I don't - want to - destroy life.

My stomach growled so ravenously, I blushed and glanced around, hoping none of my classmates had heard the noise.

The smell in here was distracting. So many people, so much skin. So hungry.

The sound of chairs scraping against the tile floor caused me to look up.

At last class was dissmissed.

I grabbed my bag as fast as I could, and darted towards the bathroom stalls.


I barracaded myself inside one of the stalls and frantically pulled out my metallic water bottle.

Damn, my hands were shaking, that was too close!

I tilted the container up and drank greedily, savoring the bitter taste of iron in the crimson liquid.

For a moment, my mind went blank.

It wasn't until the last drop of the liquid hit my tongue that I came back to my senses.

I balked. Had I really drank that much?!

My stomach gave a miniscule gurgle, signalling it hadn't been yet satisfied.

I wanted more- I needed more!

Suddenly, the door to the bathroom opened and a group of talkative women walked in.

I inhaled quietly, almost losing my balance.

They smelled delicious.

My mouth watered, and for half a second I contemplated walking out and helping myself.

"Ugh I feel so bloated." One of the women commented.

"Girl, you're barely showing." Another one chided.

"How far along are you?"

There was a long pause.

"Four months." You could hear the happiness in her voice

I covered my mouth. No, I absolutely wouldn't go out there and attack them. They had lives- and families!


Once the women left, I slowly grabbed my bag and unlocked the stall's door.

I sighed and made my way outside, thankful I'd only had once class today.

That was the worst craving yet. I wonder why...? Ususally the blood is enough to keep the cravings away for a few weeks to a month. Usually I don't need that much either.

My thoughts were interrupted by a blur of yellow running past me.

I looked up and pulled the side of my mouth into a small smile. The blur of yellow was Hideyoshi Nagachika, and like always, he tackled his best friend Kaneki Ken in a bear hug.

I didn't know either boy very well. I only knew Kaneki from my litterature class and Hideyoshi was in my biology class, but seeing the two greet each other like that never failed to put me in a better mood.

"Hikari!" A familiar voice yelled out.

Once again I was pulled from my thoughts as I mustered up a strained smile. "Hi Kazumi."

Kazumi grinned as she waddled along side me.

"How was class?" She asked causally.

I sighed as I readjusted my bag. "Eh, boring for the most part."

I didn't mention the fact that I had nearly gone insane from hunger.

"Aw come on it's gotta be better than sitting on your ass all day!" She gestured to her swollen stomach.

"It won't be much longer." I ammended. "Have you even tried to contact... Him?"

It was scarily quiet as we continued to walk. "No. I don't even know his name."

I glanced at her angry face. In about two seconds she was gonna explode.

"Eh, don't worry about him. He doesn't deserve you or akachan." I replied, knowing what she wanted to hear.

Pleasing her seemed to be the best choice in avoiding a meltdown.

(akachan means baby)

My friend smiled at me then looked at her phone.

She cursed then looked at me. "I would ask if you wanted to hang later, but I've got to head to work; looks like they need an extra hand."

I nodded and smiled, understanding. "It's fine. I've got loads of homework anyway." I shrugged.

We hugged and went our separate ways for the evening.


"Otosan, Okaasan, I'm home." I announced, taking off my jacket and boots.

(otosan / okaasan: Father, Mother.)

When I didn't hear anything, I went to my parents room.

A soft reply answered my knocks on the door.

I entered the dark room, hit with the sickeningly delicious smell, a smell I knew all too well; Blood.

"Hikari, how was school?" My mother asked, feebly pulling herself up to sit on the bed.

"Eh, boring. I couldn't pay attention to anything." I admitted.

She reached out a pale hand and grasped mine weakly.

I couldn't meet her eyes. She looked like she was days away from death.

"Y-your father says the experiments are working." She mumbled. "And it seems they're working for you too."

I bit my lip. I was half crazed and my mother was half dead. How could my father say this was anything close to successful?

Just then, I heard the door open and my father's voice rang out, along with someone else's.

I felt my mother's hand clench around mine involuntarily.

I grit my teeth so as not to utter a string of swear words. My father was causing my mother's pain.


My father and his companion came into the room and requested I make them coffee.

Reluctantly I released my mother's hand and walked out, shutting the door behind me.

When I finished making coffee, I returned to the room, but the door was locked.

I could hear my mother's moans of agony from the other side as my father and the other man talked.

I set the cups of coffee on the ground and ran to my room, forbiding the tears that threatened to fall.


My phone had been buzzing repeatedly.

Annoyed, I reached for my phone to stop the dreadful sound. It was a text from Kazumi.

'Hay baka! just checking in on you. know you don't like storms, and it looks like we're gonna get hammered!', the text read.

I then realized it was thundering and lightning like crazy outside.

My stomach dropped and anxiousness washed over me. I absolutely hated storms.

'I'll be fine. Always am. how's work?', I replied.

Within moments I got a response.

'Busy. I'm on break now but working till at least 11 then helping close up.'

'Damn and you're 6 months preggo. Are you superwoman?' I replied with a hint of humor.

Suddenly a loud clap of thunder echoed throughout the room. I cringed and nearly cried out.

Maybe some coffee would calm me down? At least I hoped it would.