The Haunted

Part 9. Into Hell We Go – 508 words

Yuka watches him with a shocked, yet demonic expression. Her altercation with Misaki is momentarily forgotten. Narumi staggers to his feet and finally stands up with the assistance of the bed frame. He reaches out to her, and she suddenly sees in him all the anguish she has made him suffer.

"Y-you need to stop this." Narumi's voice cracks. He points at her, and continues, "What do you want from me? I'll do anything."

Yuka huffs bitterly. She turns her attention to Misaki, and, for an instant, she catches sight of the box in his hands. She hesitates, clearly confused by the memories roused in her head. She fights off compassion and understanding. She meets Narumi's gaze and spits out her answer.

"Anything? Then kill yourself; a life for a life. If you had so willingly left me behind back then, the heartless bastard that you are, then your life is the only compensation I could possibly accept. There's a nice spot waiting for you in hell by the Devil's side."

Yuka's smirk widens as she approaches Narumi with this proposal. She leans forward, until her face is only inches from his. Her stare is challenging and intimidating. Narumi cannot bear to see such an expression being made by the woman he loved.

Loves.

There is too much of that in his heart to ever think of her in the past tense. Unlike their previous encounter, however, he remains immovable.

"...Perhaps there are pretty good reasons why I should go to hell. You'd be there, for one."

Yuka's smile is as wispy as the rest of her. She holds out her hand to welcome him. "Then don't hesitate. Come with me."

"But I wonder if those memories would return when I step into the fire." He speaks, without breaking eye contact.

"It will be fine because I'll be right by your side."

"...It will be fine. Of course."

"Narumi, no!"

Misaki throws himself at Narumi when he sees that Yuka is about to possess him. They fall over into a messy tangle of limbs. Yuka watches with a devilish grin.

"You can't do this!" Misaki shouts.

"Let me be!" Narumi cries as they thrash about. "I'm doing this for Yuka!"

"And I'm doing this for you!"

Narumi tries to push his friend off him, but Misaki grabs the collar of his hospital gown and struggles with him.

"I'm not letting you die, Narumi! Not while I watch!"

Finally, after struggling with it for so long, Misaki grabs the box that had slid across the floor and shoves it into his friend's hands.

"No!" Yuka cries.

Narumi pauses and looks at it with curiosity. He opens it and immediately sweet, melodic music fills the room. His eyes begin to clear. Misaki sees that Yuka has backed away too and she looks far less vengeful than she had mere minutes before.

This is the last of our dances.

This is the end of it all.

If you lead me through the steps,

this is the last time we will fall.