If You Resonate

Changes

Things are different now. A nagging feeling in the back of my mind has me thinking these changes are related to Akuma.

I glance at the car clock. 11:30.

I should meet him in the forest.

The movies always warn you against going into places like forests alone, at least that's what Robins screams whenever he's watching horror movies on his phone. But if the biggest fear of going into the woods alone, is death, then I have nothing to fear.

I just want to know what Akuma thinks he can offer to stop what's happening to me. Ever since we came into contact, it seems any contact I have with the dead has been affected. Seeing them in my daily life, no death scene... That can't be good. It can't be better.

Can it?

Dad drives us up the black driveway. The cool morning air is gone away, leaving the son to beat on us for the rest of the day. I tie my black hoodie around my waist once I'm free from the confines of the minivan.

"Eli, I want to talk to you later. Keep your phone nearby." I nod and walk to the back of the house.

Across the overgrown green, the forest looms imposingly. With a heavy sigh, I make my way across the large field.

The brown tinted grass reaches my chest, occasionally a few bolder blades will slap me across the face. With no one around to hear my frustrated growls, I take that frustration out on those blades, violently ripping them from the ground.

Akuma...

The edge of the forest is nearing and relief is coming over me. Before I can celebrate the end of this fifteen minute trek, my eye catches the shimmy of the grass to my left.

You're near the forest, there are animals...

I keep going. Another rustle.

Don't stop...

I keep walking, faster. The edge is just a few yards away. The rustling moves closer, faster.

Run!

My feet take on their own will as they carry me away from the disembodied rustling. It follows.

I can't help the panting as I quickly tire. I have to push forward. The large trees come into view and I don't hesitate to roll behind the nearest one.

My hand slams over my mouth, attempting to stifle unsteady breathes. Steps emerge from the grass, stopping next to my tree.

I press myself against the tree, begging it to absorb me. But they run forward.

A fox.

Sighing, I rise from the ground.

"You came afterall."

I fall to the ground with a gasp.

"Though I am surprised to see you running from a fox."

"Akuma... You told me you could help me. You have answers?" I swipe the dirt from my legs. "Like what happened to me this morning and why haven't I seen your death?"

"You haven't seen my death, because I don't see the need in reliving my last moments with someone who can't or rather won't do anything about it. And I told you, this morning you experienced Kanashibari." Akuma sits on a stump, cross-legged. He looks up at me seriously.

"What does that even mean? What is kanashibari?"

"It is a type of spirit. This particular spirit wanted to possess you. For revenge." I can't comprehend these words. Only my mouth hangs open, silently.