The rattling of the chain-link fence had me on edge as we were trespassing on a private area. I had to help Toby squeezing through because his uniform got caught on the fence.
"Ah! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!" he complains, as we try to pull him to our side. His clothes got snagged and was ripped a little as he came tumbling towards us.
"Aw, danggit. Now I have to explain to mom why my clothes got torn again.." Toby frowns while inspecting the shredded fabric on his shoulder. I chuckled as I help him up. We both dusted ourselves off before looking behind us. Scott, Eliza, and Christy already had their mouth hung open as we see the huge buildings with domed rooftops in the afternoon glow.
"S-so these are what observatories are... I've never seen one up close.." said Eliza, her face still in shock at seeing the view. Christy giggles and takes Eliza's hand.
"Why don't we see it much closer then?" she teased as she pulls Eliza and runs off ahead.
"Catch up, boys!" she called behind her, both of them already making their way towards the entrance of the facility.
"Better stop sulking and start running, Toby! We're leaving you behind!" I said as me and Scott started sprinting towards the abandoned labs.
"Wait! Ack! I'm coming!" Toby quickly fixed his clothes and slung his bag over his shoulder and chased after us.
We were out of breath as soon as we reached the front doors. Eliza and Christy were already there. Eliza looks like she was about to throw up from all the running while Christy looks as if it was just a morning jog.
"Took you guys long enough." she said, smugly.
"We checked the door and to no surprise, it has chains and a lock. Guess we gotta find another entrance."
"Wait! *huff* *huff* Let us rest first!" pleaded Toby, his hands on his knees while panting like a dog. Scott placed his backpack to the side and unzips it.
"Well, while we're resting, better wear equipment before going in." he said, pulling out masks, gloves, flashlights, and some other stuff.
"I took these from my wardrobe so you better return this after okay?" he pulls out coats and jackets and hands them to the others. I'm already wearing my jacket so I didn't need one.
"You seem to know a lot about preparing for these kind of exploration, Scott." I asked. I watched him check batteries on the flashlights while leaning on the wall.
"It's because my big sister is quite the influencer. She and her friends tend to do a lot of these stuff. They'd explore abandoned places and have fun. I didn't understand her at first but..." he looked at me and smiled. "I'm kinda feeling excited for this one."
"Heyyy!! Guysss!!! I found an entrance on the side!! It's unlocked!" We heard Christy call from the side of the building. We circled around the building and saw Christy standing beside an open door with her hands behind her back smiling at us. "See?"
"Christy! You didn't break anything or forced it open did you?!" said Scott, nervously.
"Meanie. Of course I didn't! It was already unlocked!" replied Christy, pouting. I wore my mask and stepped inside.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" I called to them as I head further in. It was rather dusty and dark. We all held flashlights as we continued to explore. Room after room, we saw places with pictures of the skies. We saw rooms with drawing boards with weird things scribbled in it that we couldn't understand. We had fun. It felt like it was just us in the world and I enjoyed every second of it. After exploring for a while, we stumbled upon a large room with overturned tables and a demolished wall overlooking the large grassy planes stretching endlessly in the horizon.
"This base really was built on the edge of the city huh?" I heard Eliza's voice as she stood next to me. Her arms wrapping around herself as if she's cold.
"It makes sense. There's a lot less light here so you can really see the sky." I replied, looking up.
"The sky huh.." Eliza looked up as well. The orange hues of the afternoon blending perfectly with the dark shades of the night slowly seeping in.
"I've... been interested in it recently. There's this old man. Mr. Shan. He asked me if there's anything beyond the skies. I didn't know what to say. But... It also made me wonder." I lowered my head in deep thought. My mind ran on and on.
"Hey! Do you think we can spot Drakais from here? It's an open plain there!" Toby interrupted my train of thought as the others begin to enjoy the view as well.
"There won't be any Drakai here idiot! We're in the city!" replied Scott. "But we're on the edge of the city!"
"Alright then, let's have a contest on who can spot one first then!" chimed in Christy. The three were bickering and I couldn't help but laugh and enjoy this moment. To my surprise, Eliza grabbed my hand and took off her mask.
"Happy Birthday, Hikori.." she said, looking at me with a warm smile. The rays of the sun hitting her skin making her glow. My heart skipped a beat as I struggle to form a sentence.
"E-Eliza... Thank you.." I replied, feeling my face heat up. She soon realized what she was doing as well and immediately retracted. Covering her face with her hands.
I rubbed the back of my neck and chuckled, I listened to their laughter as Toby is getting teased by Christy again. I felt something building up in my nether regions. 'Crap, I feel like a need to find a place to release'. I walked past Scott and made my way towards the door to outside.
"Hikori? Where are you going?" asked Eliza.
"I'm just.. gonna take a leak." replied Hikori.
Eliza looked like she was about to say something until Christy interrupted her.
"Eliza, don't be such a bore! Come join us!" she started pestering Eliza more.
He turned the knob and stepped outside. 'Restrooms. Got to find a restroom..' he thought to himself, turning on the flashlight. He walked along the corridor, looking for signs leading towards the restroom. He eventually found a broken sign pointing towards the restroom and followed it.
Hikori took his time in the restroom, feeling relieved afterwards. He stepped outside and was about to make his way back to his friends until something caught his attention. The observatory was nearby.
'To be honest.. I want to see what the sky would look like just by myself...' he bit his lower lip as he thought hard. In the end, he decided to go by himself. 'Just this once.. Just a quick one. I'll bring them here after.'
He took a flight of stairs upwards, following the signs while beginning to jog from the thrill and excitement. He saw the door at the far end, slightly open with the light leaking from it. His breath quickens as he bursts through the door.
The room was large. It has a domed roof that's split open slightly. It was the top of the observatory. The stars in the night sky is already beginning to become visible. He takes a deep breath and looks at the heavens. It was beautiful. He can feel the cold breeze of the wind brush over him and the soft afterglow of the sun.
BANG!
A loud noise filled the area as his ears rung from the sound. His eyes immediately went wide and his body froze in fear. 'What... What was that.. That was...' His muscles tensed as his eyes slowly drops to the room and scans the area. His heart immediately dropped when he saw a man on the other side of the observatory.
"God damn it... I.. I'm still alive..." came from a voice in the room. It was Mr. Shan sitting on the ground, leaning against the wall. He had a gun on his right hand and blood gushing from his head. There was a hole on the area near his right ear and another hole just above his left eyebrow. The blood was too much that Hikori froze on his spot. He gagged as he felt like he was about to puke from the sight. He ran to the side and threw up.
"Bakers?... Is that... you?... Why are you.. here?" he called out to Hikori. His voice weak. His bloody eyes scanned the room till it landed on Hikori.
"Mr. Shan... Why... Why did you do this?" Hikori cried out. Wiping his mouth as tears flow from his own eyes.
"You're.. You're bleeding out too much, Mr. Shan.."
Mr. Shan looks at his hand, blood smeared all over it. The light on his face slowly fading. His breath ragged and labored.
"The people I owed money to came yesterday.. I didn't have enough to pay... They took everything. Including my daughter's ashes.. I tried to fight for it.. And while doing so.. They broke it..." he explained between breathes. A streak of tear dropped from his eye.
"I'm.. slowly forgetting her, Bakers... That was the only thing that made me remember her.." he started coughing out blood.
Hikori rushed to his side crying.
"Mr. Shan. Please keep it together. Your daughter.. She's.." Hikori tries to find the words to say but the sight of Mr. Shan bleeding out in front him makes his mind blank. His heart tightens. This man was the only one he talked to about his mother. Because deep down, he knows he understands. Mr. Shan looks at Hikori with eyes slowly going cold.
"You're the one who made me feel as if she was still here, Bakers.. I didn't ever want you to see me like this..." Mr. Shan looked up and sighs deeply. "People say that heaven is what lies beyond the skies. I wonder what the world is like there.."
Hikori sniffles and sobs.
"Mr. Shan.. Please call me.. Hikori... That's.. That's my real name.. I want you to call me Hikori.."
He wipes his tears and turned his head to look at the old man.
"Mr. Shan..?" he noticed his eyes were already lifeless. His body lay motionless while looking at the sky. Hikori wailed more, witnessing Mr. Shan's lifeless body in front of him.
After a while, he noticed Mr. Shan's left hand. It was clutching something. It was the same locket yesterday. It was now open. Inside, there was nothing but a white wood piece. Hikori sniffles and slowly reaches out to take it.
As soon as he did, everything went dark. It felt like he was falling. He flails his arms around. He felt himself drop into deep cold waters, he now felt like he was swimming. Drowning. He opens his eyes and in front of him, he sees Mr. Shan. He was holding his hand. 'Mr. Shan?! Mr. Shan!' He tried to call out, only realizing he's only thinking to himself. He grips his hand tighter. Mr. Shan's eyes flew open. He took a look at Hikori and immediately, his eyes turn into panic. "It wants you... It wants you! Unhand me now, boy! Before it's-" he begins to speak. Although his voice keeps getting more distant.. More muffled. Hikori gave him a confused look as visions begin flashing in his mind. His mother in the hospital. His father leaving him. An image of Akio, and Haru. And eventually, he saw himself. Lying down on a pool of black waters.
'Why.. Why am I seeing myself..' He approached the body. He carefully looked at his own self and noticed something off. His eyes widen and gasped. Suddenly, he was sitting on the back of an ambulance with a towel draped over him. An EMT was checking up on him if he was alright.
'What did I dream about again?' I struggled to remember. 'We were... exploring.. Eliza! Toby! The others! Are they safe?' Memories slowly begin to flood back to me. My face dropped once more as I remembered Mr. Shan. I hugged my legs and lowered my head.
"It seemed that they were exploring this old abandoned sight when there was a simulataneous suicide event.... Yes, it has been confirmed it was a suicide incident. Poor kids having to see something like that. Quite unfortunate really." The EMTs were talking amongst each other.
I began to tear up once more as I know I won't be seeing Mr. Shan anymore. While looking down, I noticed I was wearing the locket that belonged to Mr. Shan. I clutched the locket tightly and wept.
I sat there in the sofa of our apartment, clutching the locket closely to my chest. The woman was talking with the police officer on the door. I stare dead on the black screen of the television in front of me. My mouth slightly hanging open, no emotions displayed on the face. I lean forward slightly, now resting my hand with the locket in between my lap. I slowly turn it over, feeling its hard and cold ridges. The dark reflection of mine staring back at me from the TV. Dead, wide eyed, and tired. My eyes slowly drift down towards the locket, inspecting it carefully. It was only about an inch big. Made with silver and black lining around the edge. It looked so... Mundane.. It doesn't even look luxurious. Like it belongs to that of a middle class family. Perhaps lower. I press on the latch on the side and saw the locket pop open. And once more, I saw the white piece of wood inside. It looked worn, yet it exudes a presence of majesty. And also... Uncertainty... The piece of wood seems compelling, yet it strains the back of my eyes simply just by looking at it. My thumb brushed over it. It felt warm. As if it's alive. Perhaps it was just because I was tired, but I could swear on the remaining consciousness that I have, I felt it pulse. I let out a sigh of resignation and looked at my reflection on the TV once more and I almost screamed. For a split second, what was staring at me was not me. Only what *looked* like me. Longer limbs, half my body was covered in white flesh-like skin, and dark eyes that bore through me. I only saw it for a fraction but I saw it. I blinked once and my reflection was back to normal. Just a shocked teenager staring back at me.
I immediately snapped out of it and clasped the locket shut as soon as I heard the approaching footsteps of that woman. I turned to look at her. She looked flushed and undoubtedly angry. Her breathing was shallow as she looked at me with eyes of contempt. 'Why.... Why are you looking at me like that..?'
"And who told you you can go to Delaham District huh?? Just suddenly decided to travel twenty miles alone with some other nit-wit kids?! Look at what it got you! Torn clothes! Bloodied pants! And you even illegally entered a location! You fucking brought the police to OUR doorstep! When can you ever just be a child that does what he's told?! Is it that hard???" She begins screaming.
I look at her, all her insults, all her degradation, seems to fall flat for this moment. I feel so numb. So lost. 'I... Just witnessed something I shouldn't have... I just witnessed a person take his life.. And.. You're here... Spouting all of these words from your mouth....
"So what did you get out of it, huh? How did your birthday party go Hm?! You deserve what you got coming! Let it be a lesson! So you're never gonna think of doing something as foolish as this again!" she huffed hard.
My eyes twitch as I heard her say those words. I looked at her, this time my eyes are with anger. My thoughts drifted back to Mr. Shan. How he died with so much regrets. His wife, his daughter, losing everything. And his grief ultimately took his life. This woman doesn't understand ANYTHING.
Her face contorted with fury.
"Why... Why are you looking at me like that?... Why are your eyes looking at me like I'm in the wrong?? Don't get this wrong, boy! You deserve every single gut-wrenching sight that happened today! And you don't get look at me like that! You will never!" her anger got the better of her. She grabbed my jacket and drove a fist to my face. A white flash hit the back of my eyes and searing pain begins to creep across my face. She didn't stop, she held my jacket tight as she continued to bring down fist after fist across my cheek.
"You Ninhoni are the same. Fucking. Cunts. I'll make it so you'll never look at me with that look ever again."
More punches land. I can feel my face swelling up. Blood pooling in my mouth. I cough multiple times as I choke from the volume of it in my throat. I hear the door open, along with the voices of Akio and Haru.
"Mama! Please! Stop it! He's bleeding! Big bro is bleeding!" their cries rang over my labored grunts as shet doesn't let up. I can feel her knuckles getting wet. Whether if it's from my blood or she's also bleeding from the repeated punches.
"Don't. Ever. Disrespect. Me. Like. That"
With every word, a punch lands. Akio and Haru launched themselves at the woman. Trying to stop her.
"JUST DIE"
She screamed out loud. And before the punch was about to connect, the apartment exploded.
I lost consciousness for a second. I felt the ground give way. I felt a huge force knock the air out of my lungs. I looked around, everything seems to be in slow motion. Debris flying everywhere. It was just our room, it was the entire building. I can see people falling in stop time. My eyes drifted to the woman, she was falling. Her back bent in an odd angle. And then my eyes searched frantically for my brothers. Akio... Haru... Where are you? I can't find them anywhere. The rubble was too much. Blocking too much. I was falling. I knew I was falling. Why is it so slow? I looked below and saw a black figure, standing just outside our apartment. His arm stretched out. Right beside the figure, I saw another figure, holding the other's arm. 'What.... What the hell is happening?' and I blacked out once more.
I woke up sitting on a stretcher in an ambulance for the second time in one day. I can hear the sound of multiple people walking around. I cleared my eyes and looked around. It was a disaster zone. The entire building of what used to be our apartment is now rubble. I can hear cries of survivors, grief and screams filled the night. There were medics on the field. And police too... But they didn't look like the typical Creekswood Police Department Officers. They are wearing Black Coats. With a sash on their right arm and a symbol. The same symbol my father wore when... He left.. This is the Shinki Corps. But what are they doing here? And I've never seen a Shinki Corps response personnel with Black Coats before. I try to struggle and stand. But a hand kept me seated.
"Hikori... Don't try to move to much. You are wounded and you've been through enough events for one day"
My body stiffed and shook as I heard and recognized the voice. I turn my head slightly, catching the round and worried face of Mr. Osura. He still seems to be wearing his civilian clothes, but he also has the same sash on his right arm.
"Mr.... Osura... Wah-what are you doing here? Why... Why do you have that on your arm? What is going on?"
Questions begin to fill my mind. Wanting answers, wanting an explanation.
"Hikori, I want you to breathe. I want you to take some time and take a deep brea-"
"No! I have been kept in the dark for too long! I'm tired of being told to calm down! I want answers! What happened?! Why did everything go wrong today? Why are you with the Shinki?!" my heart then drops as I remember two very important people in my life. 'Akio... Haru...'
With unknown strength, I pushed myself off the ambulance and begin sprinting fast towards the rubble.
" Akio! Haru! Where are you!" I ran around, searching every nook and cranny of the area. I look through other ambulances, through groups of people, through small gaps of remaining rubble. "Please... Please, please, please... Akio.. Haru..." I search desperately. Adrenaline surged within my body as I push off big debris, hoping they're just trapped underneath and can be rescued. I heard the labored breathing of Osura from behind as he tried to catch up.
"Hikori! *huff* *huff* Hold on! Don't sprint too far!" he gasped for air as he stopped beside me, catching his breath.
I ignored him. I kept digging through the rubble. My hands ached. My fingers begin to bleed. It was only then I stopped when he placed a hand on my shoulder. Gentle and warm. Tears begin to fall down my face as the worst begins to settle at the back of my mind.
"Hikori... They're over here" he said in a solemn tone, gently guiding me to one of the areas of the accident site. My eyes grew wide as coins when I saw the multiple bodies on the ground, cloth covering their entire bodies. Mr. Osura led me through the rows and rows of bodies. Grieving families, lovers, parents, children. We then stopped in front of two small figures draped in white cloth. My breath got caught in my throat. Osura didn't move, didn't dare to. I reached out with a shaking hand. Slowly peaking at both of their covers. And there I saw it... The lifeless eyes of once I loved and called my brothers. Something was threatening to expunge from my mouth. I used all my will to fight it back. Tears well up and I begin to wail. Throwing my body forward as I wrap my arms around Haru and Akio. I can feel their bodies going cold. Haru's limbs were bent all the way back. His body felt twisted. And Akio's body felt missing on side, felt flat. Like he was crushed.
"Haru... Akio..." I kept repeating their names underneath my breath, as if hoping above all hope it would somehow reach them. But it won't. I know it won't. God I know it won't... I wept.