"So he just presumed himself the Pure Evil One?" said a feminine voice from a red hood.
Cloaked in their own hoods, Deimos and Phobos sat before their Hooded-Leader in an office lit dimly with candles.
"Yes, Your Evilness." Deimos answered.
"And then, surprise surprise, he went and got himself killed by it."
"Well, ma'am, it was those meddling kids-"
The Hooded-Leader interrupted Phobos' retort, "Hitoshi Tano was too ambitious for his own good. He knew, as do we all, that anyone who uses the Book will ultimately be destroyed by its power. If he wanted to think he was the chosen one from the prophecy, then it was his burden alone to face the consequences. The Book may have even used those 'meddling kids' to ensure his downfall."
"Are you still mad that about the piranha pool?"
"You have no idea how much of a bitch that was to cover up."
"Well what do we do now, Your Evilness?" Deimos asked.
"For now, we wait. That wannabe Scooby-Doo gang is currently the only hope we have of obtaining the Book of Pure Evil."
Despite the events of the previous week, Tomoko and Kikuchiyo still lacked motivation for Kotomi's Book-capture-strategy meetings. Their reasons for attending ran more along the lines of boredom and habit rather than obligation or duty, and their interactions were similar to those at the usual spot.
"Godzilla could kick the shit out of Gamera." Kikuchiyo argued.
"You're delusional, Kurosawa." Tomoko shot back.
"Whatever, Pot. I'm just stating fact."
"Glasses, what do think: Godzilla vs. Gamera, who would win?"
"I don't fucking care." Kotomi answered irately. She tried to look busy by writing on the chalkboard. So far she wrote a list of what the knew and didn't know about the Book. What they didn't know was a long list including things like: where it comes from, what is the prophecy, who or what is the Pure Evil One, how to destroy it, etc. However, the list of what they knew contained only two facts: it's pure evil, and it makes bad things happen. She continued to add on to what they didn't know with very hard almost frustrated chalk strokes.
"Geez, the hell crawled up and bit you in the ass?"
"Is everything okay, sempai?" Tomoki asked.
"Hey, how come you never call me sempai, Kuroki?" Kikuchiyo inquired.
"I call her that out of respect, Kurosawa, and frankly I have none for you."
"Uh, just think about how many times I saved your sorry ass."
"All those times are directly related to how you almost got us all killed."
Kotomi looked over to Tomoki. "I'm useful. Right?" she asked him. "I mean, I have a place on this team, right Tomoki?"
"Hey, thanks for the acknowledgment." Tomoko snarked.
'Oh god, its Tomoko's stupid therapy talks all over again!' Tomoki thought to himself as he tried to come up with an answer. "You...brought us together and you do most of the thinking, so that technically makes you leader?" he responded unsurely. By now he was hoping that the Book brought another monster to life just so he could get out of this conversation.
"You're not much in a fight, though." Kikuchiyo butted in.
"Yeah, you're like the damsel-y type. You're just not a fighter." Tomoko added.
Her comment made Kotomi pop a vein. This little shit was practically her punching bag, yet she still had the nerve to call her out like that. "And you're saying, you're more combat-capable?"
"I can think on the fly. I know how to use my brain."
Tomoko's answer forced a snicker out of both Tomoki and Kikuchiyo. She shot them both an angry look.
"I always thought I was more of the bookworm mission control-type."
"Yeah, but that can also overlap with damsel-in-distress."
"And bookworm?" Kikuchiyo interjected, "There's this thing called 'Google' that makes it to where any idiot can do your job. Even Tomoko."
"Very funny, Kettle, considering you don't even know how to text." Tomoko sneered.
"I have a mouth, Tomoko! The hell do I need texting for?"
"Yet nothing that comes out of it makes any sense!"
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you are easily the dumbest person I've ever met!"
"That means so much coming from you after last week. How did trying to be a recording artist work out for you? Bet that composition software was well worth the cash."
"Piece of shit!"
"Malicious little tumor!"
The two of them jumped out of their seats and grabbed each other by the lapels spitting more curses and obscenities as they, whether consciously or unconsciously, grappled each other into the closet. Tomoki and Kotomi watched them until the cupboard door closed on them.
"They're perfect for each other." Tomoki cracked in a deadpan tone.
Banging noises accompanied by wrathful cries and blissful moans stuffed by the door.
"A-are...Are they doing what I think...?" Kotomi asked. Part of her was frustrated that those two were so shameless that they just fucked in a closet at school. The other part of her was even angrier because Tomoko really was getting more action than her.
"Probably." Tomoki answered standing up and making his way to the door. "But I'd rather not know for sure. See ya'."
He opened the door to find the corridors pitch black. Confused, he looked back at the windows to make sure it was still daylight. It was almost 5 o'clock; still plenty of sun coming through the windows into the room. How the shit were the hallways so dark? 'Goddamn it,' he thought after he realized it, 'I really need to be careful of what I wish for.'
Tomoki took a peek into the darkness. In front of him appeared a face. Although its figure was hidden in the shadows, he looked right into the whites of its round soulless eyes as it gave him a chilling cheshire-cat smile showing its blood-red gums and gritty yellow teeth.
"On second thought," Tomoki said after ducking back into the room and slamming the door, "I might stick around with you for a while."
"Really?" Kotomi almost asked, but before she could say anything, reason took after when she noticed how his eyes bugged out. "There's some terrifying Book spawn out there, huh?" she inquired instead.
"Not so much terrifying, but creepy as shit." he answered. "So I guess I'll just stay here...and listen to my sister get plowed."
For the next half hour, they were forced to listen to the explicit noises from the closet as they racked their brains for a topic of conversation to break the ice with. It was an uncomfortable and unpleasant experience for Tomoki and Kotomi. A couple of minutes after the symphony of hatred and passion ceased, Tomoko and Kikuchiyo walked out still bickering.
"You are such a nancy."
"You tried to bite my scrotum off!"
"You tried to put your whole—Oh, shit." Their argument got off when they noticed that they were not alone.
"Were...you two here the whole time?"
"Listening to us...Wow. That's creepy." Tomoko said rather smugly, "I mean I can understand Glasses being so pervy, since it's probably the most action she's gonna get. But you, little bro. Creepy."
Tomoki and Kotomi's blood boiled as they tried to restrain their anger towards the small girl while Kikuchiyo headed towards the exit. "Well, you three resolve your personal problems on your own. I'm gonna go see my own brother, toke up, listen to some Rush, complain about the other five. You know, male bonding." he said to them. When he opened the door, he paused and stared at what lay beyond. "Uh, guys? Were the hallways always pitch-black with a foreboding atmosphere that filled your very being with a sense of dread?"
"Yes." Tomoko answered, "Oh wait, you meant literally."
"Yeah, why-"
"Why do you think?" Tomoki replied.
"Aw, come on. It's almost the weekend!" Tomoko griped.
"So fucking close to a Book free week." Kikuchiyo added. "But it's just a few dark corners, doesn't seem that bad compared-" he slammed the door and looked back to the gang. "There's some sort of slasher smile floating around out there. So...There's that."
"You know, we have to get out of here at some point." Kotomi noted. All eyes slowly turned to Kikuchiyo.
"Why's everyone looking at me?"
"Well someone's gotta go first."
"But why me?"
"Because you're the psycho with the knife." Tomoko answered. "You're armed."
"So are you. You have a slingshot."
"But you're the best meatshield-Er, fighter here."
"You have a ranged weapon."
"Okay, fine we'll all go together and move as a cell."
"Fine." Tomoki and Kotomi replied.
"But you take point, Kurosawa."
"Agreed."
"Okay, fine." Kikuchiyo concurred. "But just so you know, I hate all of you."
"Dually noted." Kotomi quipped, "Now let's move."
Kimiyo Konno tried to navigate through the endless dark maze. Everywhere she turned was either another turn or a flight of stairs. All she could see in the empty blackness was what was directly in front of her. "This isn't what I wanted." she kept repeating under her breath while she panted. She had to keep moving, but there was no telling if she was running from it or running towards it. Every time she looked back, that cheshire grin followed. Yet at every other corner, there it appeared before her looking her in the eye with its blank gaze as it slowly approached her. She turned heel and ran the other way when she came face to face with "The Smile."
"We're gonna die." Kikuchiyo said as the group wandered aimlessly through the shadows.
"Shut up." Tomoki shot back. Every corner they turned, every stairway, up or down just lead to another two-way corridor going either left or right. Although they had not seen it since they left the room, it was nerve-racking trying to find their way out knowing that it was out there. Nothing they had, be it a lighter or the flashlights on their phones, was able to improve their visibility. It was like the darkness consumed whatever light they had, yet allowed them to see what was in front of them.
"We're gonna die." Tomoko repeated.
"Shut up!" Kotomi snapped. She clung to Tomoki's arm out of both genuine fear and because said fear was the perfect excuse to do so. This did nothing to calm his tense nerves.
"Just trying to say that we're kinda fuck beyond all reason." Kikuchiyo replied.
"Screwed sideways." Tomoko added.
"Just a couple bright rays of sunshine, you two." Kotomi snarked.
"What's the matter, just got this constant fear that something's always near?" Kikuchiyo teased. "Oh wait, what the fuck is that!? What the fuck is that!?"
His cries startled the rest of the gang, getting a jump and a scream from everyone. In the heat of the moment, Tomoko pulled back her sling and fired off a shot into the darkness. Kikuchiyo's laughter echoed through the infinite halls when the others found there was nothing there.
"You ass!" the others shouted furiously.
"I'm sorry." He turned to face his peers. "Oh wait, no I'm not 'cause it was too fucking—Son of a bitch!"
"Oh no," Kotomi replied, "We're not falling for that aga-"
"Sup, gang." said a fifth voice.
Tomoko, Tomoki, and Kotomi turned heel in fright. "Son of a bitch!"
In the blackness stood three figures. It was just...
"Goddamn Canadians!" Kikuchiyo cried.
"Well hello to you too, loser." Eddie greeted.
"What the hell are you doing in here? Who even let you guys in?"
"We're not that obligated to answer that." Rob answered.
"Hey, you wouldn't happen to know where you're going would you?" Tomoki asked.
"We might."
"Or we might just be strolling for leisure." said Brody.
"Could you maybe lead us out of here?" Kikuchiyo requested.
"Nope."
"Well thanks a lot, you flappy-headed maple-syrup drinking round-eyes!" he quipped aggressively. Then to Eddie he said, "Eh, no offense. Asian pride?"
"Fuck off, Imperialist Jap loser."
"Oh hey before we leave," Brody announced, "watch your back." With that, the Canadians stepped away fading into the shadows snickering and speaking to each other in English.
"You keep some interesting company, Kurosawa." Kotomi commented.
Tomoko shuddered as she stepped out from behind Kikuchiyo. "Those guys always give me the creeps."
"What do you think he meant by 'watch your back?'" Tomoki asked.
"Probably just a warn-" Kikuchiyo was cut off by a gut feeling. He drew his knife and pointed the blade outward to find himself looking into the eyes of a beautiful brown-haired girl. She stopped dead in her tracks and yelped at the sight of his weapon. Backing away slowly, she frantically whimpered and begged him not to hurt her.
Tomoko tugged at the sleeve of his blade-arm and waved her hand across her throat as a gesture to put the knife away. Tomoki stepped forth to speak to the girl. "It's alright, we're not going to hurt you. What's your name?"
"K-Kimiyo K-Konno. C-class 2...2-6." She started hyperventilating again and began rambling to herself, "It keeps following me... It always knows where I am..."
"Well, she's cracked." Tomoko said to the gang. "I say we just leave her here for whatever the hell is out there."
"We can't just leave her like this." Tomoki argued.
"Yeah," Kikuchiyo agreed, "I mean we can't just leave a cute defenseless... emotionally weakened...girl out here alone."
"Are you saying that because you think if you get her out of this she'll 'reward' you?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
He hesitantly answered, "Maybe."
The rest of the gang gave exasperated yells and chastised him for his less-than-noble intentions.
"You just keep hitting new lows," Tomoki scolded, "you know that Kurosawa?"
"Aw shut up man, you were thinking the same thing!"
"I was not!"
"So you're not telling me you wouldn't totally bone that?"
"Unlike you, I am not a complete pervert! I mean, she is pretty and if things happen then maybe...we could be...friends...afterwards."
"I think Kuroki has a point here." Kotomi interjected. "If she's just going to keep babbling like that, then she's just a liability."
"Okay, now you're just agreeing with me 'cause you're jealous." Tomoko replied.
"I should have never read from that book."
The gang's huddle went dead when she said that. All eyes were on Konno now.
Tomoki slowly approached the trembling girl and asked, "What book?"
AN: I was watching my friend play that SCP-087 game. While he babbled about to express his fear, I kept saying to him "you're gonna die, you're gonna die." I was also talking to him about how I thought I wrote myself into a corner after the last chapter. By the time he kicked me out of his house, I got the idea to write this. Didn't quite turn out the way I thought, but I think it works.