Corpse Party: Damaged Souls

Chapter 12: Questions

" Shinozaki?" I repeated. 

The man chuckled. " Oh, sorry. I guess ever since Ayumi married that Kishinuma she kept his last name. So, it's Ruka Kishinuma." 

" Why do you want to know about my friend? More importantly, how do you know about her parents?" 

" Small world Mochida," he said. " I knew the Shinozaki girls since we were kids. Went to the same school as them, but hardly talked to them after that. Ayumi was a stubborn girl, but she was sweet to others. She really hated Yoshiki." 

" Really?" 

" My question to you is where did that girl learn such a spell?" 

" What spell?" 

" The one she used when she tried to bring back your friends." 

I took a step back. I didn't know if what this man was saying was the truth, but I wasn't about to find out about that. " Please, I need to learn that spell." 

" Why do you need to?" I asked. " You're not a Shinozaki and you can't do such a thing. You don't have the power." 

" Neither does that little girl, but she is still alive. She is half Shinozaki and half Kishinuma. Hell, she even looks like one." 

" I don't know who you are, but I don't want to speak with you anymore. My friends are waiting for me and I have a phone in my hand to call the police. Step away from me or you'll be answering them." 

He listened and slowly held up his hands. I walked away and quickly dragged the others with me, to avoid them asking questions. I just hoped it didn't come and attack us. 

~

By nightfall, I was back at the house. My parents didn't question me too much about not calling them, but they were pleased that I was home. I sat in the bath, lightly running my fingers over my wound. Somehow, I had gotten hurt in that accident. The doctors noticed from there and took me away to have it stitched. 

Just thinking about that day made me feel cold in the bath. Everything was falling apart once more just when it was all coming together. If Ruka finds out who that man was, I would be glad to know myself too. Claiming that he was friends with Ayumi and Hinoe makes me feel uneasy. His aura was unsettling too. 

" Anna! How long are you going to stay in there!" Souta called, banging on the door. " I have to take a bath too." 

" Come in then and I'll wash your back!" 

The banging stopped. " No thanks." 

" Quit being a baby and come in here! I have washed you once before and I can do it again!" 

" I can't!" he said. " I was a toddler when you dropped me the last time." 

" Forget the past brother and come inside!" 

Finally, he listened and slowly opened the door. We were both older now, but that didn't make it any less awkward. Especially for being a sixth grader. He wasn't too happy about this arrangement. 

Without saying anything, he grabbed the small chair and turned his back to me. 

" Come and wash me so I can leave please." I could tell his face was flushed just by sitting there. 

" Calm down, let me grab the rag and I'll do the rest. Just be glad I'm not Akahana or Aoi. I have heard stories when they bathed with their cousins. Poor boys couldn't escape them." 

He shivered. " I shake at the thought." 

I laughed as washed his back. It had been awhile since we have done this. Brother and sister, washing each other. Though, some may look down on the idea by now. " Sister."