Chapter 14

"So you also did the Sachiko Ever After?" Chris asks me as we walk down the hallway.

I nod in response. "Do you think you're friends are also here?"

"Possibly. I have no idea. I hope not though."

I stay silent. I barely talk, even with my group of friends.

"Where are you from?" He asks.

"America." I answer cautiously.

"I mean what state."

"California."

"I'm from Illinois."

"Oh, that's cool." I pause, "Sorry for the first answer. Considering this is a Japanese school I just assumed you might be from another country."

"This is a Japanese school? How do you know?"

"Well, at the front there were words written in Kangi, which is the written language of Japan."

"How do you know it's Kangi?"

"I can read it. My mom's friend taught me a long time ago."

"Wow! That's so cool! I can't even speak Spanish and my dad's been trying to teach me ever since I was little."

"It is difficult to learn a new language."

"Yeah." Silence. "Have you seen anyone else? I mean..you know..."

I shake my head.

"You don't talk much, do you?" Chris comments.

I smile apologetically. "No, not much."

"Eh, that's okay."

We walk in silence. I stare at the ground, away from Chris, away from my surroundings. I can feel them staring at me. The unblinking dead eyes of the victims look as we pass. I avoid the sensations of their glare. Uneasiness writhes its way towards my brain, but it doesn't erase the feeling of awe. The amount of bodies here...NO! I shake make head, trying to rid myself of these twisted thoughts. I catch the eyes of another person and stop at my tracks. Empty sockets stare at me. I don't feel scared. All I feel is an overwhelming excitement. I wonder how that one feels. The excitement is taking over. It takes all my effort to stay put.

"Hey, something wrong?" Chris asks from up ahead.

It's getting harder to breath. What's wrong with me?

Chris walks back to me and looks where I'm staring. His breath hitches when he sees it. I'm starting to shake, the feeling almost unbearable.

"Let's go." Chris takes my hand and leads me away. It's hollow eyes follow us. "I know it's horrible. It's really horrible." Chris continues.

I take deep easy breaths as my sanity comes back to me. I deep sinking feeling enters my stomach. What is going on with me? Well, I know one thing for sure. I need to focus on finding my friends and getting out of here. Now.

"What the…" Chris sputters.

He stops and stares up the stairs. I look up to find dozens of desks and chairs stacked together. There's too many for us to climb, plus it looks highly unstable. I stand there speechless, realizing what it meant. I can't go upstairs. I can't get to Briella.

"Great." Chris hisses. He runs his hand over his hair, a frustrated look on his face.

"Have you been outside?" I ask.

He looks at me. "No."

"Oh." I was hoping he knew about the other three buildings.

"Have you?"

I hesitate. "Yeah. There's two other buildings just northeast and northwest from here."

"What are we waiting for? Let's go." He starts walking the other way. I stand alone in front of the stairs. I couldn't just go to the other two buildings. Not when Briella is here.

"What's wrong?"

Looking down, I answer, "My friend is somewhere upstairs. I heard her a while ago."

"Oh. What was she saying?"

I don't answer. The sound of Briella's inconsolable crying rings inside my head. "She was screaming."

"I'm so sorry," he pauses, "Let's try the other-"

"I already did." I cut him off.

"I'm sorry." His voice is as soft as a whisper.

Silence fills the air. I bow my head, clasping my hands tightly. Please. Just please. Be safe. I'll be back.

Turning around to face Chris I say, "Nothing I can do. Let's look around for our other friends."

"Okay."

"Do you mind if we check out the entrance?"

"No."

We walk together to the entrance, me leading the way. It doesn't take long to reach the big double doors.

"Woah. That is one big door. What's with all the shelves?" Chris wonders aloud.

"It must be a tradition of Japan," I offer.

He shrugs, "Maybe."

I run my hands once on top of my skirt. The bulk of the two knifes rubs on my hands. I glance at Chris with my peripheral. It doesn't seem like he saw.

Chris turns to face me. "Other than the two buildings, did you see anything? Like anything to tell us where we are?"

I shake my head. "Just a forest."

"A forest?"

"We're surrounded by a forest."

"What?! So we're trapped here even if we get out of this building?" He asks, but it isn't for me to answer.

Not waiting any longer, I pull on the door. I pull again harder. Nothing.

"You're kidding me." I mutter.

"Here, let me try." Chris takes my place. He tries frantically but no matter what it still doesn't open. With a grunt he lets go. "Great. Just great. We're locked in here too." He starts to pace.

"Ugh!" He bangs his fist on the locked door.

"We can't give up now." I reassure softly.

He looks back at me, his green eyes dull. They were full of hopelessness.

"We can't." I repeat with more conviction.

"You're… right. We need to find a way out. Maybe a secret backdoor somewhere."

I nod.

"Alright. Let's go." Some of the hopelessness has left his eyes.

Hey, everyone... I know. I suck. Well, I'll save the excuses and just get to the point. I will for sure be getting back on schedule. These past few weeks have been extremely busy for various reasons, but things have calmed down. You can look out for a new chapter Saturday or Sunday. Oh, and I will be posting the chapter I missed like three weeks ago on Thursday. Hoped you enjoyed the story so far because it's about to get really serious soon. :)

-P.V.J