All Together Now

Masayuki! Masayuki!

He turned his head. He could see a shapeless form out of the corner of his eye. He couldn’t see the face, but he knew it was her.

Baby? What are you doing here?

Never mind that!

He felt a pressure on where his back would be. He took in a breath.

It’s okay. This was the only way that we could stay close for now.

What are you doing here? He looked out in front of him before looking out of the corner of his eye. His guide was still in front of him. She hadn’t turned and looked back.

I’m here to help you. We don’t have much time.

Yes, I know. But how did you get in here?

Someone led me to you. I don’t know who and that’s important. Here’s what you need to do. Just listen to everything that I have to say. Do you understand?

Baby?

Do you understand me?

Masayuki dropped his non-existent shoulders. Okay, yes. Tell me what I need to do. The shapeless form paused before she began to talk.

----------

Baby Doll was still out it in the circle.

“We’re losing her again,” Izumi said.

“Don’t break the circle!” Natalia shouted.

“But…” her fellow angel said.

“Stay focused!” the leader shouted. Izumi drew her mouth closed. What else could she do? The pressure was getting to all of them. Not just the angels either. The kids, Nancy, Haru, and Tokyo ’87 looked ready to tap out. Ben fought to keep his eyes open. He took in slow, deep breaths. The man felt like his head was spinning.

“Are you okay?” he heard next to him. He didn’t know who that was. Ben closed his eyes.

“I’m holding on. You?” he asked.

“Same.” That sounded like either Max or Russel. Ben didn’t even try to turn his head. How long had they been stuck frozen like this? No one could tell anymore. The storm was getting worse outside. No one else tried to go in or contact them. Everyone human couldn’t understand what was going on. They only knew that they had to stay like this for some reason. It felt like something was at stake here.

Ben closed his eyes again. That’s when he heard something in the distance. What… What is that? Wait a minute! I know that voice!

That’s when the child started to speak.

----------

Miike looked around. The classroom was silent. All of the children stood around, waiting. Their teachers didn’t know what to do. He counted down to what was coming next. Her hand grabbed onto his. The boy turned his head. She trembled as she stared into his eyes. Miike didn’t know what to say to her. She seemed to ask, “Are we going to be okay?” with her eyes.

The boy lowered his head. He didn’t have the answer. Or rather, he didn’t want to say it out loud. He couldn’t bear to say it out loud. Sure, she was strong enough to take it. She’s definitely shown that in the past. But this was different. If he told her the truth, she would…

Miike paused with his thoughts when she let go of his hand. Her eyes looked so empty. He called her name, but it might as well have been miles away. She rose to her feet and began walking out of the classroom. Miike started to call her name again before he drew his mouth closed. He understood. Understood what needed to be done.

The child didn’t say a word as he got up and followed behind. Soon, the other children would follow behind and then it would begin.

----------

The child opened her mouth and spoke from the void. And the mission to end this tangled mess began.

“Here is what you need to do.”