Sunday, August 24th, 2014 - 11:25
Woodside Terrace
Ferguson Residence
"Neko Mistoffelees, come here. Who's a good boy? Is Neko a good boy? I think he is I think he is…"
She could make out a faint voice in the distance. She attempted to open her eyes but no matter how hard she struggled they steadfastly refused to budge. Next she tried moving her arms and legs. This too was difficult.
"Yuuki are you awake?"
The voice was calling towards her.
"Yuuki, Yuuki…"
Yuuki knew she was lying on some kind of soft surface. Her eyes felt heavy. As she tried opening them again she experienced an overwhelming wave of stiffness and nausea. She winced in response.
"Is that you Igor?"
"Igor? What kind of sick twisted fantasy are you having?"
Immediately Yuuki realised she was no longer inside the Velvet room. Her eyes opened and she sat up straight. A blanket which had been covering her fell away and she noticed the room she was in to be very dark. Her head felt nippy. Despite the discomfort she was experiencing Yuuki looked across at the person standing beside her.
"Senga?"
"Well at least your memory's working. Don't collapse on us like that again; we didn't know what happened to you. And carrying you here wasn't easy. You're heavier than you look."
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
Yuuki looked around. She quickly deduced from the soft bed, the closed curtains and the brightly painted walls that she was inside someone's bedroom. Considering who was with her she guessed it belonged to Senga. Yuuki then spotted a clock resting on a small bedside table. It was 11:27. She moved to stand up.
"Take it easy; rest for a while. I don't think my back can handle carrying you again."
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that either. What happened?"
Senga moved across the small room and collected a cushioned stool.
"There isn't much to say. You started calling new personas and then collapsed. The other world ended and Becky and I brought you here. We don't know where you live."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. Although for a while I thought we would be calling the mortuary. You sleep like the dead."
At that moment she heard the door open. Yuuki watched as Becky stepped inside. The blonde haired girl was wearing a tight fitting t-shirt with black mini skirt and carried in her hands a tray of glasses.
"Oh you're awake, that's good. We were really worried about you, you know!"
Becky walked over to the bed.
"So how's the patient doing Doctor Ferguson?"
"She'll live but I don't recommend it."
Yuuki collected a glass which was 3/4's full of some dark coloured juice and took a mouthful. The sensation was satisfying. It was as if she was alive again. As she was about to thank Rebecca she noticed something. Both of her friends were looking at each other, but no longer speaking. Their heads were subtly bobbing while their eyes narrowed and widened. Becky then twirled strands of her curly blonde hair between her fingers. Senga let out a sigh before turning to Yuuki.
"There's something we need to tell you. There was another murder last night."
"Was it someone in our year again?"
"No, but he would have been if he had stayed at school. He left at the end of fourth year. I'll put on the news."
Senga calmly walked over to the television and picked up the black remote control lying by its side. After taking a handful of steps backwards she pressed one of the buttons and a picture of a woman sitting behind a brown oak desk appeared on the screen. Yuuki recognised the presenter from earlier in the week. An information bar with the words 'Averurie Regional News - with May Hammond' flashed onto the screen.
"Welcome back to the programme. Our top story on Sunday the 24th of August is the latest murder to have taken place in Bishopmill.
The death of Jeffrey Barnes, 16, is the third murder in as many nights to have shaken residents of this once peaceful town. This morning we have spoken to analysts and public safety campaigners who have openly criticised the police response as 'haphazard' and 'incompetent'. These claims were rebuked during a hastily prepared press conference by the spokesperson for the Averurie Police Authority."
The screen changed to a shot of a balding man standing behind a podium. Flashes of light flickered across the screen from a mass of unseen photographers. At least that was what Yuuki thought they were.
"'Accusations that we are not taking this matter seriously are unfounded and untrue. The full resources of this department are focused solely on apprehending the perpetrator or perpetrators of these crimes. We will not rest, we will not falter and we will not be swayed from our duty as public servants to maintain law and order. Comments attacking our undertakings, including slanderous remarks made against certain individuals, are damaging to public confidence and harmful to the investigation.'
Mr Barnes, a supermarket worker whose family moved from Hartlepool, England to Bishopmill five years ago, was found early this morning at his parent's home. He was just 16. Friends and relatives have described him as a warm hearted boy who had his whole life to look forward to.
After the break we take a look at the monkey that is after more than just a banana and the lucky escape for a curious toddler. But first here is a message from our sponsors.
'Looking for a new challenge? Speak to us at Milan Aeronautical Develop-'"
Senga switched off the television. She turned to Yuuki before sitting down at the edge of the bed. It was clear from her stiff movements that she was worried. Becky walked across the modest sized room and sat on the stool Senga had used earlier. An eerie silence followed.
Yuuki didn't know what to think. Everything the mysterious woman said about the other world had been true, meaning her prediction of 13 nights of death and the appearance of a 'central shadow' couldn't be dismissed lightly. Of course there was the possibility that this was some kind of coincidence, but that was becoming less likely with each passing day. Yuuki decided to speak up.
"Let's assume there will be 14 murders and that one will take place every night."
Immediately upon saying this Yuuki saw both Senga and Becky look at her. What she was about to propose she didn't want to think about, but they couldn't avoid it forever.
"And let's also assume that those 'shadows' we saw last night are the ones doing it. We know we can beat them with our personas so why don't we-"
"Wait," interrupted Senga, "I don't like making that many assumptions before lunch. This has nothing to do with us so why should we get involved?"
"It could be fun!" answered Becky enthusiastically, "in a time no-one can see, in a place no-one can reach our three intrepid heroines battle against the forces of darkness and save the world from the evil monsters that lurk in the night!"
"(Sigh) the next part of this conversation is for those with a mental age over 5," sneered Senga, "fine, say we go along with your 'assumptions' and we want to stop the murders, how do we do it?"
That was a question Yuuki didn't know how to answer.
"We can't be certain that the murders will continue," Senga surmised as her fingers repeatedly taped against her knee, "but if they do then we need to work out who the next target will be and where they can be found at midnight. If the shadows are committing the murders then defeating them may be the only way to prevent more from taking place, unless we can determine who is behind this and stop them directly. What do the three people that have died share in common?"
"They attend or used to attend Bishopmill," answered Becky, "they're all guys and they're roughly the same age. Hmm, if that continues then we can narrow down the number of people that could be next by quite a bit. We might even be able to stop the murders!"
"But there must be a reason for why they are being killed in this order."
"The first was Adam Soto, the second was Anthony Harrison and last night it was Jeff Barnes. It couldn't be alphabetical order could it?"
Yuuki thought about it for a moment. If the only qualifications for being murdered were attending Bishopmill Academy, be 16 or 17 years old and male then there would be a large number of people to choose from. If Rebecca was right by saying the shadows were targeting their victims in alphabetical order then there should be lots of people murdered between Anthony Harrison and Jeffrey Barnes.
"Perhaps it's random," said Yuuki dejectedly, "there doesn't have to be a pattern."
"But that woman we saw," interrupted Becky, "she challenged us to work out who the last person would be. Remember her poem?
'The fourteenth night of death will arrive, the dye hath been cast
And the question you must answer is who will be the last?'
Do you think she would say that if the victims were picked randomly?"
It was a good point. Perhaps there was something else that connected the three deaths, something they were missing. Yuuki leaned back and allowed her head to rest on the pillow. She was exhausted. All this talk about shadows and murders was wearing her out. She would grow grey with worry if this continued.
"AHH!" screamed Yuuki, "I forgot to phone home to tell them I'm alright!"
Senga sighed loudly.
"You didn't by any chance hit your head as a child did you?"
Should I say never, once, repeatedly or…?
"I can't remember."
aaa
Monday, August 25th, 2014 - 08:22
Hashimoto Residence
The sun was shining brightly outside. The pale green curtains that overhung both sides of the small glass window swayed gently back and forth in a rhythmic, almost hypnotic manner. Yuuki watched from her seat beside the kitchen table as the occasional white cloud would temporarily appear before drifting out of sight again. All she could hear were the sounds of small birds chirping happily. The world, it seemed, was peaceful.
But Yuuki knew that that peace was artificial and she didn't expect things to stay this calm for long.
Thoughts of Sunday entered her head. Fortunately the rest of her family hadn't even noticed her absence. Yuuki remembered the call she made to tell them she was alright. When her mother answered she was expecting to be grounded but instead she was given a list of things to buy from the shops before coming home. The response (or lack thereof) shouldn't have surprised her. She should have known better than to believe her mother would actually be worried about her.
But her domestic situation wasn't what concerned her, it was the other world. If what that mysterious woman had told them was true then someone must have died at midnight last night. If that was the case then it was only a matter of time before it would be reported by the news channels. Talk about another innocent victim, another family in mourning and another police statement would then follow. It seemed as inevitable as it was predictable. All Yuuki could hope for was that a clearer pattern would emerge that would tell her how the victims were being selected.
Yuuki took another nibble from the one remaining slice of golden brown toast. She didn't taste anything. With her self made breakfast still partially uneaten she dumped what remained into a bin and placed the plate into the sink. She decided to wash it later; she couldn't be bothered right now. Besides, the bowl of cereal she had left on the table for Daigo would need to be cleaned anyway and she'd probably end up being the one doing it.
"Hey (yawn) sis."
Yuuki saw Daigo approaching the kitchen. He stopped at the doorway. Like her he was wearing his school uniform except his appeared crumpled and untidy. His glasses were worn askew, his arms dangled lifelessly and his head continued to bob incessantly.
"You're awake early."
"No," replied Daigo, "I don't want to."
"Eh?"
"You do it, I've (yawn) done enough already."
Her brother sat down on a chair and closed his eyes. Yuuki watched as his body continued to rock in a clockwise direction. Then she heard the unmistakeable sound of snoring. She let out a giggle. At least there were some things in life that would stay the same.
Yuuki continued to stare at her brother and wondered how long it would take him to wake up again. She looked at the second hand on her watch and started timing him.
She noticed the time read 09:28 but she had still to wind it back an hour due to the other world. This meant they had quarter of an hour before they needed to leave for school. Yuuki guessed Daigo would remain asleep for at least half a minute. After a few seconds however his head fell violently onto the table. With a terrible thud he was abruptly forced from his sleep.
"Oww, aw, aw, aw!"
"A-Are you alright?"
"OWW! Where am I? Oh, hi sis, what happened? Oww my head hurts."
"(Sigh) you're useless in the morning you know that?"
"I am not!" protested Daigo as he continued to rub his forehead, "and why did you let me hit my head like that? It really hurt."
After shooting her younger brother an incredulous look Yuuki pulled out her phone to check what time it was. The answer was 08:29. She adjusted the hands on her watch while talking to Daigo.
"Isn't today when Dad starts his new job?"
"Is it (munch)? I guess it is (munch), why?"
"He should be up by now," stated Yuuki, "it's a 9 till 5 job he'll be in trouble if he doesn't wake up soon. (Sigh) only he could be late on the first day. Sometimes I wonder if I've been adopted."
When Yuuki finished amending her watch she glanced towards Daigo. He was already well advanced in eating the bowl of cereal and jam covered toast she had prepared for him. He was shovelling spoonfuls into his mouth so quickly that she believed it was impossible for him to be chewing, let alone tasting, the food. That really annoyed her. If he was going to eat what she had laid out for him the least he could do was pretend to be enjoying it!
To calm down Yuuki looked out of the window again. She thought about the other world. Last night she had ventured out alone onto the streets of Bishopmill and tried to summon different personae from her phone. The experience confirmed a few things for her.
Pressing the 1 key on her phone brought forth Pangu. This was something she had already known and no stress or effort was required to awaken him. Selecting 2 evoked the creature known as Monkey. This persona was different. Yuuki was out of breath from the moment he appeared but she learned that his physical attack was far more powerful than anything Pangu could do. To test Monkey's abilities she had asked him to attack a small grey bench. The pile of twisted metal that remained was proof of its strength.
Selecting the number 5 key resulted in Ukko, which she knew from fighting the shadows previously could use electricity. Yuuki summoned the physically massive creature to make sure that it hadn't changed. Just like Monkey, Ukko caused her to become exhausted by its appearance.
She had intended to press the other numbers on her phone but was too tired to carry on. The last thing she needed was to collapse in the street during the other world. Tonight she would try again. If herself, Senga and Becky were going to stop the shadows then she needed to know as much as possible about personas.
A sound from the kitchen doorway interrupted Yuuki from her thoughts. She spotted her father walking into the room.
"Morning kids (yawn)."
"Hey dad," said Daigo, "you're working today right?"
"No I don't think that's the reason," replied Katsuo incoherently, "(yawn) it's something to do with the TV."
Yuuki shook her head. Sleepiness must be something that came from the 'Y' chromosome of the Hashimoto gene. After telling her brother to hurry she walked up the stairs to her room and collected her school bag. Within a few minutes she had left with Daigo for Bishopmill Academy.
aaa
'Emergency Assembly to be held this morning - all students make your way to the assembly hall immediately.'
This was the sign that greeted Yuuki and Daigo when they arrived at school.
It didn't astonish her. With two students dead since Thursday night the teachers were bound to do something. They couldn't ignore what was happening but Yuuki was certain that they didn't know the real reason behind the murders. How could they know about shadows, the other world or personas? Any advice they gave out would be completely useless. Letting out a weary sigh Yuuki comforted herself by the fact that she would be missing double maths.
"Sis, do you know where the assembly hall is?"
"Hmm, I'm not sure."
Yuuki looked around. She watched as a couple of 1st or 2nd year students made their way inside the central building.
"Let's tag along behind someone. Everybody should be going to the same place."
Daigo enthusiastically nodded his head. Yuuki and her brother walked behind a group of girls who had just arrived at the main entrance. They followed them inside the school building.
The 'assembly hall' was between the cafeteria and the principle's office. It came as a surprise that she hadn't noticed it before. Stepping inside for the first time Yuuki recognised that the layout was similar to the cafeteria except the tables had been replaced by a few hundred chairs. The architect must have been feeling lazy when designing this part of the school.
Every seat was lined up in neat rows with a three meter wide gap round the outside and down the middle of the massive room. Numerous teachers lined the perimeter like prison guards on the lookout for potential escapees. At the front of the hall was a raised section with thick curtains pulled back at each side. Yuuki guessed this would be used for any plays or shows that the school hosted. The final third of the room was left empty.
The people sitting near the front tended to be quite short and baby faced. Yuuki presumed this meant the students were being lined up by year and class. She walked along one side of the hall with Daigo until he spotted some of his classmates gathered near the centre of the room. He said 'bye' before running off towards them. Yuuki continued alone until she saw Becky and Senga on the fifth from last row. She sat down beside them.
"Morning, what's going on?"
"The head teacher called an assembly about the murders," replied Becky, her voice chipper, "which means we miss the start of Ms Clapton's class! The best thing is that this will go on and on and on for ages. We might miss maths altogether! And because we're 5th year we get to sit at the back and do whatever we like."
"But why have an assembly now?" asked Yuuki, "It's not like the teachers can do anything about what's happening."
"She probably wants to host one while there are still some students left," answered Senga, "Mrs Simpson loves the sound of her voice. Last year she called the whole school together because one of the first years was caught smoking in the toilets. Everyone had to attend while she spent half an hour yelling at the kid. What was his name again, Lennon somethingorother? If you need a cure for insomnia then this is it. I hope you brought a pillow with you."
Yuuki sat back in her seat and waited for the assembly to begin.
It was 10 minutes past 9 when the head teacher of Bishopmill Academy, Mrs Simpson, finally arrived. This was the first time that Yuuki had seen her. She was a short, stout woman, probably in her late 50's, with a round face and thick grey hair. Some of her other details were impossible to determine due to how far away she was. Mrs Simpson walked up to the makeshift podium on the platform at the front of the room and spoke into a microphone. The sound echoed and had a great deal of distortion.
"This is the first assembly of the new school year. This is a time for focus, a time for commitment, a time for you to seize the future, a time for you to mature, a time for you to grow-"
"A time for her to get to the point," whispered Senga.
"I think of this school as being akin to a family. But our family has had to face up to some stark truths in recent days. Unfortunately it is my sad duty as head mistress to inform you that another student passed away this morning."
The room, which had been largely quiet until this point, erupted in noise. It seemed to Yuuki as if everyone decided at the same time to start talking. She watched as those in front of her started scanning the room, trying to see if anyone they knew was missing. Eventually the teachers that had been placed around the hall managed to stop the chatter. Once the noise returned to its previous level Mrs Simpson continued with her speech.
"Three members of our family, and another who until May had also been a student here, have been cruelly taken away from us. Let us take a moment to remember them.
Adam Steve Soto
Anthony Harrison
Jeffrey Barnes
Elaine Peters"
The last name on the list came as a surprise to Yuuki. There wasn't much that connected the first three deaths apart from the fact that they were male. The revelation that a girl had now died during the other world meant that they were back to square one. Perhaps the deaths were random after all, perhaps there was no connection.
Yuuki told herself to calm down. She didn't know for sure that this Elaine Peters had actually been killed by the shadows. It was possible that this was just a coincidence, albeit a near impossible one. Besides if she was 16 or 17 then the victims still had something in common. And the general connection between Bishopmill Academy and the murders remained.
"I have spoken to senior officers within the Averurie police department," continued Mrs Simpson, "and we have agreed a series of measures to prevent any further tragedies from taking place. Listen carefully. From 9pm at night until 4am in the morning there will be a city wide curfew for all residents of Bishopmill under the age of 18. If anyone in this room is found to be in violation of the curfew they will be held under police custody and risk being suspended. The curfew will begin from tonight and be in place until such time that we deem it safe to remove."
"That sucks!" yelled someone randomly. Mrs Simpson ignored the heckling.
"Now let us return to the most important message for you to take from this assembly, the importance of your studies. The best way to honour the memories of those who have died is for you all to achieve as great a success as possible. Under our guidance…"
The assembly went on for some time.
aaa
Monday, August 25th, 2014 - 13:04
Bishopmill Academy
Central Block, 1st floor corridor
It was lunchtime and Yuuki, Senga and Rebecca were travelling down the corridors of Bishopmill Academy having left Mr Niven's history class. The morning assembly however dominated their conversation.
"I can't believe they gave us a curfew," complained Becky, "and it's at 9pm! That just isn't right. How are we supposed to do anything fun before 9? Then again if it stops people from dying then we shouldn't complain, and it gives us a chance to do our homework."
"You never do your homework anyway," stated Senga confidently, "and the curfew won't do anything. Don't you remember a couple of nights ago? It's the shadows committing the murders. They're not going to stop just because everyone is tucked away in their beds. Besides all the murders have taken place in the victim's own home, well apart from Ant. Having a curfew will be just as useful as giving an aspirin to someone who has had their head and legs and arms chopped off."
"I guess you're right. Hmm, so who do you think will be next?"
"Becky…"
Yuuki tried her best to stay out of the discussion. After hearing about the death of Elaine Peters she had spent the day deep in thought thinking of anything that could connect the four murders. Specifically she attempted to work out why three were attending students at Bishopmill and one was a former pupil. There had to be something they were missing.
As the trio were walking along the corridor towards the cafeteria they came across a large group of around 12 or so students. Yuuki tried to see what they were crowding around, but there were too many people in the way. A quick glance towards Becky and Senga suggested that they were curious as well. Wordlessly the three friends made their way to the front.
At first she wasn't sure what everyone was looking at. All Yuuki could see was the woodchip notice board. She remembered Rebecca telling her last week this was supposed to be used by the teachers to make announcements, but they didn't tend to use it much. She looked at the sheets of paper that had been posted. That's when she saw it.
Italian Written Language Exam Results (Bonus Credit)
Year 3 Students Only
November 2012
Iain Shadi 98%
Ann Wilson 91%
Elizabeth Owens 87%
Laura Meyer 83%
Christopher James 83%
Barbara Cox 76%
Gabriel Caldwell 75%
Dorothy Dean 71%
Richard Lucas 69% Tricky Dicky isn't smarterest!
Norma George 69% Norma's sharing a 69 with Dickard! F-YEAH
Elaine Peters 68% RIP
Jeffrey Barnes 67% RIP
Anthony Harrison 67% RIP
Adam Steve Soto 67% RIP
Qualifying grade is equal to two thirds. All other examinees failed to pass.
Yuuki couldn't believe her eyes. All four victims of the shadows were on this list. Even more importantly the deaths had taken place in reverse order of the results. Yuuki looked at Becky whose eyes had widened. She had to understand the significance of this as well. This exam was what connected Adam Soto, Anthony Harrison, Jeff Barnes and Elaine Peters and this sheet of paper was telling them that Norma George was going to be next.
Senga pulled down the list and walked away calmly. A couple of people jeered in protest but they fell silent after she glared at them. It was an ice cold stare which would make anyone relent. Senga continued to walk towards the cafeteria. Yuuki and Becky quickly followed.
aaa
The three girls sat around a table together, the list lying in the middle for them to examine. Each had an untouched sandwich resting beside them. Ignoring everyone around them Becky decided to speak.
"Wouldn't it be a weird coincidence if these results had nothing to do with the four people who have died?"
"Weird isn't the word I would use," replied Senga, "Norma is in the same class as me for music, if this is how the shadows pick their victims then she will die tonight. Even though there are no music classes tomorrow I'd rather avoid that from happening."
Both Yuuki and Becky nodded. They had to do something to stop the shadows. They were the only ones who had any inclination as to what was happening and that placed the burden of responsibility onto their shoulders. Although Yuuki thought this way, how to actually stop Norma George from dying was the problem.
"We need to find out where she lives. If the shadows are killing these people then they will attack her tonight."
"It's actually good news that there's a curfew," said Becky, "it means we know she'll be at home at midnight."
"But we can't be there before the other world begins," assessed Senga, "and the shadows could kill her at anytime. We'll meet up as soon as possible at the usual place after midnight. I have double music this afternoon so I'll ask her for her home address."
Rebecca took a slip of the juice that had been lying on the table next to her. She smiled and looked at Senga.
"I thought you said this had nothing to do with us?"
"I-It doesn't! It's just, well; we should at least try and stop it from happening that's all. I don't really care."
Senga refused to make eye contact as she shoved her cheese sandwich into her mouth. Yuuki glanced over towards Becky and the pair shared a quiet giggle.
aaa
Tuesday, August 26th, 2014 - 00:00
The 'Other World'
Woodside Terrace
It took Yuuki precisely 8 minutes and 58 seconds to reach Woodside Terrace.
To be that fast she had prepared before midnight. She had left her bicycle leaning against the side of her house and had waited in her room with her cell phone clasped tightly in her hands. Yuuki didn't want to waste even a second as Norma George, the next expected victim of the shadows, was due to be killed during the other world.
But despite her preparations she couldn't avoid being the last to show.
The fact that her home was the furthest away from Woodside Terrace meant both Senga and Becky arrived first. Even though Yuuki understood this, it was still annoying to see her two friends waiting for her in the middle of the road. She let out a dejected sigh. No matter how quickly she peddled she would forever be the last to show. Yuuki cycled up to them and stepped off her bike.
"I'm sorry I'm late."
Senga, who was wearing a three quarter length violet woollen coat, gave a dismissive hand gesture in response. She didn't appear annoyed or upset. Yuuki glanced towards Rebecca. Her friend, whose hair was partly tied upwards and partly unbound, was sporting a bright green t-shirt and a black mini skirt, her legs bare and exposed. Becky would often wear tight fitting clothes but it seemed out of place considering what they were about to do. Despite feeling this way Yuuki decided not to say anything.
"Senga, did you find the address?" asked Yuuki.
"Hope Street, apartment block 2, room 21. It's to the North West at the edge of the 'Haugh'."
"The 'Haugh'?"
"It's what we call that part of town. It will take a while for us to get there, at least fifteen minutes."
Yuuki climbed onto her bicycle. She noticed Senga collect the lone bike that was lying on the road while Becky played incessantly with strands of her blonde hair. Her friend seemed nervous; her eyes were downcast and elusive.
"Becky, where's your bike?"
"Well the thing is Yuuki…I didn't think I'd need one. I didn't know we'd be going so far."
Yuuki thought for a moment.
"We'll share mime. Senga lead the way."
She watched as Becky came rushing over to her. The blonde haired girl then managed to squeeze behind her onto the small bicycle and sat side saddle style. Yuuki's body jumped as Rebecca tightly wrapped her arms around her waist. It was more than a little uncomfortable for her. Yuuki pushed her legs down onto the pedals and the bike slowly moved away.
"Let's go!" exclaimed Becky.
End of Chapter 1
