Akumu - Nightmare

Chapter 1 – Blood

It wouldn't stop. It'd never stop. Who would have thought this would happen? How did it happen?

The screams were terrifying, so horrible. So deafening. I couldn't stop it. Why couldn't I stop it? The red painted the walls and I stood there. I always did. I could never take action. I couldn't stop it. I wouldn't and shouldn't. Why is this feeling in my heart lingering? Why does my chest hurt? Why am I crying? It didn't really matter did it? Did it?

Beads of sweat were collected at my forehead, no, all over my body. I was drenched. Drenched in this sweat. Why? Why was I sweating? I didn't physically over-exert myself did I? Was it a dream? I don't even recall dreaming. Did I really dream?

I shook my head and sighed, today was a Monday, another school day. It meant I needed to get up and get ready. I couldn't be late again. I didn't want to be late. I worked hard to keep my reputation in grades and presentation. My social life however. It didn't really matter. I wasn't in tune with my emotions either way.

I stood from my blank bed, which had an assortment of blue pillows of different shades. I made my way to the other side of my room, my dull white eyes staring at nothing, just looking forward as I pushed the door open to my bathroom. What time was it anyway? I didn't check when I got out my bed. I breathed out a bit of air as my eyes found a black clock above the mirror. It was 6:13. I had plenty of time. Yet I didn't want to waste it by lazing around. I would head out to school early.

Starting the water, I set it to cold. I didn't particularly like hot showers. It hurt and the cold was much more comforting. It truly was. My eyes closed after I stripped out my nightly attire and stepped beneath the shower head letting the piercing cold water hit me like rain. My hair which faded from a regular blue to white was my prized possesion. I had different shades of blue in my hair, and yes it was natural. I would never actually dye my hair ever.

I spent almost 20 minutes in the shower washing myself and my hair. When I was done I stepped out and dried off of course before staring at myself in the mirror. My skin was ghostly white and my snow white eyes just made me look more like a freak. Yet I didn't care. I didn't care about anything. I was just empty and emotionless. It was better that way.

Shaking my head slightly, I pulled my hair into a high bun. Beginning to dress in the female uniform I sighed. What would school be like today? Not that it even mattered. I was just a curious soul. Curious about everyone and thing, just didn't feel anything.

My uniform consisted of a plaid bright blue pleated skirt that ended at mid-thigh, with it I wore a white short-sleeved button down, and a darker blue tie. I pulled a black sweater over the shirt and wore white leggings with my skirt and finished it with black high top converse. The school let the students choose their own color scheme as to express originality. Yet all they did was make people even more fashion conscious.

I sighed as I released my hair from its bun, shaking it slightly as it fell just past my bottom. It was moderately straight if not wavy, but it didn't matter. I brushed my bangs and hair quickly before putting in a plain black headband. Now I am ready to leave for school.

I grab my bag and walk down the stairs and out the door. No one is home at this hour, they leave for work at 5. I began my long walk to school with no expression. Every day is the same. Get up, get ready, go to school, come home, study, and go to sleep. Nothing exciting. Nothing exciting ever happens.

My thoughts roam back to this morning. Why did I wake up covered in sweat? If it was a dream what could have happened in that dream? Was I exercising? Or maybe it was a nightmare? Though I am not known for having nightmares or dreams period. All I see when I sleep is darkness. I don't dream. Dreams are meaningless and have no importance to my way of life.

Why did people dream? Was there some kind of enjoyment to it? Was it interesting, fun? Why did so many people dream when they can't even ever hope to obtaining such dreams? Life was simple. You walk on one path and never stray from it. Do a normal routine, get a job, and make money. Relationships, dreams, and music were things that distracted one.

Friends the most. I myself didn't have any. I didn't need any. I may have wanted some in middle school, but I am a freshman now. I have to throw those silly things away. It wasn't good to my way of life. Thinking of things that would never happen, was that the equivalent to dreaming? If it was, I had destroyed my dreams long ago.

My feet kept me moving at a steady pace and before I knew it, I reached the gates of the building. In another week we would be moving into dorms. But I didn't think that was necessary. I swiped my ID and entered through the gate. The campus was nearly deserted, it always was when I was here because I always came early. I liked the peacefulness, it was nice. I really disliked huge crowds of people. It was too troublesome.

I continued walking, heading to the main entrance, which was surrounded by beautiful fountains and gardens. It was simply a captivating sight. I ceased my walking to stare at a single white rose on the rose bush. The last time I checked, it was an all red bush of roses, so why was it here? I stared at the beauty of it, yet my mind couldn't come to a conclusion of why it was here. I walked over to it and looked down at it with blank eyes.

A lone white rose in a sea of red.

I heard someone say. My eyes quickly scanned the area, but there was no one. Was I hearing things? I looked around once more and again my eyes saw nothing. I shook it off and took one last glance at the single white rose before heading inside the enormous building and then I realized something. The rose had blue leaves.

I stood there trying to process things but to no avail, I couldn't exactly grasp what I saw or heard. I shook my head and continued down the hall and directly to my locker where I placed my unneeded things and began to go to my first class of the day. Homeroom, yes it counted.

I sighed as I got there, the teacher Reichi Sora didn't mind my presence as I sat in my seat in the left-hand corner of the room on the last row by the window. I stared out the window as more students began to fill up the courtyard. I sighed and closed my eyes silently and drifted off to sleep.

My hands were covered in it. In the blood. I didn't mean for this to happen. It wasn't my fault. Was it? I didn't care about it right? Right? So why was I crying? Who was screaming? There's too much blood. It must be me then. It must be. I am the one screaming, why was I screaming? Why does my chest hurt? The pain was excruciating and I swear I couldn't breathe. My throat was dry and I couldn't see. It seemed to be going black and what was this light? I couldn't see to begin with, so why was there light?

My eyes snapped open hearing Sora call on me. I looked up seeing all eyes on me. Did something happen." Are you okay Winter-San?" she asked me. I blinked looking at her blankly. Why wouldn't I be okay? I hesitantly nodded and she sent me a sorrowful look. I didn't like pity." Is everything alright at home? You were crying."

I automatically touched my face, sure enough there was tear residue. Wait. I was crying? All I remember is coming in and looking out the window. Was I sleeping? Had I been unconscious? Did I black out? I don't remember anything. I didn't remember anything." Yes Sora-Sensei. "I said in monotone. My thoughts going back to what had just happened. It couldn't figure it out and I don't remember anything.

The next few class periods were like this. I sat there in a trance thinking about things. My silence normal to everyone. I didn't really speak. I was the odd one, and as you could say, I get bullied. Yet I can usually scare them off with a certain look.

By the time I came up with the conclusion I had blacked out, it was lunch time. I wordlessly made my way down the crowded halls and to my locker. I took out my bento and placed everything back inside. I stalked off to the roof. I usually ate there. It was peaceful and quiet and away from the eyes of people.

I ascended up the stairs with my bento in hand and pushed open the door and was met with a gentle cool breeze. I breathed a sigh of relief and sat down in a corner and opened my bento. It was filled with sushi, sesame chicken, and a small assortment of sweets. If I was capable of smiling I would. I stared at my food, before grabbing a pair of chopsticks and digging in.

I had barely made it to my sweets when the roof door burst open. I immediately looked to see who had entered and it was two boys, they seemed to be fighting. They both had pink hair and looked rather pissed. I stared at them and noticed it was Luki and Yuuma. What were they doing here? Why were they fighting?

Shaking my head, I decided I would think about it another time. I stood up and collected the remains of my bento and was about to leave when suddenly something collided into me rather hard. With my lack of balance and the force of it, I couldn't stop myself from flying off the roof.

My eyes were widened and I couldn't help but squeeze them just as I barely let out a squeak. "SHIT!" was the last thing I heard before I lost consciousness.