Chapter Twenty-Two: Dining Hall Panic:

That evening, Ann went down to the main dining hall for dinner. Her hands trembled as she gripped the tray. She didn’t even try to make eye contact with anyone. That bastard could be anywhere. Ann pushed herself through the line.

“Five hundred yen, please?” the lunch lady asked. Ann paid up and shuffled away. She picked a table in the back corner to hideaway in. There weren’t many students in the dining hall this evening. Ann kept her eyes down at her plate. I just want to be alone. She picked up her chopsticks and started to eat her udon. Stanley and Christ picked the worst time to extend their vacation. She forced out her misery from her mind as she slurped up her noodles. Maybe no one will notice her tonight.

Everyone looked occupied with their own little worlds. Ann would only glance up for a brief second. It makes it worse when the enemy doesn’t have a face. His laughter lingered on in her head, making her shudder. They really wanted that box. Before she left her apartment, she was tempted to throw it away and save herself the trouble. When the Goth woman tried to throw it out the window, the wood of the box became so cold that it burned her hand.

“Shit,” she hissed under her breath. That box didn’t want to be thrown away. Still, she couldn’t understand what exactly was in the box or what “God” would want with it. Ann tried again to push it from her mind. The sooner he takes that damn box, the sooner I’ll be free! The woman helped herself to more noodles. She tried to tune out the ticking clock in the background.

He could be anywhere. Ann’s eyes darted around the room. She went as far as to put her phone on silent. Maybe she could survive through tonight and go to bed. The woman couldn’t tell anyone what was going on with her. They would all think that she was off her medication. She drew in a heavy breath. Another thought crossed her thought as she froze with chopsticks in hand.

What if this never ends? What if I stuck doing this forever? Ann buried her head in her hands. I can’t keep going like this, she thought.

“Excuse me,” a small voice spoke up. Ann froze and stared at her mostly-broth filled bowl.

“Yes?” she asked.

“Is this seat taken?” the small voice asked. Ann shook her head as she pressed her lips together.

“Okay, thank you,” the little voice said. Against her better judgment, the Goth woman lifted her head to see the same Rabbit Girl as before. Ann blinked in disbelief.

“It’s you…” she murmured. “What is it that you want?” The Rabbit Girl pulled out the chair and took a seat.

“I won’t be long,” she said in Ann’s voice. “I just came here to give you a little message.” The Goth woman’s eyes widened with the silence.

“What?” she asked. When her eyes darted forward, she noticed the Bunny Girl’s face just inches within hers.

“I will cut you into little pieces,” she whispered with her mouth. Ann reeled back in her chair. She bolted up and took off running.

“Wait, where are you going?” the girl asked after her. The Goth woman vomited in the toilet in a bathroom stall. Her stomach turned as she held onto the bowl. Why won’t this stop? Leave me alone! Leave me alone!

“You can’t walk away,” a voice hissed over her head. Ann looked up to see another hand dropping down upon her.