Boxed in the Storm

It’s quiet tonight. They do not like this. Masayuki leaned into Baby Doll’s face.

“You okay?” he whispered. His voice sounded so distant to her ears. Masayuki placed his hand on her forehead. She didn’t even try to push him off.

“Oh…” he said in a low voice.

Meanwhile, Izumi stood in the hallway listening.

“What are you doing?” Himeko asked.

“Shhh,” the other angel whispered. Her roommate narrowed her eyes.

“What are you--?” she began to ask.

“Shhh!” Izumi said again. Her eyes shifted back and forth. She pressed her lips together. “There’s someone else here with us.”

“Huh?” Himeko asked. She took a listen herself. “I don’t hear anything.” But then, she paused. “Wait. What was that?”

“That’s what I want to know,” Izumi whispered. Both angels took a listen.

Max sat alone in the kitchen corner. Ben sat across, watching him. He didn’t know what he could say. His old friend set their old school on fire? Ben couldn’t picture it.

He was about to get up when someone put a hand on his shoulder. Ben turned to Jules standing over him.

“Jules?” Ben asked. She shook her head.

“But…” he said. Jules shook her head again. Her boyfriend dropped his shoulders. He looked over a Max who had his eyes to the floor.

Meanwhile, Taro turned his head when he heard the front door creaking open.

“Hello?” he asked. The boy could hear the rain pouring outside as the footsteps started to walk into the seemingly abandoned apartment building.