The sounds of faint breathing filled the silence as blood dripped from his forehead. He knew it was only a matter of time before he would die. His lips were chapped and busted. He could not even remember the last time he drank water. His amber eyes were lifeless as he fantasized about the thought of his favorite paper fan. The red swirls of color in the shape of a dragon against the black contrast handmade paper. How he missed its delicate and dainty nature. With little effort, he waved his fingers as if he was still twirling a fan. He only stopped briefly as he sensed another presence. He could feel the fear in the onlooker's eye's as they took in his appearance. " hurry", he muttered before letting his body fall limp to the ground.

Noriko screamed herself awake for the fifth time this week in class. The whole class was startled by the sudden outburst. Embarrassed Noriko covered her face. " Is Edo period history that scary?" said Mr. Jin as he cleaned his glasses. " no sir....", she said as the rest of the class chuckled. Her best friend Natsume leaned back and texted her. Noriko put her head on the desk as she checked her phone.

Nat: Nightmare again?

Nori: yes

Noriko looked over at her best friend and smiled helplessly. Natsume was a good friend. She was very kind and beautiful skin with long chestnut brown hair. Noriko was just a bit envy, as her hair was just as long but jet black. It was always messy and the night terrors had taken a toll on her skin. She had bags for days from lack of sleep. As class ended Natsume tossed her strawberry milk. " Thanks...I really don't know what I would do without you", Noriko smiled. " I know but I found it crazy that you keep having the same dream. Maybe you can see the future?" Natsume said drinking her banana milk. Noriko shook her head. " If I could then this guy would not be dead. It's like every night I see people torturing this poor kid to death. Like sometimes they beat him other times they slice him up. It's horrible and all I can hear is him saying, "help me", Noriko was shaking at this point as she thrust her face into her hands and sobbed a bit. Natsume noticed others were staring and grabbed Norika and dragged her to the bathroom. " so have you figured out a way to save him?", Natsume asked as she rubbed her back. " No, I just get so scared because if they are doing that to him then what about me?" Noriko said looking up at Natsume. " Hmmm well, the Noriko I know would not stand around and watch someone get bullied. Right? ..besides it's just a dream. No matter how real it feels it's only a dream." Norika wiped her tears and looked at her friend. " It doesn't hurt to try", Natsume said giving her a big hug. Norika nodded as her hands shook before clenching her fist.