The train screeches as it slows into Yokohama Station, metal grinding softly against the rails before the carriage finally shudders to a stop.
With a quiet hiss, the doors slide open.
Cool evening air rushes inside the train, brushing against the tired passengers as they begin stepping out.
Fumiko, Ami, Yuki, and Rin step onto the platform together.
The station is less crowded now than it was earlier in the day, but the soft hum of conversation and footsteps still fills the air.
Streetlights outside the station glow through the glass walls, casting long golden reflections across the polished floor.
Rin stretches her arms high above her head the moment they step out.
"Ahhhh… home at last!"
She yawns loudly, her shoulders rolling as if trying to shake the exhaustion out of her body.
"My legs are crying for mercy."
Yuki spins happily beside her, shopping bags dangling from both hands.
"Let's go to Tokyo again next weekend too!"
Her voice is bright with excitement.
Her eyes sparkle like a kid who just discovered treasure.
"I can't wait to try all these clothes on!"
Rin snorts and nudges her with her elbow.
"Of course you can't."
She gestures toward the colorful bags.
"You bought enough glowing outfits to light up the entire night market."
She squints dramatically.
"People are going to think you're a walking neon sign."
"HEYYY!!"
Yuki puffs her cheeks angrily.
"They're cute, okay?!"
She spins once proudly.
"Tokyo fashion is supposed to shine."
Ami giggles softly while adjusting the strap of her bag.
"I think you'll look adorable, Yuki."
She pauses for a second.
"Even if you blind half of Yokohama."
Yuki gasps.
"Traitorrrr!!"
Fumiko lets out a quiet laugh, shifting the weight of her shopping bag.
"Alright, alright."
She waves a hand gently.
"Enough teasing."
Her voice sounds relaxed.
Her smile looks real.
But her eyes carry a faint heaviness.
Something Ami notices immediately.
Fumiko glances toward the station exit.
"It's getting late."
She adjusts the strap of her bag again.
"We should all head home."
"Yep yep!"
Ami waves enthusiastically.
"Everyone get home safe!"
"Text when you arrive!"
Yuki adds.
"Or Rin will send a search party."
"Hey! You–"
Rin protests.
The four girls laugh together.
Then they split up.
Yuki and Rin head toward the busier street that leads to their neighborhood.
Ami and Fumiko take a quieter route down a smaller road.
The streets here are calmer.
Streetlights glow softly above them.
The distant sound of passing cars hums quietly in the background.
A cool breeze drifts through the night air.
Ami slows her pace slightly.
She glances sideways at Fumiko.
"Fumi…"
Fumiko looks up.
"Yeah?"
Ami studies her carefully.
"You're quiet again."
Her voice softens.
"Are you okay?"
Fumiko hesitates.
Just for a moment.
Then she smiles.
"I'm fine."
She looks ahead at the empty street.
"Just tired from all the walking."
She chuckles quietly.
"Tokyo trips are fun, but they drain all my energy."
Ami narrows her eyes slightly.
"Hmm."
She clearly isn't fully convinced.
But she doesn't push.
Instead, she sighs.
"Well."
She gently bumps her shoulder against Fumiko's.
"Promise me something."
Fumiko raises an eyebrow.
"What?"
"No staying up all night reading again."
Ami points at her accusingly.
"I mean it."
"Last night clearly destroyed your sleep schedule."
Fumiko laughs softly.
"Heh…"
She rubs the back of her neck.
"I'll try."
They walk in silence for a few more minutes.
Eventually they reach a small intersection where their paths split.
Ami stops.
"Alright."
She gives Fumiko a small wave.
"Goodnight, Fumi, and take care of yourself"
She pauses for a moment.
Then adds softly,
"Text me when you wake up tomorrow."
Fumiko nods.
"Night, Ami."
"Thanks for today."
Ami smiles warmly.
Then she turns and disappears down the side street.
But before she fully leaves
She glances back once.
A faint look of concern crosses her face.
Then she continues walking.
Fumiko walks the rest of the way home alone.
The streets grow quieter the farther she goes.
The soft hum of power lines fills the night.
Distant engines rumble occasionally.
But something about the darkness feels…
Uncomfortable.
Her eyes drift toward every shadow.
Every alleyway.
Every dark corner.
Her heart beats slightly faster.
"Not tonight…"
She whispers to herself.
Her fingers tighten around her bag strap.
"Please… no more shadows."
The memory of the creature from last night flashes through her mind.
The cold tendrils.
The suffocating grip.
Her chest tightens.
Finally
Her house appears at the end of the street.
Relief floods through her immediately.
She unlocks the door quickly and steps inside.
The familiar warmth of home calms her nerves.
She locks the door.
Closes the windows in her room.
Sets her shopping bags down on the couch.
Then changes into comfortable clothes.
After washing her face, she walks back into her bedroom.
The room is quiet.
Peaceful.
Too peaceful.
She stands beside her bed.
Her fingers lightly grip the edge of her blanket.
Her thoughts drift.
"What if I have that dream again…?"
Her voice is barely a whisper.
The image of the glowing figure flashes through her mind.
The strange words.
Child of Dawn.
She exhales slowly.
Then shakes her head.
"No…"
Her voice becomes firmer.
"If it happens again…"
Her eyes narrow slightly.
"I need answers."
She looks toward the ceiling.
"That glowing figure owes me some explanations."
With that thought, she lies down.
Pulls the blanket over herself.
And closes her eyes.
Sleep comes faster than she expects.
Her eyes open.
Cold air touches her skin.
The world around her is silent.
She slowly sits up.
The dreamscape stretches endlessly around her.
A vast sheet of glass-like water reflects the empty sky above.
But tonight
There are no stars.
The sky is dark.
Empty.
Fumiko stands slowly.
Ripples spread beneath her feet.
"…Hello?"
Her voice echoes across the endless horizon.
No response.
She looks around carefully.
"Are you here?"
Silence answers her.
Only faint ripples move across the water.
She begins walking.
Each step creates small waves across the glassy surface.
"Hey!"
Her voice grows louder.
"If you can hear me…"
She turns slowly in a circle.
"Show yourself!"
Still nothing.
Her frustration grows.
She starts walking faster.
"Come on!"
Her voice echoes sharply.
"You keep dragging me into this place!"
Her fists clench.
"You said I have a purpose!"
Her voice trembles with anger.
"Then at least explain it!"
She breaks into a run.
Her footsteps splash across the endless water.
"Come out!"
Her voice cracks.
"Answer me!"
Suddenly–
Her foot catches on something.
"AHH!"
She stumbles forward violently.
Her hands slam against the glassy surface.
Cold water splashes around her palms.
She winces.
Then quickly twists around.
"What did I–"
Her voice stops.
Her breath freezes.
Wrapped tightly around her ankle
Is a HAND.
A dark, shadowy hand.
It emerges from beneath the water.
Black mist coils around its fingers.
The skin looks twisted.
Wrong.
Her heart slams violently against her ribs.
"W-What…?!"
The grip tightens suddenly.
The hand yanks her backward.
"NOOO!!"
She kicks wildly.
Her nails scrape against the slick surface.
"Let me go!"
The creature beneath the water begins pulling harder.
Dragging her across the glass-like floor.
Her body slides helplessly.
Her fingers claw desperately at the surface.
But there is nothing to grab.
The water offers no resistance.
"NOO–!"
She twists her body forward and grabs the wrist gripping her ankle.
The moment her hand touches it–
Something warm smears across her palm.
Wet.
Her breath stops.
She slowly pulls her hand away.
Her eyes stare down at her palm.
Dark liquid coats her skin.
Thick.
Warm.
Her voice trembles.
"…Blood?"