Chapter Text
The sun shone into their eyes, piercing through them like a blazing knife. They could feel the metal lines against their shoulder blades, etching into their skin.
The cool breeze swept through their neatly styled hair, lifting curly strands up into the air like whispers of silk dancing in the wind.
It was uncomfortable - as if the world was peeling away layers of protection with each passing moment, stripping them of their defenses and leaving them raw and vulnerable. It was a feeling they hated more than anything, yet it was so familiar, like putting salt on a wound.
"You're not going?"
They looked up. Rui had already packed up his lunch and thrown a few small carrots over the fence of the rooftop.
Mizuki shook their head, still lost in their own thoughts. "Nah, I'll stay for a bit longer," they replied, their voice barely audible over the further city noises. Rui nodded and gave them a sympathetic smile before heading back to his classes as the bell rang.
With a sigh, they closed their eyes, embrazing the gentle wind, if only for a moment. Skipping classes wasn't a good habit and they knew it, but did it really matter if they still got good grades? Their sister surely didn't seem to think the same way, but in that fleeting moment it was easy to push those thoughts aside and indulge in the temporary escape from reality.
The sounds of distant traffic and the shouts of children drifted up from the streets below, allowing them to get lost in the symphony of the town - each noise a reminder of the bustling world beyond the confines of their school's walls. For a moment, they let themselves forget about who they are, the expectations of others and simply exist in the present moment.
The rhythmic rustle of leaves in the nearby trees provided a comforting backdrop. The subtle scent of freshly cut grass mingled with the delicate aroma of blooming flowers, creating a sort of perfume that enveloped them in a cocoon of serenity.
With each breath, they felt a sense of liberation, as if the weight of their responsibilities was momentarily lifted from their shoulders. The warmth of the sun on their face felt like a gentle caress, soothing away the tension that had been building within them.
Above, the sky stretched out endlessly, a vast canvas of blue interrupted only by wisps of fluffy clouds lazily drifting by. Each cloud cast shifting shadows over the rooftop, dappling the ground below with patterns of light and shade.
The distant chirping of birds added to the natural orchestra, while the occasional flutter of butterfly wings brought a touch of whimsy to the scene.
For a brief instant, time seemed to stand still, allowing Mizuki to savor the beauty of the world around them. And so, they let themselves lean their head back and take one more deep breath before their thoughts went quiet.
Hours passed, marked only by the shifting shadows and the occasional distant rumble of traffic. Yet for Mizuki, it all seemed to lose its grip as they surrendered to the embrace of some much needed sleep.
It was a bad idea, yes, but they couldn't help it. Perhaps the countless nights spent watching various shows and animes had caught up to them, or maybe it was the peaceful atmosphere that let them lower their guard down just for a little while.
Their mind drifted through a realm of dreams, where reality blurred with imagination. In this ephemeral state, they found refuge from the pressures of the waking world, exploring landscapes limited only by the bounds of their subconscious.
Within the realm of dreams, time held no sway, allowing Mizuki to wander freely through memories, fantasies, and the echoes of forgotten desires. They danced amidst the stars, soared on the wings of mythical creatures, and whispered secrets to the shadows that danced at the edges of their consciousness.
They wished to stay like that forever; to never go back to the reality of dread and distress, identity and expression.
And they could. They knew there was always the option to leave, leave and never turn back. But what was the cost?
It was as if deep down, a voice pleaded for reconsideration, urging them to hold onto hope, to seek help, to cling to the possibility of a brighter tomorrow. Though as the years passed, it only got harder and harder. Could they really manage? Was there truly a place for them in a world fraught with pain and uncertainty, or was escape the only path to true liberation?
Mizuki wasn't sure.
ㅤ
With a hesitant sigh, they stirred from their slumber, the weight of the world settling once more upon their shoulders.
As they opened their eyes, they were greeted by a kaleidoscope of colors painted across the sky as the sun began its descent towards the horizon. Shades of orange, pink, and gold blended together seamlessly, casting a warm glow over the rooftops and alleyways below.
They quickly jumped to their feet, searching for their phone to check the time.
Shit, shit, shit, shit! The only reason they stayed at school after lunch was to take this test and they're already late?
They groaned, mentally slapping themselves before taking their bag and sprinting down the stairs.
Heart pounding with adrenaline, Mizuki raced through the halls, each step echoing in the near empty building as they pushed themselves to move faster.
Time seemed to warp as they ran across the campus, their lungs burning with exertion and their muscles protesting with each stride. Clearly not as athletic as they thought they were. Or maybe just not a runner?
Taking a deep breath, Mizuki squared their shoulders (but not too much, then they look too broad) and stepped into the classroom, ready to take that stupid biology test despite the teacher's disapproving glare. They quickly made up some excuse about the dentist before handing in their phone.
And, see, they took pride in having good grades even though their attendance should prove otherwise. But.. they were not the best when it came to certain science subjects (i.e biology). And suddenly, they found themselves turning to any god out there to help them pass, promising to never skip again and all that good stuff that would never come true and, frankly, the gods should take great offence and have them fail. Mizuki hoped it wouldn't come to that.
Time ticked away mercilessly, the seconds slipping through their fingers like grains of sand as they furiously scribbled their answers onto the paper. With each question answered, a sense of relief washed over them, tempered by the ever-present fear of failure looming over their shoulder.
But as the teacher told them to hand it in, they did so with trembling hands and bolted out of the room because it simply felt too suffocating and they wanted to forget all about it.
ㅤ
The corridors weren't as empty anymore, now filled with the handful of students that took night classes. Mizuki wondered how much better that really was.
Suddenly, they heard a yell coming from the other side of the school. They would've brushed it off as some kids fucking around if they hadn't recognised the voice.
Ignoring the urge to escape the heavy atmosphere of the school, they followed the sound of the voice, weaving through the corridors with a sense of urgency. Anxiety was creeping its way into their body and their gut was screaming at them to just go home. But An was always there for Mizuki and therefore they could not stay calm without checking up on her.
As they rounded the corner, they were met with the sight of An, kneeling beside another girl that Mizuki couldn't remember the name of but had briefly met some time ago. She seemed to be passed out on the ground.
"An! What's going on?" they ran up to the two, putting their hand on An's back as she didn't dare pull her eyes away from the girl on the floor.
An's voice wavered as she spoke, her eyes wide with concern. "I-I don't know. She was fine one moment and then just collapsed in front of me... She's not responding." Her hands trembled as she gently brushed the blonde hair away from the unconscious girl's face, searching for any sign of consciousness.
Mizuki's heart sank at the sight, their own anxiety momentarily forgotten as they focused on the task at hand. Crouching beside An, they placed a hand on the girl's wrist, searching for a pulse.
They cursed under their breath, unable to find it. "Uh, we need to get her help," they searched their pockets, "Shit... I left my phone in the classroom, have you got yours on you?"
"It's dead," she shook her head.
Mizuki nodded, standing up and running to get their phone as questions and concerns swirled in their mind. The sinking feeling in their chest seemed to get worse by the second.
"Akiyama?" a familiar voice called out. Stood by the library, a confused look on his face.
"Akito, call the ambulance, there's.. shit, I don't know, someone's passed out and we can't find her pulse and- hurry up, An is freaking out,"
"An?" he questioned further, the confusion soon turning into to worry as he dialed the number, telling the dispatcher whatever jumble of words that was.
Mizuki quickly returned to An's side, their heart pounding in their body as they watched anxiously for any signs of movement from the unconscious girl. An's hands trembled as she reached for the girl's wrist again, desperation etched into her features.
Her eyes were wide, tears starting to form, threatening to spill over onto her cheeks, eyebrows furrowed and entire body shaking. Despite her efforts to remain composed, the intensity of her emotions was undeniable, and she struggled to contain the flood of emotions coursing through her.
Mizuki always knew An as someone confident and self-assured, ever since they met her. And now, to see her like this, was...
"What's Kohane doing here, what happened?!" Akito ran over to them, Toya following behind him.
"Hey, An, breathe... Help is on the way, I'm sure she'll be fine," Mizuki tried to reassure her, despite the gnawing feeling that said otherwise. They soon explained the events to the two boys and watched as concern washed over their faces.
Their mind raced as they tried to piece together the situation. Kohane - that was the girl's name. They remembered now, meeting her at the school festival before they ran off, feeling like a third wheel around the two.
Kohane's body seemed to be getting paler by the second, turning an almost blueish hue before their eyes.
Her once vibrant complexion now appeared ashen and lifeless, accentuating the delicate network of veins that snaked beneath her translucent skin like purple and blue rivers.
It wasn't long before it began twitching, convulsing in ways that didn't seem humanly possible. Her limbs were twisting and jerking in erratic movements and grotesque contortions. Sounds of bones snapping in different directions and joints popping echoed through the hallway, like a chilling symphony of agony.
Akito, Toya and Mizuki all backed away, fear clutching at them as they helplessly watched in horror. Bodies trembling, sweat covering their faces. This shouldn't be possible.
An's panicked cries filled the air as she clung to Kohane's twitching form, her eyes wide with terror. Mizuki could see the fear etched into every line of her face, her hands shaking uncontrollably as she tried to hold onto some semblance of hope.
Crimson red stained her shirt as Kohane began coughing up blood, it dripping down her neck onto her gray school uniform. Her eyes opened, rolling back, showing only the bloodshot whites. Strange noises, something between wheezing and growling, filled the air.
With trembling hands, Mizuki reached for An's shoulder, trying to pull her away from Kohane's convulsing body.
"An, we need to get out of here," they urged, their voice barely even a whisper. But An was frozen in place, her gaze locked on Kohane with a mixture of fear and disbelief.
They jumped back as Kohane's head seemed to lift, the same sounds leaving her blood stained mouth. She brought out her hand to reach for An.
The blonde suddenly sat up entirely, her pale, bony fingers grabbing An's wrist, nails grazing her skin. A furious snarl escaped her lips, contorting her features into a mask of rage and primal instinct. It was like watching a wild animal in survival mode.
Akito was quick to react, surging forward and grabbing An by her shoulders, pulling her back.
"We have to run," he spoke up.
With a sense of urgency gripping them like a vice, Mizuki nodded in agreement, their heart pounding in their chest.
The hallway seemed to blur around them, the sounds of Kohane's agonized cries and An's panicked sobs echoing in their ears. Time stretched on, each moment feeling like an eternity as they could only watch, frozen in place.
It took everything in them, but swiftly, they turned to flee from the whatever that was, unfolding before them. Those growls and snarls echoed in their ears, spurring them onward as they raced down the corridor with Akito, Toya and An close behind.
The corridor stretched out endlessly before them, the dim lights flickering ominously overhead as they ran. Each step felt heavy with dread, the fear of what lurked behind them driving them forward with an almost painful instinct.
Mizuki looked back, only to see Kohane limping, yet running towards the group, leaving a trail of blood and growls behind. Her limbs were twisted and unnatural, skin peeling off around her face. Some sort of bite mark was visible on her lower thigh.
Suddenly, they bumped into someone.
Startled, Mizuki stumbled back, their heart skipping a beat as they collided with another figure in the dark hallway. Before them stood a shorter, shadowy figure, their features obscured by the darkness, yet Mizuki could tell they had short hair.
"Ena, run!"
"Mizu-.. Akito? What the hell?" A complex look of confusion and concern crossed Ena's face as she glanced behind the group.
Her eyes widened in alarm as she caught sight of Kohane advancing down the hallway, her movements jerky and odd.
Without hesitation, Mizuki grabbed Ena by the wrist, pulling her along as they raced away from the approaching danger.
"You two, run, me and Toya are gonna go elsewhere to calm down An!" Akito yelled out, rounding a corner behind the other two.
"Akito!" Ena shouted, but the pink-haired quickly dragged her further down the corridor.
"They'll be fine, we have to hide," they breathed out.
Fear gnawed at their insides as they searched for a place to catch their breaths, their minds racing with the memory of Kohane's unnatural form and the unsettling sounds of her pursuit.
Their lungs felt like they were closing in, burning with exertion. Everything in their body ached, but they pushed through the pain - they had do - driven by the desperate need to escape the horror surrounding them.
They tried multiple classrooms, most of them being locked. Fingers gripping the steel handles in a pathetic attempt to force them open, but to no avail.
"There!" Ena exclaimed, pointing at a door.
"The- the girl's bathroom?"
"Yeah, they keep them unlocked, I think," She was now the one doing the dragging.
It was a life or death (they'd assume) situation, they knew that, and yet still, uncertainty clawed at them. They weren't a real girl, they shouldn't go there. Junior high proved that people only saw them as a freak and going in there - a women only sort of place - was not an option, ever.
It was unfortunate, almost. The world wasn't built for them and they could do nothing but accept it. They would rather die than make Ena uncomfortable, even if she didn't know.
"Why are you standing there? We can't run forever! It's not that bad in there, trust me, Mizuki, we need to fucking hide-"
No, she's right. Maybe just this once, they can take a chance, defy the odds, and save themselves. Survival outweighed societal expectations. It was fine.
They hesitated, but let themselves get pulled inside by Ena anyway. She was right, they have to hide, they said so themselves.
The door clicked shut behind them, sealing them off from the chaos that raged outside. The air inside the bathroom was stale and musty, but Mizuki welcomed the temporary respite from the terror that had gripped them moments before.
They leaned against the cool tile wall, their breath coming in ragged gasps as they struggled to calm their racing heart. Ena stood beside them, her presence a comforting anchor amidst the uncertainty that surrounded them.
For a long moment, they simply stood in silence, listening intently for any sign of danger outside. The sounds of their own ragged breathing filled the air, mingling with the distant echoes of snarling and grunting.
But as the minutes ticked by, the hallway fell eerily silent, the absence of any sound only serving to heighten their sense of unease. Mizuki's mind raced with questions, each one more terrifying than the last. What had happened to Kohane? What was causing her to act like that? And most importantly, were they truly safe within the confines of this bathroom?
Somehow, that biology test didn't seem as important anymore.
"What the fuck was that? What's wrong with that girl?" Ena eventually asked, sliding down the wall to sit down, Mizuki following.
"I have no idea. An saw her just collapse and then she- she started shaking and twitching and coughing up blood and-" it was getting hard to breathe again.
Ena sighed, brushing her hands over her face in a distressed motion, then placing her head on her knees.
"Is she, um, the girl, from Miyamasuzaka? Her uniform," she spoke up again.
"Uh, yeah, I think so. Why?"
"My friend was texting me about some strange shit going on there earlier... I hope she's okay,"
Mizuki hummed in agreement, unsure of what to say next. They weren't close with Ena, one would consider them acquaintances, but they've got some sort of opinions on her still - like her hair looking really soft and her skin being nice. They care about her, maybe not as much as people such as An, or Rui but-
Rui.
Rui is still in school.
"What?" Ena questioned, noticing the pure fear on Mizuki's face.
"Rui- Uh, my friend, he's still here,"
"Like at school? Taking the day classes?"
"Yeah, he was staying behind to use some of the school's equipment with Tsukasa, they should still be here..."
"Do you think we should go find them?"
"I think so... It's safer in groups, right? And then we could go find Akito and the others, too." they glanced at her.
Ena was pretty. Her soft brown eyes held little sprinkles of pink and yellow and shades of warmth.
She looked away, nodding.
"Akito will be okay, you know he's more athletic than either of us. Toya, too" Mizuki attempted to calm down the turmoil brewing within the other.
"I- I know, but..." she shook her head with a sigh. "Shiraishi will be okay as well."
"Yeah, she has to be. I don't.. I don't think I've ever seen her that scared before," they admitted. "you should've seen her face when.. it started... It was pure, pure fear,"
"I think we're all scared during a time like this, how could we not be?" she tilted her head back.
Mizuki nodded, yet hesitantly.
"You're right,"
Ena let out a sigh and let her head fall forward again.
Despite the fear and uncertainty that gripped them both, there was a strange comfort in knowing that they weren't alone in their struggle. Maybe Mizuki had been lonelier than they realised.
ㅤ
They weren't sure of how much time had passed anymore, lost in the confines of the walls as they huddled together, seeking solace in each other's presence. The minutes stretched into what felt like hours, each passing second weighed down by the heavy silence that enveloped them.
Their breaths came in shallow, hesitant exhales, the only sound punctuating the silence beside the buzzing lights, a stark contrast to the cacophony of thoughts racing through their minds.
Ena shifted beside them, her brow furrowed in concern as she glanced at the door, her gaze lingering on the faint light filtering in through the crack at the bottom.
"Do you think it's safe to leave yet?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mizuki shook their head, a sense of dread settling in the pit of their stomach. "I'm not sure... It's been too quiet out there. We don't know what's waiting for us on the other side of that door."
Ena nodded in understanding, her expression mirroring their own apprehension. "We should go find Tenma and Kamishiro."
She swiftly stood up, holding out her hand to help up Mizuki.
A blush creeped onto their face. Do girls normally do that?
Yet they let a small smile grace their features, accepting her hand. It was clammy and uncomfortable, but they were in this together. That only made it so much better.
With cautious steps, they approached the door, their senses on high alert as they prepared to face whatever awaited them on the other side. With a deep breath, Mizuki reached for the handle, their hand trembling slightly with nerves.
As it swung open, they were greeted by the dimly lit hallway, its shadows stretching out like tendrils of darkness that seemed to beckon them forward.
They moved silently, their footsteps echoing softly against the floor as they made their way through the deserted corridors. It was eerily empty, like a ghost town.
The air was thick with tension, each move filled with apprehension as they navigated the labyrinthine halls of their school. Every creak of the floorboards, every flutter of movement in the shadows, sent shivers down their spines as they pressed on.
Ena walked beside them, her hand tightly clasped in theirs as they navigated the deserted halls of their school. The silence was deafening, like ringing in their ears.
As they rounded a corner, a flicker of movement caught Mizuki's eye, causing them to freeze in place. Their breath caught in their throat as they strained to make out the source of the movement, their heart pounding in their chest.
But as they focused their gaze, they realized it was only a piece of paper fluttering in the breeze, pinned to the bulletin board with a rusty tack. They let out a shaky breath, relief washing over them as they continued on their way.
With each passing moment, their anxiety began to ebb away, replaced by a sense of determination to find their friends.
Finally, they reached the science lab where Rui and Tsukasa should have been working, the door slightly ajar. Mizuki exchanged a glance with Ena, their silent communication speaking volumes as they prepared to enter the room.
With a deep breath, Mizuki pushed open the door, their eyes scanning the dimly lit interior for any sign of life. The room was empty, save for the scattered equipment and half-finished experiments that littered the tables.
"Rui? Tsukasa?" they called out, their voice echoing softly in the silence. There was no response, only the faint hum of the fluorescent lights overhead.
Ena's grip tightened on their hand, her brow furrowed in concern as she scanned the room for any sign of danger. But as they searched, their fears were met with only the empty stillness of the lab.
"We.. we should keep looking," Ena mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mizuki nodded in agreement, their heart sinking with each passing moment that their friends remained out of reach.
Suddenly, a guttural sound came from behind them.
Mizuki and Ena froze in place, their blood running cold as the sound echoed through the stillness of the hall. Slowly, they turned to face the source of the noise, their hearts pounding in their chests with a mixture of fear and anticipation.
Their eyes widened in horror as they caught sight of a shadowy figure lurking in the darkness, its features obscured by the dim light. It seemed to sway unnaturally, as if it were struggling to maintain its form.
Ena's grip tightened on Mizuki's hand, her knuckles turning white with tension as they watched the figure with growing unease. Every instinct screamed at them to run, to flee from whatever horror awaited them in the depths of the building.
Yet they couldn't move.
"Hey, we should run," Ena whispered, keeping her voice as quiet as possible.
Mizuki squinted. Their biology teacher. Blood stained her face and her neck, eyes red as if to match. Why's she acting that way too now?
"I'm gonna drag you away on three, alright?" She asks, yet it sounds more like a warning rather than a question.
"What?" Mizuki's eyes darted to her.
"One... Two..."
The quiet stretched into forever. It was endless. It must have been.
With no actual warning, Ena pulled them away and the two bolted through the hallway once again. The thing ran after them, the same way Kohane had.
The adrenaline surged through Mizuki's veins as they sprinted down the corridor, Ena's grip tight on their hand as they fled from the shadowy figure that pursued them. Their heart pounded in their veins, the sound of their ragged breaths echoing in the empty corridors.
The figure behind them seemed to move with an unnatural swiftness, its form twisting and contorting in ways that defied logic. Fear clawed at Mizuki's mind, urging them to run faster.
As they raced through the halls, their surroundings blurred into a dizzying whirl of motion, each step propelling them further from the danger that lurked behind. But no matter how fast they ran, the figure seemed to loom ever closer, its presence an ominous shadow that hung over them like a specter of doom.
Trying all the handles, once again, was proving useless. Did night school students even go to class? Why are all the rooms locked?
A white light suddenly caught their attention, filtering through the darkness.
"There!" the pink-haired shouted out. Ena, just a bit ahead of them, tugging them behind, took notice and ran towards the classroom.
"What the hell?! Let us in!" they pounded on the locked door, seeing shadows of movement inside. Someone was in there.
Their hearts raced with a mixture of fear and desperation, their minds racing with the realization that they were running out of options.
Suddenly, the sound of the lock clicking echoed through the hallway, followed by the creak of the door swinging open. Relief flooded through Mizuki as they stumbled into the room, Ena close by.
They shut the door quickly, locking it again as the thing ran into it repeatedly, scratching at the surface.
"Rui, Tsukasa!" Mizuki's eyes widened as they let out a sigh of relief.
"Mizuki, Shinonome, what's going on?" Tsukasa spoke, just a bit too loud to be considered safe in such circumstances.
Ena and Mizuki only shrugged, catching their breaths by the door.
"You guys weren't in the lab," Mizuki spoke.
"We heard some commotion and screaming, and then some girl came charging at us... She was all bloody and.. moving strange, in unnatural ways. So we changed classrooms and locked ourselves in here." Rui explained, averting his gaze as if trying to not visualise it again.
Ena sunk down again, digging her palms into her eyes with a deep, shuddering breath.
Mizuki only sat down beside her, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We had something similar happen. I can't keep running like this again, though. Seriously, next time my legs will give out."
"What even are those things?" Tsukasa asked.
Ena let out a shaky breath, her hands still trembling with fear as she leaned against Mizuki for support. "Whatever they are, they're not human, surely," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Rui and Tsukasa exchanged a worried glance, their faces drawn with concern as they processed the gravity of the situation. "We need to figure out what's going on," Rui said, his voice filled with determination. "We can't just sit here and wait for help to arrive."
Mizuki nodded in agreement, their mind racing with possibilities as they tried to piece together the events that had unfolded. "Right, we called the ambulance a while ago. They never came, I guess."
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the room, causing them all to jump in alarm. They turned to see the door shaking violently as the thing outside continued to pound against it with relentless force.
"We need to find Akito, Toya and An," Ena said, her voice urgent as she glanced around the room for any means of escape.
"There's others here? Wait, Toya?" The strawberry blond asked.
"He was with Akito, and then Kohane attacked An and they took her to calm her down. It looked like she was having a panic attack. Sent me and Ena to hide elsewhere."
"Right, sticking together seems like our best option. I agree, we have to find them." Rui added.
With each passing moment, the tension in the room grew thicker, their fear palpable in the air as they struggled to come to terms with the reality of their situation.
"Alright, let's stay together and search the school," the purple-haired concluded, his voice firm with resolve.
Ena stood up, her expression resolute as she glanced around the room, her eyes searching for any signs of danger. "We need to be careful," she warned, her voice tinged with urgency.
Mizuki's grip tightened on Ena's hand, their mind buzzing with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions as they prepared to embark on their perilous journey through the darkened halls of their school.
As they prepared to leave the relative safety of the classroom, each of them felt a surge of apprehension coursing through their veins. The unknown awaited them beyond the confines of the room, and the prospect of facing whatever horrors lurked in the shadows filled them with a sense of unease.
But they knew that they couldn't afford to hesitate. With a shared glance, they silently reaffirmed their commitment to one another, their bond serving as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness that threatened to consume them.
They grabbed some supplies (if a broom and one of those sticks teachers use to point at things on the board count) and with cautious steps, they ventured back out into the dimly lit hallway, their senses on high alert as they scanned their surroundings for any sign of danger. The air was heavy with anxiety, each moment fraught with uncertainty as they navigated the corridors of their school.
ㅤ
Every shadow seemed to hold the promise of danger, and each creak of the building sent shivers down their spines.
Mizuki's mind raced as they kept Ena close, their grip on her hand getting tighter as they moved through the darkened halls. With each passing moment, their fear grew, fueled by the doubt of what lurked in the shadows.
Rui led the way (was it because he's had to hide from teachers so often he knows the school best?), his determination evident in the set of his jaw as he scanned their surroundings for any sign of movement. Tsukasa followed close behind, his eyes darting nervously from side to side as he kept watch for any potential threats.
Not a word was spoken, trying to stay as quiet as humanly possible. If they spoke, all those things, those monsters would get them all.
As they made their way through the building, they encountered no sign of life, save for the occasional flicker of lights or movement in the shadows. Every sound, every rustle of action sent their hearts racing, their nerves on edge as they pressed on.
Suddenly, a faint noise reached their ears, causing them to freeze in place. It was a distant sound, barely audible over the quiet hum of the building, but it sent a chill down their spines nonetheless.
"Did you hear that?" Ena whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
Mizuki nodded, their heart pounding in their chest as they strained to listen for any further signs of motion. The noise seemed to be coming from further down the hallway, growing louder with each passing second.
"Should we check it out?" Rui asked, his voice low with apprehension.
They hesitated, their minds racing with the possibilities of what could be waiting for them inside. But they knew that they couldn't afford to ignore the source of the noise, not if it meant finding answers to the mystery that had engulfed their school.
With a shared nod, the group cautiously approached the classroom, movements careful and calculated as they prepared to face whatever lay beyond the threshold.
Rui reached for the door handle, his hand trembling slightly as he pushed it open with a slow, deliberate motion. The door creaked loudly on its hinges, the sound echoing through the silent building as they peered inside.
"You guys found us!"
The voice came from within the classroom, filling them with a sense of relief as they stepped inside. Akito and Toya stood in the center of the room, An sat on the floor, their expressions a mixture of surprise and relief as they spotted their friends.
Mizuki felt a wave of relief flood through them at the sight of them, their grip on Ena's hand tightening as they stepped into the room. "Akito, Toya, An, thank goodness you're okay," they breathed out, their voice filled with relief.
Ena let go of their hand, running over to Akito, pulling him into a hug. He tried to seem annoyed, but Mizuki took note of the way his shoulders relaxed in her arms.
Tsukasa was quick to greet Toya, and the pink-haired's eyes fell to An. Her breathing was still shallow, chest heaving with each ragged breath. Lines of worry were etched into her features.
"How are you?" they asked.
"..as good as I can be right now, I think," she replied, a sort of numbness in her voice.
Mizuki hummed in understanding.
"We should stay put in here for the night," Rui spoke up. "We can secure the room until we have a plan for what to do next."
"Yeah, it's best we think thoroughly about our next course of action." Akito agreed.
"Help me push some desks and chairs to the doors, so it's harder for them to get in," Ena said.
Mizuki nodded, their determination renewed as they joined their friends in fortifying the classroom against potential threats. Together, they pushed the furniture against the doors, creating makeshift barricades to deter any unwanted visitors.
Despite the fear and uncertainty that gripped them, they found solace in each other's presence, their bond serving as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness that threatened to consume them.
ㅤ
Once the makeshift barricades were in place, they stepped back, surveying their handiwork with a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction. The group settled down in the classroom, the dim light casting long shadows across the walls as they huddled together for warmth and comfort.
"Have you guys got any food, water or your phones?" Toya asked, his shoulder serving as a pillow for Akito's head to rest on.
"I have my bag with me, all I have is my half-eaten sandwich though. I left my phone in the biology classroom." Mizuki replied, searching their bag for anything useful.
"I have some ice tea, but that's everything... My phone, too," Ena chimed in.
"Me and Rui left our bags with everything in the science lab..."
"I think I left my stuff back at the library." Toya added. He glanced over to the ginger, nearly asleep beside him, "Akito dropped his bag somewhere along the way,"
"My phone's here, but it's dead," An attempted to turn it on once more, just in case. It showed 0%.
"Ena, have you got a charger by any chance?"
The girl rummaged through her bag, pulling out a white charger out of the depths. She nodded, handing it over to An, who started looking for an outlet in the room.
Mizuki couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at the realization that they were cut off from the outside world, their only means of communication lying dormant in their bags scattered across the school and Ena's phone.
With a sinking feeling in their chest, they knew that they would have to rely on their own resourcefulness and ingenuity to survive until help arrived, if it ever did.
A heavy silence fell over the classroom, broken only by the occasional shuffle or whispered conversation. Each of them grappled with their own thoughts and fears, the weight of the situation pressing down on them like a leaden cloak.
They sighed, observing the room.
The few windows did no help to provide much illumination, the darkness outside seemingly impenetrable.
Despite their efforts to fortify the classroom, there was an undeniable sense of vulnerability that hung over them like a shroud. They were trapped. Mizuki wondered what the outside world was like at this time.
Their thoughts drifted to their classmates who had been affected by whatever strange phenomenon had befallen the school. Kohane's twisted form and the teacher the same way, that pursued them through the halls remained etched in their mind, a haunting reminder of the dangers that lurked in the darkness.
An sat just a bit further away from the group, her expression drawn and distant as she stared off into space. Mizuki couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her, knowing that she quite literally saw her girlfriend (they couldn't remember if the two ever made it official) turn into a monster before her very eyes.
Toya and Akito, on the other hand, seemed to be engaged in a quiet conversation, their voices low. Akito was visibly tired, leaning on Toya, who rested his head atop Akito's, both gazing into nothing. Mizuki admired their resilience, their ability to remain somewhat calm in the face of adversity.
Tsukasa looked on the verge of tears, eyebrows furrowed and lips pressed into a thin line as he stared at the floor, lost in thought. His hands fidgeted restlessly in his lap. Rui sat close by, rubbing circles on Tsukasa's back in a comforting gesture, his voice hushed as he whispered words of reassurance to him (Mizuki could swear they heard the name 'Saki' leave his lips).
Ena was beside Mizuki, biting her lips in a nervous habit, her brow furrowed in deep concentration as she dazed off into the distance. They could see the apprehension etched into every line of her face, a reflection of their own fears mirrored back at them.
She quickly glanced over at Mizuki, offering them a small, reassuring smile before turning her attention back to the floor.
Mizuki returned Ena's smile, grateful for her unwavering support. They leaned closer to her, their shoulders touching as they sought solace in each other's presence.
She leaned forward, rolling her shoulders back before sinking down again, placing her head gently on the other's chest.
Mizuki hesitated, but wrapped an arm around her, offering her a sense of comfort and security in the midst of the chaos that surrounded them. They could feel the steady rise and fall of her breath, a reassuring reminder of their shared humanity within the uncertainty that gripped them.
Only for a moment, they wondered if she could feel just how flat their chest was, how their shoulders were just a bit too wide and their voice just a bit too deep at times.
This wasn't who Mizuki was. They didn't get close to people and they didn't comfort and make them feel safe. Mizuki wasn't allowed to do any of that. They ran and they hid and they kept themselves locked away because otherwise they hurt people.
They knew all too well the consequences of letting others get too close, the pain and suffering that inevitably followed in their wake. They couldn't help it. They were different, flawed in ways that they couldn't change, no matter how hard they tried.
ㅤ
Mizuki fought against the overwhelming urge to close their eyes, knowing that they couldn't afford to let their guard down, even for a second. They remained vigilant, ready to spring into action if any danger came.
And as the night wore on, they remained awake, their senses heightened as they kept watch for any sign of the things. Though the hours stretched on with agonizing slowness, they refused to succumb to despair, clinging to the belief that together, they could overcome whatever challenges lay ahead.
So, just like that, they waited. Waited for the dawn to break, for the darkness to recede, and for the promise of a new day to bring with it the hope of salvation. For now, all they could do was hold onto each other and weather the storm, knowing that as long as they stood together, they would never truly be alone.
Mizuki swore they saw Akito eyeing them suspiciously before they inevitably gave in to the slumber.