HATCH

IV

⚠️TRIGGER WARNING: CRINGE STUFF AHEAD. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.⚠️

My heart dropped to my stomach as the lady got closer. She walked around until she stood in front of the locker we were in. I had a clear view of her face, draining the colors off my face.

It was mom but at the same time is wasn't. She only looked like mom.

But whose blood was staining her favorite pink pajamas?

Aniki turned his head, peeking at the woman outside. Even he was surprised. I could feel him trembling in fear in front of me.

I pressed my hand harder on his mouth as he was about to scream.

We stayed in that awkward position for a while. I closed my eyes, patiently waiting for the woman to go away.

Aniki carefully removed my hand from his face, still shaking. After about an eternity, I heard the woman walk away.

We sat still for a few more seconds before finally leaving the cramped locker. Aniki and I sneaked back to his room.

When we got back, I was breathing hard. I collapsed on the bed while Aniki leaned his back on the door, also panting.

"yn," he called. "W-What was that?"

No words came out from my mouth. I myself had no idea who that woman was. Sure, she might look a bit like mom but mom didn't have those scars on her face.

"I don't know, Aniki."

Tears clouded my vision as I start to sob. I was left with no choice but to tell him about the mysterious hatch in my room.

"I have to show you something serious," I mustered up the courage to tell Aniki about the hatch. Without letting him speak, I grabbed his wrist and opened the door quietly.

I scanned the area and pulled Aniki with me, tiptoe-ing to my bedroom.

Aniki gasped as soon as he saw the huge hatch on the floor.

"What is that?"

"A hatch. It mysteriously appeared here maybe five days ago."

I let go of his wrist and tried opening the hatch but failed. It was sealed shut or rather locked from the inside.

Aniki attempted to open it himself and failed as well.

"I think this is where that woman came from. I could hear breathing in the middle of every night and shuffling in here. I just... pretend to be asleep whenever it happened then she leaves me alone," I explained, looking at the hatch, feeling unsettled. I tried not to freak out.

"I'm sorry for not believing you at first," Aniki apologized. "It's not safe here. You should stay in my room for a while until we find a way to get out of here."

He walked to my closet and grabbed a handful of my clothes. I went and carried my pillows and comforter, reaching for the door when loud breathing echoed right outside the bedroom.

"Fuck," I grumbled under my breath.

"What's wro-"

"shh."

I crouched by the door with the pillow and comforter tucked in my arms.

"A-Are we trapped?" Aniki whispered.

I shook my head, trying not to worry him too much. He suddenly held my hand, rubbing circles with his thumb.

My racing heart calmed down somehow.

But I still had no idea how to outrun the lady if she ever chose to stay behind the door for an eternity.

Aniki's room was right across from mine, but it would take a few steps to get there. Pressing my ear against the door, I listened if the lady was still around. It was quiet but I couldn't trust the silence so I carefully peeked under the door, letting go of Aniki's large hand.