Another Ordinary Day. 001

From top to bottom, mind to heart, I have dramatically changed in these past few years. You could guess the phenomenon that caused these but, you cannot guess the phenomenon that caused all the drastic changes that took nearly full possession of my body. Moreover, I have additionally received several new physical and mental features along with these changes which took place due to that. Now let's get to the actual point.

I am currently thirteen-years-old, a typical teenager. I was studying in Germany, until just last year we (me and my parents) moved to U.S.A. and I started going to a brand-new school. Jarret View was the name. I'd rather stay as a loner for the rest of my school years, or perhaps even for the rest of my life. I do not wish to befriend a single soul in this highly populated school reeking of other students.

My legs stopped walking as I heard the annoying squeaky voice coming from behind me.

"Yo Keiko, how is it goinggggg?????" I honestly refuse to turn back to find out who was trying to exchange words with me and I'm not really good at remembering voices, but this atmosphere from behind is telling me that it's the one and only creepy stalker of mine. 

Jacob.

Jacob Lair. 

That was his name. I am not sure if it's for looks or for personality, but ever since I started going to this school, this creep has been greeting me every single morning in some rather romantic tone.

That messy brown hair, I wonder whether he ever grooms it or not, that oddly ugly grin he keeps on his face, his big pinkish nose, hideous wide eyes and so on, they all repulse me. I still wonder what is so attractive of me, I feel like flaying this creep's skin off one day when I ever get the chance to. Ignoring is not my thing, I hate ignoring someone who is trying to talk to me, be it a stranger, a person I barely know or even a person I know pretty well. No matter how much I loathe someone, I would never ignore that person.

"Um, everything is going like the usual, I guess?" I replied blandly. 

"Oh, is that so, well then, mind if you join my gang for a small hang out after school? My gang is missing just one person so I'd like to give a verbal invitation to you."

"No." I rejected with yet another bland expression. "I am not interested in joining whatever you and your gang are planning to do." 

"Aw, why? Are you busy today or something?" 

"No, I am just not interested."

"Aw man, now that was a waste." he said as he slowly walked away. "Well then, see ya Keiko, have a wonderful day! Oh yeah and by the way, could you please check your locker thoroughly, I left a small note there regarding something superrrrrrr important, you might as well check it out." 

"Uh, alright then, goodbye I guess?" saying this I walked away in the opposite direction to his. I am definitely sure that the 'small note' is going to be a love letter, ugh how cliché. 

Well, I better not follow my ego just because there is an awfully high percentage on the side of it being a love letter. So, I better check out what it actually is. I was slowly walking towards my locker which was numbered as 278. I was getting this oddly unusual and iffy feeling while taking each step. Each time I took a step, it felt like my fleshy leg muscles were replaced by some metallic muscles. It felt super heavy, I started to feel slightly dizzy at the moment. But this feeling was temporary, I immediately broke out from it and started walking at a normal consistent pace. 

"N-now that was pretty unusual…..I guess I need not pay any attention to it." I said to myself as I finally reached my locker. I reached out for the bar handle to open my locker. As soon as I opened it, a huge pile of small paper notes came dashing right at me. I accidentally slipped and fell down on the ground, I wouldn't really say it was because of this pile. I just despise the thought of putting the blame on inanimate objects, that's just exaggerated and dumb. And, if you are thinking I am a clumsy person then you are mistaken, mind you. I tried picking up all the paper notes and for some reason it isn't as Jacob mentioned. They were all a bunch of blank papers. I tried finding one carrying any text or message but in this huge pile I just couldn't, it isn't going to be easy for me to search a single oddball out from this entire even pile with just one exception. I didn't waste any more time and started to get into action immediately. While trying to find the single odd paper note in this huge pile there sure were a large amount of people passing by who started staring at me for a few seconds before they crossed the other side. 

Well, I wonder.

I wonder sometimes.

I wonder what people truly think of me. A transfer student. A girl who is from a totally foreign nation (birth in Germany, fifty-fifty German and Japanese blood) that is, according to them.

Not that I care, in fact, I usually don't even give a rat's tail about what others think of me. You never know how many people laugh at you behind your backs. You never know who it would be. It could be a foe, or even a friend. That's just how the world works. That's just how the human nature is like.

That's just how, human beings work.

It turns out that even after sorting everything out despite all the paper notes being blank, I couldn't find the one odd paper note which had some wordings on it. But why did I make an assumption of there being one paper note with wordings on it among this huge pile of blank paper notes in the first place to begin with?

Looks like it was a waste of precious time. Then I heard the annoying crackling sound of the bell which indicated that it was lunch time. I then tried my best to be nimble with my pace and headed to the cafeteria. There still didn't seem to be anything special on the menu today either. I am not a picky eater honestly. Ah yes, one of those qualities I still have from young age. I just eat whatever is edible, everything suits me. I am not allergic to any kind of food item. I just let out a big sigh and then started to look for a free seat, making sure that it is only for a person and not persons. I despise being around this huge annoying, noisy crowd.

To my surprise, I finally found a seat where only a single person can sit. Ah, how I've always dreamed of getting a seat like this. I left my bag and books on the seat to prevent any passer-by to occupy my seat. Of course I call full dibs on this seat. Then I slowly walked up to the counter and surprisingly the line was already nearly cleared. I wouldn't have to waste my time then, that's a relief. What a lucky day, I hardly get what I truly desire. After picking up the tray holding my lunch I slowly walked to my seat which doesn't seem to be occupied at all nor do I see anyone nearby it playing the infamous waiting game. That is, from a distance. I am not that close enough to come to conclusions so. 

I finally arrived at my seat only to find someone actually playing the waiting game. But this person looked like some lost beggar, no, that is just too rude, she looked like a helpless kitten left on the road in a box by it's lousy owner. 

"Um, are you lost or something?" I reluctantly asked. 

"Do I seem like I am lost?"

"Certainly, wait no, I am not sure."

"...."

"Anyways, why are you waiting, what are you waiting for?"

"Well, I don't feel like disclosing much but—" there was a small pause, "may I take a seat here, next to you? That is, if you don't mind."

"Um," like I mentioned earlier, I don't really feel like allowing anyone to sit beside me, on top of that I have my bag and books on the seat so, "why, I don't mind at all, you could go ahead and take your time on seating down, if you don't mind shall I clear up the place, as in place my bag and books somewhere else?"

I reluctantly said that.

I didn't mean to say any of it at all.

I-I never intended to. I just did not wish for this to happen at all.

While I am saying this, this girl has already taken her leisurely time on seating.

I regret it.

I honestly just regret it.

Why did I even...

"Um, if you don't mind, want to exchange names?"

"....."

"Oh, you seem like you don't want to go first. Well, I'll go first then, Carrie."

"C-Carrie?"

"Yes, Carrie K.Ficklewood."

"Oh, what an adorable name…" once again, I said another line reluctantly that too without even scheming my words out!

"Adorable?!"

"Sorry, I just couldn't find the right words."

"I-it's okay, so what name do you go by?"

"It's um, Keiko."

"Hmmm, doesn't seem American to me."

"Yeah, it's a Japanese name."

"Oh, I just noticed, you don't look very western, though you do have some western features like your color."

"Yeah, that's because I am half German and half Japanese. My full name is Keiko Andro Marion."

"Wow, I love your name. Sounds like a cool one to me."

"Seriously? Was that irony?"

"No, unironically your name sounds pretty nice to me."

"O-Oh, thanks, I guess."

"Anyways, if you don't mind, I better go grab my lunch, could you please watch over my bag?"

"Alright, sure, I don't mind at all."

"Good, thank you!"

"No problem, happy to help." once again...I said yet another line quite reluctantly, now I'm sick of myself.

  How was I able to keep a straight face with a fake smile during that whole conversation? Have I always been this way when someone new was randomly talking to me? Well, I am not sure. I am quite puzzled. But who is this kid anyways. Shouldn't have gone easy on her.

Carrie was back at the table, took a seat down placing her tray on the table. She started to eat in a quite unusually nimble way. As if, she hadn't eaten anything in weeks. I slowly grabbed my spoon and started to dig in as well. 

"Say, Keiko was it? Oh wait, since you are Japanese, shouldn't I address you with your last name?"

"No need, you could call me Keiko as you please." I am wondering why I am talking in an oddly calm way to her. What has gotten into me all of a sudden? We both just met, moments ago, we haven't even started getting close. 

"Oh, alright then, Keiko I was wondering about that oddly shiny necklace you have there."

"Oh this? It was given to me as a birthday present. Oh wait, you have one too, but with a different color."

"Oh, yeah I got this from my father, he told he found it in a small gift shop and bought it for me."

"Ah, I see."

"Oh yeah, by the way want to exchange contacts as well?"

"Oh uh, sure why not?" I pulled out my phone—wait, what am I even doing? Am I seriously being so chill and friendly with this person? We just met and we both are already having an ordinary conversation. Is my body working on it's own right now? Is this one of the necklace's doings? No, that doesn't seem to be the case. Something doesn't seem to be quite right. 

"Alright, should I give you my number or my email? Or both?"

"Both, if that's okay with you, you seem like you are forcing yourself on this."

"Eh? What do you mean? I am definitely not forcing myself on this," something is clearly wrong with my system. My body and mind seem to be disobeying me, they are definitely acting on their own. This is just nonsense! "Yeah, I don't mind to be honest, you can have both my number and my email address, contact me whenever you feel like it."

"O-Oh, I see, sounds good." she said as she took out her phone and started adding them both. "Alright, I'm done, let's meet at school tomorrow then, I better go now, lunch break seems to have ended and I've already finished my meal, you better complete it fast." she said as I was looking down at my tray realizing that I haven't finished mine yet.

After I was done I headed back to class and sat there for the next four periods. History, Biology, Art and Music. I was bored to the core for half of the time but I must be a psycho to be the only one here in my class who actually loves biology. It was around 5:30pm by the time school ended for the day. I headed home and to my surprise I saw Carrie waving slowly to me with a slight smile on her freckled face nearby the entrance of the school gate. 

"Hey Keiko, want to walk home together?" 

"Um, I pass, sorry I am just not interested in going home with another person. On top of that it actually depends on where your home is situated at."

"Oh well, guess I'll walk home alone like I usually do."

"Wait, so you are saying that you don't have any friends?"

"Yeah, I am a loner."

"Surprising, your slightly hyper expression at the cafeteria made me think that you were the type of person to be part of a huge gang of friends."

"Oh, haha, well to be fair I was surprised of myself to have finally made a friend. I am pretty introverted and I have serious social anxiety but for some reason I felt like you were an easy person to talk with."

"....." Me? An easy person to talk with? I have been told that I am a tough nut to crack. More like, a quiet dire wolf. I am said to be a pretty sinister person who is nearly impossible to convince. But for some reason, the energy or more like the aura coming from this girl seemed quite odd. It felt different, for some reason it was easy for me to keep a straight conversation with her. 

"Hm? What's up with that bland expression?"

"Nothing."

"Okay, I'll be heading home now, let's meet again tomorrow, alright? See ya Keiko."

"Yeah, bye, take care." I said as I took my leave as well. Her house seemed to be in the opposite direction since we were kind of walking together in the same direction for some time. I started getting some oddly ominous vibes from her aura but I didn't really care much about it. 

I finally reached home and went straight upstairs to my room. I threw my entire body on my bed and lied there for some time. Hmmm, I wonder why I was acting oddly different towards her. My body was definitely acting all on it's own. I'm afraid it must be the necklace's doing. But, I am not a hundred percent sure about this.

"Keiko Andro Marion. Can thou hear me?" 

"....." I was left speechless. T-This was the first time. The first time I am hearing this voice. This gruff and wicked tone. I looked around to see who or more precisely what it was. I was sure that it wasn't human as the voice sounded animal-ish.

I got up and went to the bathroom to wash my face. I looked into the mirror just to find a plain regular reflection of mine. No irregular monstrous ones. I started to think about whom that voice belonged to now. I still doubt it. I came downstairs for dinner. I always eat dinner with my parents but today alone I took my plate upstairs to eat in my room. My parents doubtfully asked me "What's up with you Kei? Are you alright dear?" I just blandly said "I am fine, nothing to be concerned about."

I placed my plate on my table and started to dig in. My dinner tonight is schnitzel, one of my favorites. With each bite I started to think more and more about the necklace Carrie had around her neck. That shiny, sparkly necklace. Could she also be the same as me?

Hm. I'd like to find out about it. 

I sent her a message and asked her to briefly describe her own necklace. Like an English Show & Tell.

A simple question about an ordinary accessory is fine, isn't it?

I closed my phone and put it away in an isolated corner of my table.

Klink, an instant notification. Looks like she already saw my message and sent a reply. I grabbed my phone, unlocked it and checked her reply.

'I'll brief it up in about five lines if that's fine with you.

It is diamond in shape, dark purplish in colour with minute white sparkles hither and thither all over it's body. They are still visible to our naked, human eyes. 

It is held in place by a pitch-black strap which could be worn around the neck and surprisingly this necklace fits for anyone's neck.

It is an interesting piece of jewelry, in my opinion.

It is unique to me as it has been with me for more than half of my life though it sometimes feels like it has been with me forever.

But, it has caused me problems in the past which are good leaving them unelaborated. 

Uhm, I hope this is enough for you. I don't know what you are going to do with this but I don't feel comfortable explaining any further…

And with that, the message ended. 

According to my calculations now, that necklace is not an ordinary accessory. It bears some perilous power deep within it. 

"Aye, that is correct, Keiko Andro Marion."

"W-W-W-W-What?!" Holy cow, this is one is more bass than the one last time!!!

"Grahahahaha, do not fear me as thou have to work alongside me to pay a long-awaited debt."

"...….." My eyes widened, I got up from my chair and looked around. Nothing, nothing, there is nothing!

Nobody was around, or more precisely nothing was around. My body didn't stop shivering and shaking. My face was sweating profusely. To make this situation even worse, each and every single time I blinked I saw a blood-curdling figure. A frightening figure. A horrifying figure. I needed to blink for the moisture in my eyes but I didn't want to, I can't avoid this though.

"So what must be thy answer?"

"W-W-W-W-Who…..W-What a-are you…?"

"Call me Makkura. The entity of the wolf."

"M-Makkura? The Japanese word for pitch-black??"

"Well, thou could say that."

"...….." I was constantly hearing these terrifying voices. They refuse to get out of my mind, I-I don't know how to fight these off…

"Looks like thou would like to communicate with me eye-to-eye," With that, blood-shot red eyes with black smoky elongations on each side appeared about 3 meters away from my eyes.

"So, shalt we have a friendly conversation now?"

"U-Uhm, s-s-sure, I don't mind at all." I was still sweating profusely. 

"Gehehe, thou look really scared… I understand as this is thy first time."

"...So what do you want….Makkura."

"Thou. I need thou. I require thy contribution in what we both art about to face…but since thou art just too young for this, we still have plenty of time but still we must not waste it."

"A-Alright then…as you say."

"Now, I must go, let's meet soon." With that those frightening eyes finally left my sight and to be no longer seen, for now.

I…lost my appetite. I kept the plate containing the remaining schnitzel downstairs on the dining table. 

"What's wrong Kei, are you really doing alright?"

"Y-Yeah, you need not worry about me. I am doing just fine."

"Oh…fine then, if you say so. You seem so dull tonight and you haven't eaten the full schnitzel. You love schnitzels, don't you?"

"Well…of course I do. I would never remove it from my Top 10 Favorite Food list."

"Fine then, if you say so, just…let me know if anything has been bothering you lately. I am here for you, you can tell me anything, I am all ears."

"Okay okay, I understand. I better go to bed now after brushing my teeth for the night."

"Mhm, goodnight and sweet dreams, dear."

"Goodnight, mom." And with that, I headed upstairs to the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror. Looking all fine and good, proper reflection of myself. I started brushing my teeth and no problem so far. After I was done I went to my room, sat on the chair, opened my phone and looked thoroughly into Carrie's messages.

I met her.

Carrie.

Carrie K.Ficklewood.

What a long full name.

She was an unusual girl.

Always so grey and dull. She tries her best to put up a smile.

But, but all those smiles she has displayed on her face, all of them…

were fake!

All of them, were fake.

Fake. Utterly fake. 

None of them were real. None of them, just none of them were real.

Her way of talking, her body language, her facial expressions, her behavior all towards me were all fake!

I could say it just by observing them carefully just once.

Just a single look at them, a single glace at them, even more, a single gist of them,

shows that they all are fake.

She is trying her very best to put up those acts, isn't she?

Well, I can't really judge her with just our first ever meeting.

But all those acts were plainly fake. Her name though…

Now, if I am not wrong, I am not that good with English names.

My memory is way above average, I can remember quite a lot of things accurately.

But this name, seems pretty odd for some reason.

I wonder what the word 'Carrie' means.

Every name has a meaning.

My name is supposed to mean 'A happy child'. 

Well looks like people are not always like the meanings behind their names.

Seems more sensible to me.

Why was I talking to her so casually, as if I have met her somewhere before?

Why did I…..befriend Carrie? Why wasn't she repulsed by my sinister aura?

What has gotten into me all of a sudden? Am I perhaps--?

No.

Definitely not. If you are wondering what I am talking about right now, then you better figure it out yourself, I ought to not mouth this phrase out. 

Now about the messages she sent. 

For future purposes, I decided to write it down on my notebook. I took out a pen from my pouch and was ready in the act of writing it down on the notebook.

As the tip of the pen made contact with the paper page of the notebook without writing a single letter my hand got stiff. "Nghh….." I couldn't move my hand or to be more precise, my entire arm. It felt like the nerves in my arm got disconnected from my brain due to which I am unable to have control over my arm but that is definitely not the case at all. My body was fine, I just know it. Then all of a sudden the tip of my pen started writing crazy phrases. I couldn't read a single letter due to how hasty my hand was in it's writing act. It was moving on it's own.

Keiko Andro Marion, thou shan't ignore this message given by me.

Thou shalt taketh my words seriously and listen to everything I am about to inform thee. 

Thou shalt find the true secret behind this necklace thee is wearing. Thou must find it before it is too late and shalt stop the nearing evil at once before it is too late. There is grave danger coming hither. Thou shalt NOT let thy guard down. One small blunder and it will be all over, END OF GAME. This is serious, not a plain joke as thou might assume it to be. The eerie swindler clothed in all black has finally awoken after thirty-two million long nights, he is coming hither to quench his unquenchable thirst for fuel. Thou art an extremely smart but yet so ignorant little brat but thou shalt mature fast to face this eerie swindler before it is too late. Guten Nacht! 

The message said ending with a pleasant 'good night' in German. An eerie swindler??? Awoken after thirty-two million nights??? What is this utter nonsense? Is this what Makkura meant by soon there?

Well I can't really call it 'nonsense' since it actually could be true, maybe he uses magic, maybe he holds some mystical powers up his sleeves. I can never say 'magic does not exist in this world' ever since I started getting into unescapable problems which involved magic.

I decided to write those five lines down later and I threw my entire body on my bed and dozed off within milli-seconds.

I honestly should start getting into action. I might perhaps ask Carrie about this…