The Six Keys

Deadman Wonderland Part One

     "Alright, shitheads, time to get moving!" A loud man's voice made me bolt upright in darkness. Various breaths fell upon my face as I sat in a moshpit of terror. Loud banging came from an unknown direction, and light immediately cracked through, blinding me and a few other people.

     "Move it!" a huge man shouted. Everyone remained hesitant but started towards the exit. When we passed through the doors, the man handed out brown drawstring bags. Surrounded by strangers and feeling completely lost and vulnerable, I clutched my bag to my chest and followed the person in front of me.

     Fluorescent lights halfway illuminated a hallway. It was mostly empty. The men who were herding us ordered us to stand against the wall. They then stood at the opposite wall, crossing their arms and looking over everyone.

     It was silent for several seconds. My eyes started to wander and I noticed I was the only girl. We were all wearing ugly, unflattering jumpsuits.

     "Eyes front!" one of the men yelled, making me swallow hard in fear.

     We stood there longer, it felt like forever. I was getting bored, but I noticed a faint echo through the halls. Before long, I recognized the sound as heels clicking on the floor. Closer and closer they crept, and I couldn't help turning my head towards the noise. What I saw made me freeze.

     It was Makina Kiwako, the chief guard at the one and only Deadman Wonderland. One million terrible scenarios played through my head, some so bad I started to tear up.

     "Prisoner 0929!" the man bellowed. "I said eyes front!"

     I bit my lip to keep the tears from coming. Makina stood in front of us.

     "Welcome!" she said, keeping her eyes forward and her expression menacing. "to Deadman Wonderland! Japan's only privately operated prison! We have given you bags with any necessity you may need over the next 3 days. This includes one candy for death row inmates, a little food and water, and feminine hygiene products for the ever-so-rare female inmate."

     I started to blush, looking down into my bag.

     "Your bags have your cell block and number on them," she continued. "Please go there immediately and look over park event rules, as well as the inmate rulebook."

     With that, she turned and went back the way she came. Everyone slowly dispersed, and I made my way to my cell.

     Sitting on the bed, I sighed and opened my bag. Not much was of use to me, as I completely lost my apetite and wasn't always on my period. I saw no candy though, meaning I wasn't on death row. Made sense, as I probably wouldn't be here for 3 days.

     Barely able to keep calm, I laid in the bed, looking over the rulebooks. I didn't know what time it was or how I was going to get out of here, but I definitely had some ideas about what my task is.

     A flash of white went past my cell door, making me jump up and look out.

     "Watch where you're going, you stupid bitch!" someone yelled.

     Turning towards the noise, I caught a glimpse of Shiro turning the corner. I figured if she were my acquaintance, my chances of survival would be higher.

     "Shiro!" I called. "Wait up!"

     I sprinted after her, keeping my eye on her as she bounced off the walls to her destination. She finally stopped, looking into a cell.

     "Shiro!" I gasped, finally at her side and leaning against the bars to catch my breath. "Why are you in such a hurry?"

     "Shiro can't keep Ganta waiting," she replied, smiling sweetly.