Guardian of Memories

Chapter 13

Hm? Where am I?

I woke up in a field, the sun shining brightly, yet everything around me seemed a bit blurry.

What is this?

I stood up, continuing to look around for any clue as to how I got here. Suddenly there was a rustling in the tall grass somewhere near me. "Hello?" I called out. There was no response, but the rustling got louder, and there seemed to be childish laughter as the thing approached me. I heard what sounded like a woman call for someone, and just as fast as it had come, it turned and went the opposite way.

"Oi! Wait!" I called, deciding to follow it. After a bit of chasing, I came to the edge of the field. I slowly stepped out and into a familiar scene. This is the park that me and Kaneki would always go to!

Why am I dreaming about this? I look over to see a family having a picnic. That's the little girl that was in the field, I'm assuming. I laughed at all the straw she had in her hair from playing in the field. Something about this seems familiar.. do I know them?

I go up to them and decide to ask. "Excuse me," I say, trying to get the woman's attention. She put one of her red curls behind her ear as she looked up at me. She seemed to have a sad smile on her lips.

"Hello there, sweety," she said, patting the spot next to her so that her daughter would sit next to her.

I smiled at her and looked at the gentleman as well. All three of them looked familiar, yet like complete strangers as well.

"I was just wondering if we had met before. All of you remind me of people I may have met."

"Hm? Is that right?" the man asked. "My name is.." he dropped the rest of his sentence as he stared past me.

I looked behind me and saw a man with short, light blonde hair and a rather large nose. He had a pale beige suit on and was staring right at me.

"Who are you?" I asked, curious as to why this family seemed to be cautious around him.

"Oh? You don't remember me?" he said, smiling maliciously.

"Should I?"

"I guess I'll have to show you then.." he started laughing. I was about to question him but I felt pain rip through my head as I collapsed on the ground. I couldn't move as I watched him go after the family. The young girl tried to run at him, intent on saving her father, but she was bad at keeping herself up and was struck and sent flying into the field. I screamed out for her, but it caused even more pain in my head. My vision went dark. I saw a light and reached for it. My vision came back suddenly and I was back in front of the field; only this time, there was no sign of the family. There was blood everywhere and the blonde man from before was standing over me. I looked over to see Mama looking at me with a kind smile, and a young Kaneki holding her hand, attempting to pull her towards the field. He eventually got free and ran into the grass, but Mama was still looking at me, smiling as if she were a frozen memory.

"Well, well," he said. I looked up to see the guy looking over his shoulder. I looked back to see Mama gone and the current aged Kaneki standing in her place. He had his eye patch on and was looking at me with a blank expression.

"K-Ken.." I whispered, still unable to move.

"Shall he be next?"

Kaneki removed his eye patch, revealing his ghoul eye as his kagune burst out from his lower back.

"Or you?"

~

My eyes shot open as I gasped for air. I was being shaken awake by someone. I blink repeatedly, trying to clear my vision. The shaking stops as I look over to see a concerned looking Touka.