Chapter 7

Rika made her way down the deserted street. The sun had set and not having a watch on her, Rika had no idea of knowing what the exact time was. She knew her mother and grandmother would be worried sick about her and she hated doing that to them, but in her head, all she saw was him...

The street was silent and the only sounds to be heard were that of Rika's footsteps and the wind rustling through the trees... as she walked it almost sounded like the wind was calling her name...

'Rika...'

Rika didn't know whether if she was losing her mind or if the wind really was calling her name...

'Rika...'

"Stop it, Rika... get ahold of yourself... you're just imagining things," she told herself, though the wind kept repeating her name... gradually becoming louder and more distinct...

'Rika...'

Rika stopped and scanned the whole area... looking for anyone who could have been speaking her name... however... the streets were empty. Fear esclalating inside her, Rika started walking again, quickening her pace... however, the voice kept getting lounder and more distinct each time...

'Rika!'

"Go away!" She yelled, but it did not stop. It only continued to grow louder and more distinct. At this point, Rika took off on a run, sprinting down the deserted street. Trying to escape whatever it was that was following her.

Running so fast down the pathway, Rika tripped and fell on the paved cement.

"Ugh!" Rika yelled as she hit the pavement, scraping her hands and knees. Adrenaline pumping, she forced herself back up and continued to run. Passing through the streets, she ran past a a certain restaurant, but due to the current state she was in, Rika failed to notice the certain young woman who caught a glimpse of the fleeting girl.

"Rika?" The girl asked, concerned, but Rika was alreadly gone.

Takato was searching though the streets himself for Rika when he heard his cell phone ring. He quickly answered it.

"Hello?"

"Takato, it's Jeri," a girl on the other end replied.

."Jeri? Hey, what's going on?"

"I just saw Rika run past my family's restaurant."

"You did?" Takato asked anxiously.

"Yes, but she ran off too quickly. My parents are out looking for her right now, but I have to stay here to watch my brother."

"Okay, thanks for telling me, Jeri. Bye."

"Bye."

And with that, Takato hung up and immediately made another call.

As Henry searched the area for the missing Rika, his cell phone began to ring. Snatching the phone out of his pocket, he answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Henry. It's Takato... where are you?"

"I'm up at Kiyota Street. Why? What's going on?"

"I just got a call from Jeri. She spotted Rika running past her restaurant, but couldn't catch her in time."

Upon hearing this, Henry immediately breathed a sigh of relief. She was okay... more or less.

"Thank God... I'm heading that way now," he said.

"I am too. Let me know if you find her."

"I will, bye."

And with that, Henry hung up and shoved his cell phone back into his pocket, immediately turning east and taking off at a sprint.

'Rika...' he thought as he ran through the streets.

After running for so long, Rika finally came to a stop. Hands on her knees and panting heavily, the voice that had been calling her name had now stopped. Now that her adrenaline rush was over, Rika became aware of the stinging pain in her hands and knees.

"Damn it..." she cursed, seeing the cuts and scrapes she received from the nasty fall. Her jeans were now torn as well in the left leg. Looking around, Rika saw that she was now in a park. Making her way over to a bench, she sat down to take a rest. She stared at the pond displayed before her... sparking from the lamp-posts... the fountain flowing in the middle... the ducks peacefully swimming by. It was such a beautiful and serene picture... one which contrasted to the pain and torment that Rika had been subjected to for so long. She hated her life... she just wanted it all to end. No more nightmares... no more fear... no more suffering. She thought of ending her life many times, but the only thing that held her back were the thoughts of those who cared for her... her mother... her grandmother... her friends. She felt so trapped... she wanted to die, but she couldn't bear the thought of hurting her loved ones. She hated being weak... she tried putting up a strong front, but on the inside, she was dying... being torn apart everyday. Her eyes began to well with tears... normally she'd do everything in her power to hold them back, but now, she no longer cared... no one was there to see them anyway. She let them fall... little drops streaming down her face. She burried her face in her hands as she silently sobbed... two minutes... five minutes... ten minutes... she just let it all out... the pain... the anguish... it was then that she heard a familiar voice.

"Rika?"

Rika immediatly knew who it was and didn't bother to look up. She merely closed her eyes, keeping her heard down to hide her face. The person walked towards her and lay a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Hey..." he said.

Rika still did not respond, still looking away from him. He then took a seat beside her on the bench.

"Everyone's looking for you right now. Your mother and grandmother are worried sick. You should go home."

After a few moments of silence, Rika finally spoke, though still keeping her head down.

"I can't..." she replied.

"You can't? ...why?" He asked.

"Because..." she trailed off.

Hesitantly, he spoke... "Because what?"

"I..." Rika shut her eyes tightly. She couldn't bring herself to tell him.

"Rika..." With that, he placed his hand under her chin, gently turning her face towards him. She opened her eyes, gazing into his steely grey ones. Seeing her tear-stained face broke his heart.

"Because he's going to come back," Rika finished.

He let go of her chin and she immediately turned her face away.

"Who is?" He asked, this time a little more stern, but still gentle.

"My..." Rika paused, shutting her eyes once more. "My father..."

To be continued...