Someone ...
Please ...
Help me ...
The silver train tracks flash in the moonlight.
I run. I run.
I run to nowhere, to nothing, to no-one. As fast as I can.
I run for my life.
I don't know what I am running from. All I know is that if I look back, it will get me.
I follow the train tracks.
In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight.
But I don't notice them.
I hear a noise behind me.
Why is it so loud?
Frightening.
Spine-chilling.
Blood-curdling.
A scream.
Could it be a train?
Here it comes ...
Help me ...
I wake with a start. The shock makes me sit straight up in bed.
Everything is blurry.
What! What!
Who are these people around me!
Help! Help!
I flail. I holler.
Get me out of here!
Soothing voices.
Warm fingertips on my naked back. Suddenly I am at ease. I breathe hard. Cold sweat on my forehead.
Then the room begins to come into focus. I see shadows standing around my bed.
The light slowly creeps into the room. Now I can make out their faces. Bewildered faces, their eyes filled with concern. Where have I seen that expression before? I stare at them one by one. They are looking at me. At me. Why though?
I want to ask where I am. But I don't have the energy.
I am so confused.
A bird chirps outside. A soft cool breeze flows through the open window. I shiver.
I realise I'm not breathing. I try to breathe, but the effort is too much.
I fall back onto the bed.
And I sleep.
When I awake, it's noon. I can tell by the smell in the air.
I hear faint voices around me, speaking in hushed whispers. My shoulders hurt.
I can't open my eyes. I'm too sleepy. Please, let me sleep.
"Drink this," someone says. I feel gentle hands behind my head, holding it up. A fired clay cup is being pressed to my lips. I open my mouth, and lukewarm green tea passes my lips and warms me from within.
I open my eyes. A girl is standing over me. Why? Who is she?
Where am I?
"You're okay," the girl says softly. She calls out the door. "He's awake."
I begin to become drowsy again. The effort of keeping my eyes open becomes to much. I close my eyes.
"Oh no, he's drifting to sleep again." I hear a different voice say.
"What's wrong, Reki?" I hear the voice of the girl who was standing over me.
"I have never seen anything like this."
Silence.
Then the girl says:
"Why are his wings black?"