FATAL FRAME
Miku's ordeal
Miku is trying to stay calm. She remembers finding her brother's note. He does travel for work sometimes. It is only natural for her to worry. She hasn't been keeping track of time. This means she has no idea how long he has been gone. It feels like several months. She decides to go look for him.
She dons her dark red tank top and throws a simple blouse over it. The embroidery prevents buttons as it would ruin said material. She uses a clasp to hold it partway closed. Her black skirt stops just above her knees. On her feet are leather boots that reach her calves. She grabs her leather jacket and gloves. Then rushes out the door.
There is a definite chill in the air as she climbs the mountain path. She is so glad she grabbed her jacket and gloves. In the distance is a massive structure. It can only be Himuro Mansion. Even in shambles, it is still awe inspiring . She walks the gravel path to the front door. The natives did tell her to avoid this place if she found it. That's why she hesitates when she grasps the handle. Her sixth sense is telling her that her brother is definitely here. This is why she opens the door and steps through.
The entryway in in severe disrepair. It looks like there were decorative screens but only the frames remain. Ahead of her are two steps to ascend. A beam from above is blocking part of it. She takes a few steps forward. She feels a presence and turns so fast she stumbles a bit. A little girl in a white kimono style dress is standing there.
"You must help us." She pleads.
Miku is unable to respond. She can't even find her voice. The spirit vanishes just as quickly. Now she can't make up her mind. Part of her needs to find her brother. But she doesn't want to stay here any longer. This prompts her to head back to the door. It won't open!! She can feel a supernatural force holding it. It is forcing her to stay. With no other choice, she continues her investigation.
A hole in the floor draws her attention. To her right is a mounted mask, to the left is a door. It feels like someone is watching her. She just can't trace the source. The door opens easily. She passes through and it closes behind her.
In front of her is a long hallway. A mirror is at the other end of it. It appears to fork left and right there. That isn't what catches her by surprise. There are several lengths of rope hanging from the ceiling. She has no clue as to why.
The feeling of being watched returns. She looks in every direction. Nothing is there. Something catches her eye at the end. It looks like an antique camera. To be more precise, her mother's antique camera. Her brother would have brought it as a way to deal with anything supernatural. It is capable of doing that. Now she knows he is here.
Miku starts to move down the hallway. She might need the camera herself. Again it feels like she is being watched. This time she looks absolutely everywhere. There is still no one in sight. She sighs and continues forward. That's when she sees something else. In the mirror is a grown woman in a white kimono. The strange thing about her is the rope dangling from her limbs. The sight of her chills Miku to the bone. She blinks and the apparition vanishes. Just like the little girl. Now Miku really wants the camera. She takes a steadying breath. Her next step brings yet another surprise.
As she takes it, her arms raise over her head. They are spread wide. She curiously looks up and her eyes widen in horror. Some of the rope is tied to her wrists! How is it possible? She is alone! Then more rope starts falling from the ceiling. Said rope starts slithering toward her like snakes! She is pulling on the rope on her wrists as hard as she can, it isn't budging. She is desperately trying to escape. It isn't happening.
She is unprepared when her ankles pull together. Miku looks down and whimpers. Some of the living rope has reached her. It has tightly bound her ankles! She continues to fight but is losing steam. Then her knees yank together. She already knows it's because of the rope. Sure enough, the rope is over and under her knees. This fuses her legs together.
At this point, she can't even move. She is hanging there breathing heavily. Her arms drop from the ceiling and pull behind her. Her hands can grab her elbows in seconds . It is a tight box tie! Thankfully it is comfortable. She regains her senses. She is on her knees now. It is a surprise. Again.
She shifts and feels her ankles are tied to her upper legs. The only way to describe it is a frog tie. The camera is tantalizingly close but she doesn't know if she can reach it. She has to try. As she shuffles from one knee to the other, she feels something enter her mouth. She spits it out (or tries to). It pushes deeply inside to the point of choking her then eases back. Her mouth is stuffed. She feels a cloth cleave her mouth. It keeps whatever it is in place. A glance into the mirror reveals the intruder to be her very own gloves!
She is still pushing forward. The camera is her only hope now. Her body leans forward and she falls to her chest. It makes it easier to continue but how will she use the camera? She can't worry about that now. She needs to get to the camera first. It is getting closer but her body is starting to give out for good. She has no choice but to rest.
Several minutes later
Miku is moving again. She is perhaps a meter from the camera now. Then she hits her nose on it. Thankfully it doesn't get knocked away. She shifts to her side and wiggles until she can touch it. It's facing straight up if she remembers correctly. Only able to use her fingers from one hand, she shifts the camera to where it feels right. Then she rolls to her other side to see if she placed it correctly. It is facing exactly the way she wants. Now comes the tricky part.
She is going to have to roll back over and hope she doesn't knock the camera away. She is genuinely frightened that she will do that. It takes time to calm her nerves. Once she does, she rolls back over as carefully as she can. Then she reaches out to find the camera exactly where she wants it. A powerful sense of relief washes over her at that realization. Her finger comes to rest on the shutter button. This is it, the moment of truth. She inadvertently holds her breath. Then she presses the button. The sound of the camera taking a picture echoes around her.
Almost immediately the pressure on her upper body disappears. For the first time in at least an hour, she can bring her arms to the front of her body. The pain isn't as great as she had been expecting. It does hurt some. It worked! She adjusts the camera toward her lower body. Another photo and she is finally free. What a relief.
Miku takes the camera with her of course. Then she looks at each door. One is nailed shut so she has to use the other one. Past the door is a room that appears to have a fireplace. She instinctively hangs her jacket in the nearby wardrobe and lays her gloves near the fireplace. It takes some time and effort but she manages to ignite it. When she hung her jacket, Miku found a bedroll. She spreads it out and lays down on it. She isn't laying there long before falling asleep.