Empty House

Masayuki opened his eyes and looked around. He found himself floating in an empty room. There wasn’t even any particles of dust floating around. It didn’t look like there was a door or window in sight.

“What am I supposed to do now?” he asked. “Where am I supposed to go?” The boy turned his head. Was somebody… crying? Masayuki narrowed his eyes. It sounded like someone was crying. The boy turned around. There was a small figure huddled in the corner.

“Hello?” Masayuki asked. The figure didn’t move from the corner. He should turn around and run but something told him to come closer.

“Hey,” he said. The boy walked closer. The crying grew softer as he got closer. Masayuki got a better look at the figure. It looked like a kid huddled up in the corner.

“Hey, are you okay?” Masayuki asked. His hand reached for the shoulder.

Don’t touch me!

The boy froze in place. His eyes rested on the back of the child. That voice sounded too familiar. He dug in his brain for an answer.

“Who are you?” he asked. The child didn’t move.

Who are you?

He shifted his eyes back and forth. “I’m looking for a friend of mine. Have you seen them?”

No.

“Oh. Do you know how to get out of here?”

The child didn’t answer. Instead, they stood to their feet. Masayuki watched as a small black pressed against the white wall. His jaw dropped as an orange thread came out from a black hole opening up in the wall.

You can’t stay here.

“What?” Masayuki asked. The child stood up straight.

There is no time. Follow me. I can get you out of here. The child didn’t give him a chance to respond. They walked through the giant opening. Masayuki took off floating behind them.

“Hey!” he shouted. “Wait up!” Masayuki floated through as the opening behind. He wouldn’t have noticed if not for the walls closing around him. The boy couldn’t see anything in front of him.

“Are you still there?” he asked. “Hello? Hello?” He tried to float down faster. The sound of wailing made things worse. Masayuki didn’t have to turn around to know what that was.

“Hey!” he tried to shout. But he found that his voice was gone. However, he didn’t get time to think about that. A small hand grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him along. He couldn’t ask questions as he was pulled along.

Hang on tight! I’m going to get you out of here!

Masayuki didn’t have to say a word. He closed his eyes and let the child pull him along. The howling following behind made things.