Chris: Hello all! Ok, sorry for the wait, per usual. My computer got a virus in it's hard drive and deleted everything, taking my computer with it, so I had to spend over seventy dollars fixing the stupid thing. Finally I got it back, got AIM back online, and am ready to go. The only issue was I had no Microsoft Word, so currently I'm writing this on WordPad, but having my friend get his Microsoft crap onto my computer for the wonderful ever so loved spell-check. Enjoy!
Chapter 12
Tsuzuki coughed, breathing in deeply. Slowly he stood up from the cold earth, shaking himself of any dirt that may have clung onto him. Shrugging his shoulders roughly and shaking his head, he looked around him, just realizing the rest of his small group was lying around him, as if unconscious.
"Tatsumi!" He cried, racing over. Grabbing the older man by the arms he shook him lightly, feeling the limp form begin to gain life. Slowly the older man opened his eyes, a small grin forming on his face.
"We made it out." He whispered, coughing as well. Sitting up, they both looked before them.
The air was thick and damn, causing it to become very difficult to breathe. The fog that was rolling around them seemed as if it was trying to conceal them in a space of darkness. The fog only rested at their feet though, and allowed them to view the horizon, which spanned out miles. The ground was red and hard beneath the two, and traveled the whole distance of their sight. It was like some horrible fairy tale. Even above them was bleak, the sky as dark as night, and yet they could see perfectly around them.
"Tsuzuki, look."
Fallowing the older man's finger Tsuzuki's eyes rested on a large castle like structure which hid itself in the fog. Around it the darkness ate away any form of vision, instantly stopping any way of them knowing exactly what it was.
Behind them the rest of the group stood, standing along with them in awe at the sight. They spoke not a word as they began walking the thick forest like surroundings, brushing away dark blood red vines and sticky leaves as they stepped.
The forest was damp and cold, the fog not creating any support for the young individuals who walked. It was as if it was alive, moving and changing as they traveled its path. Every once in a while a vine would shoot out, trapping an ankle or tripping someone up. They could hear hissing inside it's thick branches, felt eyes watching them. Shadows moved, streaking in front of them or racing behind shrubs and bushes. A blood curling scream would erupt if they attempted to walk off the path, stopping them almost instantly, causing them to fallow it's course.
Finally, Terazuma stopped, sitting on an old dead log, long since rotted. "Where are we?"
An answer that stopped everyone. Nervously they all looked at one another, hoping beyond hope that another one of them knew how to respond. After a moment Watari coughed, looking up.
"I believe this to be the demons world, or as I see it, Hisoka's world."
Tsuzuki glanced over at him, obviously confused, just as the rest. "What are you talking about!"
"The demon is a dream like creature. It is able to manipulate dreams and minds, and has done so to all of us. Bon was able to summon this creature somehow as a child, and depended on him growing up, It seems this demon is bent on Bon staying here, and this may be a world Bon may have created when he was younger, focusing on his emotions and feelings. Don't forget, he is an empath, and empaths feel all types of emotions, which can drive them mad. This may have been the only place he was able to put such emotions." Shaking his hand, Watari looked out into the forest. "But that's just my take on it, don't take everything I say to heart."
Wakaba stood beside Terazuma, placing a hand upon his shoulder. "Well then, how do we get Hisoka back?"
"We have to find the demon, and where he is, Bon will be. And I think I might know."
They all stared up into the sky, fallowing his gaze toward the blackened castle which overlook them.
"The demon probably knows we're here."
"Well then, what now?"
Tatsumi fixed his glasses, positioning them back onto the bridge of his nose. Placing the cloth neatly into his pocket he coughed, pointing forward. "We walk."
They continued on, kicking away frustrating branches and cursing whatever got into their way.
They would find Hisoka and defeat that demon, no matter what.
Because that's what family does.
OO
Hisoka sat in his cellar, staring out the barred window. Slowly he stood, small frame wavering, balancing himself out after a few moments. Stepping over, he winced, looking down.
Blood.
He had cut himself on the ground. With a confused gaze he sat back down, lifting up his foot toward his face, staring down at the new wound. Slowly the crimson liquid seeped out, dripping onto his finger tips and the dark cement floor.
Drip.
Blinking, Hisoka stared back at the floor, watching the tiny puddle grow larger. He had never really been wounded by the floor, his feet long since used to the harsh ground, the skin hardening itself for protection. It was the first time in a long time he had seen his feet bleed, even a little bit.
Drip.
He began to sniffle, feeling the pain begin to ebb into his leg. It wasn't that it hurt that much, but he wanted someone to realize he was hurt, and wanted the slight attention that he would receive. But Epitaph was gone. He said he was busy for the moment, that someone was there and he had to take care of it, and left, leaving him alone in the small room. Hisoka knew he would be back, he always was, but the feeling of loneliness was creeping in, and for some reason he just wanted to cry.
Drip.
Cry he did. Taking in deep breaths he began to sob for no true reason, yelling out cries of depression. His shoulders shook, his body began to shake, and he could feel himself losing breath. Suddenly he stopped, listening.
No echo.
Whenever he cried, the small room would echo around him, taking his voice and bringing it back into his ears, making him realize he was all alone, and yet, this time, nothing. Crying out again he listened. Still, silence. Standing, Hisoka began to look around, stepping up the steep stairs, reaching the cellar door.
"Epitaph? Are you out there? Please answer!"
Reaching the doorknob Hisoka yanked it open. Beyond the door was an endless space, pure darkness. Taking a breath in, Hisoka put one foot into the emptiness, wiping away his tears.
'I just want to see Epitaph...'
As he stepped in the door behind him slammed shut, locking.
In this world, there was no echo's.
OO
Chris:
Yes, this one is rather short. My computer still has bugs and viruses
inside of it, so unfortunately even getting this word document to
work was a pain. In any case I figured I might as well get something
out, heh. Thank you again for reading my friends! Leave nice reviews!
Or bad ones… whichever you prefer!
See you Next Time!
