Corpse Party: Damaged Souls

Chapter 3: Children

    Four children whom were murdered before our parents were born. I could already see how many people would be confused to see why we were finding out information about them anyhow. Even telling our plan to Ryu made him frown. 

" Why are you thinking of doing this?" Ryu asked as he put away Ruka's video games. He turned to his twin. " Mom and Dad are going to kill you when you tell them." 

" We're not going to tell them," she said. 

Ryu frowned. " We?" 

" Yes, we. We need someone to distract them when we leave and find some clues. Souta and Hana are into their council meetings. While Akahana is stuck in her room all day. You are the only one we can count on." 

" So...you plan contains me putting my life in danger with our parents while you face spirits and do witchcraft?" he asked. Ruka and I looked at each other. 

" We weren't thinking about anything like that," Ruka muttered. " But thanks for giving me the idea since Mom and I communicate with another world. Perhaps they can tell us what happened to their children." 

" Parents don't like to talk about that stuff," Ryu said. " Besides, if they died before our parents were born, what's the point of finding out if their still alive? Unless you can talk to them beyond the dead." 

Ruka then smiled, a small mischievous smile. Ryu looked at me and then back at Ruka. " Damn it all!I I have given her an idea that I am going to regret." 

" You're her twin. Giving her ideas is what you're best at. Anyway,  how are you going to do that Ruka? That requires time and your body." 

" I can do whatever it takes to find out what happened that day." 

~

After I had talked to them, I walked back to my house at night. My parents must have been worried about me because of the texts and calls I have been getting. Annoyed with the last vibration, I took out my phone to a couple of texts. There had been one missed call from Dad and the text was from Mom. I frowned at the other texts I had gotten. It was from a unknown number, but it seemed like they knew me. It seemed like they had called me as well. I ignored it and walked faster. 

I returned home to find Mom upset with me, her arms crossed with a frown on her face. 
" Where have you been?" she demanded. 

" I was talking with the twins," I replied, walking past her. " Ruka saw me in the park after my counseling and we talked for a little bit. I then went to her house and played video games with her and Ryu." 

" You already know you're suppose to be home. You left your brother here alone. I thought you told me that you would be here afterwards?' 

" Things changed." 

" You could have said something. Your brother is lonely." 

" My brother is facing a wall and muttering the words, 'I still see her.' Do you think he cares who is here? I don't remember the last time he took something from his plate." 

" That's enough Anna. Dinner will be ready shortly and your father is coming home soon." 

" He's not back yet?" I asked. 

Mom shook her head as she head back to the kitchen with the apron around her waist. " He went to hang out with Yoshiki. I assume he wasn't there when you went to their house. Most likely went out drinking." 

" Dad doesn't drink," I muttered. 

" Not unless he's driving." 

That was the end of our conversation. I headed back to my room and slammed the door behind me. Lenora was ignoring everyone else as well. Aunt Yuka has mentioned that she hasn't been in school recently like us.  The poor girl had been isolated from everyone since that damn horror school had happened. It frightened me when my phone vibrated once more. With my fingers shaking, I checked it. It came from that same number once more. They had been asking about me and what I knew about Heavenly Host Elementary School. 

Just how did they know I went there? As these questions circled around my mind, I failed to realize my main objective. To find out more about those deceased children. That girl with the red dress was one of them and perhaps died even before the other children did as well.

As I was doing my research, Mom knocked on my door once more telling me that dinner was ready. The saddest thing was it would just be her and I. Dad was out drinking and Souta would not come out of his room no matter what. He would probably stay in there even if the house burned down. 

" How was it today?" Mom asked. 

" Better than how it would when I was at school. Though it seemed the others have missed me."

" Of course, when it's someone they enjoy being around often they tend to feel lonely when they're not around." 

I watched as my mother looked down at her plate and picked at her food. That brought me back to the time I was scolded about not eating my food. Back to simpler times when our dear friends were not dead.

" Mom, do you think there is an afterlife?" I suddenly asked. 

She looked up at me and frowned. " Of course there is one. When people die they go there and look after the ones who are still living. At least, that's what my mother told me once when your grandfather died." 

" You never told me about him. What was he like?" 

Mom smiled. " He was a nice man from what I remember. He was always working and my mother was here with me. It wasn't until I was at a young age when he passed away. Car accident, if I remember correctly." 

" He passed away around Souta's age?" I asked. 

" Around there," she replied. " Now the only grandparent you have left is my mother. I know you enjoyed your father and aunt's parents more than my mother." 

" They were fun," I admitted. " Always took us places when you and Dad were busy. I still have the stuffed animal grandpa bought for me." 

By then, I could already feel tears threatening to fall from my eyes. I hated talking about my dead relatives. It always brought tears along with them. I quickly wiped them away and continued eating my plate of food.

When I was done, I caught Mom opening Souta's door and placing the food on the dresser. We both knew it wouldn't be touched and he was becoming slimmer than before. 

" He'll eat Mom," I reassured her. " He will when he gets hungry." 

" You don't know that Anna. Souta is like me, stubborn and won't admit when he's wrong. I worry what will happen when the time comes for him to leave the room. He left once before, but I doubt he would leave again." 

" Give him time," I told her. 

Though, I don't know how much he needed until he fell over.