Sound of Death

My mind plays cruel tricks on me. Everyone I see has become a monster in my eyes. Every sound I hear is loud and terrifying. All I can smell is burning flesh and the bitterness of human blood. I can feel it. I'm loosing my mind. The roots of darkness are begining to take over me.

It was a beautiful day. The warm breeze was causing the trees to dance. As if they were celebrating life and all its glory.

It was a peaceful day. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. The sun highlighted the fields ahead as geese flew in triangular patterns towards the north.

It would be a great day.

"I think today I'm just going to kick back and relax." Said Ginko as he slirped some terryaki noodles. He was at a little tea shop outside a nearby village of Onburro. It was a small village with a population of 87. It was a town were everyone knew everyone. The tea shop was the only thing outside the village. It was up on a hill that looked over the whole village. It was quite a veiw. A young pregnant woman, named Saku, owned it. Her husband was the head priest of the village and often helped out at the tea shop. These people were good people. These people were pleasant people.

"Here you go," Saku said while setting another bowl of noodles down on Ginko's table, "On the house!"

"Thank you so much but might I ask why?" Ginko slurpped.

"For a traveling Mushi master you must be hungry." She smiled while holding her belly.

"How far along are you?" He asked.

"It'll be eight months next week." She said excitedly. Ginko reached his hand out," May I?" Saku knodded. Ginko put his hand on her stomach.

"Oh!" Saku quickly moved Ginko's hand over to the right. The baby kicked. Saku and Ginko laughed.

"I can't wait to meet the little guy." Said Ginko.

"Me too," she smiled," Would you like anything else Ginko?"

"Some tea would be wonderful. Thanks." Saku then walked off to the kitchen. If he could Ginko would live here. It was the closest thing to paradise.

Then...CLASH!! Saku dropped the tea pot. She was clutching her stomach in pain. Ginko and another customer went to her aid.

"Thank you but I'll be fine now,"she said while standing back up,"The baby just kicked a little too hard. He's been kicking a lot today."

After eating Ginko stepped outside. He was still a little worried about Saku but what could he do? Then he heard the dishes break again. Ginko turned around and began to run back to the tea house. Then he heard something else. Something awful.

SSSSSCCCRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECCCHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Ginko fell to his knees clutching his head. It felt like his brain was vibrating. The sound was like nails on a chalkboard intensified one hundred fold. Then...it was gone. Saku went outside to see if Ginko was alright. By the time she got to him, Ginko was already standing.

"Ginko are you okay?"

"Yeah,"he said while rubbing his head,"But that sound...What was that? It scared me half to death!"

"Umm Ginko...I didn't hear anything." Ginko turned and stared at her. Eyes widened with shock.

"No of course you wouldn't..."Ginko then smiled at her,"I'll be fine."

Saku smiled back,"Okay! See you later!" When she went back into the tea house Ginko went back to being serious.

"What in world..." Ginko trailed off as he was deep in thought.