The Future Diary

Chapter 3: Start Game

Aya stared out her window at this strange man who wore a gas mask. He slowly wade his way towards her window.

He seemed to be typing on his phone as he walked towards her. Aya's phone buzzed again. She looked and saw another message.

I only wish to talk. I can show I'm unarmed.

Aya looked back out the window. He stood there, his jacket open and empty of weapons. She cracked open the window slowly and peeked out. "I don't trust you." She said simply.

He sighed. "I understand your distrust, but believe me, despite me being a diary holder, I have no ill will towards you."

She glared. 

"Ok, allow me to explain." He said. "I have no intentions of winning this game."

"Then why participate?" She asked.

"It's my duty." He said simply. "And my duty now, is to protect you and ensure your victory."

"Why me though?" Aya replied.

"Let's just say, I know you pretty well. You don't know me, but I've had my eye on you for a while." He explained. "So, please allow me to assist you in winning this game."

Aya thought for a moment. To her, this was all happening so fast. One minute, she was coming to the US for school, the next, she was plunged into this game of survival.

"This is all so confusing!" She said and slammed the window shut.

She sat on her couch and huddled. A few minutes passed and her phone buzzed. She hesitated, but opened it.

How about this. We keep in touch through text. You don't have to personally see me.

She held her thumbs over the keyboard before finally typing a response.

Alright, but I still won't fully trust you. I don't even know your name.

I'm Fourth. He texted back.

Fine, what do we need to do for your "glorious" plan?

Well, it's quite simple really. You go about your normal life as usual. Go to school, act like the game isn't even happening. Oh, but do always check your diary and make sure to let me know immediately if you see a DEAD END flag.

What's a dead end flag?  Aya replied.

It's basically flagging your death. You can avoid it if you can figure out what's going to happen to you. For example, if your diary says you go down a dark alley, followed by a DEAD END, you're going to die. However, if you take steps to avoid that outcome, like taking a different path, you could avoid the DEAD END. Sorry, it's a bad example.  He explained.

No, I think I get it.  Aya replied.

Very good. Now I'll leave you be. I left you something by your door. And remember to get text me if you get into trouble.

Aya curiously peeked out her front door to see a glock pistol and a box of ammo lying there. She quickly grabbed them and hid them in her room.

"Crap, he actually gave me a gun?" She muttered.

The Next Day

Aya sat in the classroom early in the morning at her new American summer school. She'd checked her Diary  frequently, but nothing of interest had shown up yet. She closed her eyes slowly and awakened in Deus' realm once again.

"Ah, you've returned." Deus said, almost cheerfully.

"I have some questions." Aya said.

"Do ask then, I'm happy to answer any you have." He replied.

"Ok, the diary, how exactly does it work? I mean, I know how, but how does-" She began.

Deus waved his hand over her. "I know what you mean, and here's my answer. Each diary is unique. Every holder's diary works differently. As you've learned, yours works as telling you the immediate things happening to you. A weakness in it that it has a short span of reaction time, however, strong that it's very specific to you."

"Ok, that makes sense." Aya said. "Now, what if I just hide until the end?"

"As long as you are the last survivor, you win." Deus answered. "Do you have any other questions?"

"How did Fourth know who I was?" Aya asked.

Deus remained silent for a few moments before finally giving her an answer. "He's really good at getting information fast."

"That's all you're going to tell me?" Aya replied.

"It's all I can say while remaining fair." Deus stated.

Aya sighed. "That's all I guess."

She awakened in her classroom. Her Diary buzzed. She looked.

[June, 20XX]
There's a strange guy in class, giving me the creeps. He's sketchy.

Aya looked up to see a guy walk in. He had bright green hair, hidden in a beanie. He wore a loose hoodie and baggy shorts. He looked over at her suddenly.

She hid her phone discreetly.

"Oh hey, you're the new kid." He said while taking a seat in the desk in front of her, sitting in it backwards to face her.

"Y-yeah." She stuttered out.

He held his hand out for a handshake. "The name's Ian."

Aya awkwardly took his hand in hers and shook. 

"Oh come on, shake like you mean it." He said with a smile.

She shook his hand a little harder. 

"There you go!" Ian said happily. "It's nice to meet you, uh..."

"Aya." She answered before he could ask.

"Well, Aya, how about I give you the ol' tour of the school later." He suggested.

"Oh no, you do-" She tried to turn him down.

"I insist, please?" Ian practically begged.

Aya sighed. "Alright."

"Great, we can begin after class." He said and then went to his own seat.

Aya sighed with relief. He was gone. However, Diary suddenly buzzed once again.

[June, 20XX]
Something's not right. I smell gun powder.
DEAD END

Aya sniffed the air to find that she actually could smell gun powder. She went pale and sent a text to Fourth.

I have a dead end! What do I do?!

Get out of the classroom now and get somewhere where no one else is.  Fourth replied almost instantly.

Aya left the classroom quickly. Class hadn't started, so she was willing to take a tardy in exchange for her life.

She peeked around the corner to see someone walking her way. She bolted into the opposite direction. She saw a janitor's closet and opened it. Inside was the body of who she only could assume was the janitor with a bullet through their chest.

Aya almost puked and ran into the girl's restroom. She hid in a stall, shaking.

Her Diary  buzzed again. As she went to check it, she heard foot steps.

[June, 20XX]
They're in the bathroom.
DEAD END