Disclaimer: I do not own any of the following characters' in this story besides the plot, nor anything else mention. All rights go to the respectful owners.
Characters: Len and Rin (main minor chara: Miku)
Genres: Crime, Tragedy, Horror, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Suspense and Mystery
Rated T for swears, suggestive themes and (vague) gore
Chapter Note: At one point, toward the end of this chapter, I write in first person (just to give your all a heads up so that it doesn't come as a surprise). Remember, this isn't edited...
Chapter Two:
To The Concept Of Cherry-Red
.[October 7th].
It had been six days after Gumi's death and her funeral; six day's from breaking the news to Gakupo's parents that night; six days of trying to cheer the guy up; six days of painful memories that floated everywhere they went.
The gang wasn't the same.
Len had heard Rin finally breaking down in her room in the early hours of the day of Gumi's funeral. He had wanted to go in and comfort her, but her door was locked.
Guess she was just that petrified.
Today was a bright Tuesday; the weather man saying that it'd be the perfect day to go out and get sun before winter falls. But no one really wanted to step outside after Gumi's passing.
Given the fact that everyone was pretty much drowning in depression, they all were pushing aside their grief to help cheer Gakupo up, and it was gradually working.
Two days ago, the group had gone out to a diner after school, planning to study since tests were coming up.
At first Len was a bit doubtful about the whole outing; putting his thoughts into words but no one really listened to him. They followed Rin and Miku's actions, leading the group into recovery.
Yeah, Len was a bit happy that Rin was on friendly terms with Miku (whilst the teal-haired girl was happy that she wasn't hated, as what she texted Len about), but he felt that they shouldn't have jumped Gakupo into the crowd just yet.
But maybe he was wrong since when they had arrived at the diner (a sweet shop more like it); Gakupo appeared more of himself that day (and the days following). Len had to give props to Luka since she had been placing all of her time into helping Gakupo, being his girlfriend and all.
Only made sense, right?
Yes, they had those rough moments when awkwardness came into play, or times when jokes went too far and a verbal fight started (mostly it was Rin or Miki trying to crack a joke, but it was still far too early for that). But other than the normal things that came with recovering, Gakupo was slowly coming back and opening up to his friends again, and that was all that mattered.
"Len, dear, think you can get the rest of the bags from the trunk?" His Mother's voice echoed from the kitchen, almost startling him from his thoughts.
"Yeah," Len placed the remote down whilst turning off the television, "sure."
The blond rose from the leathered couch and made his way over to the open frame of the kitchen door, peering into the room, "How many am I getting, and is it unlocked?"
His Mother turned and smiled as she took objects out of the plastic bags, "Just about three more bags I'm sure check just in case, 'kay? It's open, too."
Len nodded, turned to put his sneakers on and walked out the door.
Two steps down the porch, it dawned on Len that this day was truly a beautiful day. The weather was nice; sunny but the Sun wasn't beating down on him, the air was fair and breezy: the perfect weather to play some sports.
Waltzing over to the back of his Mother's car, Len wondered if the gang (mostly Gakupo) would be up to playing some outdoor sports, maybe basketball; something to get them all moving.
Upon lifting the trunk, his eyes caught the three plastic bags easily.
Bling! Bling!
"Lenny-boy~! Yoohooo~!" Len wanted to just get into the house, quick, "Hey there, good-looking~!"
"Evenin', Miki." Len turned around to meet the cherry-redhead who came to a steady stop on her matching bike, "What brings you over here?"
Miki laughed through her nose in an unladylike manner whilst rolling her eyes, "Rin's right, what kind of teenager are you?"
Len gave a sigh; those two weren't the best prank friends for nothing, "Just answer the question, Miki."
"Woah, chill dude. Don't shrink anymore." Miki rose her hands up in a mocking gesture, her palms facing the blond.
His faced redden at her meaning, "Miki..." he uttered sternly.
"Haha!" The girl laughed, slapping the handles on her bike, "You just can't do that!"
Len gave her a confused look.
"Say my name," he didn't understand, "Say my name in a firm way, or whatever, 'cause it only makes you look silly. 'Miki'." She mocked at him, bringing her voice as low as his.
"Not my fault you were given that name."
"Oooh, low blow there pal, low blow."
Len pulled the bags out and shut the trunk, "It was a pleasure chatting with you, Miki." Giving his heel a spin, Len faced to return back to the house.
"Wait! Wait~!" Miki reach out to him, "I'll answer you~!"
Len gave tired sigh, yet motioned for her to talk but kept his back to her.
"I'm on my way to meet with Piko, said he had something to tell me." Her voice was that of pure innocence.
"I'm not surprised."
"Oh come on! Give me some feedback! I don't think I'm ready to hear his confession yet!" Miki pushed her bike toward the end and beginning of the Kagamine's walkway with her feet.
Len jerked his head and faced Miki with a speculating expression, "Wait… Are you telling me you knew about Piko's feelings?"
"Duh."
"But you act so oblivious when he hints at it."
"It's only because he's cute when he tries his hardest!" What was she, sadistic?
"So, even though you know how Piko feels about you, you don't want to be in a relationship?" He wasn't getting this or her for that matter.
Miki fiddled with her fingers over the center of her handles, "Well, it's just with how things are going..."
Len sighed yet again, and with much thought, he turned around and walked up to Miki, slightly towering over her sitting form.
He rested a hand on her shoulder and spoke, "I understand that you don't want to jump into something after Gumi's passing, but it's normal for that to happen." Miki gave him a thoughtful face, "Do you see how much help Luka was, no, is to Gakupo at this moment? Think if those two weren't together."
"They would get together...?"
"No, they wouldn't."
"Wha -"
"Because Gakupo would've have locked himself in his room, drowning in his own sorrow because he would feel that no one would understand him, maybe not even his parents. That is how Luka comes into play; being someone he loves she can help heal him quicker than his family and friends, if just for a second more."
Miki slowly sat up on her bike, her face blank but her scarlet eyes filled with emotions that were ready to spill out, "Man, Len. You really don't talk like a teenager..." She sniffled, "But I understand your point, I'll reconsider Piko if it comes up. Though, it'll be thanks to you."
Len gave a looped-grin, "Rin tells me that every day, but I take it as a compliment then her true intentions."
"She has the best brother, seriously. I wish you were my brother." Miki praised him, her lips curling into a smile.
Len blushed, "A-Ah, well, I wouldn't go too far as to say that..."
The redhead laughed wholly, "Yeah, you're right. You're still too uptight. Need to get laid there, pal. Bet you Miku's open, ehh~!"
Len's mood automatically soured, "That's not funny, Miki."
"Yeah, well, that's what you get for making fun of my name. Suits you." She then repositioned herself on her bike and gave a pat on his head, "Well, I'll be seeing you! Don't forget to remind Rin to bring that game over for our sleepover!" She shouted as she paddled away, waving.
.V.
After giving his Mother the last three bags, Len walked up to the second floor to inform Rin of what Miki had told him.
He first knocked on her door, not wanting to walk in on her doing something.
No answer.
And since she didn't give him an answer (and he wait a couple of minutes whilst calling her name), he pushed open the orange wooden door while calling her name one last time.
His cerulean eyes scanned Rin's room, bypassing her objects that lay in plain sight; over her feminine products, her desk and laptop, open window, bed, dresser...
His eyes jolted back to the window, and gave a sigh, "Seriously? Doesn't she know that Mom doesn't like us opening the windows during these months...?"
Len maneuvered through his sister's room to close the window shut and locked it. He then pulled the curtains apart and tied them on the side since they were just there, messy.
Thump, thump, THUD!
He jolted with fright, twisting to see who the person was that was making that footing sound; he gasped.
Faintly, and with great haste, the image of Gumi's hollow sockets raced through his mind faster than light, but then reality hit and it wasn't Gumi, but Rin.
She sat there against the wall, her upper body hunched backward as her arms lay beside her, palms facing up. Her face was ghost pale, her black eye sockets mocking the brother as blood stains littered her cheeks.
"R- Rin...?" Len whimpered, his arms reaching out to his twin as he moved forward, "Rin... is this some sick joke?"
But she didn't surprise him with a laugh, nor was her chest rising as a sign of breathing. Her body was motionless, and it brought terror to wash over his body.
He took rash stomps toward Rin's body, collapsing down in front to her as his shaking hands reached to grasp her pale face.
"Ri -"
"Gaaaah!" Rin's body went flying at him, causing the two to fall backward on the hard carpet with her arms held up and a stupid grin upon her face. She laughed at Len's high-pitched scream, "I totally got you!"
Len was to the point of raging at his twin, so much that he pushed her off of him with strong force, making Rin hit the back of her head against her bed post, "That's some sick joke there, Rin, real sick."
Rin hissed at the pain, "A-Ahhh. My head huurts."
Even though Len was pissed at his sister for pulling such a prank, he still leaned over to check if she was bleeding from the impact. She wasn't.
"It'll just be a bump..." he muttered, his left hand subconsciously rubbing the spot.
Rin felt her checks warm at his affection, "S-Sorry Len..." she mumbled in a small voice as she fiddled with his shorts, her head hung low, making her hair fall over her redden face.
"I know, I know. Just... don't do that again, all right? It's far too early to do this as a joke." He advised to her as his right hand took grasp of hers, "I was really worried there. Truly."
Rin nodded as she nibbled on her lips whilst he proceeded to rub her head, her chest welling up at his warmth.
He then suddenly embraced his sister in a tight hug, his arms engulfing around her as she clashed with his tense frame.
He had been frightened beyond belief.
"I'm really sorry, Len." she apologized again, her voice muffled since her face was crushed against his chest.
Len hummed in an understanding tone. He couldn't trust his voice right now, but he knew he had to speak unless he wanted to hear Rin apologize a million times over, "I accept, just promise me you won't pull this again."
"I won't..." Rin vowed.
"Good." Len patted her head and released his hold on her, backed up and rose to his feet, "Also, I would like it if word doesn't get out that I screamed like a..." he averted eye-contact.
Rin's lips fell but rose with a quick twitch, "Aw, but that was the whole point! But hey, I can still blackmail you, you know? I was recording the voices, teehee~!" The blond girl lightly knocked her head (making sure to not bump the lump) with her tongue out.
Len gapped at her, "Yo-You wouldn't..." but her face said otherwise.
"Gosh Len, there's no need to get so tight-up!" She laughed as she got to her feet, whipping the make-up off of her checks and eyelids.
Len gave his eyes a roll, "Yeah, yeah. I heard it before, 'I need to get laid'."
Rin scoffed a laugh, "You sure do, and bet you it'll do wonders."
"Hm, next you'll say 'Miku's probably open', huh?" Len sassed back.
"What?"
"I sai -" Len's words dropped down his throat once he took a nice, define look at Rin's cold, icy stare.
So maybe those two weren't the best of friends to make fun of yet...
"Who said that to you before?" Rin inquired, her fist tight against her hips, "Who?"
Her brother swallowed the thick lump in his throat, to a point he could almost feel the drop at his stomach, "Uh..." Why did he feel like he shouldn't say? "Fr-From Miki, earlier. She was joking, though, 'cause I made fun of her name." He pinned an excuse.
Rin's cold stare didn't warm up, "I see. Though," she mocked, "I don't see what's so funny about saying a friends name, let alone Miku's, in that sense."
"But -"
"Out." Rin's tone was firm and strict as she pointed toward her door.
"Wait, Rin -"
"Get out. I'm busy." She wasn't shouting at him, though he could tell by her voice that she meant every word though he didn't know why.
"Rin, it was a jo -"
"I said: Get. Out." She shoved her brother around and out her door to only slam it on his hand that he left out to stop her.
"Fuck, Rin!" He cursed, hissing at the pain. He glanced up and felt his heart drop at her watery eyes, "Wai -"
"Leave!"
.V.
...I didn't know what I was dreaming about anymore, they were shifting too fast for me to grasp the concept of the dreams. But I went along with them since, for some reason, I couldn't wake up.
Eventually, my speeding dreams came to halt, leaving me in blackness. Original, no?
But I felt as if this dream was something I didn't want to partake in, yet here I was, feeling my body walking forward, toward something that it wants - that is, if a body can want something on its own.
I could hear my own breathing, the slight fog of my breath in front of my face.
I was bundled up from the cold since my body wasn't shivering as my face felt, and only my face (guess I had gloves on in this dream).
Slowly, light started to fill the darkness, scary it away and making it scatter back to it shelter. And then, that's when I saw her.
I could recognize her flaming cherry red hair anywhere, and as I try to call out her name, my hands acts on its own and cover my mouth, not wanting me to shed truth of my presence.
I didn't have a good feeling about this dream, not one bit.
Miki was in her sleeping gown; a tiny and bright red dress with red slippers. Geez, why do girls wear such outfits in the cold of the night? Wait, why was Miki out at this time, dressed like that?
I wanted to find out (and I guess my body too), so I moved closer but far away at the same time.
Miki gazed to her left, then right, then behind her and around the mail box. With a sigh of fog, she walked around the mail box, her back now facing me, and opened the red metal object.
My body then started to move forward, and for some reason, I started to panic.
My breathing began to pick up, becoming heavy and thick as I felt my fingers cruel and straighten all the same.
I was moving at a slow pace and wondered why Miki hasn't noticed me, though it made sense since it's a dream. Everything had to go my way, right?
I heard her let a relief sigh pass as the tension on her shoulders collapse. Then one of my hands reached out.
She jolted, her body rising up into the air at her jump. Slowly, she turned around to face me, but her reaction was something I didn't understand.
She opened her mouth to scream, I somehow knew, but my hands covered it with a white cloth but she started to struggle.
What's going on? Why am I doing this? Is this a nightmare?
I watched her eyelids start to flutter shut as her arms fell to the sides of her, lifeless. But I knew she wasn't dead - yet.
For some strange, scary reason, I knew what was going to happen next as my hands uncovered themselves and creped their way to her beautiful cherry red eyes...
Bing! Bing!
Len jolted awake at the sound of a message left on his phone, panting from the nightmare he just woke up from.
A realistic nightmare at that.
The blond threw his covers off himself and tossed his legs over to sit hunched back, his face in his hands as he tried to ease his breath.
Why did he have a dream about Miki, and why did it feel all real?
He then remembered about his phone and reached over to the night stand and took hold of his yellow cell, unlocking it then meeting a list of thirty-one miss calls: all from the girls who were currently having a sleepover - together.
He yelped when his phone lit up at the incoming call: Miku.
He picked up without a second hesitation, "Hello Mi -"
"O-Oh my G-G-God, L-Len! Wh-Why haven't yo-you picked u-up! Le-n-n!" He heard her sob into the phone, stuttering over her words to sound coherent.
That wasn't a good sign.
"What's the matter, Miku. Tell me!" He rose from his bed in search for clothes to put upon his bare body.
"...Mi-Miki... A-A b-bet..." she sobbed out, her words drowning with her tears.
"Miku, please try to get yourself together!" Len panicked as he pulled his shirt over his head the wrong way.
"Th-The killer... Mi-Miki's eyes... Oh God! Her eyes are missing, Len! They're missing!" Miku continued to babble on, but Len heard what he needed to hear.
The killer had gotten Miki.
"Miku, listen to me!"
"...-he gone! Sh-She's gon -"
"Hush, please!" Len pleaded, successfully silencing the girl, "Listen to me; how did the killer get her? Tell me what happened, Miku." He was fully dressed and out of his room in a second.
"We - We had dared Mi-Miki to pl-place a prank on her Mom by pl-placing someth-thing in their mail box... but... but she hadn't re-returned in a couple of minutes, s-so Meiko went to check through the window and... and... and..."
Len froze at the front door, his hands shaking the door knob.
His nightmare only seconds ago... Miki in her sleepwear, outside at night, in front of their mailbox, placing something inside it...
No... No...
"Have you all locked the doors and windows?" Len's voice choked as he pushed the coincidence aside.
"Yes, Meiko told us to..." Good thing Meiko was there.
"Have you called the police yet?"
"R-Rin's calling right now; she's still on the phone..." another good thing.
"Okay... Good..." Len reassured himself.
"What are you going to do, Len?" Miku asked in a small voice.
"I'm going to call everyone else, then make my way over there."
"..."
"You did a good thing to call me, Miku. Sorry I couldn't answer sooner..." Len pulled open the front door and closed it behind him, locked it, then made his way over to his bicycle.
"L-Len... Please don't hang up yet..." Miku requested.
Len wanted to tell her that he needed to, to call the others, but couldn't bring himself to do that, so he told her he wouldn't, "I'll never hang up on you, Miku."
A/N: ["I actually don't expect reviews for some reason..."] LOL, I honestly didn't, so when I saw that there were four reviews for the first chapter, I was, well, astonished. Not to mention there are some follows/favorites too. Didn't really think feedback would be like this, haha. {106 views~ Yay~}
Two chapters down, four more to go! Here's hoping I can finish it by Halloween.
The Gang Includes: Len, Piko, Gakupo, Kaito, Yuuma, Rin, Miki, Luka, Meiko, Gumi and Miku.
Soo... Who do you think the killer is? {Feel like you need to change your guess?}
R&R? Pretty please? Feed me your thoughts of this idea, your view point, who you suspect...
Reviews are greatly appreciated and so is constructive criticism!
WhatGoesUpGoesDown: Aw shucks, you're making me embarrass :P But here's a secret: I don't really know who the murderer is either xD So we're all kind of in the dark. Thank you for reviewing and favoriting.
Angelic Snowdrop: Great suspicions, I'll take note of that since I'm iffy about the murderer. I'm glad you found the story creepy in a sense, that's what I was going for. Thank for the compliment :) And thank you for reviewing, favoriting and following.
Anonymous(Midnight): Thank you, I'm glad you love it :D So many guesses about teh murderer, eh? Good thing this story is only six chapters long, won't keep you waiting for long. Thank you for reviewing.
Anonymous(Guest): Yes, poor Gumi. It hurt for me to write that :( Thank you for reviewing.
And many thanks to those who Alerted/Favorited Legitimacy so far~! Don't be shy about leaving a review ;)