Chihiro thrashed on the cold floor, screams erupting from her throat. She grabbed her hair, trying to get the images out of her head. Her eyes open, but not seeing Hajime sitting by her, staring at her. His knees to his chin. Almost like he was waiting for her to stop. He wasn't afraid.
After a few more minutes passed, her screams subsided.
Her eyes lost the glazed look.
Her breathing becoming soft and shallow.
"Haku…"
Chihiro rolled over. Her eyes settling on Hajime. A moment of recognition.
As quickly as the word had graced Hajime's ears, the light was gone.
"Hajime?"
She reached for his hand, and he took it. She tried to sit up, but he gently pressed her back down.
"It's cold…"
Her voice was hoarse, and her eyes welled with tears.
"I miss my mom…"
He released her hands and scooted away from her.
"Why am I here?"
He slowly got to his feet.
"Who are you?"
He turned away from her.
"What do I do?"
He walked down the hallway, away from her. The last she saw was his gray-blue hair swishing out of sight around the corner.
Chihiro sat there before pulling her knees her chest, but the moment she moved her foot, it surged with pain.
Right…
That's why she had passed out. From this injury.
She inhaled, closed her eyes, exhaled.
!. 2. 3.
She pulled her foot to her, inhaling sharply, and opened her eyes.
She looked down, and saw the large, blue and black bruise on her ankle.
Chihiro ran her fingers over it, before pressing on it gently, ignoring the spikes of pain.
Nothing broken.
Just horribly bruised.
She tried flexing her foot. It hurt, but it was bearable. This made things harder, but not impossible.
She scooted on her butt towards the wall, and using it for support, got to her feet.
My clumsiness will certainly make this…
She giggled softly.
Chihiro realized something.
"Hajime?"
The name echoed, going unanswered.
She looked down.
Great.
She steadied herself on the wall, and slowly began walking. The wall was a crutch, and made it easier.
Where the door had been, all that was left was a large, black scorch mark.