Chapter Text
Yuma groaned in frustration as he dropped his pencil onto his desk and buried his head in his hands. This homework he had been assigned was more than a little mind-numbing, making it hard to complete. Work that was outside his major had proven to be far more difficult to understand, so he often struggled with these assignments. Especially this particular professor, who somehow made watching grass grow more enjoyable than listening to his lectures.
“It’s no use. I can’t do any more right now,” the college student mumbled to himself, scooting his chair backwards and standing up. He stretched his arms above his head, hearing and feeling them pop. He sighed as he left his room, glancing briefly over to his roommate’s door. Kurumi had gone back to her grandfather’s place for a bit and wouldn’t be returning for a few more days. A shame he couldn’t ask her for advice, but it wasn’t a big deal. He could do it after he cleared his head with a break. And he knew a great stress reliever.
Grabbing his key, Yuma exited his apartment and locked the door behind him. He headed towards the stairs, always preferring to take them even though he lived on the fourth floor, the highest in this building. But he had been told too many stories of elevator malfunctions by his book loving TA friend, so he played on the safe side.
It didn’t take long for him to reach the ground floor, turning and facing the back area of the apartment building. This complex had been built right next to a large park that had many nice trails to walk along. It was a good way for people to relieve some stress, and Yuma wasn’t an exception to this. He had used these trails multiple times to help himself calm his mind. And he had no reason to believe this one would be any different.
Finding the entrance to a trail, he began his walk. He let his mind wander as his feet carried him along through the woods, not really paying attention to his surroundings or the direction he took. He didn’t worry too much, knowing that this side of the park was safe. As for the other part, well, that was a different story.
Everyone knew about the secluded section of the woods, where none but a few were given access to. No one really knew what happened in this cut off section, though it wasn’t uncommon to hear echoing screeches and screams coming from that area. The security and rangers that patrolled the area around the secluded section would reassure them that it was simply wildlife, and to ignore them. Though Yuma still had his doubts, as the screams didn’t sound like animals. But maybe he was overthinking it, influenced by his current major of criminal justice.
Regardless, most of the park proved to be safe, even if there had been a few instances of food and clothing being stolen. No attacks or physical harm was ever reported in the public park, so it was still a popular place.
Yuma usually spent time here to help clear his head of his stress, though he was slightly disappointed when his mind began supplying him with several other thoughts about his upcoming assignments. He had some essays to write, several readings to do, a transcript to make, and a quiz to study for. It was all so much, and he tried to somehow come up with a workable schedule to complete all these tasks. Which one took priority? They were all important and he wanted so desperately to try and do well in college. But this load of assignments was getting ridiculous.
Yuma ran a hand through his hair as he groaned again. Here he was stressing himself out again. This walk was supposed to help this, not make it worse! Well, maybe he could attempt to relax on the way back. With that idea in mind, he blinked his eyes to refocus and see where he had ended up.
To his shock, he had somehow wandered off the usual trails. This location was one that many didn’t come to, for obvious reasons. Not too far away from his location was the entrance to the secluded section of the park. The area that was cut off from the public and was a forbidden place to all who weren’t permitted.
Yuma stared at the gates in front of him, taking in the sight of the sturdy material with the walls on either side topped with sharp barbed wire. Certainly a secure barricade that allowed none deemed unworthy past. The woods almost looked darker and more unwelcome on the other side of the barrier, making Yuma’s stomach fill with dread at the sight of it. But worst of all, he now felt like he was being watched.
The prickling sensation on the back of his neck was making the primal fear scream at him to flee away from whatever was causing this. To get back home to safety and away from the danger. Well, he was more than happy to listen to these instincts, turning and fully intending to make his way back home.
But even as he walked away from the gates at a fast pace, that sensation didn’t fade. His senses heightened as the fear coursed through his body. His ears soon began picking up a strange noise just behind and above him, like something was scuttling along the tree branches and was following him. It sounded large, not like a bird or squirrel. Something… closer to his size.
His breathing picked up in frequency as he tried to pick up the pace again. But to his growing horror, the thing following also sped up and was easily keeping pace. In fact, it seemed to now be gaining on him and was practically on top of him.
Then the thing shot out of the trees and collided with him, forcing his body to fall onto the dirt pathway. He tried to scramble back up, but something gripped his hair and forced his face into the ground with incredible strength. A heavy weight settled on his back, pinning his torso to the earth and preventing any quick movements. Another appendage that felt like a clawed hand rested on the back of his neck, the tips of the sharp claws applying just enough pressure to not break the skin. Yuma froze in fear, eyes wide as he stared off into the trees while not being able to turn his head, his breathing rapid and uneven. His attacker kept themselves out of his line of vision, not giving him any information on what he was up against. And in that moment, he felt utterly helpless.
Then to his complete shock, an amused voice began speaking. “Well, well. You are certainly unlike any I’ve come across before. Not many on the public side of the park dare to get that close to those gates. Are you brave, or simply foolish?” a light, yet sinister voice asked him. “What were your reasons for venturing so deep into this area? Tell me,” they demanded, the claws on his neck digging in a bit deeper.
Yuma struggled to find enough breath in his lungs to form a reply. “I-I didn’t mean… to get this close. I was… I was thinking about… about other things and just… wandered off my regular path. I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to… to get this close! Please! I’ll go home and never go back there! Please… don’t kill me,” he begged pathetically. But he didn’t care how he sounded, desperate to survive this terrifying experience.
“Hmm? An accident? I do suppose that your earlier troubled expression before realizing your location does support your claims. Well, I suppose I’ll allow you to go free. But I warn you, do not ever return to those gates. If you do, then your screams will join the chorus that practices on the other side. Do you understand?” the voice told him firmly, his head being shoved a little harder into the ground.
“Yes! I’ll never come close ever again! I swear I won’t even think about it!” he declared, voice raising in volume as this chance was given to him.
The thing on him hummed in consideration, leaning down so that their head was directly above his. Long blonde strands fell into view, a few of them brushing against Yuma’s cheek. But he dared not move his eyes to try and sneak a peek, despite the curiosity. He couldn’t ruin this chance of escaping.
“Very well then. You can go. Once I get off of you, do not move even a millimeter for fifteen seconds. Do not look around for me, and just go straight back to your home. And don’t ever return to this terrible place,” the voice hissed into his ear. Then the weight and claws lifted away, the sounds of the creature climbing back up into the trees audible.
Yuma kept still on the ground, mentally counting to fifteen like he had been instructed to do. After that time was up, he pushed himself into a sitting position, then got to his feet. He didn’t even wait to brush the dirt and leaves off his clothing, speed walking down the path to get away from that spot. He didn’t stop his pace until he reached the end of the trail, panting with his hands on his knees as he saw the apartment complex in front of him. But still, he didn’t allow himself too long of a break, running up the stairs to the fourth floor of the building and halting in front of his place. His fingers fumbled with the key, trying and failing a few times to get it into the lock. But finally, the metal went in and twisted to allow him access. The door was opened, he slipped through it, then he shut it behind him. As soon as the lock clicked, he sank to his knees in relief. He was home and safe again.
His eyes lowered to his arms and legs, seeing the dirt stains streaking across his skin and the patches of mud on his clothing. It was only now that he dared to ask the question that had been on his mind the entire time. “What… just happened?”