The Curse - Part 2

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"About time you guys got here," said a younger man holding a video camera attached to a tripod over his shoulder. "We got tons of footage in various locations already."

"Yuu!" Sakano called, "You guys are supposed to be set up already."

"Err, how can I say…um no, sir," went another voice.

I looked at a second man that carried a laptop case strewn across his chest. I heard K sigh dramatically. "Don't tell me you saw a ghost?"

The two men looked at each other pensively and the one called Yuu spoke, "No, Taro and I haven't. But it's those structures, they look ready to crumble. We didn't want to stand under them any longer than necessary."

"We weren't leaving the equipment there either," Taro said.

"For fuck sake," K cursed. "Well one of you go get those boots, my guys aren't walking any further without steel toes."

Taro paled I noticed at the order and ran a hand through his dark hair. But he put his equipment down and went to retrieve a large duffle bag. For such a young guy, he was quite strong I noticed as he lifted the bag onto his back and brought it over. He dumped it at our feet, "Four pairs of boots, three black with silver plating, like you ordered, and two regular pairs of construction boots."

"Good. Bad Luck put on your costumes and the boots. Don't be shy now, we don't have change rooms out here. Sakano wear the boots, we'll take Yuki's back with us when we return to our camp. And you guys…" K mentioned to the technicians, "Go set up and we'll be there a.s.a.p."

I worried about this, seeing as there weren't even any washrooms and we'd have to change in the open. Great I felt like I was in the boy scouts or something. Remember 'leaves of three let them be, leaves of four eat some more'. I chuckled with my quote from The Simpsons—at least it was good for something. But looking around I knew there were no leaves to worry about here. The three of us sighed and began to get dressed.

"It's not like anyone else can see us," Shuichi offered.

Suguru grumbled.

I chuckled, "Can you imagine if there were some paparazzi around here?" I joked around, "Bad Luck: Charged with public indecency."

Shuichi giggled, "Oh my mother would kill me!"

"Your mother?" I quizzed, "Its more like my mom would visit your mom and then they'd gang up on Sakano and K."

We snickered more.

"That'd be hilarious. K would pull out his gun and my mom would screech his ear off, put him over her knee and give him a spanking!" I bubbled with laughter at my evil thoughts.

Now even Suguru was giggling, "Can you see a tiny Asian woman doing that?"

"Sshh! He's going to over hear us," Shuichi muttered while pulling on a pair of black vinyl shorts.

I only smirked, he'd probably overheard us already I thought sneaking a peek in K's direction. With an angelic face I waved at him as he gave me a dry look. I chuckled more and tried to wiggle into a pair of black vinyl pants.

"What's with the gothic head metal clothes? We look like Malice Mizer or something," Suguru whined also wearing black vinyl pants and pulling a royal blue t-shirt. He finished by putting on the long black over coat.

"Halloween…we're supposed to look dark and all that," I told him. I too had a royal blue shirt and a long black over coat that was tapered at my waist. But I liked the sleeves, which were wide at the wrists and studded with some silver buttons. The thing dusted against the ground it was that long.

"Stupid American holidays," Suguru groaned.

Shuichi wore the exact same outfit, except he had shorts, but his shirt was red and he had to wear a black top hat. With his pink hair, I thought he really looked diabolic. With the accessories, a choker accompanied by some leather and silver chains on our necks, and a black studded belt and the big heavy boots with a silver toecap—we really did look like metal rockers.

"We get to do our own make-up," Shuichi claimed and dug out a make-up kit from his bag. "I'm going to do my eyeliner just like that guy from the Pirates of the Caribbean movie."

"Johnny Depp," I offered.

"Jack Sparrow," said Suguru.

I looked over at the keyboardist surprised. So even he watched pirate movies, I think I just found new respect for the boy. I smirked at him and he looked away quickly as if pretending he never spoke at all. Finally I said, "Me and Suguru get to wear devil horns," I told my friend and pulled out my band with sinister red horns on it. I began to fix the thing into my hair, "I feel like a tool you know?"

Suguru grunted at that but placed his own horns on his head.

Shuichi chuckled, "I think they look fun. Maybe you'll let me borrow them later when I'm alone with Yuki. Could I borrow yours as well Suguru?"

"Too much info," I stated, using a small mirror to put on my own stage make-up. The look was supposed to be dark, so as Shuichi suggested I started to put on the eyeliner. "I don't want to know what you do with them man."

"So that's a yes right?"

I huffed.

"I can't put on this crap," Suguru moaned. "I mean this is ridiculous, why do I have to wear make-up?"

"Because it adds atmosphere," I explained, "Here, let me help you." I went over to where Suguru was seated and knelt in front of him. "Don't blink to much," I warned and began draw the dark pencil around his eyes. I smiled as I did this because I noticed the young man blushing. "I'm almost done, relax man," I said. I finished his eyes and put the crimson lipstick on his lips. But Suguru was breathing harder…I was finding it sort of sexy. I couldn't help it. It was obvious I was making him uncomfortable. Me bad, because I know he finds me attractive but I enjoy torturing him anyways. From behind I can hear Shuichi snickering, he knows me so well. I'm joking around but out of no where Suguru puckers up and leans closer. But looking up into the boys eyes, I gasped. They were wide open and covered in a film of white.

A shadow loomed over us, we all froze.

"You guys can hump each other later. Stop pissing around and let's shoot this video," K advised warningly and cocked the hammer back on his magnum. It was pointed at us.

Suguru pushed me away angrily, "Don't be such a jerk Hiro."

I landed on my ass and looked at him puzzled, his eyes looking normal again. Heat filled my cheeks now and I backed off. What just happened? Suguru was the one that tried to kiss me…wasn't he? I flashed a look at Shuichi who was choking on giggles.

"Your souls will be ours…"

Hearing her voice again I looked around for that woman in white. "Did you guys just hear that?" I wondered.

Everyone looked at me confused.

"I didn't hear anything Hiro," Shuichi offered.

Suguru only walked off annoyed and K grabbed my arm and hauled me up. "Stop spooking yourself out," he told me.

"Oh look at you…scary," Sakano said walking over. "Well the guys are set up and ready. We can get most of this done today if we work hard."

I yanked my arm out of K's mitt and followed Suguru to our shooting location. But inside my mind I wondered what the hell was happening to me? Was this place making me delusional? Had I scared myself so much with the stories about this place and its eerie presence? I had to be because no one else seemed to be affected. Man, I had to get a grip.

The next couple of hours nothing strange happened. We pretended to play our instruments that the technicians brought as Shuichi sang. The tech guys had us move around in and out of some of those broken apartment buildings. I felt my stomach in my throat being near them. It felt like any moment a slab of concrete would fall and crush us to death. I blanked my mind and did my best, because if I did the sooner this would be over. The sooner we could go home.

By the time evening began to fall, we huddled around Taro and his laptop to see some of the footage. But all that appeared on screen was snow.

"I don't understand we checked everything a dozen times. Everything was working A1," Taro said with utter confusion.

"So you're saying we have nothing filmed?" K asked the man.

"Maybe I'm doing something wrong…but I don't know how," the tech said his voice a little frazzled.

We waited and watched but all that kept coming up was a fuzzy snowy screen.

"Wait!" I cried, "I see something." Even as I spoke I wish I hadn't because what I saw made my blood run cold. We're playing and it looks like we're covered in blood. It's falling from the sky like rain as cries and screams assail my ears. I thought we weren't recording sound, but I hear the painful sounds of horror as if a thousand people are being murdered. The video seems to start flashing forward, blinking in and out of another new terror. I see myself tearing out of my clothes, Shuichi licking the blood off my neck, pawing over my body and Suguru is watching us and masturbating against the wall—rivulets of red dripping down his face. Another flash and we're clothed and bloodless, whites fill our eyes and we appear to be gagging or choking and banging on a door…no one is heeding our call. The cries don't stop, they're not ours. I slap my hands to my ears and…

Shivering I hold my arms around my knees huddled I feel naked. I'm in darkness….

I'm too scared and cold to move. Where are you? Where am I? I breathe in and out quick shallow breaths, it's the only sound around me. All is quiet now, they have all left me. I'm alone, trapped…I cannot see. There is no pain here, but each moment I fear that they'll find me. In the darkness I am safe, as long as I stay here my blood stays within me.

Tears fall silently from my eyes. Wake me up!

NO!

It's too soon. If I wake up they will find me. It will find me…

"Oh god, help me…"

"Hiro?"

"Hiro!"

I can hear someone sobbing as I open my eyes, they feel tired and sore. As I regain consciences I realize the sobs are my own. My hands are gripping into my hair, cheek pressed into the rough concrete surface. I'm lying on my side, curled up in a fetal position. I feel a hand touch me and I cower.

"Hiro? What the hell's wrong with you?"

I know that voice...

"Heh, too many drugs…"

"Shut up! Or I'll blow you fucking head off!"

"K, ignore the technician. I swear he went like this as we watched the video footage."

"Shuichi," I finally mumbled.

"Hiroshi?" I heard. "It's alright man, we got the video working. Just a glitch, what's going on? Talk to me."

Blinking I sat up and looked around me confused. Breathing hard I scanned everything, it all seemed normal, everyone looked the same. Holding my breath now, I peer over at the laptop that is playing clips of our video. It's completely normal. I tear my eyes away, I don't want to see anything horrific if it decides to appear. It's almost as if none of that ever happened.

I'm losing my mind…

"I'm sorry," I muttered, "I…I don't know what came over me."

Did I fall asleep?

No…

My eyes widen. "Please stop talking to me," I murmur my quiet demand.

"Are you kidding? None of us are leaving you Hiro. I don't know what's going on, but everything's ok. Maybe you need to rest?" Shuichi offered.

"No!" I cried. Suddenly the idea of sleep meant more nightmares.

"Okay, okay. You don't have to sleep," Shuichi said bewildered.

Sakano kneeled next to me, I stood up and he followed me. "Hiro, you aren't by any chance taking drugs?"

"No," I whispered and then blinked at him, "No, of course not."

"That's it; I know when to admit defeat. I'm officially calling this video shoot off," K announced decisively.

"Hey you're not the boss. It's not up to you. If we leave now, we'll have wasted a lot of time and money," Sakano told to him.

"So you want to stay and watch him go through this shit all day?" K said and pointed at me.

I began to shake my head, "No, no you guys can't quit because of me. Forget about it…I'll be fine," I promised them. "I can't have you end this because of me." I didn't want to be the reason they all decided to pack this up and go home. It'd haunt me. Feeling the urge to look around, I felt like at that very moment I was indeed being haunted. Swallowing, I looked back at my friends. I feel utterly embarrassed, making a fool of myself. Crying like a baby in front of them all.

"I want to go home," Suguru finally spoke up softly. "I don't think we should be here."

I regarded Suguru sharply.

"It's just the feeling I have," he said watching me.

At that moment I wondered if I should tell them about that woman with the long black hair. But looking away I knew I couldn't. They'd just think I was losing it more than it already seemed.

"Well the boat isn't coming back until tomorrow afternoon," Yuu decided to offer.

"Ha! It's a good thing I have a satellite phone." K began to dig his own back pack and pulled out a device with an antenna on it. It looked like a regular cell phone, except a tiny bit larger. "We can call them to come get us."

We all observed K silently.

"Huh, how strange it says the battery is dead." K glanced at us with a perplexed face. "I swear it was charged fully and I haven't left it on." He gave it a couple smacks agitatedly. "I don't get."

Somehow I wasn't surprised by this.

"Waa! This place is cursed just like Yuki said!" howled Shuichi.

"Don't say things like that," Sakano urged and pulled at his collar. I watched him gulp.

"What are all you fairies spazzing out about?"

I turned to look, only to see Yuki stepping carefully over a plank of board. He looks calm and at ease. I think at that moment I hate him.

"Yuki!" Shuichi cried and ran over to his boyfriend, he clung to him fiercely.

Sakano gasped, "You shouldn't be walking around without boots."

Taro picked up the last pair and handed them to Yuki.

Yuki looked at them emotionless, "You expect me to wear that?"

"Oh please wear them Yuki," Shuichi begged. "I don't want you to step on a nail and hurt your perfect gorgeous feet!"

We all made a face at that.

Grumbling, Yuki obey and put them on I noticed. "What about the raft?" I offered to everyone. I totally wanted off this island and couldn't help but plan our escape. Sure I didn't want them to do it because of me, but it seemed as if I wasn't the only one that wanted off.

"Yes," K nodded happily.

"Wait," Taro the video technician said. "We won't all fit on there, and what about all our equipment? The instruments?"

"Leave them," K said simply.

"What!" Sakano cried, "Leave all the work that was just done?"

Yuu and Taro looked at each other annoyed.

I pulled the horns off my head and flipped it around in my hand, easing my nervous tension. "Why don't we just go back to camp?" I suggested. My head was pounding now with a headache, I just wanted to stop talking and fucking around.

"Fine we'll pack it up for the day…let's check on that raft though," Sakano explained.

It didn't take long to get moving, none of us changed back into our regular clothes yet. I wasn't going to complain as long as we kept moving. Although I remembered I left my pack of smokes on a rock near one of those apartment buildings. I really really needed one now. "Shit, I forgot my cigarettes. I'll be right back," I said and trotted off to go retrieve them.

Everyone stopped to wait for me, turning to watch as well. I sighed; they were waiting like a group of concerned parents over a sick child. I hated this sort of thing, I just wanted them to forget about me and act normal. Even though I couldn't explain what was happening, I just sought to forget about it. Listening to my boots crunch over the stones, the sound was almost melodic I noticed. I spotted my cigarettes close to where I was filming and reached out.

It was like my hand moved in slow motion…

Suddenly my breathing became slow but so loud as if I stood in a void, a vacuum like the eye of a storm. My fingers grazed the crunchy pack, crinkling the plastic like a candy wrapper. There were no sounds, except the ones I was making…the wind had stopped. Everything was still. I felt the feeling of dread building inside of me. Glancing back towards my group, I watched them waving at me, mouths moving as if they were screaming something. Before I could utter a sound I finally heard a roaring yawn.

SLAM! Like a missile, a chunk of stone landed next to me with an explosive thud.

I froze momentarily in shock.

Everything began to move at a normal speed.

"Hiro get out of there the whole thing, its going to fall!"

Whipping my head around, I can hear everyone yelling at me now. Quickly I dash towards them, I run as the ground begins to shake under my feet. I don't want to look back, I just keep running as fast as I ever ran in my entire life. Behind me I can hear the crumbling of the apartment building. I feel as if any second I'll be crushed under its massive structure. In my haste I trip and shred my hands along the sharp surface of the rubble and jagged metal outcrops. My cry is swallowed by the roaring destruction behind me. Instinctively, I turn around and look up. I scream as a large slab of concrete is headed straight for me. Thrusting my hands in front of my face in terror, I barely feel someone grab my hands and yank—the concrete slamming into the place I was just laying a mere second ago.

My body was suddenly weightless, I scarcely register that someone is carrying me over their shoulder. But I look up and watch the final collapse of the apartment building we spent most of the day shooting our video. Blinking through the dust my whole world fades away…