Chapter Text
A weary sigh escapes my lips as I finish sweeping the dusty floor of the empty classroom. I set the broom back in its corner, the bristles brushing against the wall with a soft scrape. As I walk back to my desk, I glance out the window, where the sun is dipping below the horizon, painting the sky with a fiery gradient of orange, red, and pink. The last vestiges of daylight cling to the scattered, fluffy clouds, now tinged with a ghostly white.
I turn my attention to my bag resting on the desk. Small charms from my favorite video games dangle from the zippers, gently swaying as I move. My phone vibrates with a high-pitched chime, and I pull it from my pocket, unlocking it to check the message. It’s from Yumi, my girlfriend, and a smile immediately brightens my face.
Yumi (๑ˊ͈ ॢꇴ ˋ͈)〜♡॰ॱ
Yumi: Finished with your cleaning?
Me: Yup! Just need about 5 minutes to gather my things and then we can head out!
Yumi: I’ll be waiting by the fountain in the courtyard.
Yumi: Don’t rush, [Name]! ( ノ ^o^)ノ
Me: Got it! Love you, see you soon (ु*'З')ू
With a soft, anticipatory smile, I tuck my phone away and quickly grab my bag, excitement bubbling up inside me. I head toward the door of the classroom, pushing it open and stepping into the dimly lit hallway. The silence is almost oppressive as I make my way down the corridor, my footsteps echoing faintly against the walls.
As I approach the final stretch leading to the courtyard, I encounter a figure who seems out of place. A man with long, disheveled black hair, piercing red eyes that seem almost mechanical, and an unnervingly pale complexion stands there. His black suit and white dress shirt contrast sharply with his eerie, silent presence. His footsteps are nearly inaudible, creating an unsettling atmosphere. He stops and fixes me with a chilling, unblinking stare. I halt in my tracks, feeling an icy shiver run down my spine.
“Can…I help you?” I ask, my voice faltering slightly. The silence stretches, thick with tension.
After what feels like an eternity, the man turns and walks away with a predatory grace, his footsteps silent and stealthy. I watch as he recedes into the shadows of the hallway, his form shrinking until he vanishes from sight. Shaking off the lingering sense of dread, I continue my journey to the courtyard.
I push open the doors and step into the courtyard, greeted by the serene sight of the fountain shimmering under the fading light. The trees rustle gently in the evening breeze, their leaves whispering secrets to one another.
But as I approach the fountain, my heart skips a beat—its water is an unsettling shade of red.
Peering closer, I’m met with a horrifying sight. The crimson water is marred by the floating body of Yumi, lifeless and eerily serene. A cold wave of dread washes over me, freezing me in place. My mind screams at me to look up, and with trembling reluctance, I obey.
When I raise my gaze, my blood runs cold. Suspended above me, the severed head of Yumi stares blankly, her eyes wide and unseeing. The sheer horror of the scene overwhelms me, and I am paralyzed, my scream of terror echoing through the empty courtyard, mingling with the whispering leaves.