Nightmare

Raiden had completed taking the bath. All the blood he was covered in was swept away. He threw his school uniform, which was covered in blood, into a corner. Toshi gave him his own clothes and Raiden wore them. 

They had turned off the TV and sat together at the dining table. Toshi brought them the food. They all served themselves and started eating.

"Oh, damn. This is too good," Ralf complimented. "Which restaurant did you order it from?"

"Fool. Which restaurant do you think will serve food in this kind of situation?" Toshi remarked.

"Oh, right. My bad. But, then, who made this?"

"Toshi did," Raiden said. "It's always him who makes the food."

"Oh, really? You got some great cooking skills, Toshi!"

"Focus on your food!"

"Yeah, the food is good. But, how did you make it for exactly five people?"

"I made it after Ralf arrived and I assumed two more will be coming here."

That put a little smile on Raiden's face. "You are always the same," he said. 

They kept on talking about different things while eating. Sometimes Toshi's father joined in the conversation, too. But Makie didn't speak a single word. 

They finished eating.

Toshi's father suggested them to go and sleep. 

Ralf didn't want to sleep so early as his enthusiastic energy wouldn't allow him to sleep yet. But, the wound on his leg hurt a little and he thought it would be better to give it a rest. 

The lights in their house turned off and it became dark just like it was around the whole area. 

Toshi had prepared the extra futons for them to sleep on. Toshi, Raiden, and Ralf had their futons in the same room. Makie had her in the guest room.

All of them laid down on their futons and slept. 

But, Raiden was not on his one. He stood in the corridor against the telephone. He picked up the phone and dialed a number. The line went perfectly but no one picked up. He put the phone down and again picked it up. This time he dialed a different number but there was no response this time either. 

He put the phone down and went toward his room. He stopped midway. He stopped where Makie's room was. He stood outside the door.

"Maki, I know how you are feeling right now but get a hold of yourself. The danger has not gone yet so you can't stay like that forever. And, don't worry, either. Because I am here. I won't let you get hurt at all. I promise."  

Raiden waited outside the door for a response but he didn't seem to get it. He was about to leave but came a faint voice from inside.

"How many times do I have to tell you to not call me Maki?"

Raiden chuckled. 

"Alright, good night." 

Raiden left. 

Dawn came and swept away all the darkness from the neighborhood. Under the bright sunlight, all the blood on the streets shone brightly. It even looked more than what it looked at the night. 

Raiden woke up. He found Ralf sleeping beside him but no sign of Toshi and his futon. 

He walked around the house in search of him. He came around Makie's room. He peeked inside it and found her sleeping. He closed the gates and again went to search for Toshi. He came by the backyard of Toshi's house. There he found both Toshi and his father. They both had real katanas in their hands and were swinging them in the air. They were constantly practicing giving a blow. 

Raiden sat down on the wooden floor and saw them swinging it, without saying anything. After they were done with their practice, Raiden greeted them the morning. They greeted him back. 

"Morning practice?" Raiden asked. 

"Yeah," Toshi replied.

His father went inside and Toshi came by to sit beside Raiden.

"So, you do that every day?"

"Yes, it's a daily routine."

"Oh, nice. By the way, isn't that sword looking too real?"

"Yes, because it is real."

"No way!"

"Really, it is."

"Then, Isn't it too dangerous for you to swing it around like that?"

"Don't worry, you won't get hurt until you purposely jump into it."

Raiden chuckled. "I see."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Tell me. What is it."

"It's nothing, really."

"Okay."

"Actually, I was thinking about yesterday. I couldn't sleep the whole night. I was afraid. Afraid to get nightmares. Afraid to see their faces. Afraid to see Chido's face."

"Chido?"

"Yeah, he died. I feel like somewhat I was responsible for it. If I could have left the classroom without taking them with me, maybe they would be alive at this moment. I am sure Makie thinks the same, she just doesn't wanna say it on my face."

"I don't think it's like that. It was not your fault however I see it."

"It was, Toshi. Somewhere it just was."

"No. Even if you had not taken them with you do you think they could survive on their own? Even if they kept themselves hidden but for how long? They would get hungry and eventually would want to go out. All I see here is that you saved Makie. Maybe they all were destined to die in the school but you at least saved Makie. And, I am sure she thinks the same too."

Raiden let out a deep breath. 

"Don't take too much load in at this moment. We don't know how things will go around today. Anything can happen and we have to be ready," Toshi said.

"You are right. It's no time to be dwelling over the past."

"Yeah."

"Thanks, Toshi. For always being there."

"Don't mention it. Let's go, now."

"Yeah."