Chapter 1
( Sara’s Point of Veiw. )
" Woah... it’s gone completely dark... ”
I looked around the school and turned around towards the gate, when I saw a person standing there. They came up to me. It was my friend, Joe.
" Whatcha doing, Sara? “.
" Joe..! “.
Jou Tazuna, or rather, Joe, is my classmate at school. We often found ourselves together.
" Listen! There’s something I wanna tell you! “.
" Something to tell me? What is it? “.
He put gave me a thumbs up. ” My thanks! “.
I was confused. ” Thanks...? For what, I wonder... “.
Joe giggled. ” Oh, you know! You introduced us, right?! Me and Ryoko! ”
Royoko is my best friend, I met her in middle school.
" She’s such a good girl! I’m moved! ”
Sara smiled a little. ” Cute, huh? “.
" Adorable! And I saw her swallow a doner kebab whole today! She’s a real glutton to boot! ”
" A whole doner kebab... Wait.. “.
I widened my eyes. ” You went on a date?!?“.
" Wahaha... Was on it ’til just a second ago! I came back to school so I could brag about it to you! “.
I frowned. ” You should have just gone home.. “.
" Alright! Bragging complete...! Let’s go home, Sara! “.
I nodded and we started walking.
" And then, Ryoko and I finally... “.
I sighed. ′ How long even is this story...′
Joe looked at me and frowned. ” Are you even listening?! We made huge progress! “.
I facepalmed. ′ This guy’s such a pain.. ’. " Did you guys kiss or something? “.
Joe widened his eyes. ” Ki...?! Don’t be stupid! Doing that on the first date... They call people like that monsters! We held hands! Outrageous progress, right?! I mean... It was mostly that I fell in a ditch and she was helping me out, but...! “.
" For how gaudy you look, you’re awfully shy... “.
" Huh?! Gaudy this ain’t! I’m hurt, man... That seriously gets to me... Dammit... maybe I should go back to a crew cut like in middle school... “.
I sighed again. ′ And now he’s started moping.. ’.
We kept walking. I looked around and noticed a poster that said to watch out for strangers. Joe also noticed the poster. We both looked at it and didn’t say anything. We then both looked around the street.
′ I’ve rarely ever walked home at this hour... It feels really dark..’.
Joe looked at me and noticed I looked nervous.
" What’s up? Wanna hold hands? “.
I widened my eyes. ” Ehh...?! Uh.. sure. “.
" On second thought, you’d probably crush me with that amazing grip of yours. Nah, forget it, Sara! “.
I frowned a bit.
" But real talk... Wouldn’t it help things if you got a boyfriend, Sara? “.
" I-... wha-...? “.
" You can’t sleep, right? ’Cause of your stalker... “.
" Is that... why you always go home with me, Joe? “.
” D... Dummy...! I just wanted to brag...“.
I giggled. ” Thank you.. “.
" For what, man?! Well, if you just feel like bein’ grateful, I won’t stop ya! “. Joe smiled. ” Alright... Let’s mosey along now. Your parents’ll be worried if you’re late. “.
I nodded. ” Right. “.
As we were about to walk, I spotted a shadowy figure.
" Joe.. run! “.
" Huh?! “.
I grabbed his hand and ran towards my house.
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" Pant... pant... pant... ”.
" Hahh... phew...We made it home... we should be fine now that we’re here. “.
I frowned and grabbed his arm. ” Joe... I’m scared.. “.
" Hey, don’t worry Sara! I’ll protect you no matter what! Call on me! Anytime! I’ll come with a boatload of freshmen! “.
′ That guy was staring... And... it seemed like...He was trying to talk to me...? ’.
" Well, your parents are waiting Sara! “.
" Yeah.. Hey Joe..? “. I let go of his arm.
" Yeah, what’s up Sara? “.
I hugged him. ” Thank you... and... be careful... alright? “.
" Alright. See you tomorrow, at school. “. He walked away.
" Okay... Guess I’ll go in... “.
I opened the door and walked inside the house.
” Hm? The house lights aren’t on...? “.
I shut the front door and turned back around. ” It’s dark... Why aren’t the lights on...? Mom! Dad! Are you home? “.
I walked into living room.
" This is bizarre... There can’t be no one here! “. I went to turn on the light switch.
I widened my eyes. On the floor, was my mom. It seems she has fainted.
" What do I do... What do I do...“.
I looked down. There was a key on the floor. I picked it up and put it in my pocket.
I walked to the hallway and ran into Joe." Sara! “.
I grabbed onto Joe. ” Please, help! My mom collapsed! “.
He held my hand. ” Stay calm! Did you call the hospital, or the cops? “.
I shook my head. ”Not yet...! I need... I need to call...“.
" I’ll handle it! Listen, Sara! You need to be calm! “. He took out his phone and started to make a call.
‘What am I doing...? I’m all out of sorts... But I need to do something... Something...’.
I walked to the 2nd floor room. The door was locked, so I decided to use the key I found in the living room. I put the key in the keyhole, and the door unlocked. I walked inside the room.
“Dad?! Dad, are you here?! Mom collapsed! Dad... Where are... “.
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I woke up and looked around.
” Ugh...Where is this, I wonder... Am I looking at the ceiling? Why am I sleeping here...? “.
I tried to remember what happened.
'Err... I think I went home... Right, and then mom...!'
I tried to sit up, but I couldn’t.
′ Is there something on my head?’.
I fearfully touched my head... It was some kind of belt... or machine...My temperature rose... Suddenly, fear awakened in me.
" No!! Where is this?! Somebody!! “.
I had no freedom to move. Besides my head, my left arm, torso, and legs also seemed to be restrained. All I could move was my right arm..
" Someone..! “.
I was about to scream, then went quiet. The stalker. He’d... harmed my mom... And he brought me here...‘I wonder, am I....going to be... killed...?’.
" Sara, are you there? “.
‘That voice..’ " Joe! Is that you?! Are you next to me...?! “.
" Yeah...! But I can’t move! Can’t you do something?! “.
′ Joe’s in the same situation?! ’. We both suddenly heard ringing.
" A phone...? Joe, is that yours ringing?! “.
“Eh...? You’re right... Something in my pocket’s...! Here...! Hello?! Whoever you are! Help us! “.
" ...Beginning voiced guidance. “.
We were both confused.
" Huh..? “.
" The First Trial will now begin. Sara, and Joe. Find the key hidden in this room. Then, remove your restraints. If you cannot do so before the time limit expires, the device on the beds will activate... And your bodies will be crushed with a thud. By all means, please enjoy this thrill with all your body and soul. The time limit is a healthy 5 minutes. And note that there is only one key, so please discuss who will use it. “.
′What... the heck is this... The First Trial...? We’ll die... in 5 minutes?′
“Waaaaagh?! Whadd’re we gonna do Sara?! “.
′ There’s no time to fret about that...! '.
