June 17, 1983

Navajo Depot Activity, AZ

I woke up the same way I did every morning. I turn off my alarm before checking the clock. 5:30 am stared back at me in its neon green color. I've been woken up by clocks before but I try to wake myself up mostly. Outside the window the base was still dark - sunrise hadn't come yet and would not be here for another 30 minutes or so.

I walked into the bathroom and took a hot shower to waver away my sleep. After drying myself off, I stared at the mirror. I rubbed my hand against my chin. Should I shave? …Nah, I'm fine. I took the comb off of the counter and started to brush my spiky blond hair. I then looked at the mirror one more time and flexed my muscles for a bit. Damn I look good. Should hit the gym more often.

By 6 am I was standing at the front door of my bunker. The sky started to lighten itself up a little. You could still see some hints of the night. I breathed in the morning air and exhaled it. I like this part of the morning and the twinge of summer heat makes it better.

At 6:10 I'm at the kitchen table eating cereal while dashing through channels on the tv. I really don't like tv like that since there's nothing much to watch. The higher ups blocked some of the channels. Don't know why, we're grown ass people! You shouldn't treat us like we're kids or somethin'. I rather stare at a wall than watch back to back episodes of infomercials. Damn higher ups…

I scooped some more of my cereal before realizing that I ate it all. I gulped the milk down and placed the bowl in the sink. By 6:30 I put on my military uniform, placed the tv remote on the table, grabbed my car keys, and headed into the day.

This seems like a regular day but it isn't a regular day. This day could be switched out with any of the other days I experienced. Ever since I became a soldier down here, it's been the same thing. Wake up, train, eat, sleep, repeat. It's not like I have a problem with it but I want something different to happen y'know.

I arrived at headquarters at 7:00, not too shabby. Some of my mates would call me a slow poke if they were here. The parking lot was quiet but packed though I was able to find a parking spot. As I walked in the door, some agents stared blankly at me. I keep forgetting that we share headquarters with some agents from different parties. I walked to the front desk and the woman smiled at me. I showed her my ID card.

"Good morning Corporal Richardson," she said while handing me a manila folder. "I suppose you're here because General Dickens asked for you?"

Heh, Dickens. I'll never get tired of hearing that name. "Yes ma'am."

"He's on the top floor waiting for you." The secretary added.

"Thank you ma'am." I smiled.

"You're welcome. Have a good day sir." She looked back at her computer screen and continued typing. I walked through the second double doors of the building.

I approached the elevator and pressed the button. The elevator doors open and I step inside. I pressed the floor I'm supposed to be on and the doors slowly closed.

"Hey wait a minute!" Someone called out.

I looked over to see a purple haired light skinned woman in military fatigues similar to mine running towards the elevator. I put my foot between the doors. The soldier ran inside and the door closed again.

"That was a close one." She panted. "This place makes you feel like a rat in a maze. Thanks for stopping the door Kyle."

I smiled at her. "Your welcome Tora. Going to the top floor?"

"Yes." She responded.

This is my friend and partner Tora McCoy. We met each other at the academy a while back. We used to train together but she later got placed in another part of the base for unknown reasons. My best bet is that they needed more men on that side of the base and Tora was on the list. There were only a few instances where I saw Tora. It was either when she was going to headquarters or was fetching supplies from our side. Though that didn't stop her from talking and checking up on me.

There was a small chime as the elevator doors opened. Tora followed me to General Dickens' office which was down a long hallway. We passed by a few agents who gave us weird stares. When their backs were turned, Tora gave them the middle finger salute which made it difficult for me to hold back a laugh. As we got closer to the office, I could smell those cigars that the general liked to smoke all the time.

We finally got the room and quietly stepped in when we heard Dickens yelling at someone. I feel for the poor bastards that ever had the misfortune of getting into an argument with Dickens. When the door closed behind us, he changed his attitude. I look over to Tora who looks at the room in awe. I guess this is her first time being here. I have been here once or twice but every time I step into the room it seems that it always keeps changing.

"Ah Corporal Richardson, Private McCoy, I see that you made it here on time." General Dickens said in a professional tone.

"Yes sir." Me and McCoy said in unison.

"Do you know why I brought you here?" He asked.

I wanted to say something but fearing that I would get yelled at, decided to remain quiet. Same goes with Tora.

"I brought you here because you two were selected by the government for a special mission." Dickens answered.

Hm…I wonder what it is about. Are we getting drafted to another country? Or is it something else?

"What is it?" Tora said, sharing the same curiosity as me.

The general flicked off the lights and a diagram from what seems to be Japan popped up. Are we being drafted to Japan then? Has another conflict come up with them? Guess we have to hear for more…

"In Japan there is a rural village named Hinamizawa." The general clicked on the next slide. "There are a series of disappearances that happen there. Or like the villagers say 'demoned away.'"

"Oooh spooky." Tora mocked, wiggling her fingers at me.

How cute. Demoned away huh? I think those villagers are way over their heads. No wonder that village is rural…

"We have insiders in the village and they found out there's some sort of drug that makes anyone claw their neck out if they come in contact. It's called H-173."

"That's pretty morbid." I said in a nervous voice. Who's the sick bastard who created this thing? They must hate humanity so much.

"It is," Dickens agreed. "We know that the drug is in the possession of the mountain dogs. Their leader is currently unknown."

Well that makes this mission even more difficult. Now we don't know who to find.

"But we do know that they are affiliated with this place called Irie Clinic."

"Makes sense." Tora added. Yeah it does…

"True and if you look closely you could find the culprit and the H-173."

"This sounds to interesting! I can't wait anymore! What time do we leave?" Tora said in an excited tone.

Heh, that's Tora for ya, always a risk taker. But then again, I share the same excitement as her. A place that has a lot of mysteries behind it is right up my alley for excitement.

"Tomorrow at 9 am sharp. Then from there you will be sent to the airport." The general responded.

"I'll send more information later tonight. For now you two are dismissed."

The two of us saluted Dickens and walked out of the room. We were standing outside the doors when Tora turned to me with a happy expression on her face.

"Well I'll see you tomorrow Kyle."

"You too Tora."

I watched her walk away before returning to my previous thoughts. Where was I? Oh right the mission…sounds dangerous. A virus that could make you claw your throat out? People getting "demoned away?" Looks like this day just keeps getting better and better…