Ghosts and Smiles

Chapter 1 - The Water's Surface

Everything felt fuzzy.

As if my mind had been clouded by a thick fog.

All I could register was the pain I felt.

The feeling of rope burns on my wrists and ankles. The developing bruises alongside the pain of the ones already there. The small cuts and larger ones I could feel slowly bleed into my school uniform.

'Oh right.. I was coming home from school wasn't I? I wonder what time it is.. Mother won't be home till eight and Momma is working overnight..'

Slowly I felt a bit more aware of what was going on as my thoughts continued. Registering the feeling of a car seat underneath me with the faint sound of a car's engine. Finding my wrists and ankles tied together.

'..that explains the rope burns.'

I found that I had been blindfolded and gagged. Explaining why I couldn't actually see anything earlier.

I didn't know exactly where I was or what had happened between my walk home and now-- so it wouldn't hurt to try and figure something out.. Right?

Because I didn't know what else to do, I decided to work on breaking the ropes binding my wrists and ankles together. I'm not the weakest kid but I'm definitely not the strongest..

But of course, I just had to forget the fact I was in a LITERAL MOVING CAR. Meaning someone else was of course in there with me. Because who else would be driving the car.

'..although it would be pretty cool if I could drive with my hands tied. I wonder if that's in the Guinness book of world records.. Maybe... probably not though.'

Shut up thoughts, the guy- woman- person-- Respect pronouns even if you don't know them yet. Anyways, the person is talking.

"Finally awake? Good."

'Not good, I'd prefer to be taking a nap at my house right now instead of being led to my death, thank you very much.'

"Well you're up just in time for a little plan of mine, Ranboo... It is Ranboo, right? It's what your student ID said."

'..this feels like one of those horror games I played... I'm pulling an Ethan Winters in Resident Evil 7 aren't I? Great. You know, it's fun when you aren't the person in the situation. Rest in peace Ethan Winters-- and well me too I guess. He did technically die in the game... I need to replay Resident Evil 8 now... wait, nevermind.'

"No response? Ah right, you're gagged. Forgot about that. You'd think I'd remember by now since this is my monthly routine."

'..he's cocky. Welp, guess I'll die.'

"Ever been to the Emerald Hills before? It's a nice little place. It's considered a city but even so it has a lot of forests and wildlife. It's a few towns over from where I picked you up.. You know, I actually live here too. It's quiet and most people mind their business here so it's perfect for me.'

'I don't want to hear about your real estate opinions. Please hurry it up. If I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die... okay maybe I shouldn't be thinking that but what else is gonna happen? It's not like they'll think to find me so far from home. Plus I can't fight for shit.. Probably should've kept up with the sports.... Naahhh. Video games are better.'

I feel the car come to a stop and a driver's door open. Hearing my kidnapper and soon to be murderer open the door beside me. I tried moving away but he just grabbed my arm and pulled me out the door. With my ankles being tied I of course fell to the ground.

"..ah right. Probably should fix that."

I heard him pull out something before feeling part of the ropes being cut. Part of it still tied around my ankles but no longer connected on either side.

"Come on then, get up."

It took me a moment to stand and before I could even take the chance to run, I felt something cold and sharp against my neck. Involuntarily gulping out of fear.

'Yeah no- I don't like being the victim in a horror game.'

"I'll lead you along then."

I felt a small nudge pushing me forward and I hesitantly started moving. The knife still staying close to my throat but not drawing any blood just yet.. God I hope that isn't how I die.

'..Steady hands. Neat. Mr- no Mx. Kidnapper.'

We kept walking for a while, it felt like hours but to be honest it was probably five minutes before we got to our destination. Ey it's my final destination.

The knife hadn't left and it felt like concrete beneath my feet.. Am I barefoot? Oh no wait I have socks.. It better not rain.

I shiver at the idea of wet socks. No dying person should ever suffer that fate.

"Afraid are we?"

'Well yes and no. I shivered at wet socks not your overcompensating large knife against my neck. Thank you very much.'

But of course I still couldn't say that. Gotta love being gagged.

I felt the blindfold be untied and I was greeted with the sight of the sunrise.. Had it really been that long since my walk home? Why couldn't I remember it all between then and now?

"Beautiful isn't it?"

I finally looked over at my kidnapper, only to be met with the face of someone I'd see walking through town. They  looked.. Normal. I guess a bit attractive by some standards, not mine of course, they could never live up to them. I'm not into kidnappers.. Plus they look like a college student.. Probably too old for me, good.

Light brown hair, a bit shorter than my own, with slightly tanned skin and a few freckles. Their eyes were a greyish-green. And while they weren't taller than me they were decently tall.. I'd say around 6'2 maybe?

"What? I don't look like how you were expecting?"

I just shrugged at them and they raised a brow before laughing.

"You're the first one who didn't immediately panic when they actually saw me."

I just kind of stared at them, I mean I couldn't really say anything but yeah.

"Let me guess, you use humor to cope?"

'Bingo. See? They get it.'

I nodded and they chuckled.

"Never thought I'd have something in common with one of my victims before."

'Small world huh?'

"You know, if it wasn't for the situation you would've been an interesting friend.."

'Not too late-'

"Sadly you already know of my little hobby so it wouldn't work out."

'..oh right. Yeah the situation I'm in is kinda shit for a friendship.'

"Sorry about this kid."

I was about to internally question his weird ideology but before I could I felt the press of the knife against my neck again. And then the feeling of it tearing through the skin and muscle till I could feel myself choking on my own blood.

Coughing up some of it into the gag as they merely watched. My eyes met theirs as they smiled before pushing me. I hadn't even realized it before but we had been standing on a small bridge over a river. Hands still tied as I fell into the water, the impact of the water's surface against my back stung-- but it didn't hurt nearly as much as the blood and water filling my lungs.

Feeling the river's current pulling me away, even then I could feel their eyes watching me as I faded from consciousness.. And life.

I felt my energy run out and the pain slowly begin to fade. My senses slowly fading as well. But before it all disappeared, I saw the light of the sunrise shine through the surface of the water. And all I could think was,

'...I want to go home.'

And then my vision faded to black.