YUKI
"Will this kid ever learn fractions!" thought Yuki Murakami.
She had come over today because Kanna, her cousin, was having "trouble" with her math homework the day before it was due. Besides, she wanted to see their new house. Kanna's brother Tsuyoshi was in the other room listening to some god-awful CD.
"At least I have taste." She thought again, smiling to herself.
She looked at Kanna, who stared at her math homework like some death sentence. Yuki couldn't help but feel pity for her. Her eyes wandered to the windowsill, where Kanna's cat figurine collection lay. Yuki just couldn't shake off the feeling that they were staring at her, Instantly, she turned them all around so they faced the other way. Alongside her, Kanna snickered.
The door knocked, causing Yuki to jump a bit.
"Come in." she said to their visitor.
Noriko, Kanna's mother, entered the room with a tea tray and some snacks. Yuki smiled.
"I need to go out for awhile and get some groceries, so eat this during your break." The woman said in a hurry. Kanna seemed annoyed.
"Thanks, mom." Kanna responded.
A meow of a cat echoed through the window, causing Yuki to glance at the figurines again as if they were alive.
"There's so many of these out here. Don't worry, Yuki. I'll chase it away."
"Maybe it's the one we heard yesterday." Kanna said inquisitively.
Noriko got up and went to the door.
"Study hard with your cousin, Kanna." She reminded in a cheerful tone.
Before she exited the door, she turned around to Yuki.
"By the way, have dinner with us tonight!"
"Thank you, Aunt Noriko."
"Just go already." Kanna said as she shooed her off with her hand.
She left the room and closed the door as Kanna started on her homework yet again. Before awhile, she glanced at Yuki.
"Hey Yuki…do you have one? A boyfriend?"
Yuki rolled her eyes.
"That's got nothing to do with what we're doing!"
And then, Kanna struck a deal.
"If I get to here," she pointed to a question on her book. "will you tell me?"
"Yeah. Sure."
5 minutes later, she was done and they were eating snacks off Noriko's tea tray.
"So do you?"
Yuki paused for momentum and replied…
"No, I don't, but…" her voice trailed off. She was listening to something.
"Do you hear that?" she asked. Kanna shook her head.
"Quit it, Yuki. What about your ex?"
She didn't answer. She kept looking at the ceiling. Suddenly, Kanna had a burst of realization.
"Oh god! I have to get to school!" she said in a flurry of panic.
"There's school today?" said Yuki.
"Nah, it's my turn to feed the rabbits with Hisayo."
"The rabbits? Kanna, you spaz!" Yuki scolded.
As the two girls exited into the hall and down the stairs, Kanna stopped by Tsuyoshi's door.
"Mi-zu-ho!" she chimed to Tsuyoshi's annoyance.
"Who's Mizuho?"
"Guess what? Tsuyoshi got a girlfriend!" Kanna said to Yuki's astonishment.
"How is she?"
"Well, she's real cute and…" Kanna started, but was cut off by Tsuyoshi.
"Quit running your mouth, Kanna!" Tsuyoshi said angrily.
All she said was "Mi-zu-ho!" and she ran out the door.
Yuki wished her a safe trip and headed back up to Kanna's room.
"At least she finished her homework." Yuki thought.
She heard that noise again, like a death rattle. It still emanated from the attic. She dismissed it as nothing and pulled out her CD player and pressed play, only to hear the CD skip again and again. When she pulled off her headphones, the croak was still there.
"Enough is enough. I'm getting out of here." She thought as she stuffed her CD player in her purse and exited the room.
She emerged into darkness. And from that darkness came a black cat. In fear, Yuki rushed to the closet and climbed inside. The cat followed her, hissing at her in an evil manner. The croaking noise seemed louder and she looked up. There was a small hole right above her. Desperately trying to escape the feline menace, she clambered through the hole to look inside.
The attic was dark times ten and filled with cobwebs. The croaking noise was louder now. She pulled out her trusty silver lighter to try and at least see what was going on around her. As she clicked the lighter to life, the croaking became louder…and louder…and louder. It was then she felt a light brush on her face. Whatever it was, it was right in front of her. She raised the lighter to see a pale white face, its mouth gaping with the croaking originating from its putrid vocal cords.
Yuki didn't have time to think as she was pulled out of the closet and into the unknown evil.