Dark Kingdom 57
A constant beeping tormented her nerves. The shrill sound just didn't seem to want to end.
Only gradually did Usagi realize that she had still closed her eyes. She was in her bed.
Right. She went home right after school. This time even without going through any shopping malls or for a shake in their favorite cafe.
Because she was tired. So tired that she even skipped dinner.
So tired because her mind was spinning in circles. Again and again, always faster. Like a runaway carousel that no one could stop.
The beeping started again.
Why the hell couldn't she just go back to sleep?
Usagi opened her eyes in shock.
She knew that high-pitched sound.
Her cell phone. She straightened up in a flash, had to endure a brief spell of dizziness, but forced herself to suppress the nausea.
She picked up the vibrating and squeaking phone.
She frowned at the display. She did not know the number displayed to her. Should she answer anyway? She was curious to see who had been so persevering and had been ringing for the last two minutes.
Usagi cleared her throat before answering so as not to sound too sleepy.
"Hello?", she asked softly, but immediately held the cell phone half a meter away from her ear. A loud noise hit her.
No matter who was there, he was apparently at a fair or concert. Right next to the boxes.
"Usagi?"
A female voice could be heard.
It took Usagi a moment before she could place the sound. Her stomach cramped when she suddenly remembered which person the voice belonged to.
"Naru!" , she yelled into the phone. "Naru, what's wrong? Where are you?"
"Can you come over to the Crystal?", asked her friend. It sounded monotonous, almost cool.
Usagi remembered the said discotheque with discomfort, after all, it was there that her friend had met Sapphire for the first time.
"What are you doing?", There was a rush in Usagi's ears. Although extremely loud music was playing in the background, she thought she could hear Naru's breath, a tremor in her voice. Was she scared?
"Please come."
The line was broken with a click. All of a sudden it was quiet.
There was nothing but a crackle and finally the continuous busy tone.
Naru had hung up. And yet Usagi couldn't take the phone off her ear.
Her heart was racing. Her thoughts as well.
What should she do?
A look out of the window showed her that it was already dark. Another look at the clock confirmed her assumption that it was well after midnight.
Half past two.
Usually she should sleep.
Usually she should forget about that phone call and just wait until tomorrow.
Usually she should call the police.
And what did she want to say to them? That her best friend might be in trouble? That her mafia friend lured her to a disco and is doing something to her there now? That this disco belongs to another mafia friend?
Usagi shook her head in confusion.
The police could never help her. But who else?
"Mamoru.", she whispered into the darkness.
She didn't even have the opportunity to contact him.
And even if. He had announced often enough that he was not in the least interested in helping her with her rescue mission.
So she had to be alone in Crystal.
She inhaled sharply.
Close to Diamond again. Would he be there?
She remembered Mamoru's words. A sentence he uttered like a threat.
And what he did. This afternoon.
The images shot in her head. With them the blood.
He had...
Yes, what had he actually done?
Usagi had read about it many times, but that she would experience it for herself was far beyond her imagination.
Unconsciously, her hand went to the inside of her thigh. There this tingling began again. Similar to what she had felt at Mamoru's caress.
Not quite as intense, but just remembering the incredible feelings he'd brought her was enough to make her breathing faster.
She had never been so close to him before. She had never felt so at his mercy, but at the same time so familiar.
Was that what everyone called love? Did she love him? And did he love her?
Or was it all just a game for him? A nice change from his normal life?
But if she meant nothing to him, why had he been jealous of her kiss with Diamond?
Diamond. His club. Naru.
Usagi had almost forgotten why she had become so thoughtful.
Damn it, Mamoru seemed to control her so much that she could barely get a clear thought.
Naru needed her now. No matter how dangerous it could be, she had to help her.
Usagi quickly looked for some clothes from her closet. It might be warm during the day, but the temperature dropped with each sunset.
She grabbed a pair of thick tights, her favorite skirt and a turtleneck sweater.
She paused briefly.
What if it was a trap?
If only Naru wanted to lure her into the Crystal because Sapphire made her do it.
But why in such a busy place?
She brushed the thought aside. Naru would never do that to her. Naru knew deep down that she could rely on Usagi now.
And she would never let her down.