The Ones Who Survived

Chapter 13: Seiko

It was quiet too quiet, and oh so boring. Visiting hours has ended which sadly applied to her family. Now she was alone. Alone in the silence. She half expected nothing to happen, she'd forget about the nurses, the doctors, and for today she'd pretend she was day dreaming, like she used to. Late at night.. once Naomi had fallen asleep, she would lay on her bed and stare at the ceiling wondering what the next day was going to be like? Now.. she just wanted it to end, it was so boring, so draining, so lonely. The thoughts buzzed in her head like a low hum, but even they weren't able to keep her from hearing the door opening. She expected a nurse with the calm voice asking, "How are you? Are you alright?", but instead she was left with no answer.

She lifted up her head to the most of her ability glancing at the door. No one.. there was no one and yet the room felt so warm. A familiar presence... She looked around, and found it. In the seat of the visiter chair was a slim girl. She wore a Kisaragi uniform despite it being the week end. She wore a warm smile almost as big as her chest. "Naomi..", unconsciously she reached out a hand to her. Naomi said nothing, she didn't move. Too far. She was too far, the longer she reached the further Naomi seemed to be.

The distance from the hospital bed to the visiter chair felt immense, almost as large as a corridor. Hopeless. The warm feeling keep retreating always at the end of her fingers, so close to catch... but alas it never would be caught. She sat up climbing out of the bed, running towards her friend. "NAOMI!!" Calling out helplessly tears covering her vision. Receiving no response she watched her friend disappear into the distance. "Seiko...".

Snapping awake she was met with the sight of someone unfamiliar.. who..? Aiko?? The girl who had sent her to that apartment? She sent her there why? Why? Was it to dangerous? Did she know what was in there?! The anger and questions bit at her eyes. Quiet she closed them, "Yes? Why are you here.". Aiko blinked and sighed, "I had word you were injured at the apartment so I decided it best for me to come visit you.", Seiko was silent remembering the deal she had made a couple days ago. Aiko walked over to the table as Seiko watched her, picking up the small box and slipping it into her bag . Reaching down she wrapped her hands around the small watch. She stared at it for a bit, as if deep in thought, but finally cast it away into her bag.

"I decided to come fill my end of the bargain.", Seiko nodded as Aiko sat down and pulled out a sack, "These are the EverAfter stones.", Seiko was confused blinking slightly but listened to her. She listened to a story that almost anyone would think akin to a Mad man. She talked of a book that had the power to bring the head to life, and how the stones would send her back to the hell she came from. It was mad, but Seiko listened. Listened quietly with curious intentions. Finally the ridiculous story had drawn to a close. She sat the bag and the photo of the familiar girl on the table, nodding her head and leaving Seiko alone. Soon. It was all too soon.