Longer Darker Nights

Michio looked out the window. When did it get this dark? He shivered as he stared out at the pitch black. The boy quickly closed the curtains. The storm was supposed to have passed over by now.

“It’s not a normal storm,” someone whispered in the dark. Michio jumped as he whipped around. Izumi stood in the doorway to the stairs.

“It’s only me,” she said.

“Please don’t do that,” he said. The angel shrugged.

“Whatever,” Izumi said.

“What did you mean before?” Michio asked. She looked up at him.

“Hm?” she asked.

“What do you mean that this is not a normal storm?” he asked. “Does it have to do with the Hidden World?” Izumi frowned as she lowered her arms.

“Well, yes and no,” she said. She took a seat on the step. “What all have you noticed?” Michio took a minute to think.

“The storm, it’s always dark out, this apartment will feel cold in some spots and hot in others,” he said.

“And the power is out?” Izumi asked.

“Yes,” Michio said. The angel took a moment to think about that.

“Now that you mention it,” she added. “Sometimes, I think that I see someone walking into another room and then I see them walking into that same room.”

“Why you think that was weird?” the boy asked. Izumi shrugged and shook her head.

“It happens in seconds around random spots around the apartment,” she said. “They act like that I am going crazy.” The thunder ripped through the sky outside.

“I can see that,” Michio said after some thought. The angel rubbed her forehead.

“I don’t know what the hell is going on,” she said. “I don’t like it.” Michio looked up across the hall. He saw who looked like Taro walking across the kitchen. The other boy blinked and rubbed his eyes. The image of Taro became covered in static.

“Hey, Izumi,” Michio said.

“Yeah?” the angel asked.

“I think I am starting to see what you mean,” he said. “Where did Taro go?”

“Huh?” Izumi asked as she turned and took a look for herself. There was no one heading into the kitchen. Michio’s stomach started to turn.

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Meanwhile, Baby Doll felt a pulsing leap through her chest. She began gasping like she was choking.

“Baby Doll? Baby Doll? What’s the matter?!” Masayuki asked. His words sounded so distant as he tried to shake her on the arm. In her mind, she began to see a bright purple light. Her mind started to reach out for it.