Chapter 4 - Tokyo's

𝙸𝚗 𝙰 𝚃𝚊𝚡𝚒, 𝚃𝚘𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙷𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚕

Bothered, she continued to recall of the nightmare. But with every minute that continued to pass, it was getting more difficult to remember. It was becoming vague. Before she could idly waste away attempting to relive bits of it, she was interrupted by the old man. "We're here." Forcing the thoughts from her mind, she gained back her sense and gave a smile at the cab driver as she paid. But, before she could place her hand on the handle, the cab driver spoke.

"Be careful, there are lots of dangers here in Tokyo." It was random, but not out of place. Taking it to note, she merely nodded. 'Honestly, what is it with these advice that somehow just seat right. Have I been stuck under a rock since birth or what?'

『 時間 』

Drained of energy, she fell lifelessly onto the mattress. 'Such a comfortable bed.'

𝘉𝘶𝘻𝘻

The door rang, but was ultimately ignored by the snoring woman who was fast asleep. While a man on the other side spoke in Japanese. "Hm, guess she's out cold. Better call in Sha.. Before things go south real fast."

'It is so dark. Hmm, was that a firefly?' Stuck in a forest, where the mist and night rendered her vision to nearly none existent. Though that didn't prevented her from taking another step. She kept walking, she figured it to be an uphill mountain. Considering the fact it was a steep path. Leaves from the trees were dancing to the strong wind, and the rustle of the bush on the ground were loud.

Out of the darkness of night, emerged a predator. 'What the fuck is a tiger doing here?!' It roared and snarled, but left the woman alone. Releasing the breath she had hold, she sighed in relief. 'I thought that I was a goner. Thank the merciful Being above.' However, it seemed luck had ran out. The firefly that she was silently tailing, was gone from sight.

Panicking, she began to hyperventilate. 'Calm down, calm down.' Repeating the words over, and over, she finally settled down. Alone, under the dim night, she wrapped her arms around her legs. When what a split moment seemed to have past, a brighter form of light alerted the college girl. It was over in the distant, moving along through the forest. Standing quick, to catch up for aiding help, she approached the red burning lantern.

Closing on in, she stepped on a branch. In an instance, it disappeared. "Hey! Is someone there, I need help. Please." It was probably an awful move, possibly alerting other predators within the forest of her location. But if she wanted help, she'd have to. Before she could utter another word, her shadow was formed in front of her.

Looking over her shoulder, she spotted the source of light - The Red Lantern; carried by a man with a long black hair that seemed to reached his back. "Another wanderer?" He said, scanning Sasha's figure from top to bottom. Realizing he had just spoke English, she could had almost cried in joy. "Could you help me get out of this forest?" She asked in her most pleading tone.

To all be entirely truthful, Sasha wasn't the least bit of scared around the stranger. Although it had been implanted into her as child to avoid strangers, but at the current situation it is the last of her resort to seek help.

Stretching a small reassuring smile, he answered. "Just follow me." Nodding, she did as told and followed. But still being cautious nevertheless. Just later after they had set out, the man spoke, striking a conversation. "I see you've been raised well. Not to let your guard down when with a stranger. Even if you're in a situation where you rely on them." Remembering all the times her caring mother had taught, she smiled at the memories. "Yeah, I have a strict mom after all."

Coming to a stop at a red gate - Torii. He pulled out an object from his kimono. Whom only then had she took notice. "Open your hand, and keep this with you. It's a talisman that will keep you safe." Reluctant to do so, she said, "Sorry but I'm not superstitious."

In a stance of wondering, he acted to think. "Has everyone become so closed-off and narrow-minded. Even the offering of gift are now based on their own belief. Couldn't it be consider as-" "Okay fine, I'll accept it." Letting out a small snicker, he smiled. "Very disrespectful as well."

'𝘉𝘶𝘵 has 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵.'

𝙾𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚕𝚞𝚛𝚔𝚎𝚍, 𝚒𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖 𝚘𝚏𝚏 𝚐𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚍.