Into a Dream Chapter 1 : The Encounter
Droplets of rain had fallen down from the sky. It was noon and the sun hadn't shown itself all day. Strangely, Maiami City had been quite affected by this weather; it was raining the whole week and this resulted to some light flooding. Classes were suspended for the day to avoid some accidents and the students decided to spend the day at home, enjoying their time away from school.
"Yuya-kun, what's the matter? You seem really down lately." says a fairly tall woman with blonde hair and green eyes. She was doing the dishes when she noticed her son by the kitchen looking quite blue. It appears that the boy was quite silent that day which was very unlike him, given that he's known to be fun-loving and energetic. The woman wouldn't be surprised by this though, she knew there was always something troubling the boy, after all, her husband had been somewhat the cause of this. "Don't tell me you've failed your exams again."
"W-what?! No I haven't. You know I've been studying for months now, mom. I practically aced some of them last week."
"Then why are you so depressed lately?"
"It's nothing, I just feel kinda...you know..."
"Depressed?"
"No. It's not that, mom...I just...uh... haven't been sleeping properly. I keep waking up to nightmares lately, and it was pretty bad this morning." Recalling some parts of the frightening dream, his eyes that bore a crimson red had chosen to look away from his mother. For some reason, he remembered the events clearly in his head. Images of his own blood staining the floor, a knife peircing his hands and legs. He shut his eyes as if feeling the pain and grabbed a part of the orange shirt he was wearing. He did not want to remember this now.
"Yuya, it's not about that man again, is it?" She was facing him now, the look of worry in her eyes. This man had always appeared in her son's dreams, at a young age he would toss and turn in his sleep, crying out loud as he thought he would be stabbed to death by the man chasing after him. Besides having a tall masked figure, Yoko Sakaki knew nothing more about this man that had terrified her son so greatly. She could only comfort him when he awoke, startled and teary-eyed.
"..."
"Yuya?"
"It's fine mom, you don't have to worry about it now. I'll tell you when it gets troublesome. For now I'll head off to Yuzu's, okay?" With that, the boy named Yuya went off. He didn't like it when his mother looked at him like that. He'd always keep a happy, smiling face around her to tell her he was fine. But right now, he couldn't do that, not after that nightmare.
Upon entering the outside world, a few rain drops had fallen on his green and crimson colored hair. It didn't really bother him since he loved it when it rained; it actually calmed him down most of the time. To avoid further moisture on him, he grabbed a bright yellow umbrella by the door. The handle was a bit wet making it somehow uncomfortable when he held on to it. He decided to ignore that feeling. After all, there were other matters to think of right now, things such their school outing.
In a couple of weeks, his school would be having a little three day trip in a beach resort. Most of his classmates were going since it was their last year in high school. Everyone just wanted to have fun and spend the three days with their friends. But Sakaki Yuya on the other hand didn't really plan on going. He just wasn't interested on being coped up with the same people who pick on him. Despite his happy nature, everyone either avoids him or bullies him. It's been going on since kindergarten and with the amount of name-callings and beatings, no one would really mind if he decided to not join.
The only thing that's keeping him from declining was Yuzu, his childhood friend. Ever since they were children, she had always stood up for Yuya. Like a sister, she cared deeply for him, and was always there to comfort him. Her strong and caring personality had always helped him cope with his problems, especially at school. When he found out how eager she was for the trip, he was having trouble deciding if he would go or not. He didn't want to disappoint Yuzu, so joining was probably a good idea. It was just for a couple of days, and if Yuzu was happy, it was alright with him. What harm could it be if everyone was just gonna have fun? It was just for three days, after all.
Without realizing it, Yuya had walked to the park. He had planned on going to Yuzu's and talk about their plans for the outing but it seemed too early for that. So now he let his mind wander about random things, he wanted to forget about the nightmare he had, about that man with the mask that had always managed to frighten him.
Because of all the rain, the park smelled of wet grass. Yuya found this earthen smell quite relaxing and decided to sit on a swing in the nearby playground. It was still raining so there were only a few people here and there, passing by most of the time. This was a good chance to just doze off and think about nothing in particular. There were only a few times where he could truly be alone, right now he was enjoying his own company, and it seemed to help him relieve some stress.
With the umbrella still on hand, Yuya eyed the flowers by the swing set. Its blossoms may have closed itself for the coming night but there were some still a bit open, showing its beauty to the world. He noticed how the raindrops would fall on petals of hydrangeas and chrysanthemums, their assorted colors of yellows and purples have been a nice thing to look at, similar to what his mother would water in their own garden. Everything was just so peaceful, a moment in life Yuya wasn't used to.
Sure, he loves to entertain people, making them happy is what he'd choose to live for, but the way his classmates mistreat him would clearly affect that dream of his. What good would it bring if nobody was interested in his efforts? Wouldn't he be better off listening to them for once and accept the role of a nobody? Things would be easier that way, wouldn't it?
'Wouldn't it?' He thought. Surely the thought had always left him to contemplate very hard. A simple 'yes' or 'no' may not be enough to answer it. It as always confusing, what he felt was always confusing, it was all just messy ever since that day that day it all started.
'No' he thought to himself. He mustn't think about it, not anymore. It was all in the past.
'What am I thinking?' What was he thinking? What could have possibly change if he gave up? Things would never turn in his favor even if he decided to let everything the way they want it. So now, he was suck there, at a point he could not yet conclude. He pushed himself on the swing with his legs and swung back and forth a few times. The action had made him remember that time as a child when a bully pushed him so high, he flew to the ground with a loud 'thud'. Scratches with a shade of red could be seen all over his body that day, a bruise on his right knee as well. He had told his mother that he tripped on a flight of stairs and ended up pretty much beaten up because of it. His mother of course didn't think he was that stupid, then called the teacher as well as the principal about what really happened, and as expected, led to nowhere. Yuzu was out sick that day and when she had found out what happened to Yuya, she never left the boy's side.
Speaking of Yuzu, no one seemed to treat her like what they treat him. In fact it was kinda the opposite. Being the class representative might had something to do with it; but of course there was this certain tension whenever the boys ended up wanting to fight back when she smacked them with her paper fan. He had learned to keep Yuzu from fighting back just to be safe (on the boys' part, that is). Unlike other girls in their class, she pretty much had a tomboy personality that gave her enough will power and strength to scare off some bullies. She was a hero to the eyes of the weak (more of like a heroine), a revolutionary stronghold, and a deity of righteousness. Because of this, everyone admired her. Of course Yuya had always looked up to the pink haired girl. She was like a sister that he respected a lot, a person more like family to him and his mother than a friend.
He stood up from the swing, breathing in the smell of the wet earth as he closed his eyes. By now, the street lights slowly lit up around the park. It was about 5:30 pm and the rain had stopped its pouring. The ground bore puddles of water shining in the light of the lamps making the park shine brightly in the city. Not a sound could be heard but the screeching of cicadas among the trees. The sun was setting by then, revealing the deep blue and orange color of the sky, it was decorated with clouds stretched here and there bearing the color of light pinks and purples. There was nobody there but the boy with crimson eyes. He silently watched the beautiful scene before him as if in a trans, only to be awaken with a gush of soft wind that blew apart his fringes.
'Time to go.' he thought to himself. His mother might need help cooking dinner so he better be going home. But as he stood for a while to admire the park once more, something strange had appeared before him. Upon seeing this being, fear quickly froze him to the ground. The creature stood at least five meters away from him, standing by the other side of the road. It was a tall, dark figure probably six feet tall. And what terrified Yuya the most was the mask it was wearing, it was the same mask in his dreams.
'No, no, no, no, no, no.' He had to deny it, it wasn't possible.
'This can't be happening, it can't be.'
He stood there frozen with utmost fear, shaking his small, frail body as his heart beat with increasing speed. There was no doubt that this 'man' was the star of his nightmares. This thing that silently chased him and tortured him every time he slept was right there on the other side. And then it started to move, raising what looked like its arm, it waved it to the boy who was lost in fear. It kept waving its hand. Waving and waving, left to right, left to right, revealing a long pale arm with sharp nails. Soon it stopped waving and started to go near the boy.
Instead of walking towards Yuya, it had positioned itself on all fours as if like a dog. Then it started crawling. Slowly, its dark clothing had slipped away from its body as it got nearer and nearer, showing a pale figure, bony and disfigured. Its spine had curved wrongly in its back and its legs were bent like a goat's. The creature had very little skin to cover fat, showing its bones very clearly. What remained in its being was the mask. It was wearing a white one, triangularly shaped with a permanent smile. The holes for the eyes were two identical circles with dark rims on it, adding to the twisted appearance of the creature. When it was an arm's reach from the boy, it stopped crawling but never stood.
Yuya watched this creature as it got closer him. His body was refusing to listen to his mind's screams and shouts of running away. It was too late now. The creature who stared back at him with its pitch black eyes was now closer to grabbing his body, free to do as it pleased. Right now, running was useless. Was he ready to die? Is that what's happening? His head was full of incoherent thoughts before it went all blank. As he and the creature continued their staring, he slowly closed his eyes shut, ready for the creature to strike him. It was all over now. Not once in his dreams did he escape from the creature. What difference would it make now that it appeared before him in the real world?
Noticing the boy's action, the creature let out a big smile. Its grin, near ear to ear, showing pass its mask. It then let out a laugh. High pitched like a clown's. Then, for the first time, it spoke to the boy.
"Oh...oh...y-y-yuuuu-u-y-y-y-yaaaaa-aaa...ah...ah...AH!" The creature said as it slightly tilted its head to the right. Yuya just continued to close his eyes, not wanting to see what the creature would do to him. He kept blaming himself for not running away, kept blaming himself for not doing anything right. At that moment it felt like his life was flashing before his eyes, like he was about to die. It was his time, and he knew it. To his mother, and Yuzu, he said sorry and goodbye. He wasn't going to make it home to his mother, and he wasn't going to be able to join the trip with Yuzu. It was all over for him, this creature that bore nothing but blood-lust was going to kill him.
With its long arm, it reached out to touch Yuya's cheek, feeling his soft porcelain-like face with its rough cold hand. Saliva was dripping down from its mask indicating how 'hungry' it was for the boy. Soon it neared its face to Yuya's, letting out a loud sniff, gaining the boy's sweet scent. But before it got to do anything else, there was a loud crunching sound of bones and the creature was confused as it was now looking upside down. Yuya snapped his eyes open, also confused for he thought that it was the sound of his limbs being torn apart. He felt no pain.
"Gaaahhhhh!"
The realization came to him when he saw the creature's head no longer upright. His eyes opened wide, looking at the now dislocated head. The creature took a step back, screaming while grabbing Yuya's hand to make sure he won't run away. This action caused Yuya to let out a small yelp, the grasp tight on his wrist. When the creature was screaming from the pain (but was not dying from it), he noticed that there was someone standing behind it.
The person was a guy probably a head taller that him. His raven and lavender colored hair swept to the right and pointed upward, making him appear taller. He was also wearing a mask but was black in color that only concealed the nose and mouth. To cover his eyes, he wore military-like goggles with sharp pointed studs around the rim. Yuya looked at him with uncertainty, not sure if he came to kill the creature next to him and save his life.
"Unhand him. Now." Said the stranger. His baritone voice radiated with anger, clearly pissed off at something. He had moved closer to the creature as it tightened its grasp onto the boy, and understood that it was not planning on cooperating.
"Y-y-you're never gonna get him~! He will and always will be mine, boy!" With that, the creature licked the crook of Yuya's neck. The way its dislocated head leaned closer to the boy made the stranger tighten his fists. Its long tongue slipped under the mask, coating the boy with its disgusting saliva.
Before the boy could protest, there was a strong gush of wind and the licking stopped. Nearly all the street lights were shattered from the action and the moon now served as their only light. What he saw before him was the creature now headless, falling lifelessly to the moist ground, it loosened its grip on his wrist and he felt no more pain. The stranger, standing in front of him, held the creature's decapitated head, its mask was still on with its tongue sticking out. The raven haired was watching the boy, not moving from where he stood. As blood dripped from both the creature's body and head, the color of red mixed with the clear water of the puddles. He had made sure to make a clean cut, not wanting to spill blood onto the boy's face. All were silent in the light of the moon. And with the scene still processing in his mind, Yuya slowly felt his legs giving out, his body fell onto the ground in weakness. The only two beings in the park neither spoke nor made a sound for they stared at each others' eyes. One was looking at crimson red, the other at steel gray ones.
Yuya was shaking, still very weak from the near-death experience. By now, he was starting to feel a growing fear towards the stranger. Perhaps he was next to be killed for being a witness. Without realizing it, tears had formed from the corners of his eyes. They were the tears he could not shed all this time, the times of his loneliness and prejudice. His emotions were all mixed together into a ball of sadness and as the tears continued to flow from his crimson eyes, he let out a cry, the stranger being the only audience to this all.
No longer looking at the raven haired boy, he wiped the tears that shown like crystals in the moonlight. Only his soft sniffles and hiccups could be heard from the dark, with this, his watcher slowly approached him.
"P-please... d-don't go near me" said Yuya with a broken voice. The stranger did not listen to his plead and continued to get closer to where he sat. When he was close enough, he kneeled and came face to face with the shaking boy. He let out his hand and touched the boy's flushed cheek, turning the boy's face side to side as if inspecting it.
"W-who are you?" New tears started to form on his eyes once again. He knew he was never gonna get out of this alive.
"…" There was no answer, just touching.
"W-will you kill me too?" Yuya finally asked in a whisper, fearing the other might hear him. He closed his eyes, anticipating his death to come. But the stranger, instead of responding, used his tumb to wipe off some tears on Yuya's cheek. He brought his face near the boy's ear and whispered back with a low voice.
"No, I won't." Is all he said. After that, Yuya's vision blurred, and everything went black.
Before his limp body could fall to the gound, he was caught by strong arms belonging to none other than the stranger with a mask. This person firmly held onto Yuya's waist as if hugging him into a strong embrace. "You're safe now, I promise you that." He said to the unconscious boy. His grip had tightened around Yuya, not wanting to let go.
"I promise, Yuya." Said the stranger as he lifted his dark, tattered cape to cover the two of them. Silently, without a trace, the two vanished into thin air. The park was empty now, and the creature's corpse was gone. In the sky, the moon was the only witness to the scene, floating amongst the darkness of the night.
