Disclaimer: Hana Yori Dango does not belong to me. It belongs to the wonderfully talented Yoko Kamio. The only thing that belongs to me is the plot line. Any resemblance of it to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Please respect intellectual property. If my story in anyway resembles certain stories it is purely coincidence and if for some reason I do take a certain Idea I will be sure to give that person credit.
Prologue
Shattered hope
And broken dreams,
My nights are filled
With tortured screams (Echoes of the Night by: HYD4Ever)
Doll House - Prologue
A cold breeze rustled the slightly parted curtains; the only sound that could be heard in the silent room. Bright moonlight pours in through the window casting dark shadows across the plush beige rug.
A light scraping noise breaks the stillness. A pained whimper resonates off the walls as a dark figure crawls on the ground. Dark sticky fluid trails along the hard wood floors seeping into the grains of wood.
The young girl pushed herself up on shaking arms using the walls as a support. Sweat poured down her ashen face as she leaned, exhausted against the now blood stained wall. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she fought to regain her composure.
The sudden inhalation of air caused her to choke and sputter. The metallic taste of regurgitated blood filled her mouth. She spat it on the floor regarding it with disgust. She pushed shaking fingers through her shoulder length dark hair.
She examined the room around her. The silver light of the moon made the splotches of blood appear black. She shifted slightly, and regretted it immediately. The sudden movement caused her to wince as a burning pain tore up her ruined side. Glancing down she pressed asmall pale hand against her wound.
Creak.
She froze, panic and alarm filling her dark eyes. Her head shot up nervously glancing at the partially closed door that she had used to enter the room.
Creak.
Footsteps, they were the sound of footsteps steadily coming closer. She could feel the slight dip of the wood floor through the white plaster wall, the only thing blocking her from what lay in waiting outside. Placing a small hand on the dividing wall she held her breath.
Creak.
Her eyes darted frantically around the room. Only one thought pervaded her mind; and that was to hide. Keeping one arm over her injury, she bit her lip and struggled to pull herself towards the door.
Creak.
Closer, they were getting closer. Momentarily forgetting her side she used her two arms to propel herself forward.
Creak.
Her hands slid across the slick floorboards.
Creak.
A little more.
Creak.
They were so close. She was getting frantic. She forced herself on her knees and scampered as quickly as her injury would allow.
The polished mahogany door swung open, thudding against the wall dully. A tall figure stood in the doorway. Dark penetrating eyes follow the trail of sticky fluid across the floor ending in front of the closet.
Go away! Pleaded the young girl to herself. Her eyes were squeezed shut, hand clamped tight over her mouth to stifle her breathing, praying very hard not to be found. Flicking long dark hair over their shoulder, the individual strode purposefully towards the closet. They reached their hand out, grasped the handle and swung it open.
"What the—?" The closet was empty. A thud behind them caused them to turn in confusion. The young girl ran out of her hiding spot from behind the door and dashed out of the room.
With a roar, the person shot forward and followed after the girl. Their heavy footsteps bounded across the carpeted hallway. The little girl ran down the corridor. Taking a sharp turn to the right she stopped and pressed her back firmly against the wall her chest heaving. The footsteps behind her slowed.
"Sweetheart, you don't have to hide from me. Come on, I'm not going to hurt you." There was a pause before they continued. "I'm just trying to protect you."
Their voice is so soft; almost gentle. She thought to herself. But she knew better. Beneath that gentle tone she could hear the underlying threat.
"Come on out now…" The sounds of footsteps were so light; the young girl had to strain to hear them.
Where are they I can't hear anything. She held her breath and listened. The faint tap of tree branches brushing the windows and the occasional gust of wind blowing against glass was the only things she could pick up. The pressure in her chest increased but she ignored it. Her blood was pounding in her ears.
Exhaling slowly, she steeled herself and slowly glanced around the corner. She could see nothing but shadows enveloping the hallway. There was no sign of her assailant. Where are they? Inching herself slowly forward, she moved to get a better look. Nothing. A sudden movement at the corner of her eye caused her to jerk back in alarm. She cried out in alarm as two strong arms seized her in an iron grip bruising the sensitive flesh.
"Stop running away from me! Why are you always running from me? I won't allow it! I WILL NOT ALLOW IT!"
"P-please s-stop it!" The girl sobbed trying with all her might to force them away. She could feel the flesh of her side tear. More blood soaked her shirt dripping down her leg. Hot tears coursed uncontrollably down her cheeks, the blood loss was causing her to feel light headed. Black stars danced before her eyes before exploding into blinding light.
"YOU WILL NOT LEAVE! I WILL NOT LET YOU! NEVER! NEVER!"
But the little girl could not hear anything anymore. Everything was fading, the sounds of shouting and the pain all faded into nothingness and all was silent.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The shrill cry of the alarm clock jolted Tsukushi from her sleep. Her dark brown eyes shot open and she sat up abruptly in her futon. Shutting off her alarm she took a breath to calm her nerves. Running a hand through her disheveled hair she let out a sigh. She glanced down at the book by her pillow picking it up and slowly leafing through the pages.
"That is the last time I borrow books from Shigeru." With a heavy sigh she dropped back down on her futon for some more shut eye.