It was cold…
And dark…
My limbs were heavy and numb. My head was dizzy. My body grew cold.
The moon was high in the sky and I stared up at it blankly. My mind was devoid of thoughts. All I knew is that the moon looked beautiful.
In the sea of blood that surrounded me, I was the only survivor but even that would have soon come to an end. I bled out from the wound in my chest and I was sure to die.
A face came into view, blocking out the blue glass moon. My vision was blurry so I couldn't see their face very well but they seemed to stare at me with shock.
They opened their mouth and I could hear the muffled sound of their voice but I could not make out any words.
The person began to put pressure on my wound. I was too numb to feel the pain. I was so close to death back then my surviving could only be called a miracle.
If it hadn't been for them…
I would be dead, just like everyone else. I don't remember much of what happened after that. My near dead mind was unable to stay conscious any longer and I later awoke in my foster family's home.
That is my nightmare…
From all those years ago.
—
"I heard that Nanaya-kun has been wandering the streets at night."
That single comment from Aika grabs my attention. Nanaya-kun was a boy who transferred in with us at the start of the year. He's completely mechanical and nobody has been able to quite figure out who he really is.
A boy without friends. He lives a solitary life and shows no emotion. For someone who lives like that…
Certainly, this news would spark interest.
"Really? Nanaya? Who'd you hear it from?" Asks Miki-san.
"I heard it from Kentaro-kun who heard it from Aoi's little sister." Aika then responds. It seems like the news has gone through a lot of people. Can it then really be trus-
Wait…
Kentaro-kun heard it from Aoi's little sister!?
This detail doesn't go past Miki-san either.
"Why the hell would Kentaro hear that from Seo's sister!? That paedophile!"
"I don't get why you're surprised about that…" Aika mumbles quietly.
Aika's musings were heard by Miki-san who now has blown up at Aika's nonchalance, "He's hanging around some 14 year old and you don't care! I know he's always been a weirdo but this is a bit much."
"I thought it was common knowledge that Akira-chan and Kentaro-kun were always hanging around with each other."
The brown haired girl just looked at Aika with anger and begrudging acceptance.
But, Nanaya-kun out on the streets in the middle of the night? If that is true then what is he doing? Is he part of some gang? Does he just enjoy late night walks?
Either way…
It's gotten dangerous out lately. He shouldn't be out there. Afterall, there's a-
"Maybe he's the serial killer out on the streets!" Voices Miki-san.
Yeah. That's the one answer I don't want to be true. I like Nanaya-kun. Despite his robotic demeanour he's actually a kind person. But still…
I can't deny that he does seem like the kind of person who could kill with no hesitation and no regrets.
"Isn't that a bit far-fetched?" Replies the blonde.
"Doesn't he seem like the kind of person to come into school and just start cutting people up?"
"Well…"
I'm not the only one who thinks that. If I asked everyone in the school if they thought Nanaya-kun was a person who could kill, I'm sure they'd all say-
"I can imagine it. He does seem like that sort of person," Aika ponders for a second after saying that, "But he doesn't seem like the type to just drain people's blood like that. The killings are unnecessarily brutal. I'm sure if it was Nanaya-kun, none of us would know there even was a killer."
"Who knows. Maybe he's a really brutal person and he just doesn't show it to throw everyone off."
If there is one thing that Miki-san, Aika and I all have in common, it is that we are all great judges of character. That is why we unanimously agree that Nanaya-kun may very well be the killer who drains the blood of everyone.
If there is one thing that separates Miki-san, Aika and I, it is that Aika follows a more rational thought process, Miki-san can often exaggerate to unrealistic degrees and I just listen and mix both's views to create my own picture of someone.
"Or who knows… Nanaya could be a vampire!"
"If he was I doubt he'd go to school."
"Eh, you're right."
"I usually am."
Miki-san glared at Aika for a second before changing the topic.
Perhaps…
Perhaps he really is the killer?
What then?
What do I do if Nanaya-kun is?
I've never been able to approach him because of that scary side of him. That scary side that could kill anything.
I have to know. I must know if Nanaya-kun really is the killer. I have to find out somehow but…
How?
—
The figure walked out of the alleyway, his knife coated in blood. Behind him lay a torn apart body, freshly deceased.
The right limb was in tiny pieces, quite literally squashed against the pavement.
One of the eyes was missing and the lower jaw was torn clean off.
The neck had been torn open and ripped apart.
The fingers on the left hand had been bitten off, one by one.
An inhuman death caused by something inhuman.
The figure looked back and surveyed the masterwork of massacre blankly. He then turned and walked away from the carnage that had unfolded in the alleyway.
—
I arrive at school early as usual. All students have to be present by homeroom at 8:30, any students not present by that time are marked as absent or late. I usual arrive at school between 7:45 and 8:00.
Today I've arrived at 7:53. There are very few students at the gates.
Of course there aren't, it's way too early. Not many people would go to school this late.
I enter homeroom and am greeted by Aika,
"Good morning, Yumizuka."
"Good morning, Aika." I greet her back with a smile.
Looking around, I take stock of the students currently in the classroom.
Kentaro-kun is at his desk studying, Nanaya-kun is gazing out of the window with tired looking eyes, Inui-kun is surprisingly in class as well. There are a couple students I don't recognise but all in all, there are ten students currently in class.
"I'm surprised that Inui-kun of all people is in class this early." I comment to Aika who replies,
"I know. It's probably the vampire murders recently. He may be a delinquent be he seems to have some level of common sense."
"Kentaro-kun is also here today." I offhandedly mention.
"Do you want to go ask him about Nanaya-kun?"
The curveball comment that comes from Aika hits like a freight train and I begin to blush a bright red.
"Don't worry Yumizuka, your secret's safe with me. I may gossip a lot but I'd never gossip about my friends."
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…
She knows that I like Nanaya-kun. I don't know why I'm surprised. Aika's biggest talent is figuring things out about people making her the number one source of gossip information in the whole school. Her ability to read people is like that of a police detective.
Well I guess it makes sense since she does want to be one.
I don't even know why I blushed in the first place. Maybe I subconsciously knew that she knew? Either way I have now outed myself out to her.
"If you're so shy about it, I'll come with you. I can ask the questions."
"Ah ha, i-it's alright. I wouldn't want to trouble him."
Aika then giggles, "It's fine. He's a creep so you'd be better off not talking to him. Besides I've already interrogated him this morning."
The word 'interrogated' gives off a rather violent connotation Aika. I hope you didn't do anything nasty to him.
"Well, what did he say Aika?" I ask, unable to contain my curiosity.
"He confirmed with his own eyes that Nanaya-kun was walking the streets at night. He was doing some late-night shopping when he saw Nanaya-kun walking along the streets with a large guitar case on his back. He was walking in the opposite direction of where the most recent murder took place. They were near that place too." She explains concisely.
Well…
I guess this is the proof.
Nanaya-kun really is…
"Looks like we have our suspect Yumizuka. I'm sure your sad about this but still…" Aika trails off for a second before resuming, "He's only a suspect. It might not be him. I'm not going to jump to conclusions until this is all figured out; I'm not going to report him to the police either."
Even if you say that Aika, I can't just get my hopes up. He's a natural-born killer, we both know that. So I can't just act like the possibility that he isn't the killer is more likely.
"So what are you going to do now, Yumizuka?" Aika asks me. Everything about her body and tone tells me that she's not going to accept anything but the truth.
I honestly don't know. I really don't know. I'm just so confused and conflicted and I don't even understand my own feelings. I like Nanaya-kun but why? What is it about him I even like? I don't know. I'm just drawn to him for some reason. Well there are obvious things like how he's quite handsome but I can't think of anything else but that. In the first place we've barely spoken to each other. We might as well be strangers so I guess…
I take a deep breath and give my answer, "I'll talk to him. I'll ask Nanaya-kun why he was walking around at night."
Aika just sighs in response and before she can give a proper reply to me, a certain other friend comes in.
"Yo, Yumizuka. Yo, Aika. It's a lovely morning today, isn't it?" Says the brown haired girl.
"Hey, Miki. What's put you in a good mood this morning?"
"It's October right now and look at how sunny it is! It must be a good omen!"
"Oh, It is quite sunny today." I'd only just realised that to be honest. I'd been preoccupied with all the news about the serial killings that had been going around recently to notice.
"That's right Yumizuka. So that means only one thing."
"You're paying." Aika answers.
"Fine… but you better show up on time Aika or I'll have you!"
"We both know who'd win in a fight between us Miki."
Miki-san folds her arms and sits down, grumbling to herself all the while.
"Don't worry anyway. Last time I was just really busy helping Aoi but this whole Nanaya-kun case isn't taking up much of my time."
"You say that…" It seems that Aika has single handedly and efficiently brought down Miki-san's good mood. Looking around the classroom quite a few more students have arrived. It seems like there's about fifte-
I stop.
Time stops.
My breathing stops.
It feels like nothing else exists right now. There is only myself and those blue eyes.
Blue eyes like cat's eyes. Precise and watchful, they are the eyes of a predator eyeing its prey.
We lock eyes and I find myself entranced. It is as if I'm seeing my own death. Within those eyes…
There is nothing but death.
I find myself unable to look away. I'm terrified, who wouldn't be? Afterall, Nanaya-kun is looking at me with those eyes. Those terrifying eyes that pierce my very soul.
This is the first time we have ever made eye-contact like this. Sure we've spoken to each other a few times before but back then there was no emotion in those eyes. This time however…
This time those eyes are a warning.
"Do not look into this any further. If you do you will die."
That's what those eyes are telling me.
It's almost beautiful how scary those eyes are. Those blue eyes strike such a primordial fear in me, the kind of fear you'd experience when standing in front of an apex predator like a lion. This is a fear I've never felt before but I, as an animal, instinctively know exactly what this fear is.
At last he turns his gaze and I find myself back in reality. It was only a couple of seconds but it felt like I was making eye-contact with him for minutes.
My whole body is covered in sweat and my whole body is cold and yet hot. I'm gasping for breath as if I was drowning. and only just made it up out of the water at the very last second. I'm tense and my thoughts are in a jumble. They are in a jumble and yet there is only one thought running through my head.
He is involved. Even if he may not be the killer, he is definitely involved with this case.
"Hey, Yumizuka. Are you alright?" Aika's question takes me out of my own head.
I look at her and respond, "Yeah. I-I'm fine Aika. Nothing's wrong." It was a poor lie. It was such a poor lie that even a baby would've known it was a lie.
"Don't act tough. There's clearly something very not all right with you!" Miki-san is very concerned and worried. I feel bad that I'm causing such trouble to my friends.
"I-I'm just a bit sick is all. It's nothing to worry about."
"You were fine earlier Yumizuka. This happened way too quickly to be an illness."
I shouldn't tell them. I can't tell them. I don't want it. I don't want it. I don't want to gaze into those enchanting eyes again. That's why…
"I'm telling the truth. I'll go to the nurse's office now. I'll see you later Miki-san, Aika." I get up and start to walk away. Both of them protest but neither try to stop me as I make my way out the classroom.
—
"Bwahh, it's not often someone gets this close to a panic attack in this school. Honestly Satsuki-chan what cause you get so riled up?" Our school nurse, Dr. Arach, says to me.
"I just saw something scary is all Doctor. It's fine." At this point I've now calmed down to the point where I feel somewhat normal now.
Dr. Arach gives a questioning 'hmm' in response. "Well it doesn't matter. It's not like I have patient confidentiality in this place so your secrets are your own Satsuki-chan. Stay here for a few minutes to calm down and return to class before homeroom. Unless you want to engage in some adult activities with me? Ahh I must tell you though I do not swing that way but if it's Love you want I can provide it all you want!"
At this point all the students in the school are used her ramblings. I wonder why she hasn't been fired yet?
I sit down and pay no attention to the inane and sexual rants of the eccentric doctor.
Now I can finally sort out my thoughts and put them in order. Thinking back on it I have no idea why I got so worked up about looking into Nanaya-kun's eyes. All I know is that they were quite scary and the message they told me.
Nanaya-kun is definitely involved with this. That look was all the proof I needed but what now? I have no idea what I should do in regards to this situation. I don't know what role he plays in this anyway. Is he the killer? Is he helping the killer? Is he against the killer?
There's too many possibilities. I've been watching Nanaya-kun since we came to this school in Spring so I know more about Nanaya-kun than anyone else. He covers it up but he worries for people when no ones looking. When Inui-kun got into a fight on the school grounds it was Nanaya-kun who stayed with him the whole time while he was in the infirmary.
He always taps the desk with either his finger or his pen when he doesn't understand the work. He shrugs off his anaemia like it's nothing but I can tell it affects him.
I once got him into the infirmary when the nurse's aid was absent that day and he was surprised to wake up. It was like he expected his own death when he fainted. He also thanked me sincerely after the fact.
Nanaya-kun puts on a brave face and acts like he doesn't feel anything but I know he's as human as the rest of us underneath that act. It's like he's trying not to care when he really does.
That's why…
That's why I genuinely don't believe he's the murderer out on the streets. He's actually a nice person and I've seen that side of him. That's why I like him.
Nanaya-kun is indeed a killer but he's not a murderer.
That's what I believe. That's what I must make sure of.
Tonight I will do it.
I'll go out on the streets at night and search for Nanaya-kun. Even if it is dangerous and I might end up dying I have to make sure for myself that he really isn't the vampire killer.
Of course he might be but I don't think he's that kind of person.
With my resolve set, I stand up and make my way back to the class.
"Out already Satsuki-chan? I pray for you in your pursuit of Love! May you and your soulmate find happiness and have glorious dog-"
I quickly closed the door before Dr. Arach could say anything that would traumatise me.
Anyway how did she know that I was going to see Nanaya-kun?
Although knowing her she probably made some wild guess that just happened to be correct. She does have a very decerning eye though…
It's like she acts that way on purpose to make people believe she isn't as sharp as people think she is. I think I'm just reading too much into this.
—
I return to class about 3 minutes before homeroom. At this point only about 2 or 3 students are missing. It also appears that Inui-kun ran off somewhere while I was gone.
I exchange quick greetings with Miki-san and Aika who don't bring up earlier and I take my seat, ready for homeroom. It isn't long until the teacher shows up and classes begin.
Nanaya-kun pays good attention to the lesson, as does Miki-san and Aika. Kentaro-kun usually doesn't pay attention and today hasn't changed him one bit. It seems like I am the only one off in this class today as, for once, I find myself unable to focus.
Despite having sorted out my thoughts in the infirmary it seems like the events of homeroom still plague my mind. I continue in a loop on questioning my planned actions and then reaffirming them…
Only to doubt them again a minute later.
I sigh quietly to myself. It seems this situation will not clear itself up until I find out the truth. Sorry teachers but it looks like I won't be doing very well in classes today.
—
Eventually, lunch break arrives and I sit with Miki-san and Aika.
"So… What do you plan on doing next, Aika?" Miki-san asks as she takes a bite from her teriyaki bento.
"Well I was thinking about investigating out at night but… It's too dangerous. I can't let my curiosity overwhelm my sense of reason." The blonde responds.
"I had the same idea." I chime in.
"I also thought of that. It seems we were all on the same page but just not the same paragraph. I think we should go out, Aika. What about you, Yumizuka?"
Well in this situation the only thing I can do is be honest. I'm a bad liar anyway, "Well I also think we should. It does no good to just wait around right?"
"You idiots. Walking around at night is the one thing you shouldn't do. The killers goes after young woman and girls so you'd both be at the highest risk here. Well… maybe not you, Miki-san."
"Hey! I'll have you know I'm filled with feminine charm!"
The two begin to argue completely off topic again. I can't help but sigh. No matter what we're talking about one of those two always insults the other in some manner and lo and behold…
Luckily an unexpected voice calls out to us.
"If you're going to go out at night, investigate around the business district or the suburbs near the Tohno mansion. Those are where the highest concentration of murders occur." That voice belongs to none other than the blue-haired Kentaro-kun.
"Hey Yumizuka. You live around there right?" Miki-san asks worriedly whilst Aika speaks to Kentaro-kun.
"I do but it's fine as long as I don't go out, right?" I reassure my friend. Despite that, my tone betrays the fear I feel. I hadn't realised that the very streets I live on are where the killer lurks. What if…
"I know but what if he breaks into your house?"
"The killer has only killed people out on the streets. It wouldn't fit his M.O to just suddenly start breaking into people's houses. It's too risky after all. It's much easier to leave evidence in a break in."
As Miki-san and I had our conversation…
"And you know this how? I'd like a source first." Said Aika.
"The source is the murder locations. Look at the location of every murder and chart it on a map of the city. That way you can easily see the density spread of the murders. Ah… don't tell me that Detective-san didn't realise that?"
"Shut it." Aika took a deep breath and then continued on with the conversation, "You are right that I didn't think of that but I was just trying to convince them to not go and you tell them this! It'll only add more fuel to the fire."
"What you were doing was pointlessly arguing with Miki-san over whether she had any feminine charm or not."
Aika just glared at him.
"Oh I see," Kentaro-kun chuckled, "As always your methods are peculiar but effective. My apologies Detective-san, I didn't realise your intentions." The praise was genuine but the apology was clearly sarcastic.
"Just scurry off already."
"Alright. I have better things to deal with anyways. Have a good day, Detective-san." Kentaro-kun bids farewell and leaves us to ourselves.
There is a brief silence before Aika perks up,
"As I was saying before, going out at night to investigate on the streets is just about the worst thing you could do. I'd say it's one of the best ways to commit suicide in this city right now."
"And what else would we do Aika? The longer we take to solve this, the higher the body count will get!"
"Firstly, we don't have any responsibility to solve this. No one will blame us for doing nothing and we won't get in trouble either. Secondly, the body count will only get higher if we die a pointless death. If we take it cautiously we can catch the killer without putting ourselves in grave danger. We already have a lead on location thanks to Kentaro-kun."
Miki-san clucks her tongue and folds her arms together, refusing to make eye-contact with Aika.
I nod in agreement with Aika. No matter how much we want to go out and solve this, it's too dangerous to be so gung-ho. If we die then all of our accomplishments will have been in vain and besides…
My parents would be devastated if I were to fall victim to that killer.
—
It's now 8:36Pm. I've had dinner and I'm alone in my room. Aiki, Miki-san and I went out to eat earlier and we talked about mundane things and forgot about the killings.
My parents stay up until 9 and go to bed, trusting that I'll have already gone to sleep or will soon go to sleep.
If there's anytime to make a stealthy exit, it's now.
Of course the question of "Should I?" won't stop rushing back and forth through my head. The dangers and consequences are obvious to me. I'm well aware of what I would get into should I go through with this decision. Despite that I still can't contain my curiosity and my need to prove it.
I still have absolute faith in Nanaya-kun's innocence and I can't just let this go. I feel like I would be betraying him if I didn't go out and prove that he's not the killer.
I quietly get dressed into jeans and a coat. Since it's Autumn, it'll be cold out at night and the coat gives me a slight bit of reassurance as protection, even if it is ultimately insubstantial.
I put on my shoes and sneak out of my window and out onto the streets. I've already plotted my route. I'll head into the business district and cover the whole area, scout about the park and rest there for a bit and head straight home.
I'll save exploring the suburbs for another night.
I head on through dark and deserted streets lit only by streetlights and the silent moon.
There's not a soul to be seen out here. That's expected given the recent killings.
It takes me a good half hour walk to reach the business district from my house. Along the way I didn't see any people, just the occasional cat. It really is empty out here. It feels like a ghost town utterly devoid of life.
I search through the streets filled with shops closed for the night and still find nothing. I can't even hear cars in the distance. Truly it is as if all life has perished in this dead city.
It's cold as well…
So cold my fingers feel like they'll freeze off. Each shuddering breath I take leaves a white cloud of water vapour that disperses into the quiet atmosphere.
I walk for what feels like hours, each step shaky and uncertain as I search for the killer.
Search for the killer? For what reason?
I regret my decision to go out. It was stupid and foolish, the kind of naive thinking a child would make. Go out to find the killer to prove Nanaya-kun's innocence?
If I did find the killer I'd die. No doubt about that. If they were to see me I'd perish. I'd have my limbs torn off and my blood would be drained from my body. A gruesome death that would undoubtedly be carried out while I'm still alive and conscious.
I really must be stupid. I really should turn back. Despite that I can't. I feel like I must keep going, something inside me urges me to keep going, to keep searching.
After what feels like eternity I finally cover the whole business district.
Verdict: The killer is not in the business district tonight. I haven't seen anyone since I left my house an hour ago.
My body is tired from all of the walking I did and so I head towards the park to rest as planned. Now that I haven't encountered anyone, I'm a little calmer but still scared. Afterall, the killer might be out around here tonight. I could've missed him but I'm far too scared to continue the search. I'll call it quits for tonight.
I approach the the edge of the desolate park that is as empty as the rest of t-
Clang!
The sudden sound makes me freeze in place. My thoughts rush so fast through my head they stop altogether.
There is someone in the park. Two people in fact.
One is kneeling on the ground at the mercy of the other. Both are male and the standing one holds a knife. The kneeling one has peculiar white hair but the distance and the fact that their back is facing me means that I can't make out their features.
The other one has black hair, blue eyes, a slim build and wears a black jacket. There is no doubt as to the identity of that man.
He coldly raises his arm to sever his victim's neck and then looks straight at me, those blue eyes digging into my soul. I can't move. I can't speak, I can't do anything.
All I can do is watch.
The white haired man swings his arm at the familiar figure who dodges with ease. They, however, were still caught off guard and the injured man runs away with incredible speed.
The man in black looks at the fleeing man in frustration and then turns towards me.
At that moment, my body and mind finally begin to function again. My mind and heart race in unison and my body tenses up like it never has before at the one conclusion that is to draw from this situation.
Nanaya-kun will kill me.
That one thought drives my body and I dash away with speed I've never before achieved.
I run as fast as I can. So fast I get a stitch in my side in seconds and my legs ache just as quickly. I don't even respond to that. The pure terror of the chase gives no room for anything to slow me down. If I stop I will die.
I look behind me and see Nanaya-kun pursuing me.
He's catching up! I can't just keep running in the open streets or I'll die.
As soon as I am able to, I turn into an alleyway to my side and hope to lose him in the maze-like construction.
I turn corner after corner after corner. At this point my body is close to it's limit. No that's not true. It went past it's limit a minute ago, the fear and certainty of death is the only thing keeping me running. If I slowed down even for a second, I would surely collapse. That's why I have to get away. Honestly I really am a fool. Why did I ever think that this was a good idea? Why did I ever think that Nanaya-kun wasn't the killer? I've already forgotten the answers to those questions.
I reach a wall. A dead end. My fear skyrockets and I collapse to my knees in utter despair.
I took a wrong turn and am now cornered with absolutely no hope of escaping.
I don't want to die. I really don't want to die. There's still a lot I want to do in life. I want to see my parents again, chat with Miki-san and Aika in the classroom and confess to a boy I like. I want to graduate with good grades and get an excellent job that will allow me to earn a sustainable income and also be enjoyable. I want to get married and have kids with a man I love. There's still so much I want to do and yet here I am in this back alley with death fast approaching.
It isn't fair. It isn't fair. It isn't fair. It isn't fair. It isn't fair! It isn't fair!
Tears well up in my eyes as the reality of the situation crashes down on me. I lean against the wall opposite the entrance and watch as Nanaya-kun walks down towards me.
"P-p-please…" My voice comes out horse, out of breath and but a whisper as I beg for mercy, "d-don't kill me…"
Nanaya-kun stands right in front of me, a wakizashi in his hands. He kneels down with cold eyes and points the sword at my heart.
So…
This is what it's like to face death.
—
This is the first chapter of this story. I hope you enjoyed.
Each arc will be named after a song that I personally believe fits the hero/heroine or the arc as a whole.
That other story I worked on called 'Nanaya and Tohno' has been deleted because I honestly didn't think it was good and I also lost interest in it. Quite a few of the ideas from that story have been recycled into this one so you'll likely never see it come to the light of day again.
I personally think that this will be better anyway.
I'm aiming for at least 5000 words a chapter and each chapter will (hopefully) be uploaded every week or so. There won't be an exact day of the week, it'll just be around the middle of the week.
Don't worry about the OC's. They will certainly have screentime but won't take up centre stage with the exception of one but that's only for the end of 2 separate arcs.
Have a wonderful day. Sayonara.