T R A P P E D

Chapter Seven - Akiko

The boys behaved like Ukiyo was already one of them. Great. I was worried that they might do something to her. Like... Probably leave her there, asleep, while monsters prowled around. But instead, they now seem like the best of friends.

I let them into the room, where dishes of food were waiting. The three boys dug into the meal, wolfing it down quickly. It was crazy how fast boys could eat. Wow... I am only just realising how fast Ukiyo ate. She ate at the same pace as those boys, if not faster!

"Akiko-chan! Your food here tastes as nice as when we were in real life!" that was what Hoshi said-or rather, attempted to say. It came out as "Amurghuff! Muff fuff tashuff uff nuffaff muffghuff mnommnommnom."

Ukiyo snorted at his failed flirting, and almost choked on her food.

Just then, there was a flash of light, and the room disappeared.

Instead, we were all transported to the main courtyard, where we'd first spawned.

Was it already time to leave? So soon? Hmm... I could only see a few of our classmates. The rest must have already returned home. The majority of the crowd were male. I guess it was because boys, in general, played more video games than girls.

That was when I noticed Ukiyo's expression. She was pale, her eyes flitting everywhere, like she was searching desperately for details.

A red warning signal flashed. Then another.

Three more.

Then, the whole sky was filled with them.

In shock, I grabbed Hoshi's arm and hugged it, eyes shut tight. I was trembling all over. Kaori stroked my head gently, but I could feel his pulse racing as well. Stuck in a tight embrace of my two former classmates, I began to relax, but I was still terrified.

Ukiyo, sounding like she was recalling something from a long time ago, said, "It is happening. We are trapped once more. No one can enter, no one can leave. Except through death."