"Morning Sairento!" I called, skipping towards Sairento, my best friend. We'd known each other since we were five. He was always the strong, silent type. I was the exact opposite. Cute and flamboyant. I stood next to him, smiling, while my long, black hair stirred in the breeze. Spring was my favourite time of year.
"Hey Shinimi." Sairento replied casually.
"Got any plans for the weekend?" I asked, tilting my head.
"I dunno." He replied, starting to walk away, towards the school building. I followed.
"Well, if you're not busy, I was hoping you'd come over so we could go over the play we have do." I upped my pace, struggling to keep up with him. My platform boots thudded with every step. Suddenly Sairento stopped dead in his tracks, causing me to nearly crash into him.
"I am NOT going to make myself look an idiot in front of the entire school." He said sternly, with a hint of hatred and anger. He suddenly took off, towards his art class.
"It's just Romeo and Juliet!" I called, staying behind. Sairento continued on his path, with anger oozing from his presence. I groaned, turning to the science building, where my first class was being held. I headed towards it, hoping the class would be interesting.
After a fantastic arson-filled double lesson, I headed towards the canteen for some recess. I picked out some chips and a bottle of water. As I paid the canteen lady, I noticed Sairento watching me through the window.
"Thank you." I said to the canteen lady as I grabbed my things and headed out to greet Sairento. "Chip?" I offered as I let the door close behind me.
"No." He replied with a zombie-like expression. I looked into his eyes, concerned.
"Have you slept?" I looked him up and down. "You look terrible." Sairento looked away, as if he wanted to avoid eye contact. I pulled on his sleeve. "Have you?" I asked again.
"Why should you care?!" He eyes snapped to mine. I felt like I was being pulled into a void, but I couldn't look away. His voice burned in my ears, his eyes... So deep and dark... My mind came back into focus when he looked away again. "You're not safe here..." He said, frantically looking around, as if he was looking for someone.
"What...? What are you talking about?" I asked him.
"Just trust me." He said, walking away. I followed him. He turned to me. "No!" He shouted. "Just... Do what you do best..." He turned and walked away again. "I need to get away from here..." He murmured.
"What's going on?" Asked a strong, older female voice. I turned to see Mrs. Hamilton. She looked at me, confused.
"I have no idea..." I replied, looking towards the direction Sairento left in.
It was ten thirty two at night when I awoke to the sound of my phone ringing. I checked the ID, but it was an unknown number. I opened the phone and put it to my ear.
"Hello?" I grumbled groggily, looking at the clock on my bedside table. "Someone had better be dying..." I added.
"If you don't discover the truth soon..." Panted a voice. "You will be..." The voice sniffled. I sat up in bed.
"Who is this?!" I asked, shocked, trying to think of who I gave my number to.
"That's not important. What is important is that you need to know..." The person's voice began to shake. I knew I'd heard the voice somewhere... But WHERE?! "Is that the guy you care for so dearly..." The person's voice began to shake again. "He's... He's not what he seems." The person sniffled.
"What...? What are you talking about? What guy?" I asked, confused.
"Sairento!" The person exclaimed. "He's not who he says he is!" The voice started to fill with panic.
"What...? Why...?" My mind exploded with questions, all who wanted to be answered first. The person gasped and their voice shook more than before.
"I-I wasn't talking about you, I promise!" The person's voice exploded with panic.
"I know everything Tyrone..." Came an unnaturally deep voice. "I know all, see all, hear all..." The deeper voice came closer to the microphone. "And EAT all..." Fear stabbed at my mind and my heart pounded. My heart felt like in was being strangled as I heard Tyrone scream. A loud WHACK filled my ears.
"No... No, please!" Tyrone pleaded before a disgusting, toe curling SNAP filled my ears. I stopped breathing for a moment, hoping the other person wouldn't hear me. After a few seconds, I let out a breath. My breathing shook as tears started to roll down my cheeks. I sniffled as I brought my covers to my chin, wiping the tears. Suddenly I heard deep, heavy breathing on the other end of the phone. I clasped my hand onto my mouth, trying to muffle any noises I made, however slight. "... I will come for you..." The deep voice from before said before hanging up. I closed the phone and sat there for a moment, processing what had just happened. After what felt like an eternity, I jumped up and locked my bedroom door and then my window, pulled the curtains across so no one could see. I turned on my bedside lamp and sat on my bed, propped up in the corner with my phone in my hand. If anyone tried to get in, I'd call the police and stay in my room.
The next morning, I tried to brush off the events of last night as a dream. I hadn't slept for the rest of the night. It was probably just a nightmare.
"Good morning Shinimi..." Said Sairento, leaning up against the school gate. My heart began to race, but I tried to reassure myself that it was just a nightmare.
"Morning." I replied, shaking. Sairento stopped me, grabbing my forearm.
"Bad night's sleep?" He looked me over.
"Yeah... Wild dreams." I replied, wanting to get away. I pulled my forearm away, but Sairento's grip tightened. "I'm fine. Just let go." I pleaded, trying to push Sairento's hand off.
"Shinimi!" He exclaimed, pulling me towards him. His voice went deep. Deeper than usual. It reminded me of the voice I heard from last night. I panicked and pushed away, feeling an adrenaline rush take over. I ran into the school and into the art building, raced down the corridor and up the stairs, leading to the home economics floor. "Shinimi!" I heard Sairento shout from downstairs. I ran faster, past all the rooms, then opened and shut the last door on the left. I ran around the corner and slid onto the floor. I took out my compact mirror and aimed it so I could see where Sairento was. I stared in pure shock at what I saw in that mirror...