Those Who Fear the Dark

Chapter 5

"I'm home." Sage's voice echoed through the entrance to his house. "Satsuki!"

His sister usually arrived home shortly before he did as she often caught a ride with a friend. However, he preferred the bus to being stuck in a car with her noisy, flirtatious friends. "Satsuki," he called again before remembering that the choir had a late rehearsal tonight. She wouldn't be home until close to six. It was only 4:30 now.

Sage meandered into the kitchen, draping himself onto one of the chairs. His grandfather must have thrown a fit when his son's American wife insisted on a Western-style kitchen and dining room. Here, at least, Grandfather's will met its equal. The main sections of the house were an unusual mix of modern American and traditional Japanese décor. Of course, step into Grandfather's rooms (attached to the dojo) and one felt like he or she was caught in a time warp to pre-Meiji Japan. Sage had no intention of entering those rooms, even when his grandfather was away like now. Sage always welcomed these trips his grandfather took away on dojo business – it was the only time there was a break from lectures and incessant training, followed by more lectures.

Sage sighed, leaning his head into his hands. He tried, he really did but he couldn't be what his grandfather wanted. Quite frankly, he didn't want to be. If he bent much further it would break him. 'Course, his resistance would be a lot easier if he had his parents' support against his grandfather. The blonde snorted. Yeah, right. That would be the day.

The one visible eye peeped open and caught sight of a slip of paper on the kitchen table. He grabbed it and began to read, scanning the short note quickly. Just as quickly, he crumpled it into a ball and tossed it into the sink.

"Two points," he muttered, then rose to retrieve it. Balls of paper left lying in her sink would only incite his mother to scold him. His oh-so-wonderful mother who, according to the note, had once again forgotten to pick up groceries so "would he be a dear and order some pizza for his and Satsuki's dinner." Great. At least she had left some yen to pay for it. Sage ran a hand roughly through his hair as he held in a breath before releasing it. He was bitter about his parents. But pizza would be nice so he should relax a bit.

Calming his ire, Sage dialed the number of the nearest pizza place then cradled the phone in his shoulder as he yanked the fridge open.

"Yes, a large white pizza, half broccoli. Uh huh. Just a second please." He studied the contents of the fridge. "And a bottle of Pepsi too. Yes, that's fine. 40 minutes? Yes, fine. Thank you."

He hung up but stayed standing in front of the open fridge, the phone dangling loosely in his hand. Sage closed his eyes and allowed his body to slump forward into the sterile white appliance. Cold refrigerated air assaulted his face on all sides. He breathed it in deeply, the chill calming him further. He liked the cold, the way it heightened his senses and bit at his pale skin till it tingled. He liked the way his breath became sharp as the frigid air hit his lungs. It focused him, drew all of his attention away from anything but breath and cold. It made it so that he didn't have to think.

The phone slid from his fingers and thudded loudly against the floor. The sound startled Sage into pulling back out. He slammed the fridge door shut, cheeks reddened from the frost. Then he replaced the phone in its charger and grabbed his books to study while awaiting pizza and Satsuki.

*** *** ***

Soon after the pizza man had pulled away, Satsuki had pulled in. They had eaten in silence, neither being able to maintain a comfortable conversation with the other. The evening had slipped by the two of them with only a few words before each trudged off to bed early. Sage had actually succumbed to sleep before the glowing red numbers on his alarm clock flashed 10:00. He must have only slept a few hours before he was awakened by his sister shouting his name.

Sage shot awake and shoved his door open to reveal Satsuki standing there wrapped in a blanket and shivering.

"What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?!" She shouted at him unbelievingly. She fought to still her chattering teeth so she could speak. "Sage, it's freezing in here!"

It was, he noticed now. His own bare flesh had begun to rise in goose bumps and his fingers and toes reddened in the icy air. They could see their breath; it formed white puffs whenever one spoke. Sage turned into his room. He tossed Satsuki another blanket from his bed, then threw on a sweatshirt and grabbed another blanket for himself. Then he headed into the hallway as she trailed behind him.

"Mom's not home yet, and Sage, I already checked the thermostat. It should be almost 70 in here! What's going on?"

Afraid of the answer and not sure what to tell her, Sage retreated to gather himself. He nicked into the bathroom and shut the door. Turning the hot water on full, his eyes shot wide as it turned to ice as soon as it left the faucet. Reluctant eyes lifted to meet his reflection.

"It's me, isn't it." His lips were starting to take on a decidedly blue tint. "Fuck…" He stared at the mirror in a state of shocked fear.

Sage jerked his eyes away, muttering a counter-curse under his breath. He could have sworn he heard a faint mocking laughter as he did so. Ignoring it, he forced himself to focus on drawing all his energy back into his own aura, breaking the spell he had somehow unknowingly cast. Sage didn't allow himself to relax until the water began to flow freely and steam up. Finally he could feel the temperature start to rise.

That was when he became aware of Satsuki pounding on the bathroom door. He opened it slowly to find his younger sister near tears. Ashamed of hiding he hugged her awkwardly.

"It's okay. It's okay now." He could only murmur words he hoped would reassure her as she clung to him, sobbing.

*** *** ***

Approximately two hours later, Sage cracked open bleary eyes to find his mother peering at him. Satsuki and he had finally agreed to rest in the living room where she had fallen asleep on the couch and he in the chair. He could already feel his neck complaining about the arrangement.

"Sage. Sage, wake up. What happened?"

"Huh?" was his brilliant response to his mother's question. Her hand rested lightly on his shoulder, occasionally giving a gently shake. Behind her he could see his father, still in uniform. His father lifted the still-sleeping Satsuki up and carried her off to her bed.

"Oh… Oh!" Sage's eyes shot wide and he sat upright immediately as his mom stepped away. A grin fluttered across her face, but then she remembered her question.

"So what happened here? Why in the world would the two of you crash in the living room?"

"She – I –" Sage thought fast, knowing his sister would back him up if questioned. "Satsuki had a nightmare and didn't want to be alone right away. I thought it would be best for her to nap on the couch and I would sit up by her for awhile. I must have fallen asleep as well." It was a good thing he had a lot of experience in lying to his parents.

"I see." His mother frowned, while he repressed a gulp. "She's much too old for such nightmares. Did you let her eat too much pizza right before bed?"

"No! She – I'm sure it was just a one-time thing Mother. A random bad dream. It happens to everyone once in a while. I'm sure of that."

"Yes, well…" he stood, interrupting her.

"Yes. But I should head to bed myself now. School tomorrow after all."

"Yes. Goodnight Sage." She gave him a quick peck on the check, her mind already on other things as he retreated to his room. Once there, he did not sleep but huddled under his covers like he had done as a boy. Dark thoughts pursued him until exhaustion and sleep's oblivion finally chased them away.