Just Trust Me

Chapter 2

Something was different about the day. Sounds were acerbic, colours were crisp, brittle around the edges. There was a steady plop, plop of the bathroom tap accompanied by his groaning bed. It was calm in his dorm, a surprising contrast to what he was used to. It was different today, because he woke up on his own, and only the calm was around to greet him.

That is what he needed to believe.

He needed to believe that it was only him and the orchestra of dawn sleepers. He needed to believe that there was nothing to worry about, nothing strange except for the realization that he woke on his own. He needed to believe the lie.

Beside him, beside his bed, stood gaping eyes, a smiling mouth. It stood there, staring at him, at his soul, and all Kiba could do was stare back.

But the only strange occurrence this morning was waking up by himself.

.o.

Back in 1987, there was an outbreak of paranormal sightings in Australia. People claimed to be seeing ghosts of their dead relatives, vampires, werewolves, and the like. Millions would roam the streets at night complaining about the sights, and many more were admitted to mental facilities. Researchers later claimed that there was nothing wrong with the water supply, air, or the food they ate. Isn't that strange? A whole continent at once, all raving about the dead and undead. The dolphin clapped his fins, emphasizing how strange it was. When the hospitals overflowed, there were autopsies that had no evidence of  anything that would lead to hallucinations.

So there was no outside or inside influences? Someone asked, like they were genuinely interested.

Mmm.. I would not say that. I've read that the monkey-see-monkey-do expression is not just that. When someone breaks out in hysteria, people will think naught of it and rid it of their mind. But some people do not stop thinking about it. They let it get to them and soon enough, they are seeing things out of the corner of their eyes, they are hearing whispers and laughter in an empty room.

At that, Kiba thought. His nightly visitor, could it just be a paranoid delusion? An empty threat? The words of his teacher wrapped around him, their fangs ice cold. Maybe there was nothing there and he was only dreaming.

But Umino-sensei. If there was no outside or inside influences, and you saw the same thing everyday, what could cause the sightings?

The dolphin stopped smiling for a moment, his fins scratching at each other in thought. It was a stupid question, a risky one, but Kiba wanted to see if what he saw could be justified.

Well, the smile was back, Kiba, if you were seeing the same thing everyday and you were healthy, I'd say you were suffering from the mundane.

.o.

At lunch, it was raining. They had to stay inside, but there was no possible excuse to miss out on a chance like that.

There was a strange sensation inside, like the past coming to life when he looked at the crying sky. The watery stirrings of previous undertaking stirred in his stomach, creating tide that rose in his veins and sent cool wavelets to lap at his brain. The excitement of it, when he knew he would get in trouble but he would not get caught, no. He would be quick, like a deer mouse – on edge and ready to hop, hop away at any time.

The consequences were dire, to disobey a superior, and his friends knew, too. Expulsion, at the most, and in-school suspension at the least. Plus the extra disappointment of parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, like a cherry on top.

But there was no possible excuse to miss out on a chance like this, so they left with eyes staring at their backs.

Where will we go? Asked Shino.

Well, we are already out here, so let's go to a strip club.

Dummy, Shikamaru sighed, They are not open at this time of the day.

Let's go to an arcade, then.

Yosh! Sounds like a plan! Piped Lee, his bandaged arms punching the sky.

Shikamaru lit a cigarette, and they continued on in silence. The rain continued its steady sizzle around them. 

.o.

He is out now.

Alone?

With his friends. It is raining, can you hear it?

Yes, I can. What is he doing out?

He is reckless, sir. There is nothing we can really do until he and his friends split up.

Will they? They came out together in the rain. They will go back to the school together, too.

Not necessarily, sir.

Why?

They are loud, sir. I heard them talking about clubs and arcades.

So you think they will disperse soon?

Yes, sir.

And if they do not?

There was silence now. Silence accompanied the rain and the tall one shifted uncomfortably.

Well?

He was getting impatient, it was obvious, but this was something he did not want to say.

Come on, now. There is no use in hiding things from me. I am getting angry here.

Yes, sir.

He stood up a little straighter, but closed his eyes.

There will be no other chances until next month. The school is going on a trip but he is not allowed to. We will be able to get in, but there are risky factors.

This was the silence that made him cry. When it was this quiet, he knew there was something coming.

And, sir?

Yes.

I... He is starting to suspect. He stares but there is no fear. I think that my time is almost up. In class today, he asked his teacher about delusions and paranoia.

That has nothing to do with you. Just keep it up. It is almost time.

Yes, sir.

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There is a long weekend coming up, so I won't be able to post until April. There's not a lot of followers anyway, but I'd thought I'd say something.