Meat Demon
-Nami-
There's been something following me. I don't what going on. For some reason, I keep leaving a trail of blood behind me. The first time I saw it was in the hallway of my apartment. I don't know what it was but something told me to turn around. I turned my head and thought I was going to faint.
Where did this trail of dark red blood come from? My head was spinning as I looked down at my body. Everything looked clean. I didn't hurt myself that badly. Even my shoes looked spotless. When I looked up again, the blood was gone. What just happened? Something told me I wasn't going to like the answer. I forced it out of my head and walked to school.
I wished that was the only thing I saw.
I kept looking over my shoulder the whole time. I can't see them.
"I know you are here," I said under my breath. The silence made it worse. Sometimes, it sounded like something or someone was running toward me. I puffed up my cheeks. This was getting on my nerves. But I don't know what to do.
Is anybody there? I need to talk to someone.
I'm here.
Who is there?
It's just me.
I breathed out in relief. Oh good. It's you.
What's on your mind?
I pressed my lips together. Do you ever get the feeling of something or someone following you?
What do you mean?
I took another look behind me. It's quiet again. The smell of blood filled my nostrils. Oh god! I took in a deep breath to keep from throwing up.
Are you okay?
"No." There was no one around to hear me. Even if I was on a crowded street, I would've said that out loud. Why was I still standing out here alone?
Where are you right now?
I took a look around. Downtown Ikebukuro. Where are you?
Celty and Shinra's apartment. How sure can you get here?
I don't know. I froze when I heard heavy breathing behind me. When I turned around, there was nothing. It's playing with me now. How could there be no one around on this street? That's when something else caught my attention.
What... Is that?
I see something standing like the bones in the body were broken. The head looked bent at an uncomfortable angle. My heart started pounding against my chest. I didn't need Madoka's sharp vision to see this... this...monstrosity. There was no skin on it. It had no skin. Bloody horns stuck out from the top of its head. I can't tell what it's crying out. The tears looked so black. I could see the bones through the muscles and organs. I started backing away.
I don't like this.
Can it even see me? God, I hope not. I should get out of here.
Suddenly, its neck straightened up. Oh no... I turned around and started running. It got worse when I heard the footsteps far behind me. I shut my eyes and ran as fast as I could. Please leave me alone. Please leave me alone! A faint screaming rang in my ears.
Nami?!
I didn't respond. I had to get away from that creature. I think I was screaming in my head. The squishing grew louder. Do you know how meat sounds when it hits the kitchen floor? That's what it reminded me. What the hell was that creature? Why was it chasing me? Don't look back. Don't look back. Don't look back!
I had to go to Celty and Shinra's apartment. I dug in my brain for the directions to get there. It sounded like that monster was getting closer. I stupidly looked over my shoulder. It was in the distance but it kept running. It almost looked like it was running in place. No. You can't fool me. I won't let you get me. I pushed myself to run faster.
"I'm going to get you!"
That sounded like a child. I didn't think that the monster was saying that. But I've heard that voice before. I shook my head. Don't focus on that. Get to Celty and Shinra's apartment. The smell of copper filled my nose. I didn't have time to stop and throw up.
That's when it hit me. I could teleport the way there. I closed my eyes and thought of their apartment. I vanished in a flash. I thought that I was going to get away from that creature.
Boy was I wrong!
I made it in front of Celty and Shinra's apartment. I didn't have to stop to catch my breath. I made it. The feeling of throwing up left me. I did my best to try not to laugh. That old shock ran up my spine. I looked up to see Kohaku looking down at me from the balcony.
You made it!
Yeah! I threw back my head and laughed. But then I froze. There it was. I could smell copper again. No. Don't tell me...
I know I shouldn't have turned around. I know I shouldn't have. But I did. And I regretted it.
How the hell did it find me? That creature stood underneath a streetlight and I got a better look at it. I could see all of its organs still functioning. The bones were blacker than night. I squinted as it got worse the longer I stared. Oh god! Was that a giant centipede for a spine that it had? That creature took off running toward me again. I shut my eyes and wished myself up on the balcony. I felt myself vanish into thin air.
When I opened my eyes, I was on the balcony in front of the glass door. I made it. I actually made it! I leaned over the glass, laughing. But then I could smell copper again. Oh no... Don't tell me...
I just had to look down over the rail. That fleshy creature was staring up at me from in front of the apartment. It tilted its head to the side. I started backing away as I shook my head. Is it going to jump up and do whatever it wants to me? No! No! Please don't! Please don't come up here! But instead, the creature turned around and walked off. I fell down to the ground, panting. My hand rested on my chest. I looked up as the glass door opened. Kohaku stood over me.
"Are you okay?" she asked. I stared at her for a moment before I nodded.
"Yeah," I said at last. "I'm fine now." She had to pull me into the apartment.
I don't know what that creature was and I haven't seen it since. I have no idea what it wanted and I hope that I never find out.
