April 8th, 2009
AN: Hey. Sorry I haven't been updating. Something happened and everything was pretty hectic all week. But it's all been resolved so I should resume updating when I can. Enjoy!
Nobody was around when I left for school, so I went by myself. I'm walking behind two girls who are gossiping really loudly to each other.
"Did you hear about the rumor?" the girl with the short-bobbed hair asks her friend.
"Oh, um. Something about, a bathroom?" the pig-tailed girl wonders out loud.
"N-no! Not that one! I mean the story about the first-year student! Not only did she stop coming to school, she does nothing but sit and stare at the walls all day. If her mother tries to talk to her, she only mutters to herself, 'It's coming. It's coming!" the first girl rambles excitedly.
"Huh. How about that."
"You don't believe me?"
I think that this could just be a silly rumor. High school girls like to spread them. A voice in the back of my head tells me that this is important, but I ignore it.
The day goes on without anything significant happening until the afternoon. Ms. Toriumi is giving a lecture.
"Open your textbooks and we'll take a look at the first novel by Zenzou Kasai. Ugh, why him? I'd rather teach Utsubo Kubota. He became famous as a singer, but he's also produced fine literature. I wonder why it's not in the textbook. Well, I'll just bring Kubota's book next time. Hey, Junpei! Were you listening? Who did I say was my favorite author?" Ms. Toriumi snapped at Junpei, who had been spacing out.
"H-huh? U-ummm," Junpei looks puzzled. He turns to me. "Psst! Who does she like?"
I had been paying close attention, of course. "Utsubo Kubota." I whisper to him.
Junpei says the answer out loud and Ms. Toriumi's eyes widen in shock. "That's right! So you were listening to me after all!"
"Eheheh. Well, you know how I like to pay attention!" Junpei whispers to me. "Man, you saved my bacon, Mayako!"
"Mayako gave him the answer. She must pay attention in class!" one of my classmates murmurs. I feel myself glow with charisma.
At the end of the day, I go straight to the dorm. I still haven't completely regained my energy from travelling. When I walk in through the door, Yukari stops her conversation with a man in the lounge. "Oh, she's back." She motions for me to sit down. I take a seat next her, across from a sophisticated-looking man.
"So, this is our new guest. Good evening. My name is Shuji Ikutsuki. I'm the Chairman of the Board for your school. 'Ikutsuki.' Hard to say, isn't it? That's why I don't like introducing myself. Even I get tongue-tied sometimes. I apologize about the confusion regarding your accommodations. However, it may take a while longer before you receive the proper room assignment. Is there anything you'd like to ask?"
I think for a second. "Why did you come here?"
Shuji hesitates. "To welcome you, of course." I'm not sure if I believe him. "Speaking of which, where's Mitsuru, Yukari?"
"She's upstairs," Yukari answers.
"As diligent as always. Although, it doesn't hurt to come down and say hello. Do you have another question?"
I heard a guy's voice last night. I want to make sure that I was correct in my theory. "Who else lives here?"
"There are only four student in this dorm: You, Yukari, here, Mitsuru, and a senior name Akihiko Sanada. I hope you all get along. Do you have another question?"
"I saw something odd." I mutter to myself.
"You saw something strange? Like what?" Shuji looks concerned. Yukari looks at me pleadingly. "You were probably just tired. I wouldn't worry about it. It's bad for you complexion, you know." The way he says this creeps me out. "Do you have another question?"
"No, not really." I want to get to bed as soon as possible.
"Then, I hope you have a successful school year. Now, if you'll excuse me. You must be tired from all the excitement. You should go to bed early. As they say, 'The early bird catches the bookworm'! Please forgive the bad pun." Shuji chuckles.
Yukari scoffs and rolls her eyes. "You'll get used to his lame jokes."
I say good night to them and head up to my room. I pretty much collapse onto my bed after my nightly routine. It doesn't take long for me to go to sleep.
An image of a clock ticking to midnight appears in front of me. When the second hand reaches the twelve, the clock turns green and shatters. I'm in a room with a checkerboard flooring and not much else.
"Master. Master Mayako Hirakawa." A raspy voice rings in my head.
I don't know what compels me to do this but I start to sprint. I hear rattling chains and I feel if don't get away fast enough, something bad is going to happen. A scream of horror and pain echoes in the distance. Tears begin rolling down my face. I wipe them away and stare at my hand in horror. A black smear streaks my hand. I know it's the essence of life. Every living being has it. It's oozing out of a wound in the palm of my hand.
I double over in pain. I've been pierced in the side. More of the black substance gushes out of me. I hear faint laughter and cheering all around me. They are celebrating my suffering. Twelve figures in the distance look on with sorrow. I smile at them. This is how it should be.
I don't feel pain anymore. Instead, I'm face to face with a gilded statue of myself. My body is tense with pain but my face is serene, as if I'm just sleeping.
The voice calls out to me once more. A single door appears in front of me. It opens, revealing an elevator that is ascending at a great speed. The clock's hands spin out of control. A man sits on a couch in front of me.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room. My name is Igor. I am delighted to make your acquaintance. This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter. Only those who have signed the contract can enter this place." The paper I signed on my first night here magically materializes on the coffee table in front of me. "Henceforth, you shall be welcome here in the Velvet Room. You are destined to hone your unique ability, and you will require my help to do so. I only ask one thing in return, that you abide by the contract, and assume responsibility for the choices you make."
I recall what happened at my first night in the dorms. I might just be subconsciously remembering the kid I saw. Igor didn't seem like he wants to hurt me, even though he does resemble a criminal. Due to everything that has been happening lately, I agree to his conditions. "I understand."
His already Cheshire-like grin gets even wider. "Hold onto this." He hands me a small, but ornate looking key. I put it in my jacket pocket. I pause and wonder why I'm wearing my school uniform, but think nothing else of it. "There is still one more resident of this room, who unfortunately could not be present for your arrival. But I'll make sure you two are properly introduced. Another time, perhaps. 'Til we meet again." Igor's voice fades and my vision darkens as I wake up.
AN: Thanks for reading! The nightmare sequence was a lot of fun for me to write. Make of it however you want it. I'm revealing nothing until the time comes! Please review!
