Hide And Seek

Chapter 1: The Game Begins

Akira's POV
The alleyway is empty, dead leaves scattering in the wind. An eerie howl fills it, my back stiffening. My navy hair billows in the strong breeze, several strands escaping the loose braid that falls limply on my bare shoulder.

My camera dangles freely around my neck, the silver keychain that hangs on it emitting a soft ringing that blocks out the howl. I let my eyes travel around the damp place, switching from a trash can to a plastic bag to a gun.

A gun.

My heart leaps in my throat, a mixture of fear and excitement stirring within me. Maybe this it, maybe this is the murder weapon. I edge towards it, eyes ablaze with cautiousness.

"What do you think you're doing, little girl?" a voice drawls from behind me. I jump, chest pounding as I twist around and come face-to-face with a hooded figure. I stiffle a scream, backing up against a brick wall. My eyes are trained on the knife thay glints taunting in their hands.

The hooded figure walks towards me, swinging their knife up and down. Despite the fact that the hood covers most of their face, I can make out a malicious smile from beneath. My breath quickens, heart racing with fright. I'm stuck. I'm going to die. What do I do?

The hooded figure raises the knife and plunges it in my direction. I duck, the knife missing me by inches. A grunt sounds from the figure, their grip on the knife tightening.

They swing their knife again, this time aiming for my leg. I don't react quick enough and the metal sinks into my flesh, a sickening squelch filling the alleyway. I let out a bloodcurling scream that rips at my throat, a flash of pain jolting in me. I drop to my knees, pressing my palms firmly atop the wound.

"When I ask a question, you answer," the hooded figure growls, teeth clenched. I whimper, recoiling from them. They grab one of my blue braids, pulling towards them. I let out a strangled cry as the cold feeling of a knife tears into my stomach, blood gathering in my mouth.

My pupils contract, watching the hooded figure pull out the knife and swipe at my throat. Blood pours from the deep slit and the world seems to tilt on its axis, fading into eternal darkness.

•••

I jolt awake from my slumber, back stiffening as I sit upright. I am drenched in cold sweat that drips from temples to my toes. My breath is unaturally uneven, as if I'd run a mile. I rub my eyes, shaking my head. Not another nightmare...

I open my eyes, my gaze met with darkness. I tilt my head, glancing at the alarm clock beside me. Bright neon-green numbers flash before me, making me squint.

00:34

I let out a sigh, slumping in disappointment. For the past two weeks, my sleep was riddled with nightmares. I barely got any sleep, not when I was being woken up at midnight by horrific nightmares. Averting my gaze from the clock, I turn towards Seina, who's asleep in the bed beside mine.

Seina Ishikiwa, a fifteen year-old girl who was hopelessly in love with the one and only Taro; not to mention a technological prodigy. She overshadowed me in every department, be it academic or athletic.

I glance away, pressing a hand against my forehead. I'm still for a while, debating on whether or not I should wake her up. On one hand, she might be furious with me for disturbing her in the middle of the night but on the other, I ached to go and tell her about my dream.

In the end, I decided that I would wake her up. What harm could a little chat do? She always said that I could talk to her if it was urgent.

I climb out of bed, walking towards Seina. I nudge her slightly, which is enough to make her rustle from her sleep. She opens her eyes, gazing at me sleepily.