•·•·•·•
Well
the key to my survival
was never in much doubt
the question was
how I could keep sane
trying to find a way out
-Phil Collins, No son of mine
•·•·•·•
"I really don't know how to explain it. I keep think about it all the time, or I am dreaming about it. I never have any rest." Manami said to her old friend, Moe. Her real name wasn't actually Moe, it was Momoko, but Manami always called her Moe for some reason. "What exactly is this it you keep talking about?" Moe asked.
For the last couple of weeks, Manami had been acting more hysterical then usual. "When the 2 demons attacked the mall." Manami said, her eyes blood shot from lack of sleep. "I haven't actually heard those boys described as demons before. It suits them though, those bastards." Moe said and Manami stared at her in confusion.
"What?" She asked and Moe laughed mockingly. "Those teenagers. The ones who terrorized the mall a couple weeks ago." Moe said and Manami stared at her; her mouth opened slightly.
"Teenagers didn't do it. Demons did it. Real ones." Manami said and ran her hand through her hair. "I was there. I saw it." Moe patted Manami on the arm.
"It's obvious that you are still in shock. " Moe replied in a condescending tine. Manami shook her head. "No don't talk to me like I'm crazy. Everyone who lived, forgot what really happened, for some reason!" Manami cried out. She looked like she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
"I thought you would understand or something. But you don't; your acting like everyone else! Stop patronizing me. I know what I saw." Manami exclaimed and stood up, ready to leave but Moe stopped her. "No need to be all dramatic. I heard that when some people have witnessed something horrible, that they come up with fantasies to make themselves understand what happened. One day you will realize that demons aren't real, and that teenagers our age, are capable of being monsters." Moe said and Manami glared at her.
"Stop it." Manami hissed. "Don't do that. You always make me feel so stupid, or insane. Even when we were kids. All you ever do is make me feel inferior." Manami sidestepped Moe and continued to walk towards the front door of Moe's apartment. "I am leaving. Maybe I will find someone who will believe me. Someone who will not practically tell me that I am going crazy."
Moe just stared at Manami's back as she left. Moe knew that Manami had just ended their rocky 10 year friendship.
•·•·•·•
Manami walked down the road, she felt numb to the elements. She couldn't determine if she hot or cold. She didn't know if it was windy or raining. She was completely lost in her thoughts. 'Am I crazy? Why do I remember things that 20 other people have suddenly forgotten?' She thought to herself.
"This is so confusing." She whispered to herself. She continued to walk, until se spotted a bench. Deciding to give her legs a rest, she sat down. Manami had no idea how long she had been sitting there. Time seemed to have stand still for her.
"Excuse me, miss. Don't you think it's a little late for you to be sitting outside all by yourself?" She heard a voice ask. She shook her head in response, not bothering to look up. "Would you like me to walk you home?" He asked. Manami knew it was a male, even though his voice had a feminine lightness to it.
"No thank you." She replied and felt him sit down. "Is something wrong?" He asked. Manami shrugged her shoulders helplessly. "I think I am going crazy." She whispered.
"Apparently, I can't tell the difference between reality and fantasy. What I think are demons are supposedly teenagers bent on making peoples lives miserable." Manami replied while looking at the strangers shoes. Even he felt bad for her, just by the tone of her voice. She sounded so broken.
"Demons?" The strangers asked in shock. Manami nodded her head. "Do you believe in demons?" She asked, her eyes still glued to his shoes.
"Yes." He answered, not even hesitating. Manami was shocked. This stranger was the second person she had ever talked to who also believed in demons. She slowly looked up and gazed into the strangers eyes. "You do?" She asked.
Manami was mesmerized by his eyes. They frightened her but also made her feel comfortable. "Yes." He repeated. "Do you?" Manami nodded her head slowly.
"Ever since I was little." She replied and started to take in his appearance. His red hair was immaculate, even thought it was windy out. His green eyes seemed to eerily glow in the dark. All in all, he was incredibly sexy looking.
"You seem familiar." She murmured quietly. He raised his eyebrow and smiled. "Really?" He asked and Manami nodded her head.
"Very." He laughed and stood up. "Did you happen to go to Meiou High?" He asked and Manami shook her head.
"No. I was home schooled." Manami said and stood up also. "My friend went there though." The strange smiled.
"Really what is her name?" He asked, with the same polite tone he had been using. Manami hadn't ever met anyone else but Moe who was so polite. "It doesn't matter. I never met anyone she knew from school." Manami said with a smile. There was a moment of silence as they watched each other.
"I should probably be going home now." She said and he nodded his head. "Would you like me to walk you home?" He asked and Manami shook her head.
"I am sure I will be fine." She said and walked off. "Wait. You never told me you name." The man called out and Manami turned around.
"My name is Manami Suzuki. What's yours?" She asked. "Shuichi Minamino." He replied and walked away, leaving Manami staring at his back. For the life of her, she could not remember where she heard that name. Strangely enough, she had a feeling that she needed to remember.
Shaking off the feeling, Manami walked down her street. Part of her was looking forward to falling asleep, but the other part was scared of the dreams she knew she would have.
