~ News hour
Five people are said to have gone missing in the Sansa district, increasing the total number of missing individuals to a staggering 15!
These individuals were said to have left no tracks behind, nor were there any visible signs of struggle, almost as if they just… disappeared.
The police so far as well as the hpsc have given no statement on the matter, except that it is an appalling crime in need of Immediate attention.
Yet, days after, there has been no satisfactory action by both parties.
The news blurred to the back of Kyle's mind as he came down the stairs, his messy hair framing the sides of his face.
As per the doctors request, they had left the hospital to give Akiko time to rest, and both him and Sakura were to visit her again today.
When he arrived in the living room, he glanced at the television, reading through the news, then sighed.
'They can't even do their jobs properly…'
"Good morning, Kyle." Tsumi smiled from where she sat on the couch.
There were tons of envelopes scattered across the desk in front of her, creating a messy pile.
"Good morning sis. What are you doing?" He asked as he sat down opposite her.
Tsumi sighed as she picked up an envelope and tossed it to the floor. "I don't know what is wrong with the security guy, he's been mixing up my mail recently."
Even though she was angry, her voice was still calm.
She shook her head, grabbed another envelope and tossed it to the ground, then frowned as she met his gaze.
"Can you believe he was even sleeping when I got there to complain?"
"You mean Jack? He didn't strike me as the lazy type." Kyle had met the man a few times and he always seemed diligent in the very least.
"That was what I thought too, but if this keeps up, then I'll have no choice but to submit a complaint for his removal."
Kyle shrugged. "Alright then."
After ruffling through the pile, Tsumi pulled out a black envelope with golden seams from the mess, then stared at it for a long time before glancing at Kyle.
It seemed she wanted to say something, but decided against it.
Kyle got up to leave when Tsumi called out to him. "Kyle…"
"Hmmm?"
He placed the envelope on her desk and stood up. "I'll talk to you about something later."
'Later? Why doesn't she just say it now?' He thought.
"No problem."
Tsumi smiled. "Oh, and try not to stay out too late, it might be nothing, but a few people have disappeared."
"Alright, I'll see what I can do." Kyle grabbed his keys and hurried up stairs to get ready.
•••
Kyle had put everything from the fixing of the broken door, to managing the cafe in Himiko and Xian's hands for the day.
Xian had already been learning from Akiko all this time, and Himiko was not a complete novice either.
Unfortunately, the older branch would have to remain closed till he found a temporary replacement, but for now, their greatest asset was functional.
While they handled things there, Kyle met up with Sakura at the hospital.
When he arrived, she was standing outside the entrance, nervously staring at the road. But when she saw him, she hurried over to where he was.
Kyle was just getting out of his car when she arrived.
"What are you doing outside? Isn't Akiko awake yet?"
Sakura shook her head. "According to the doctor, she was discharged early this morning."
"Discharged?" Kyle narrowed his eyes. Akiko's state had been far from normal just yesterday, it was hard to imagine that she would be discharged already.
But it was not entirely impossible. When hospitals no longer have a solution for an illness, it was not rare for them to let the patients go.
Sakura was staring at him with a certain look in her eyes, it seemed she wanted to ask him something but was hesitating.
"Do you know where she lives—"
"Yes!" She beamed, hurrying to the other side of the car to enter the front passenger seat. "I'll show you the way."
'So that is what she wanted to ask…'
Kyle started the engine, and they began their drive to Akiko's house.
It was still morning by the time they arrived, but the sun was now high in the sky, and the winds of the coming winter were strangely more chilling.
Kyle had expected a humble family house, considering Akiko's personality, but when they arrived, he was even more surprised.
It was a large three story building showing signs of age. The building had a large compound decorated by flowers, and the lawn had been maintained at a perfect height.
'Isn't this…'
Kyle kept his thoughts to himself as they got in. Sakura led inside, where a chubby woman was busy mopping the floors.
"Oh, Sakura!" The woman smiled when she saw her.
She immediately dropped the mop and wiped her hands on a clear rag. "How have you been doing dear?"
Sakura bowed in greeting. "Good morning, I've been doing well."
The woman smiled, turning ng hee attention to Kyle. "And who might this handsome young man be?"
Sakura pointed at him. "This is Kyle, he is Akiko's boss as well as mine."
Just as Sakura finished speaking, the woman's demeanor visibly changed.
"Oh! Good morning sir! I've heard so much about you."
"Good morning, it's a pleasure to meet you."
They exchanged a few pleasantries before Sakura returned to the purpose of their visit.
"Miss Sakurajima, is Akiko here?" She asked in a more solemn tone.
Sakurajima's expression changed, her mood dampening. "She's at the back with the rest of the kids."
Sakura nodded. "Thank you." Then she tapped Kyle's shoulder as she began to walk.
Before they even arrived, Kyle could hear the laughter of children from where he stood.
They moved around the building and got to the backyard, where tons of white linen bedding were drifting around, being blown by the wind.
Standing in the midst of it, four kids holding her forearm as she spun around, with a bright smile on her face, was Akiko.
Around her were several other children of different ages, some laughing while others were playing amongst themselves.
'It's just like I thought… this is an orphanage.'
Akiko looked perfectly fine, lively even.
But Kyle still remembered the previous day in perfect clarity.
Anyone else would have thought she was alright. But there was one glaring change.
Her neck… there were glowing green cracks rising from within her clothing, and clawing at her face like shattered glass.
When Akiko noticed them she dropped the children and smiled.
Although the smile was not the happy type.
"Sakura, Kyle. I hoped you wouldn't come…"