Encounter

Chapter One - Retrouvaille

This beautiful dress that previously had seemed to shimmer so brightly under the moonlit sky, was ripped and soiled from dirt and dried blood. As I sat, dazed and afraid, in a dusty hayfield with a black pistol in my right hand; I contemplated  every decision I'd made up until this moment.

°•●○●•°

It had been another typical Saturday night, where Mari and Aki would call me to get them from a party, and they'd stay at my house til' Sunday afternoon. I had just gotten Mari settled on the couch, and turned the TV on, as Aki was standing in front of the pantry, searching for a midnight snack.

"Sachiko- where is all of your food? It's so bare in here, and I have the munchies right now" Akintunde childishly complained, continuing to search through the shelves.

"I haven't thought to buy any snacks recently," I responded, "especially considering you two haven't crashed in a while."

Aki sighed and shut the pantry door. "There's no way you have nothing, you and your sister have to eat too," he said, his tall stature leaning against the island counter. 

"I just haven't been paid yet, I had to help mom with bills for this month," I replied, picking up my phone to check it. "The gas station hasn't been getting it's typical business, we were falling short. I promise you were well fed."

Aki diverted his attention from the TV and turned to me. "You know if you need help, we're here. Me and Mari both," he said with sincerity. 

I indirectly, but thankfully nodded to him, and kept scrolling through my phone. It was a calm night, the soft glow coming from the stove top light, undercurrent of noise from the TV and the slight hum of the refrigerator made for a relaxing scene. I had finally dozed off when I received a strange message;

[Unsaved Contact]

Hey, something's come up, I'll be at your house in a few.

°•●○●•°

"....Sachiko, there's someone at the door," I heard Aki's low, exhausted voice, as he shook me awake. I slowly sat up, rubbing my eyes then checking my phone. It was near three o'clock, and I assumed that my mom had finally come home, but Aki quickly informed me that there was no sign of her. I had finally seen the cryptic message I received before falling asleep.

I observed Mari, still knocked out on the couch. I heard a loud pounding on the front door again. "Hey Aki, go grab a knife from the kitchen," I commanded tiredly. "If my mom hasn't shown up, we aren't expecting visitors." I stood up and went to check on Shika, then headed back to the living room.

Aki hurried around the counter, placing a dull paring knife on the granite countertop. I took the it,  and approached the door, putting said knife in my right hand, and unlocking the door with my left, prepared to strike if needed. Aki stood close behind me as I opened the door. 

I swung the door open, hiding my weapon. For a split second I saw a hooded male figure in front of me, then he lunged towards me wrapped his arms tightly around my torso, almost immediately inhaling his scent of cheap cologne and alcohol. In shock, I yelped and dropped the knife, and began to wrestle out of his grasp, grunting and struggling. " Akintunde jumped behind the man and pried his arms from my body, subduing him to get a good look at him.