Author's Note: Thank you for those who have reviewed this story~ It's not the quantity but quality of each review received that makes me happy(: Thanks for all who took the time to write something(: Ready for the next chapter?

Crazy∞Night

Chapter 4: Within the Mansion's Exterior

It was around evening and the sun had soon set long ago. The sky dramatically darkens in favor of the time of night and eight figures approached through the center of the forest. The crunching noises of dried, old leaves marked the end of autumn. It felt like an end yet the figures continued on walking, attempting to arrive at their destination.

Only one flashlight made its appearance known in the darkness and it only came from the boy with green hair.

"Don't you guys think it would have been, oh, I don't know, TO MAYBE BRING A FLASHLIGHT OF YOUR OWN?"

The resonating voice echoed in the setting forest as black crows emerged from the trees. Their caws were heard from a distance and Gumo formed a deep frown in annoyance. Everyone huddled around Gumo, clinging onto him as he slowly inched forward.

"Well, you couldn't possibly have faith enough to have ME bring one would you?" Kaiko asked as she held onto Gumo's shirt.

"I suppose he wouldn't" Meito commented with a frown. "Then again Kaiko, it's hard to depend on you in general."

"H-hey!"

"Haha, he's right. We're usually the ones taking care of you!" Mikuo pointed out with a smile on his face.

"O-Ouch. Gakuko..."

The said female elbowed the boy at his side and he gripped the injured part in pain.
"It's okay Kaiko. You're like the little baby sister we never had!"

Kaiko's face slightly faltered. "That discourages me even more..."

The group moved on forward, taking in every detail from sounds to surrounding.
"Five hours until midnight and I feel like the night is trying to engulf my being" whispered Mikuo into a voice recorder.

"Just shut up" said Gumo as he flashed the lights towards the trees and covered path.

"Hey, it might help us for the paper! You'll regret it when we suddenly disappear and no one will find evidence of this here recorder" Mikuo retorted.

"The only thing I'll regret is your nonstop screaming on that recorder" Luki commented.

"What do ya mean Luki? I'll have you know-"

"Hey! Both of you shut it" Gakuko commanded as she covered her ears.

Mikuo used his pinky in his ear as if trying to clear it from the noise. "You're the one being the loudest here. I think I just went deaf" he muttered.

"What did you just say?" She asked threateningly.

"Hehe...nothing" he quietly replied.

"That's what I thought you said" she answered before walking ahead."

"Hey, Gakuko, wait up!" Said Gumo as he hurried with the only flashlight.
Lenka stayed behind with Mikuo and whispered, "Nice going dumbass. Even if a female is wrong no need to point it out and make them angrier...especially if we're in a dark forest. Many things can go wrong around here."

"But aren't you a female too?"

"Well what do you know, you actually have learned something today."

"No need for unnecessary comments" he frowned in response.

"I'm just saying, Gakuko is more...well she's older than me so of course she would have different responses than I do, right?"

"I guess?"

"You're hopeless. Just watch what you're saying or else you could just maybe end up...getting lost" Lenka finished in a whisper before going ahead.

Mikuo gulped. "L-Lenka...don't leave me alone...Lenka?"
He tried to hurry but the thought that Gakuko was going to kill him made him shiver.
Maybe she was just messing with me? He thought hopefully. Mikuo then shook his head.
No way! He thought. She would of done something by now.

"Surprise attack, maybe?"

"Like what exa-" Mikuo started until a tall figure appeared right before him.

"AHAH!"

"WAHHHH WHAT THE HELL!?" Mikuo screamed as he fell to the ground and grabbed his chest.

"Scared ya good, huh?" Said Rinto as he looked at the figure on the floor.

"K-kami-sama...I'm sorry for everything I have done thus far..."

"Oh come on, it wasn't that bad was it?" Asked Lenka.

"YOU'RE THE ONE TO ASK? I NEARLY DIED BACK THERE!"

"Will you three get a move on? You're being too noisy too, Mikuo" Meito called them.

"Let's go!" Said Rinto and Lenka in unison as they each grabbed Mikuo by the arm, dragging him towards the group.

"Are we quite there yet?"

"I told you...it's right there!" Luki replied irritated. "Hey Gumo, bring the light over here."

Past through the bushes and leaves was a mansion before them. It stood tall and grand, giving off an eerie and intimidating look. Luki was currently picking the lock but soon gave up after various failed attempts.

"Wow, you really do suck, Luki. And here we all thought that you were some kind of lock master" said Mikuo with a smirk.

"I suppose you have a better idea, smart one?" Gumo commented as he closely inspected the lock.

"Of course~ Everyone knows that if you can't pick a lock you climb over the gate."

"Wait, I've never heard of that one before" said Kaiko dully.

"I have to say it is a very common phrase."

"Sure sure, whatever makes you happy" Lenka replied as she glanced at the enormous gate.
"Even so, it's very high up..."

"That's why we all have to help each other out!" Mikuo replied with a cheeky grin.

"I suppose you are thinking of us carrying you over?" Suggested Meito with a frown.

"Because you suggested with such enthusiasm, I have to agree to your offer!"

"I'm not saying that-"

"Guys, we really don't have all day...or night for that matter" Gakuko interrupted quickly. "So how about we get going."

"Alright guys, lets carry me!" Mikuo exclaimed.

"Why I-" started Kaiko.

It then became a tower of people, one on top of the other. Luki stood on bottom and Meito sat on his shoulders. Holding onto Gakuko's legs, she carried Gumo on her shoulders as he held onto Rinto. Rinto lifted Lenka as she carried Kaiko on her shoulders. Enjoying the whole exercise, Mikuo began climbing towards the top as everyone else gave him a look of distaste.

"Hey watch the face!"

"Watch where you're touching!"

"Mikuo hurry up, my arms are killing me."

"Least you're not the one on the very bottom."

"Second to last isn't heaven either, you know."

"Sorry sorry guys. I'll be over in a sec" he finished as he tried to calm the rest down.

By the time he slid over the gate before jumping off, his hands touched the ground giving everyone the signal that he made it over.

"OKAY! Now if you would-my god..." Mikuo paused mid conversation when he took a look at the enormous mansion before him. He shivered in fear as he saw that all the trees were dead and nothing could be seen in the night sky.

"G-gumo can you flash the light over here?"

"Is something wrong Mikuo?" Gakuko asked.

"I'm trying Mikuo but the light won't reach very far. Help us get over here with the flashlight."

Given the flashlight through the gate slot, Mikuo had no choice but to wander around the area. He didn't really want to go and regretted his immediate decision to climb over first. Glancing back at his friends one more time, they all urged him to continue on.

It was then as he took his first step, a howl made itself known followed by and owl and several flight noises by black crows.

"W-what was that!?" He yelled.

"What are you doing Mikuo? Hurry up! We're all in the dark..." Said Lenka.

Mikuo gulped and continued on forward. There was a clear path before him and he was surprised the place didn't look so run down at all. The path was clear and distinguished against the bright light. Everything seemed dead despite the cleanliness of the place. The trees had no leaves as it had already fallen to the ground. As he reached the middle of the path, he smiled as he found a hidden ladder behind an old tree.

"Guys, I think I found a ladder!" Mikuo cried as he saw it leaning against the trunk.

He didn't hear a response in return but ran towards to ladder instead. It seemed to have been recently used as there was no dust or anything dirty on it.

"That's strange. I would think the ladder would break from all the rust but I don't see any..."

Testing the ladder, Mikuo took a step and then another, climbing halfway towards the tree.

"Not too bad-"

Above his head was a hanging skeleton, limply still against the rope tied around its neck.

"S-skele...HOLY SHIT!"

Mikuo immediately fell to the ground and despite the sudden pain he followed the path back to the gate. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, forgetting the flashlight on the way. He didn't notice the ladder falling in the process, breaking as it hit the ground. The skeleton remained where it was and the rope was about to lose its hold on the head but did not break.

"Mikuo are you okay? What happened?" Asked Kaiko as she saw his panicked expression. Mikuo rested his hands on his knees and suddenly stood up to see the gang stand before him, no barrier in sight

"What...the gate...where's the..." He started.

"Didn't you do that? You were suppose to open the gate for us remember?" Luki reminded Mikuo as he felt a sense of worry come over himself.

"Was I? I guess I did, but I don't remember how...And there was a skeleton!"

"Are you serious?" Gakuko asked as she shivered in fear. She rubbed her arms as goosebumps appeared and Mikuo nodded in agreement.

"I was trying to find something for you guys to climb over and then there was this skeleton hanging from a tree! It could have been forced or suicidal but I bet it was a real person!"

"Okay okay, just calm down" said Luki.
"Why don't you show us this skeleton" he suggested.

"What? We shouldn't even take another step here. Let's just get out of here!"

"And ruin a chance for a good story?" Asked Gumo.

"YOU need to be the one to write about Miku Hatsune, remember?" Luki reminded him.

"Maybe she's that skeleton for all you know!" Mikuo argued back.

"Come on, let's go" Lenka and Rinto both announced in unison as they each grab Mikuo's arms and began walking towards the mansion.

"No no no no no!"

"Let's go everyone" said Luki.

It was then the eight marched on forward, where the door anticipates for their arrival.

"Ahem" someone started.

Another one coughed.

"Hey stop it!" Another whispered.

"You do it" someone said.

"Why me? You go ahead and do it" complained another.

The group of eight were trying to figure out who would try and open the door, let alone knock it. The house had been deserted for decades and they were sure that no one was home. The fact that the mansion was decorated all in black and that it was in complete darkness made the atmosphere more tense, quiet and awkward. Everyone was already frightened from the creaking steps towards the mansion but to be in front of it was even more intimidating.

The mansion itself was not all that fancy by its outer look but the door was different. Its simple frame and designs were more ordinary than special but what made it so different was the doorbell. The bell had a sculpture of a clock, as if time was ticking on and on, except there were no hands moving. The two hands were sculpted in place and the numbers could be seen if one looked close enough.

"What an odd design for a doorbell" Gumo commented as he inspected the bell.

"Well since you offered to ring it..." Mikuo started.

"Oh no, you go do it. Thanks for stepping up man" said Gumo as he pushed Mikuo to the front of the group.

He rang the doorbell in one push and a loud sound could be heard inside the mansion.

Ding

Dong

Ding

Dong

"Wait...if this house is supposedly empty, why would there be a working doorbell?" Ask Gakuko. "That shouldn't matter at all..."

"I see where you're going with this. Should it matter whether we press it or not? It's not like anyone is going to answer it" stated Meito.

"Why don't we go inside..." Suggested Kaiko.

"Right...you're right" said Luki but no one dared to move. They all stood there staring at the door.

Ding

Dong

Ding

Dong

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

A shrill scream resonated throughout the mansion but it was drowned out by the sounds of a grandfather clock. Running footsteps were heard across the empty corridor and the steps took on a quicker pace following one after another. Before anyone could touch the key before them, it was already too late.

"What the hell is going on?" Someone asked.

"Oh no..." she started.

"What is it?" Asked a girl with long, pink hair.

"It's them..."

Everyone soon enough disappeared and what they were looking at fell to the floor. A page was left forgotten and ripped. The book closed looking as if it had never been touched or opened.

"It's time."

"But why does everything feel so different?" Questioned a woman with short, green hair.

"It's because something is going to change..." said a girl with teal colored hair.

"What can change?" Asked the woman with short, brown hair.

"It could be our saviors..." Started one.

"...or the beginning of our own destruction" finished another.

"I don't think hope is an option" said a man with long, purple hair.

"It is the only option available" said a man with blue hair.

"Then why am I starting to disappear?" Questioned Miku as she hopelessly stared at the grandfather clock before the home was empty.

The only signs of life is forever gone but the clock continues to keep on ticking, all on its own.