Some time ago…
The cacophony of Naruto's apartment was a constant, and thus even the screaming became simple white noise to him. However, a thought ate at him as he sat in the darkness.
It was little sounds…insconsistent noises. Sudden bumps in the walls, like from some varmint falling. A series of sharp taps, like claws scrabbling along a table. At times, it was something familiar, like a squirrel or tomcat that got stuck in the walls. Other times, Naruto wasn't so sure.
The boy had never had the nicest of dreams, often finding himself in endless caverns of twilight, gory, warped figures all around him. With these newest intrusions tormenting Naruto, night after night, his nocturnal visions soured.
Unlike the usual craven animals of the night, it didn't seem like the new thing could be startled into silence. When Naruto got up and stomped around his apartment, banging on the walls, there would be a pause. To the boy's senses, it seemed more like something was watching, rather than hiding. There was even the slightest sound of purring from within the walls, easily mistakable for muffled snoring or moving furniture.
The dubious nature of the sounds made it worse. Perhaps it was the boy's imagination? Possibly he was going insane.
No- he couldn't be.
What could explain the marks? His body was covered with them.
~xxx
Author's Corner
Felt like the original flashback had too much exposition, not enough storytelling.
This is part of my update bonanza working up to the update coming the 31st (ostensibly)
7/27, 4PM…wish me luck