Judai's POV

"Run. Run for your life."

That voice... I've never heard it before. But i have to trust it... Somehow I know I have to. I can't explain it. It just makes me run. I couldn't stop even if I wanted to. My legs seem to have a life of their own. They just run, take me further, acting recklessly on instinct. Like they don't care where they get, as long as they take me away from them. From that person chasing me.

I... I can't stop. If I stop now, they're going to get me. It's over. I don't care if I'm tired. If I stop... I must run. I must escape. Whoever is chasing me... I must escape. I can't hide, they're going to find me.

"Don't turn back."

No matter what, I... I just can't stop. Wait... there's a gate. If I close it, it might keep them away from me. But, I can't open it. I can't climb over it.

Is... Is this the end? It can't be, I can't be gone. Where should I go? They're getting closer. I can't seek help. I'm going to die. Or even worse.

"Hide, there's nothing left to do."

Where am I supposed to hide? Think fast... This is a forest, there must be places to hide. God, help me... Please...

"It's over."

No... It can't be! I see large rocks. I'm going to hide there. There is no other option. Hopefully, they won't see me. Or feel my presence. Whatever it is that they do.

Who is that person? I don't know. I never saw them. I never heard them. I don't know if they are even here. But my gut and the voice in my head keeps pushing me, making me run until I'm not alone, until I reach safety. Is this a horror film? Am I a victim created by sadistic people for entertainment? No, this is too real to be fiction. Or a dream.

"You failed."

I failed... I couldn't run. I couldn't run past these walls, I couldn't break the gate of this damn place...

But does it matter? I'm going to die. I don't know who I am, I don't know what is going on. Maybe I am dead. They should've found me by now. Maybe this is what death is like. I don't know. I can't decide. What... What is happening... Please, just end this. It's pain. Suffering. I can't take it.

"Judai, I've found you."

T-that voice. It's not my mind playing tricks on me. It's.. Them. Somehow I know it. I feel like my veins are filled with ice. My heart just stopped beating. I don't want to turn around. I don't want to face this person. Whoever and whatever they are... I can't let myself. I can't die like that... In pain... Wait, is that really pain? Am I dying? I-I-I feel it... They've come to get me, and they did... They fullfilled their plan.

I must know. I MUST know who they are. I mustn't. But I do. I can't. Arrrgghhh! Why aren't I dead yet? I turn my head... I see a glimpse of their face... I don't recognize you. Who are you? Why do you haunt me?

Wait... It... It's you... But... You're dead. Why let me suffer? H-h-how? How could you do this to me? Here I am, looking at you, my eyes widened in fear. And you just smile, and make me suffer. You are killing me. I know it. I know why. You can't let me stay here. In this world, when you are gone.

You've changed. You're dead. And yet you came back to haunt me. To take me away from this world. But I can't hold a grudge against you. I am no longer scared. I accept my fate. I accept death. For your sake.

"Jun..."

Jun Manjome. I don't blame you. But it's over. You lost your soul, and you will take mine. I will give it away. I couldn't escape. It's only fair to you. To give up my soul for your evil satisfaction.

But none of it matters anymore. I close my eyes for the last time, image of your blank smiling face forever carved into my mind. My last farewell.

Goodbye.