yasu, acting as support for his already fragile body that was injured.
...
Maybe I should've ran slower towards him? I have honestly no idea how this guy's brain functions. Aoyama Sensei, from the beginning of the year, was giving him nothing but pure, unfiltered special treatment. Compare that to her strict nature and series of rules and principles she implements as soon as her lesson starts. Break one rule and you're absolutely cooked.
But Yasu, he gets a free pass. Sometimes I just feel like he's faking it. Or at least overdoing it just to get attention.
...
Why did all of this happen...?
...
Oh...a needle...
I needed to take a good look at that black blood once more. Not sure what I would do with it. I'm not a scientist. Maybe I should show it to someone who can be able to identify it. All I have to do right now is extract a tiny drop of that blood from my body.
I needed something sharp, but not too sharp that my funeral would be scheduled. At most something that all comes down to the level of pricking your finger.
I swiped the class door open to find none other than Ichigo, the only one in the room. She's usually too early so it shouldn't be a surprise. The sound of chalk echoed across the classroom as she wrote something on the chalkboard.
It read, "Rendre le monde grand à nouveau"
I hope she's not alluring towards who I think it is...
I gathered up some courage and cleared my throat.
"Hm?!", Ichigo's head shot to the side in surprise, dropping the chalk by accident. As soon as she realized it was me, her face contorted into a sneer. She crossed her arms, her narrowed eyes scanning me. "Magamo..."
"It's Megumi..."
"Fancy seeing you here.", She picked up the chalk up and continued writing.
I rolled my eyes. "This is also my classroom. In case you forgot to read the register."
"I did.", She turned to me with a smirk. "It said Megumi."
"So?"
"Your name...", Ichigo placed the chalk down on the table and slithered towards me, flicking my nose. "Is Magamey..."
My blood began to boil. "You just misspelled my name a few seconds ago- Ugh! Ichigo! Do you have anything sharp?"
"What...?"
"Anything sharp!", I replied.
"Why?", She placed her hands on her waist. "You finally decided to end it all?"
"What're you-", I facepalmed. There was no time for her offensive comebacks she makes up on the spot. "Ichigo...just please..."
She sighed, closing her eyes dramatically. She placed a hand on her semi-flat chest. "Very well. Out of the goodness of my heart, I will help wasteful peasants who are in need...There's a box cutter located in the art room...you can thank me later...if you're alive that is..." She then leaned closer, her voice shifting to a whisper. "I recommend you use it on the wrist..."
"ICHIGO!"
"WHAT?!!!!", She roared in my face, her eyes shot wide open.
"I'm not trying to kill myself!", I snapped back. This girl was going to be the death of me. I took some time to compose myself and spoke once again. "Ichigo...sweet heart...Do. You. Have. Anything small and sharp? Like a needle! Or maybe...pins!"
Ichigo's face fell as soon as she heard that word. "Mes aliments de base..?"
"For the love of God Ichigo! Speak. English.", I gripped her shoulders tight as I looked her in the eye. "Give me a staple. Now. I know you store a thousand boxes of those things! It won't hurt to give me one of them."
Ichigo's expression shifted once again. This time, eyes narrowed, pupils contracted, nose wrinkled, and chin raised. Thankfully, she spoke English, but the difference was her french accent was thick. Too thick. "My staples...?"
"Stop with that cryptic shit and talk like a human being.", I ordered.
Ichigo, slowly and dramatically, turned to the back of the class, her ginormous twin tails swaying to the side as she did. "You...want MY staples..."
My patience were seconds away from wearing off. "UGH! YES! YES! Your fucking staples! Anything sharp for god's sake!"
In a way that makes you feel like you're in an action movie scene, Ichigo made her way towards her desk, her footsteps echoing across the room. The cloudy sky darkened the room as Ichigo reached for one of the thousand pin boxes and pulled a dusty one out. She raised the box up to my view as she turned to face the front of the class.
"You want...a pin?", She stared into my soul as she waved the box.
"YES-GOD-FUUUUUUCKKK!!!!! Are you a fucking broken record?!!-"
In a split second, 8 pins came hurdling towards me at lightning speed.
"WHAT THE-", Without a second thought, I dropped to the floor just in time. The pins struck the chalk board, three of them sticking while the rest fell onto my head. A small squeal came out of me as they hit my head, the sharp stings causing a brief sense of pain.
"There's plenty of more where that came from!", Ichigo chuckled deviously as she pulled 8 more pins from the box.
I stared at her, jaw dropping as my body was shuddering from complete shock. The whole thing happened out of nowhere. She immediately attacked me without even giving me a chance to react. The worst part is, every god damn single time this happens, it catches me off guard!
"HA! HO! HA! HAAAAAAA!", Once again, Ichigo launches 8 pins hurtling faster than the speed of light.
"NO NO NO NO!", I shouted repeatedly as I felt another surge of adrenaline. I quickly stumbled to the side, my arm hitting against the table as I scrambled hastily for anything to shield myself. The pins once again strike the chalkboard, falling onto the wooden floor.
This was my time to peace out of here.
"Crazy bitch!", I spat out as I quickly reached for one pin and skedaddled out of the classroom.
"les vaches noires ne peuvent pas être apprivoisées..."
"Ow...", I winced. I poked my index finger with the sharp tip of the pin.
...
As I expected...
Black blood...
So it is real...
I was right...
I wasn't hallucinating...
Though...I wish I was...
I could feel the hair on my arms stand up as I looked down at my bleeding finger. The small drop of black, shiny blood stood out. It wasn't supposed to be there. Blood is supposed to be red...so w-what is this...
I collapsed onto the nearby bench, deep in thought. If true...and my blood is black...why on earth did it vanish off of the mirror when I made an attempt to show it to mom? It was as if it was mocking me. Calling me crazy for even choosing to acknowledge its existence. Rude...
However, I needed to put this to the test...
My head looked up in search for any unsuspecting prey- I mean person.
There he was.
A frail looking boy with freckles decorating his face was walking in peace, buried in his book. Perfect...
"HEY KID!", I shot up from my seat and jumped in front of the weakling, blocking his path.
"WHA-AGH!", The kid jumped in shock, his soul leaving his frail body. The book fell from his hands and landed onto the ground.
"Look at my finger.", I raised my index finger so the boy could get a good view.
"What?", He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
"Look at my finger!", I inched my finger closer.
The boy leaned closer and inspected my index finger as if he's observing cells. "Y-You're finger....well....it's so smooth...and...so big..."
Huh...?
A faint, rosy blush crept up his pale skin as his gaze intensified staring at my index finger. "Do you go to the gym often...?"
I stuttered for a moment. Was he complimenting me? Well obviously he was. "W-Well...in the summer yes...I kind of stopped after that..."
"B-But why?!", He stammered, his green eyes meeting mine. "In fact, w-women who build their body...are hot!"
H-huh?! H-He just called me hot! "You think I'm..." For just a moment, a faint smile formed on my face. A glimmer of hope formed in my eyes as I tried to let what he just said sink in.
"Yeah...it would be a waste to not put that body to good use..."
"Oh thanks I- HUH?!", I suddenly snatched his hair and pulled at it.
The boy let out a pained scream as my strong hands gripped his greasy hair that looks like he hasn't washed it for years tightly. "Ow! Hey! What did I do?!"
"What do you mean put your body to good use?!", I screamed in his face, gripping his hair tighter. "Are you saying I should become a prostitute?!"
"N-No I'm just saying you should get a boyfriend-"
"Don't change the subject!", I interrupted. "Look at my finger!"
"I SAID IT'S BIG!"
"Not that you perv!", I smacked him. "Don't you see the blood?!!!"
"What blood?!", He shouted.
"This blood!", I shoved my finger in his face out of impatience and frustration. "There, right there!"
"WHERE?!"
"IN YOUR GOD DAMN UNDERWEAR! SCRAM BEFORE I VIOLATE YOU!", I let go of his hair, kicking him back with my leg.
The boy screeched as he snatched his book and scurried away, stumbling onto himself.
"Imbecile...", I thought to myself, tapping my foot in frustration. But hey, at least he managed to answer my question...
I stared down at my index finger to find the black blood had disappeared, another shiver sent running down my spine...
It couldn't be hallucinations. Like I said, what happened in the bathroom was too real to be not. My body felt everything. My organs were reacting. This is reality and there was only one answer to this anomaly.
Someone's pulling the strings...and that someone is not human...
A gust of wind blew against me, causing my hair to sway...the blow was a bit too strong that it managed to catch me off balance, knocking me back.
"I better get inside...", I said to myself, adjusting the strand of hair blocking my view as I made my way towards the indoors-
huh...?
There he was. The man I saw yesterday....standing at the end of the outdoor hallway
"HEY WAIT!", I shouted. He turned to the other direction, disappearing in an instant.
Without a second thought, I sprinted as fast as I could, desperately trying to catch up with the man. "No! Hold on!"
I stopped in my tracks as I searched the direction he took.
Not a single person in sight...as if he wasn't even there to begin with...
"Damn it...", I grumbled. I was 100% sure that was the man I encountered last night. The same flat, pitch black hair, the same unsettling red, glowing eyes, the same pale skin, and the same eerie vibe that radiated off of him...
It's him...He's the one messing with me...he's the one pulling the strings...
The warm air from the heaters enveloped the room as I step foot into the small library. If you think I only go here solely because of the heaters then you are precisely correct. You get a free rice ball. Here...
It was only this time that I would actually put this worn out library to good use. And no, that good use isn't going to include books. The books in here are so outdated not to mention as worn out as this library. They can't even afford manga.
What I AM here for is the computers. Whatever is happening to me is definitely an anomaly. But, I'm sure science has a scientific explanation to this as well.
I made my way to the row of 5 computers. I immediately turned to the computer at the end of the row, which by logic, is the computer most furthest away from the nosy librarian lady.
I propped myself down onto the chair and stretched my arms. Despite being the most advanced object in this room, this Microsoft Windows version is windows 8, which was developed in 2012. We're literally in 2025 are you kidding me?
"Never the matter...", I sighed. I turned the pc on and clicked on the old doodle chrome icon. I pulled the keyboard an inch towards me and began typing. My fingers spread across the slightly dusty keyboard. Everything seems to be going normal...
...
Though...
Something felt off...
Usually I'd have a hard time finding the letters. But this time, I took a quick look at the keyboard and I suddenly memorize where each letter is located. As a result, I was typing a little too fast...
In an instant, I pulled my hands back in confusion. My eyebrows furrowed in a slight sense of worry. I was always slow with typing. Heck, I was always slow with a lot of things.
I mentally composed myself and placed both my hands on the keyboard once more. I gently pressed my finger on one key.
Click.
Ok...
I gently pressed my other finger on the other key.
Click.
No worries here...
I gently pressed my-
Click Click Click Click Click Click Click Click Click-
"Woah Woah WOAH!", I snapped in surprise. My fingers danced uncontrollably across the keyboards, pressing any key they come in contact with.
"Shh! Quiet!", The librarian's annoying voice rang through my ear. That damn sound. It makes me shudder every time it rang into my ear. But thankfully, it was able to put a halt to my fingers' manic episode.
It was like my hands were possessed, detached from the rest of my body and going fully sentient. What was going on with me? Could the blood be a factor in this?
I cleared my throat and shifted uncomfortably in my seat.
...
Gently placing my finger on the key- GAH!
"Careful with the keyboard!", The librarian snapped, pointing her finger in my direction. "Your thick fingers might smash the keys!"
Oh they already did...
I hesitantly lifted my finger up, my jaw dropping at the sight of the K key obliterated to tiny pieces.
"Shit shit shit...", I cursed under my breath. My fingers had slammed down onto the key a little too hard...
Slowly and quietly, I began to withdraw myself from the computer, getting up and tip toeing my way out of the library. I headed for the direction towards the second exit, like the computer, is far away from the librarian.
I gently close the door and let out a sigh of relief.
I started massaging my temples in an attempt to relieve some tension. Despite the fear building up inside me, there wasn't a single heartbeat. It was like my heart wasn't even there and if it isn't there, how am I still functioning? Why were my fingers acting on their own accord? What kind of force was brought upon me to smash a keyboard key to pieces? Why do I even have black blood to begin with? Who on earth was that man?! So many questions and yet no answers.
Megumi...
My head snapped to my right as soon that word entered my right ear.
...
Emptiness.
But I could sense him...
I could sense him peeking at me from the corner. The feeling of being watched was strong and alive...
Not only was I filled with anxiety, I was also filled with frustration. He's playing with me. I have to suffer whatever curse he casts upon me while he gets to watch from the sidelines...
That bastard.
If only there was a way I could somehow catch him. He watches me from a pretty huge distance and immediately vanishes when you look directly at him.
Unless I could unlock his weaknesses, I basically have to wait until he decides to fully show himself once more and explain everything. For the time being, I'll just stay put and accept everything he throws at me...
Megumi...
"WAH-"
"That's not how you throw the ball retard!", A specimen with two watermelons in her chest screamed, sneering at the specimen who carried the ball over the net.
"I do what I want.", The other specimen retaliated, adjusting her glasses. "It's not like we play this game with rules."
"You just don't know how to play!", She waves her off in response. "The least you can do is use your chest like I do! But oh wait...they're flat as your brain."
The entire team erupted in laughter.
This is what a normal day at this school is like, at least between the students.
In volleyball, you should place your hands together and both your arms must be straight, contact the ball with your forearms, and then angle your arms to throw the ball over the net. There's also the overhead pass, using your fingertips to push the ball upwards.
In this school, girls throw balls with their watermelons.
However, it would not be effective due to a lot of factors. Lack of grip and control, the chest isn't designed for launching an object. Also physics, throwing relies on arm movement, wrist flick, and force application-
Huh? Why am I being smart all of a sudden?
In a split second, my head snapped upwards to find the ball hurtling in my direction. A rush of adrenaline coursed through me, prompting me to catch the ball just in time before it slammed into my face.
My hands were trembling for a moment as they clutched the ball tight. Despite the fact that I successfully avoided a trip to the infirmary, the ball's impact sent a sharp sting through my hands. This volley ball weighs somewhere around 260 to 280 grams in contrast to beach volleyballs that weigh heavier and the youth volleyballs that weigh around 200 to 230 grams-
Ok seriously what is up with me today?
"Oi! Megatron! Throw the ball!"
I glared at the specimen with watermelons. "It's Megumi-"
"Megatron."
...
The other specimens behind her giggle, high pitched giggles that make your ears bleed when played spontaneously.
I felt a volcano inside me seconds away from erupting. Luckily, I suppressed it. Apparently, they had picked up from Ichigo and now they're gonna make it a habit of getting my name wrong on purpose.
"Hey maggots! We don't have all day!"
That little-
I took a deep breath to calm myself down. I wasn't going to let her get to me. Unlike her, my back doesn't hurt because of my watermelons. I positioned myself, ready to throw the ball.
"Hurry up!", She barked. "Or else I'm calling P.T Barnum. I heard he wants his slaves-"
THWAK!
She had no time to finish her sentence as she was met with the ball slamming with brute force into her face. I could hear a faint crack as soon as the ball collided with her. The other girls gasped in shock as she collapsed onto the hard asphalt of the field.
"Aghhhhh! Kokomi?!", One of the girls screamed over dramatically as she stumbled onto the ground next her. She grabbed the specimen's shoulders and violently shook them as others watched in concern and shock.
The specimen with watermelons, or Kokomi, was not only knocked out cold, but half of her face was splattered in blood in blood that dripped from her broken nose.
My eyebrows furrowed at the realisation of the damage I had caused. It was as if I used all my power into that ball. It slammed into her with unrealistic intensity...
...
What is wrong with me?
"Megumi!", A girl barked in my face. "What the hell was that?!!"
"Sh-she's overreacting...", I muttered in shame, staring down at her twitching fingers.
"Overreacting?!", The girl exclaimed. "You just murdered her!"
Great. Now I'm gonna get arrested. I'm sure Mom and Dad will be the first to testify against me in court.
"Meegguummi!", A familiar, deep, female voice roared. I slowly turned around to find none other than Aoyama Sensei shooting me a disappointed glare.
"Aoyama Sensei...", I sighed in defeat.
She marched to the volleyball field, approaching the deceased- I mean knocked out girl. Kneeling down, she placed her index finger on the side of the girl's neck and pressed lightly. "Get this girl to a morgue- I mean the infirmary. And Megumi!"
"Y-Yes...?"
Aoyama Sensei crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "You know where you're supposed to go."
"I know..."
Tick!
Tock!
Tick!
Tock!
Tick!
Tock!
Tick!
Tock!
"Are you doing this on purpose?", The principal furrowed his eyebrows at me. His hands were clasped as his narrowed eyes pierced through my soul.
Tick!
Tock!
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, feeling like I was the center of attention and not in a good way. "D-Doing what on purpose...?"
Tick!
Tock!
"See this?"
"Huh?"
He rotated the monitor screen around to display my enrollment records.
——————————————————————
Student's name: Megumi Mitsuhara
Date of birth: 13/7/2007
Homeroom teacher: Akumetsu Sensei
Gender: female
Address: behind you-
——————————————————————
"So?", I raised my eyebrow in confusion.
"I've been having second thoughts on NOT removing you from these records."
Tick!
Tock!
"Oh...", My face dropped. "Is that so?"
"I would also send an official letter to your parents but I doubt they would make a big deal.", He continued, leaning back against his chair.
Tick!
Tock!
...
"Why?"
"Why? WHY?!", Both his hands slammed onto the desk as he rose up from his seat. "You practically murdered that girl! What level of aggression do you posses to prompt you to slam the ball into her face with such brute force?!"
"She started it!", I refuted. "She kept nagging me and said a ton of pretty racist shit-"
"So your solution is to send her into a coma?!", The principal interrupted.
"Oh please!", I rolled my eyes. "That sack of watermelons is probably faking it to get me expelled!"
The principal gave me an are you serious? look as he sat back down onto his chair. "Are you serious?"
"Ok maybe I threw the ball a little hard...", I lied.
Tick!
Tock!
"Ok maybe I threw it a little too hard...", I lied again.
Tick!
Tock!
"Ok I did throw it too hard..."
Tick!
Tock!
"I told you...", He facepalmed. "I told you to enroll into anger management class but you accused me of calling you mentally ill..."
"Why would I do something like that? I'm perfectly capable of taking criticism thank you."
"You have anger issues-"
"You think I'm mentally ill?!-"
"See what I mean?!", He huffed. "Every time we try to help you, you push us away!"
"I'm sorry who's we exactly?", I retorted. A sudden sense of frustration began building up inside me as soon as I heard these words.
"The school?", He retorted back.
"Yeah sure..."
"What?", He crossed his arms.
"Oh nothing!", I scoffed. "I'm having a hard time trying to think of ONE god damn thing the school did to try and help me."
"Oh really?"
"Yes!", I snapped. "Akumetsu Sensei is a walking high school bully, Aoyama Sensei does nothing but yell at me, and the English teacher is too dramatic for my liking-"
"Shhh!", The principal silenced me, aggressively placing a finger on his lips.
"I haven't finished!", I barked. "The gym teacher is fat and lazy, the history teacher is a hooker-MMPH!"
The principal hurried out of his seat and placed his palm on my mouth, cutting off my on going rant.
"MMMMMPHHHH!!!!!!", I moaned, my voice muffled by his firm hand.
"Seriously, do you ever know when to give it a rest?!"
"Mphh! Let go of me!", I finally managed to shove his hand away, glaring up at him.
The principal sighed in frustration. "The fact that you can't remember a single good thing I've done for you is truly unbelievable!"
"You?!", I raised my eyebrow in disbelief.
"Yes me!", He protested. "Who took your side yesterday and called your parents out?! Who did everything in his power to raise your grades to get you into 12th grade?!"
"I..."
"And speaking of grades!", He swiftly turned around and walked back to his seat, opening his computer. He clicked on file adventurer and opened the file labeled Class 3-1 grades. Skimming through the students, He finally reached Megumi. Opening it, He said, "We're already progressing...backwards."
"Y-You don't say..."
"The last math test, an F, the last chemistry test, a C, the last English test, also a C, and the art assignment..."
I leaned forward.
"B..."
"Yes!"
"Excuse me?"
"Sorry..."
"You do realize this is still the second week of this year right?", He continued. "The least you could've done is put a little bit of effort but no. We're already off to a great start aren't we?"
"Well...what about it?!", I argued. "These are the same old grades I always end up with and at the end of the day, I still get to pass!"
"You get to pass thanks to me!", The principal retorted. "Do you think these remedial classes did anything? You still failed regardless! Any other person in my position wouldn't bother to help you themselves. You should at least return the favor!"
"And how would you like me to repay you oh mighty savior?", I rolled my eyes. He decided to help me voluntarily. I never asked for it so I certainly don't owe him a damn thing.
"You repay me by working on yourself.", He responded.
"It's not that easy!"
"Nothing is!"
"So?"
The principal facepalmed. "Don't you understand? Almost everything in life requires effort, Megumi. There are no shortcuts to success!"
"Rich people can beg to differ.", A smug grin formed on my smirk.
"Don't go all cocky on me young lady.", He shot me a stern look.
"Oh be quiet! You gotta at least practice what you preach.", I bite back, narrowing my eyes at him. "You spared me the hard way and raised my grades."
"But that's..."
The smug grin intensifies as leaned against my chair, placing my arms behind my neck. "The problem with you teachers is that you refuse to admit to your endless pile of hypocrisies."
"Well Mrs. Deschooler..."
Deschooler?
The principal rose from his seat and made his way towards me, towering over me with his tall but skinny ass figure. "On your entrance exam to college, who'll be the one to raise your grades?
My face fell as I looked up at his glaring eyes. "Well uh..."
"Exactly."
He had a point. With my bad grades and all, taking the entrance exam is a guaranteed let-down. There's no one to back me up on this one...
"Megumi...", The principal sighed. "I've done all I could to help you...but not only are you struggling academically...you're also struggling to control your anger and that led you to hurt others and yourself."
Ring!
The principal turned to the ringing phone, reaching for it and answering it. "Yes..."
"..."
"I see...thank you."
Click.
The principal turned to me, the slightly disappointed look on his face still lingering. "You're lucky the girl's alive and breathing but she IS severely injured."
I was filled with relief, at least glad that I didn't kill her. Her broken nose is another story altogether.
"You better pray to God her parents don't press charges."
More like MY parents will press charges.
"Megumi..."
What now...
"I won't be around to help you in the future. And I highly doubt anyone would, not with that attitude...", The principal sat on the desk and crossed his arm. "This year is your chance to build on yourself Megumi...start putting effort into your studies, start building a proper social life. Don't let it go to waste. Please."
"..."
The principal sighs. "You're dismissed..."
I slowly stood up and turned around, my eyes eyeing the floor.
"And Megumi"
"Hm?"
"Stop stealing money from under the vending machine."
I crouch down, looking under the vending machine. I eyed through the loads of cobwebs decorating the area. I think there were two bugs making out-
Bingo!
A thousand yen.
I take my ruler out of my bag and slid it under the vending machine. I navigate through the cobwebs as I make my way to the slightly crumbled up 1000 yen.
"Aha...", I sigh in joy, the tip of the ruler finally reaching the crumbled paper money. I drag the paper money until I pulled it out from under the vending machine.
"Come to mommy...", I spoke to myself, flattening the crumbled paper and holding it up with both my arms.
Ahh...the most beautiful thing the world has ever invented.
The first metal coins were invented in 600 BCE and later, paper money was invented during the Tang and Song dynasties in China-
...
Again with sudden burst of intellect...? What is up with me????
...
I looked at the twilight sky as the sun was almost completely gone. Though it was less colorful, especially in the beginning of every school year.
This could be enough cash to ride a subway to home. I didn't feel like walking 2 miles today.
I tucked the paper money into my pocket and turned around, making my way towards the school gates.
...
"I've done all I could to help you...but not only are you struggling academically...you're also struggling to control your anger and that led you to hurt others and yourself."
Who does he think he is? Judging me for who I am. That bitch basically asked for it.
"This year is your chance to build on yourself Megumi...start putting effort into your studies, start building a proper social life. Don't let it go to waste. Please."
Ugh! I don't need fixing. I'm fine just the way I am. I've always been. I've been like this for 10 years and life still carries on...What does he know about me? Nothing! Absolutely nothing!
...
Yeah...
...
He doesn't...
Megumi...
"WHA?!-"
...
Where...?
I turned to my left...then to my right...and then to my back...
?!
A black figure stood at the edge of the rooftop. There it was, or...there he was...looking down at me from afar...his red eyes glowing amongst the darkness he was shrouded in...
A chill ran up my spine as the air around me grew cold. It was too cold that it made me instantly shiver as it brushed against my skin. My eyebrows furrowed as the black figure continued to stare down at me...Almost like he was mocking me...laughing at me for all the suffering I've been through today...As if he might not have played a part in all this...
My worried and fearful expression shifted into a scowl, a look of scorn as I glared back at the black figure. Without any second thoughts, I yelled out at the top of my lungs.
"HEY! ARE YOU HAPPY?! I BET YOU ARE! AREN'T YOU?!"
...
I didn't care if anyone had heard me. I didn't care about anything at this point.
"HEY! DO YOU EVEN HEAR ME?!"
...
"Ugh!", I groaned, stomping my foot out of frustration. The black figure continued to look down on me with a sense of mockery and judgment.
"FINE! I'M LEAVING!"
...
"I'M LEAVING! LEAVING YOU! AND IF YOU'RE A REAL MAN THAN YOU BETTER SHOW YOURSELF AND EXPLAIN EVERYTHING HAPPENING TO ME! YOU HEAR ME?!"
...
"I SWEAR TO THE LORD, IF YOU DON'T SHOW YOURSELF TO ME BY PRECISELY 10:00 PM, YOU'RE...uh...YOU'RE STUPID!"
...
"AGHHHH!", I raged, turning around and stomping towards the school exit.
"Stupid...thing...stupid stupid stupid! Who do they think they are...urhjwkahwj!", I muttered under my breath as I made my way to the nearest bench.
The subway station was...empty. The only thing that can be heard was my loud footsteps echoing across the station. This subway station is over 30 years old and I'm fully convinced they haven't bothered to clean a single spec of dust till this day. Never the matter, it still works but the outdated, liminal space feel this station gave off was...unsettling.
I collapsed onto the rusty bench as I awaited the subway to arrive. My legs bounced as I looked up at the ceiling, contemplating the exhausting and bizarre day.
I looked down at my finger, resisting the urge to cut it open to make triple sure I'm not just going insane and that my blood has magically decided to change its colour.
I sighed, pulling out my phone and scrolling through the latest news to forget the impending dread building inside me. The news wasn't all that appealing to me in the slightest. It ranged from whatever political bullshit is going on to the most trending manga about an angel ending the world. Typical, uninteresting.
...
?
A massive cathedral was found amongst one of Japan's woods.
"So?", I muttered to myself. Though not a Christian majority country, Japan does have some cathedrals. St. Mary's Cathedral in Tokyo, Urakami Cathedral in Nagasaki, Sacred Heart Cathedral in Yokohama, Nagasaki St. Mary's Cathedral, Holy resurrection Cathedral which's also in Tokyo-
...
"Aghh...Damn it!", I ran a hand through my cobalt blue hair. "Did I hit my head or something...?"
That has to be the only solution. No way am I able to memorize and spout out information. Not just any information, correct information. Like I just researched it but without the researching part. I was able to tell the weight of a freaking basketball just by carrying it like one of those superhuman anime protagonists.
That's when you know that something is definitely wrong here. Not that my blood just randomly changed color or that I used such abnormal force to throw a basketball in to the girl's face, but through the fact that I'm smart now. Now that's pretty unlike me-
"Ahhh~"
"Huh?"
...
"Who's there...?", I muttered, caught of guard by the moan that echoed throughout the entire subway station. The voice came off pretty feminine, like too feminine...
...
Could it be...?
...
Two people having sex in the subway station?
...
Better record it-
"Megumi~"
...
What...?
"You must be the chosen one~"
The fuck? As I took the time to process the voice, come to think of it, it's sounds more like a man...even with the feminine voice...
This wasn't the usual whisper, Megumi, that crept into my ear every now and then. No. This one was, as I said before, a moan, a suggestive moan. Could it belong to that boy...
tap...
"Nghh!", I jumped back at the sudden sound of the loud footsteps. These sounds looked like it belonged to Dr. Marten boots...
...
Wherever I got that from...
tap...
tap...
tap...
tap...
tap...
tap..
"Hey!", My voice echoed. "How many footsteps are you gonna take just to show yourself?!"
The footsteps grew closer and louder, the sound of the boots ringing through my ears.
tap...
tap...
tap...
Why am I just standing here?
I quickly turned the opposite direction.
"Megumi~"
Nope...Not waiting around just to find out who was this stranger who knows my name.
With fear running through my veins, I walked away...
...
I didn't know why I wasn't sprinting the bejesus out of this station. Perhaps I was afraid the stranger would immediately start chasing me. I slowly started to pick up the pace. Heading towards the stairs that led to the exit-
"Ahaha..."
AGH!
"Now now now...where do you think you're going~"
I felt a hand latch onto to my arm, making my stomach churn out of shock.
"Ah~", The hand got a hold of my shoulders and spun me around, allowing both of us to meet face to face...
Goat...?
A goat...?
My body froze in place as I stared at the...goat?
To be precise, it was a goat's head placed on a human body...What came out of its head was long slick red hair that reached its shoulders...Its head was missing a horn, shiny substance pouring from the cracks...A white dot, coming out of its pitch black eyes, stared into my soul...
I slowly and hesitantly looked down, staring at the inverted cross that rested on his collarbone...
Inverted cross...
And a priest-like robe...?
What is going on...
Who is this man...or creature...that wasn't the boy who was after me the whole day... Everything about this...thing...was hard to process...
He clutched my shoulders with both his hands...human hands...Implying that he might be just some mentally ill man who thinks he's a goat or something...
His head was tilted...the white glowing eye never leaving mine...soft whimpers slowly escaped him as his head slightly twitched from time to time...
"E-Excuse me...", I stuttered.
"Ah~"
There was that god damn moan again...
"H-Hey!", I snapped. "What's your problem?! Huh?! Are you a- Ah!
The goat-or human-inched his face closer, nuzzling his nose into my neck.
"Ow! Hey!"
His nose traveled down to my collarbone, his hands sliding down my body. I was too stunned to take action. I was still trying to process what is going on.
As if it couldn't get any worse, he wrapped his gross arms around and pulled me in a tight hug, his goat head grinding against my chest.
"Agh!", I jumped in surprise. I wasn't used to the feeling of someone nuzzling against my chest...
...
What am I doing...?
Slap!
The goat man stumbled backwards, hitting the wall behind him with a thud.
"The fuck is your problem?!", I raised my fist up, taking a fighting stance. "You wanna end up on a predator's list...?"
The goat man looked up from the floor, the long, beautiful hair draped over his disgusting goat head. He once again stared into my soul, breathing quite heavily.
"You..."
"Me?"
"You...AHHH~...You're perfect~", The feminine voice intensified. "You'll do well~"
I'll do well? I'll do well in what?
"You're body~ So delicate~ So soft~ Yet so strapping~"
Strapping...?
...
I know I have some meat on the bones but I wasn't jacked. That title goes to my brother like any other title. The weirder thing was...I never heard of a word called strapping before and yet I identified its meaning without even looking it up.
"When those wretched beings descend, you better be prepared~"
...
Wretched beings?
...
Descend?
...
Prepared?
Tap...
Tap...
Tap...
Tap...
The goat man retreated backwards, vanishing into the darkness...
...
"Wha...?"
Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong!
The chime echoed across the station, signaling the subway's arrival. The rails underneath began to vibrate and shudder as the subway made its entrance. Several carriages rushed past me as the subway came to a halt.
I stood there in silence. I didn't know what just happened or how am I supposed to react.
His words were too cryptic for my liking and only served to ruin my day even more than it already was...
I guess there wasn't anything left to do but ride back home...
I slowly turned around, a dumbfounded look on my face as I made my way into the subway...
Empty...
The subway was empty...
Not a single figure in sight...
The inside of the carriage casted a warm, golden lighting, giving me a sense of nostalgia. Of what? I don't know.
I was past the phase of questioning a long time ago. I didn't care if the carriage or the entire subway was empty. I just wanted to go home...
I collapsed onto the seat next to me and rested my head against the window, not moving a single muscle. I was tired. Tired of everything. Is this how my life will go on now? Just endless number of anomalies thrown in my direction?
But why?
Why me?
I don't need this.
I don't need that goat man to come out of nowhere and confuse me even more.
I don't need a boy watching me the whole day.
If only he just show himself once more I'll-
Bump!
...
The subway door came to a halt...
...
That's strange...
I thought it had already left the station...
It couldn't have reached the coming station that early...right?
...
I quickly looked out the window, making sure to check if we had actually arrived and I was just dozing off-
...
Emptiness...
"What...?", I stuttered in pure shock. My jaw hung open as chills ran up my spine.
It was pitch black. No houses...No lights...No mountains...
Just...emptiness...
Enough of this...
I immediately turned to the emergency intercom, pressing the button as quickly as possible.
"Hello???"
"Hello?!!!!"
"Ugh!"
Why weren't they answering?! Where is the conductor? The staff? Anyone!
I began to panic more and more as I looked from side to side. "Hello! Is anyone here?!"
...
No...
No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! NO!
"LET ME OUT! Now!", I banged on the subway door repeatedly as my eyes teared up. "I HATE THIS! LET ME OUT!!!!!!"
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
"LET. ME. OUUUUUUTTT!!!!!!!!"
Ding!
Huh?
I took a few steps back as the door of the subway swiped open, revealing shrouded darkness on the other side.
My body froze in response to the sudden noise. Fear settled into my body as the atmosphere grew tense. But never the matter, I took a step forward...
...
Emptiness...
As usual...
Emptiness...
It was as if the subway was floating in the dark abyss, completely breaking away from reality.
Yeah, staying in this subway was much more preferable than endlessly falling.
But I couldn't help but...spot a faint shape far away in the distance...
The shape of houses lined together...
I specifically remember this area, only this time it was shrouded in darkness that it was almost impossible to catch a glimpse of it.
Ha...
Haha...
This...
This is some sort of dream...right?
Exactly!
That's what it was all along!
It was all a dream...
The black blood...
The mysterious boy who watches me...
That goat man...
This entire day...
Was Aaaallllll a dream...
Yeah...
Come on...
Wake up Megumi...
...
WAKE UP MEGUMI!
"Aghhhhhh!!!!!!!!!", I raged, clutching my hair in frustration and distress. I felt like bashing my head against the wall if it meant waking up. Waking up and everything would be back to normal. "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!-"
Megumi...
...?!
Bastard...
"You bastard! Show yourself you coward! NOW!- Hrgh!"
There was no time to respond.
A hand shot out of the darkness, hurtling towards me.
"AGH!", I screamed in terror, stumbling backwards. The hand clutched my cheeks and forcefully slammed me against the hard wall.
It was his hand. Same pale skin and black sleeve with white strips at the end of it.
"Agh! Let go of me!", I clawed at the hand, my voice muffled thanks to its strong grip on both my cheeks. I kept clawing and clawing, but the hand wouldn't budge. It kept a firm grip on my face and wasn't planning on letting go any time soon.
"Ok ok!", I sighed in defeat. "You've made your point! You're not a coward! For God's sake! Just let go of me!"
After seconds of clawing and pleading, the hand finally retreated, letting go of both my cheeks and dragging itself back into the darkness.
I let out a sigh of relief, rubbing my cheeks with the palm of my hand. I was left shook. Despite how frail that hand appeared to be, the amount of force it used to hold my face in place was abnormal.
That enough taught me a lesson to not hurdle insults at someone who isn't even human...
"Megumi..."
The whisper immediately send a jolt throughout my body. His voice was more apparent. A slightly somber and soft voice, though one that doesn't come off as feminine. Not masculine, but not feminine as well.
"Let it out..."
What...?
"Let. It. Out."
"What're you blabbing on about?!", I slightly raised my voice, taking extra care not to anger him. "Can't you just show yourself already?! You've been stalking me the whole day and I have a lot of questions that I'm dying to get an answer to!"
"Once...Once you let it out...I'll be there..."
"Let WHAT out?"
"Your curse..."
"My what..?", I muttered to myself, my eyebrows furrowing out of frustration. Instead of providing any sort of clue or guidance, his words only served to raise more questions.
"Perhaps you're stuck..."
You don't say...
"A little nudge will help..."
I gulped, my heart filling up with a slight sense of dread.
A little nudge?
What was he going to do? I was suddenly on guard, expecting another hand to lash out at me from the darkness.
"10..."
My eyes widened in shock. My lips parted and my hands clutched. "Hey! This isn't funny!"
"9..."
"Don't be like this! I said I was sorry!"
"8..."
"Just let me know what you're planning!"
"7..."
Shit. Shit. Shit.
"6..."
I looked around in panic, desperately searching for any object to defend myself, just in case he attacks me again.
"5..."
With even more desperation, I searched every corner of the carriage, searching through the chairs, looking under them, even clawing at the wall out of hopelessness
"4..."
My heart beat rapidly as I was not so far away from giving up and awaiting my inevitable fate.
"3..."
No no no no! NOOOOO!
"2..."
"AAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
"1..."
...
...
...?
Ding!
...
The subway door slid open, revealing the station on the other side...
The night was near...
I staggered through the sidewalk, my legs aching as I made my way home. The silent and empty street mirrored the hollow feeling inside me. The sound of the cicadas echoed into my ears. I had a defeated look on my face.
What was I supposed to do anymore? Just allow him to toy with me until he decides to show himself?
And what did he mean by a little nudge will help...?
By making an obvious guess, he'll give me a hint towards whatever bullshit he wants from me...
Let it out?
Where did I hear that sentence before? And what curse does he want me to let out? If he said he's going to give me a hint, what's taking him so long?
The more I think about this whole interaction, the more questions pile up in my head. And the more doubtful I am that I'll ever get a concrete answer. But...
Surely this feeling won't last for the whole day...
Right?
Ha...haha…
Ring!
My finger, I don't know which one, draped over the doorbell and lazily pressed it.
Somehow, despite not staying late after school, the moon was shining in the starless night.
...
Hold on...
Nope...there were two stars illuminating in the distance. It's not that I have a habit of counting stars. It's more just out of confusion due to the fact there are only two of them for some unknown reason.
...
"OPEN THE GOD DAMN DOOR!", I shouted, punching the doorbell. I could imagine it being my brother purposefully taking time just to reach the door. That son of a nig-
Swing
I made my way inside. "Took you long enough-"
"Boo!"
"GAH!"
"BAHAHAHAHA!"
My heart stopped as I jumped in the surprise. It should've been my brother messing with me. But instead...
"Hah! Got ya good Megumi!", Said a pink-haired dwarf with a cheeky smile on his face.
...
It was Ringo again...
There he was, standing with his stupid brown beanie on his stupid head.
My jaw dropped as I took in the sight of that dwarf in my house. Keyword, MY.
"You!", I barked in his face. "What're you doing here?!"
"What're YOOOOUUU doin' here~", He raised his eyebrow, a smug expression on his stupid face.
"Excuse me?", I crossed my arms. "I think I recall that I live here."
"Ya sure?"
What kind of comeback is that...?
"Now where's your hall pass?"
I furrowed my eyebrows. "What?"
"If you wanna pass, you gotta give me a hall pass missy!", He barked, mimicking the student council's tone as he reached his stupid hand out as if expecting me to give him something.
"Getting a hall pass to enter my own house?", I looked down at him. "I believe I should be asking you that question. Not you. Cause you know, it's MY house!"
"Ya sure?"
"Ugh!", I facepalmed. "Why. Are. You. Here! Did you break in? I thought only snow white did that when she entered your cottage!"
The wide smile that showed Ringo's yellow teeth suddenly dropped to a frown. In turn, a smirk appeared on my face. He was always an easy target to ridicule and given how annoying he was, I feel like that's justified.
"Alright Alright...", Minakami butted in, walking out of the living room. I rolled my eyes as I took in the sight of him. Of course he'd be here. It's also HIS house. "Settle down you two.", He said, a big grin on his face. I could tell he was holding it in to laugh.
Ringo looked up at Minakami with a pouty expression. "B-B-B-But-"
"B-B-B-But what?", Minakami mocked, slightly lowering himself to meet Ringo's gaze with a smirk.
"S-She called me a dwarf!", Ringo protested, pointing his finger at me.
"Cause you ARE a dwarf!", Minakami reached his hand out, ruffling Ringo's hair. "Well, my dwarf."
Please die.
Minakami then grabbed Ringo and lifted him up, carrying him on his shoulder as they made their way to the living room. It wasn't that hard of a task considering Ringo is shorter than a 7th grader. "Ok buddy, let's go play some Seraphim of Destruction."
"Mina put me down!", Ringo whined, repeatedly giving Minakami punches on his back.
"Ok ok chill my guy!", Minakami giggled, reaching for one of the mochis on the kitchen counter. "Here, that'll shut ya up."
Ringo immediately gulped the mochi down as soon as he laid eyes on it. My eyes narrowed. Why should I come back from a such a nightmarish haunting to be met with one of the loudest people in my class running around in MY home?
But by taking a good look at the living room, Minakami seemed to have invited the rest of his friends over and I sighed internally.
There was Akio sitting at the edge of the couch with the same old brooding expression on his face. I must commend him, my face would hurt if I made that expression 24/7.
Next to him was Ringo being fed another mochi by my brother. And then there was Kuroyami, with the multiple scars on his face, the bandages around his lower arms, and the Christmas tree on his head that he calls hair, he was...smoking?!
Pop!
Oh...he was sucking a lollipop.
At the very least they're in the living room this time. Last time they were hanging out in Minakami's room which is what? Right next to mine? And I could've sworn they were watching hentai together.
I sighed, exhausted. Locking myself in the room was what I was gonna do. I don't even want to run into any of these guys in MY house. Especially Akio, who gave me one of his death stares yesterday. Just thinking about it...Blrrgh!
I sauntered over to my room, pushing the door open. Just another day of torture but with extra toppings added to the torture. And yet, no sign of actual development. I'm starting to think I'll never get an answer to any of this. As I took a step in-
...
Ah...
...
My eyes widened at the...peculiar...sight that laid before me. A thing with a huge, short, straight bob. It's body was...pretty pointy. Arms and legs? Pointy and no fingers. Its body? Ballerina like. One big eye, being it's one defining feature on it's face, stared into me...
...
"AGHHHHHHHHHH!", I screamed.
"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!", It screamed back.
"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH", We both screamed.
"WHA?! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU?!!!!", I shouted, stumbling back against the door.
"WHAT ARE YOU?!", It yelled back in a comical manner.
"I'M ASKING THE QUESTION!"
"I'M ASKING YOU!"
"GAH!", Without a second thought, I lunged at the small creature, tackling it to the ground.
"AH! CHILD PREDATOR!"
"OW!", With a sudden kick to the stomach by it's sharp, pointy leg, I stumbled backwards. I clutched my stomach out of pain. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU?!"
"StaNd baCk villaIn!", It screeched, rubbing it's pointy arms together, producing a metallic screech as it's huge eye stared into my soul. "TOday iS tHe day yOu-"
Slam!
I grabbed a book and hurtled it towards it, hitting it directly in its eye and knocking it back.
"AH CHILD ABUSER!", It screeched again.
"Can you stop that!-"
"Poof!", It rolled out of the room.
"Hey!", I shouted. "Get back here!"
I immediately chased it down. As if this day couldn't get any weirder, a small cyclops creature broke into MY house. It's movements were frantic and exaugurated. It was a little bit cartoonish as well.
"CHILD ABUSER CHILD ABUSER CHILD ABUSER!", It wobbled across the hallway.
"STOP IT!", I attempted to tackle it to the ground again but it jumped forward, dodging me. I landed on the ground, hitting the wooden floor with an "oof!"
My eyes widened as I saw it stumbling towards the kitchen, opening the fridge and...
"Hey! That's not your food!"
"BAHAHAHAHAHA", It screeched as it reached for whatever it got it's arms on. "MINE! MINE! THIS IS MINE TOO! MINE! MINE! MINE!"
"I said THIS. IS. NOT. YOUR. FOOD.", I grabbed it by its torso and lifted it up, screaming in its face.
"Dude, why are you gawking?", Minakami walked out of the living room, a confused expression on his face.
"Don't you see?!", I turned the cyclops towards him, giving him a good view.
"See what?", Minakami furrowed his eyebrows out of more confusion.
"...See what? THIS THING I'M CARRYING!", I snapped.
Minakami sighs, facepalming. "You've officially gone insane."
My face contorts. "NO. I'M. NOT!"
"The least you could do is keep it down 'kay.", Minakami rolls his eyes. "My friends already don't like you anyways so don't annoy us."
"Screw you and your friends...", I grumbled under my breath as Minakami walked away.
"HAHAHA!", The cyclops laughed in my face. "YOU OFFICIALLY GONE INSANE! LA LA LA LA LA!"
"What. The hell. ARE YOU?!"
"Hahaha! WHAT? Is being alone for your whole life made you go insane?!!!! Huh? MeGUmI!", It laughed in my face, a mocking laughter that echoed in my ear.
"Shut up...", I grumbled.
"WHAT'S THAT?!!", It screamed once more.
"SHUT UP!", Using all the force I had, I tossed the creature, sending it flying into a wall, its screams were cut off as a black substance splattered out of its body.
Wait...
Black blood...
Just like mine...?
"You...You monster...", It cried mockingly. "Are you...going to kill me? Are you going to kill everyone?"
"I thought I told you...to shut up!", My foot collided with its small body, sending it tumbling across the hallway and leaving trails of black blood.
"Waaa! YOU'RE MEAN!", It cried, over and over again. "NO WONDER WHY NO ONE LIKES YOU!"
Shut up...
SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!
I roughly grabbed it again, lifting it up. "WHO ARE YOU?! I'm not gonna ask again...You do not know the type of day I had! So you better start talking! YOU HEAR ME?!! I'LL RIP YOUR BRAINS OUT FOR REAL!"
"waaaaaaaaaAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Huh...?
...
Emptiness...
I stared up at the dark, cloudy sky...not a single hint of sunlight...Wind brushed against my face as I find myself in some sort of field. My eyes widened as I took the time to process what just happened. I was in my house a second ago...Wh-What am I doing here?
"Tell me", The cyclops creature popped out of nowhere, catching me off guard. "Is violence the answer to your problems?"
"Don't give me that bullshit!", I yelled at it. "Where am I?"
"Did violence ever solve your problems?"
"Answer my question..."
"Did violence ever solve your-"
"I said answer my question!", I burst into tears, grabbing it roughly for the third time.
"Tell me...Wouldn't it be better off if you just...kill yourself?"
Ah...
"Think about it...NO ONE LOVES YOU! You don't even love anyone! What's the point in living when no one loves you and you don't love anyone?"
What...?
All I could see was one in my hand...but more of them pop up...one after the other...their huge eye stared at me...judged me...Why am I afraid of them now?
"No one loves you..."
They kept repeating it over and over. The words crept into my ear.
Ow...
I covered my ears tightly, turning around and making a run for it, trying to get away from them as far as possible.
"Where are you going?", They grouped around me, their giggles echoing into my ear. "We're trying to help you."
"Stay away...", I muttered, more tears prickling down my cheek. "Stop making me cry."
"You're crying because you're pathetic!", One of them laughed maniacally.
"And pathetic people should die!"
"Great idea! You should totally kill yourself Megumi."
"Yeah Megumi! Kill yourself."
"I'm rooting for you Megumi! You should kill yourself!"
"Kill yourself!"
"Kill yourself!"
"Kill yourself!"
"Kill yourself!"
"Kill yourself!"
Stop...
"Kill yourself!"
They closed in on me, their chanting getting louder and louder. I dropped to the floor, covering my ears tightly. But no matter how hard I tried to cut the noise out, it grew louder and louder. It drilled into my ears in the most painful way possible.
"Kill yourself!"
"Kill yourself!"
"Kill yourself!"
"KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF! KILL YOURSELF!-"
"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP!", I felt an uncontrollable wave of insanity as I gripped my hair tightly, yelling at the top of my lungs. "I HATE YOU! I HATE ALL OF YOU! I HATE MOM! I HATE DAD! I HATE MY BROTHER! I HATE HIS STUPID FRIENDS! I DON'T NEED ANY OF YOU! I'M FINE ON MY OWN! AND TO HELL WITH AAALLL OF YOUUUU!"
"Let it out..."
I couldn't think anymore, I was screaming and pulling at my hair, strands of it falling onto the field. It was like I was no longer myself. It felt like something was coming out of me...
"Let it out..."
It swirled inside me violently...My eyes were blood shot and my mouth was chocking on black blood...
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!", They all laughed. "WHAT A LOSER! JUST CHOKE AND DIE ALREADY!"
"AGHHHHHHHHHHH! AH! COUGH! COUGH! GO TOO HELLLLLL!!!!!!!!!"
Slash!
...
It wasn't long before I was surrounded by a thick pool of black blood...Every last one of them was dead...their upper bodies torn off...their blood splattering everywhere...
I lay there stunned, my eyes wide. Strands of my messy hair fell over my face as soft grunts escaped my mouth...
I...
I did this...
I couldn't comprehend what happened...
A force was building within me...out of rage and hatred....
I sliced through them effortlessly...with no physical combat required...like an invisible sword...
Is that...
Magic...
"So you finally let it out."
Ah...
There it was again...
His soft soothing voice...
But this was no longer a whisper that echoed into my ears...
This time...he is definitely here...
I slowly turned around and...
...
"Eric is my name...", He said, an expression devoid of emotions etched on his face. A small, white pupil in the center of his glowing, red eyes pierced into my soul. "Congratulations on finishing the first stage...you are now a witch..."