KIDNAPPED
Akane pov :
Tonight, was a lucky night. I celebrated the end of the year , which I passed with honors and as a bonus, my friends offered to pay for the drinks. So here I was, midnight in the 4th district, overjoyed and light headed from all the tequila I've somehow managed to swallow. I'm not a drunker, so I was having a hard time, walking without loosing my balance. I had this kind of survival reflex, pretending to being on phone while walking alone at night. My home wasn't so far, so I had small chance being attacked, but better safe than sorry. My name is Akane. 26 years old, single from recent breaking, and currently completely drunk. What a honor art student I make... Walking slowly down a dark alley surrounded by high old buildings, I keep babbling, telling my imaginary friend at the phone, how was my so called "extraordinary night of debauchery" -which by the way could be summarized in four words : Tequila, girls-talk", period.
I was almost at my door, when I heard a loud sound about 30ish meters away. Startled, I bumped my phone, which hit the pavement with a tiny thud. I could have taken it from the ground, caught the keys into my pocket, and rushing upstairs, I could have asked who was there, I could have run. But somehow, I stood there, eyes fixed on the source of said noise, frozen body, irregular breath and a drum-like pounding heart. I could feel cold sweat running down my spine. I then heard another noise, about 10 feet closer. I was nearly about to pee myself, when I felt a furry thing against my leg.
"Mew " It's just a cat. I could see his yellow eyes shining in the shadow, surrounded by a thick black fur.
" You know you scared the shit out of me ", I said with a nervous laugh, caressing the little minx. I love cats so much. I love how their purr, how they show you their affection with ever so little gesture. Relieved, I took my phone and started searching for the keys in my purse. - Should I take that little home ? -
Keys found, I finally managed to put them in the key hole after 3 good fails, and turned back to look at the little fur ball. But it was Gone. I quickly took a look around, but there was no way I could have spotted him in the thick darkness of the Alley. Resigned, I was about to open the door, when another noise coming from the same spot hold me back.
"Come on, I know It's you. I don't intend to spend the night outside so if you wanna have more hugs or food, you'll have to stop playing hide and seek and come to me."
Another noise. I was starting to get sleepy and I was also loosing patience. So after 5 more minutes waiting, I decided to go home. I opened the door and ...
"Boo."
Even before I knew where the voice was coming from, I felt violently pulled from behind by my throat. I tried to escape the grip of whoever was holding me, but before I could even make a move, They hit me at the back of my head, and I felt my consciousness drifting away, swallowed by the darkness.
When I opened my eyes, I was feeling like my head was about to explode. Events of the past night was slowly finding their way back into my mind. The bar, the girls, the cat... feeling a bit itchy, I was trying to scratch my nose, when I realized that my hands were tied behind my back. Then suddenly, I remembered. Someone attacked me in front of my door. Funny how the human brain reacts in that sort of situation. For some people, the adrenaline rushing through the veins while the subject panics, can make them more lucid than ever. For some others, the overwhelming dread paralyzing them completely, cutting off any survival instinct, or any capacity to think. I, was the third case. My brain was running a bloody race, imagining all the horrible things that might await me. And of course, It got me completely helpless in anyways.
I had something on my face preventing me to see anything even with eyes wide open. All I could see, was darkness. And All I could feel, was the rough and cold ground on my right side. I was lying alone, somewhere that was humid and cold, without any possibility to escape. In other terms, I was totally screwed. - I don't wanna die like this, please god if you can hear me, I don't wanna die like this my back was hurting. I started to roll a bit trying to ease the pain, but It didn't helped at all. Totally desperate, I was about to yell and cry for help, when I heard foot steps getting closer. I then stop moving, pretending being asleep.
" She's awake."
-shit-
"I know. I'll take care of that one, you, get to the 3rd floor, Yomo asked after you."
" Okay boss."
I have to know where I am
After some seconds when I could hear one of the men steps going away, the other one - the one who apparently was giving orders- spoke to me in a low tone.
"I know you can hear me."
-...
" I will untie you and giving you some water, so do not try anything stupid, understood ? "
I was scared, I was feeling nauseous and could barely breath.
" Answer me", the voice commanded sternly.
" ...Yes"
"Yes what ?"
"I understand"
" Good."
After a few seconds I heard the clinking of keys and the sound of a metal door being slowly opened. it took the man a few more seconds to pull me towards him and remove what was covering my face. Sweat had stuck my hair to my forehead and salty tears, which I had not felt run down, had made their way to my lips. From this angle, all I could see was a part of the metal floor, and the shoes of my captor. I could hear him moving around, and I felt his fingers pulling on my restrains.
"Sit"
My arms and ankles were numb, and I felt like moving would cause my body to break.
"I said, sit."
not wanting to get him pissed, I sat slowly on my heels, not without hissing from the pain.
" Drink", he said, handing me a bottle of watter. After little hesitation, I took it and drank it all pretty fast. I haven't realised I was so thirsty. After some seconds, he handed me a second one.
"Thank you"
The only light in the room was a gloomy ( ) hanging on the cieling. I could barely see 10 feet ahead. Once my eyes more comfortable, I could see boxes of some sort dispatched all over the room. The guy was waiting for me to drink, without a word.
" where Am I ?"
- No questions
- I kept drinking by small gulps, my eyes looking up along his legs, and keeping going up until I finally saw his face. Or should I say, His no face. He was wearing a mask, which was comletely white, without any decoration nor colours.
"You could have chosen a better one. It's not even pretty. I know an adress if you want."
I honestly didn't know then what made me say that. But if I had to find a reason now, I'd say that I needed to believe I still had even the slightest contrôle over the mess I was in. saying i wasn't afraid would be the biggest lie of History, but I still could try to hide It. Panic wouldn't get me outta that whole shit anyway.
" what ? "
" Your mask. It's ugly."
"It isn't meant to be pretty."
"But at least, it should be scary, I snapped."
"Oh ? So, you're not scared?"
" I am scared. but not by that thing" I said, trying to keep my tone composed. I didn't know if his silence was due to my repartee, or to a lack of interest, but wanting to relieve some stress I kept going.
"There Is a small shop in the 4th district. I went there once . We made a bet with friends. It was closed, but on the display were lots of masks. There were stuning beautiful and unlike yours, somewhat very scary. You really should go there."
I remembered the shop as soon as I saw the mask. It was a Sunday afternoon, me and my classmate were having a beer at a small bar downtown, when one of us, Tokiyomi talked about that shop.
Back then
" It's said to be spooky"
" Come on Tok, you know ghost doesn't exist, right ?" I said mockingly
" I swear I heard about that"
"Well, I don't know anything about ghost, but The owner is said to be a freak" Akio Said, looking serious.
" Come on guys are you serious ? above 25 years old and still freaking out about a damn child spooky-story ?" I seriously couldn't believe everybody was so wored up by rumors.
" Well guys, I have an Idea. what about checking this out ?" Ran suggested, a wide grin plastered on her face
In the end, we did what she told, slightly tipsy, and maybe overexcited, we went into the 4th district of Tokyo around 6pm, and gathered in front of the shop. "HySy ArtMask" said the sign. the building wasn't so high, and I had to admit I was a bit disappointed. For a place which was said to be so scary, It was in reality, modest and discreet. We wanted to get closer, when we heard a loud noise coming from inside and what Tok swear to be a cry. Taken aback, the others ran down the street, when I got stuck there, utterly fascinated by the mask that were on display. It was spooky, strange, dark. But most of all, It was definitely art. I said I was an art student. Well, it was not ma major. Actually, I was studying English letters and Japanese History but I had a solid curriculom in art nevertheless. I was actualy painting and drawing good enough to get a second fellowship in art with limited discipline. And the more I was looking at those masks, the more I was mesmerized. I couldn't look away.
Nowadays
"...Shut up and finish your drink."
not wanting to annoy him more, I did how I was told, slightly bored but also relieved that my strategy worked in turning the panic down. At least, for now. When I finished the water, the guy pushed me back in what I now could clearly see as a small metal cage, -not high enough for me to stand- before closing the door with a padlock. The room must have been huge because the slightest sound was echoing quite loudly.
" May I please know your name ? "
I saw it on the TV once when the little Rin disappeared in the Meiji shrine park. The psychologist said in case of kidnapping, the only chance for the victim to get out is 1) escaping, 2) gaining enough time for the rescue squad to find her. When Your captors gets to know you, you become more human. Captors tend to dehumanize their victim for they can easily getta rid of them in due time. So basically getting closer means being harder to kill. At least, I had to try something.
" I have no name. Now shut up and Sleep."
He must have put something into the water, because I was feeling indeed very sleepy. minute by minute The decorum get slowly swallowed by the darkness, and I fell once more into a deep slumber.
When I opened my eyes, my body was feeling more at ease. ever so slowly, I sat down, trying to see something around me. Unfortunately they had turned the lights off and I was in total darkness. After what felt like hours, somebody opened the door, going down what sounded like wooden steps. They wasn't coming to me, but instead seemed to search something among the boxes I saw earlier. Then I suddenly heard a cry.
" No... please... don't do that to me... please, I beg you" That was beyond fear. It was pure dread. High pitched, strangled, barely human. I could feel goosebumps covering my body.
"stop whining, human. You know that nothing you may say or do will save you from anything, right ?"
human ? wait wait wait wait, what does that mean... ?
" But... I... I have money, I can make you a rich man i swear"
"Pathetic. Humans are pathetic. You know what, I'll tell you a secret, said the voice in a composed and calm tone, you are so very certain that money means power. But that's only true among your kind. I, myself don't give a shit about money. And I do have plenty of power. I do it for fun. For the sake of ripping flesh and bones, just for the damn thrill, for the art. So now now, stop being a cry baby and accept your fucking fate as the man you claim to be"
" No, please, please, have mercy!"
The other man laughed. "mercy ? Are you so desperate to think I will pity you enough to let you go ? Well, fair enough. Let's play a game shall we ? I'll open that cage and count to twenty. If you can reach the door before I catch you, you'll be free to go. If you fail, I'll take an extra bite before the auction. Believe me, no one will give a damn If one hand is missing"
"Human, Flesh, bones... extra bite, hand missing ? Oh my god Oh my god Oh my god... I won't ending up as a sex slave or as a pet for some psychotic bitch... I'll end up eaten by Ghouls."