Ghost Stories:Shiryo Village *Editing*

Chapter 2

I made my way through the dusty roads of Shiryo Village, trying to shake off this creepy feeling that I was getting. It was as though something was clawing at my back and breathing down my shoulder. It felt like someone was boring holes into my body by just staring at me. I looked from left to right at all the different houses. There wasn't any sign of live no matter where I set my gaze. The lights were lost in the darkness within the houses. Abandoned. That’s the only thing that I can think. Something happened and the people who once resided in this village escaped while they still had the chance. That’s what I could think. That’s what I hoped.

Taking in a deep breath, I stared at oneof the houses on my left. I saw a swift blur running across the window. Was someone inside? I thought that it was just my imagination, until I saw the same blur run past a window on the second floor of the same house. A piece of me wanted to keep walking, but the other piece of me, the more dominant one, wanted to find out who was in that house. Just as I was about to step towards the house, I felt a sudden warmth on my frozen back. Turning around, I saw the house before me with dimmed lighting. Had someone noticed me outside and turned their lights on? I steadily made my way to the house and slide the front door open.

It appeared deserted inside, rundown and empty, even with the furniture still inside. It’s clean, there wasn’t a single piece of furniture out of place, not even the pictures were lopsided. I walked inside and the door closed behind me with a quiet click. Surprised by the sudden motion, I spun around and attempted to slide the door open, however, it remained sealed shut. I needed to find a different way out of this house and quick, something didn't feel right.

Giving up on trying to leave out the front door, I faced the interior of the house. Judging by how the living room is designed, with a small tea table in the middle and bamboo built chairs all around it, the setup made me think more of a meeting place, to meet in secrecy perhaps. I walked forward and made my way to the chairs when a light shined in the hallway leading deeper into the house.

"If I want to get out of here, I should follow that light. Maybe someone is in the house too ", I whispered to myself before beginning to make my way down the hall.

It felt as though the hallway was becoming narrow and smaller, enclosing me in the small space that I had been given. The light was slowly dimming away the closer I got, but I could make a shadow ahead, just standing there as though waiting for me or just watching me for their sick, twisted humor. I failed to notice the sudden chill that filled the hallway. I was too preoccupied with finding a way out of this house.

"Hello? ", I called out to the figure, hoping to receive a reply in return. At first, all I heard was my echo, mocking me for even trying to call for help.

"Hello? ", came a deep masculine voice from the end of the hall.

Relief. That’s what I felt when I heard his reply. It wasn’t strained or forced, nor was it in pain or contorted with an abnormal pitch. Human. Someone stuck here just like me. Maybe he would help me find an escape route of this house and we can team up together in search of Nana. No. Even if he doesn’t want to help me find Nana, it’ll be fine. I can find her on my own. I just need to get the hell out of here.

"What's your name? ", I asked as I got closer to the shadow. I was beginning to be able to make the figure out.

It is a man, perhaps in his mid-thirties with short black hair with maybe brown or amber colored eyes. There is also some facial hair under his nose, a bit like a mustache. He is tall and well-built, dressed in the traditional Japanese kimono.

"What's your name? ", he asked, copying my exact words. I was getting sick of his little game. I needed answers and I need them now. Him playing a game of echo isn’t helping me in anyway, whatsoever.