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Chapter 16: Save Me
The sun had dipped low, casting long shadows as Kuro and Eve walked side by side down the quiet sidewalk. The wind was still, heavy, like it was holding its breath.
Eve stayed close to him, her hand occasionally brushing against his. She still hadn't said a word. She didn't need to.
Kuro looked lighter somehow—his steps slow, thoughtful, like he was stalling time.
"I'll walk you halfway," he said with a soft smile. "Just so the monsters don't get you."
Eve didn't smile back. But her gaze lingered on him longer than usual.
They passed the park.
They passed the rusted fence behind the old convenience store.
Then they reached the edge of the woods.
Kuro stopped.
He didn't say anything at first. He just… stared. The same way he always did in class, in the hangout, at lunch.
But this time—he pointed.
"Eve," he said quietly. "Do you see it?"
She followed his finger. It was nothing at first—just the swaying trees and the deepening dusk.
Then she saw them.
The bodies.
Dangling like puppets between branches—teachers and students, struggling, kicking, bound in ropes, bags over their heads. One's hand twitched violently. Another made a choking movement.
They weren't dead.
Not yet.
The branches groaned under their weight, creaking in eerie rhythm with the wind that hadn't blown all day.
Eve's breath caught. Her feet froze.
The scene clawed into her mind like a nightmare stitched into reality.
She blinked.
Gone.
The woods were normal again.
Calm.
Empty.
Just leaves and silence.
She slowly turned to Kuro—who was still smiling. But his eyes were glassy, distant. He didn't seem surprised.
He stepped closer.
And before she could ask—before she could process—it happened.
Kuro leaned in and kissed her. Gently. Softly. Like it was the only peace he had left to give.
When he pulled away, he didn't say anything.
He just slid a small, folded piece of paper into her hand. He gave her one last look—half-laughing, half-shaking—and turned toward his house.
She unfolded the note.
One word.
Two syllables.
Shaky handwriting.
"Save me."
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To be continued...