To Be Consumed by Darkness

Several other frightening men arrived at the building shortly afterward. Murmuring conversations floated between the sects of scarred and tattooed faces while the friends cowered in fear and tended to the boys’ damaged bodies. Riku’s and Kai’s faces were already swelling. Arata’s breathing was measured and faint. Then, the large man approached them.

“We’re leaving. You’re coming with me,” he said.

The friends rose without a word. Kureha dared to take one last look at the rigid body of the salaryman as they exited the room. Now, the overwhelming fumes of cigarette smoke that hung in the crowded hall felt like it was suffocating her. She wanted to leave that place. Rin supported Arata as he walked at a slowed pace. Shiona supported Riku, who was holding a cold bottle to his cheekbone. Kureha walked beside Kai.

“I’m sorry. I’m very sorry for getting up. I’m sorry,” Kai whispered.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. They were hurting that man,” replied Kureha.

He took her hand and she felt it trembling from fear.

“I’m sorry, Kureha,” he said once more.

Their kidnappers led them out of the secluded alleys, down the major streets, and across a small bridge, wherein they entered an upscale residential neighborhood. Imposing walls shielded the homes from the prying eyes of pedestrians. Treetops were all that could be seen beyond the occasional roofline. After several minutes of walking, they reached an old, elaborately decorated gate. The large man entered a code into the keypad and the gate opened to reveal an enormous, dark-stained modern house. The grounds were immaculately tended to, with zen elements along the edges of the stone path that led to the front entrance.

Dozens of people were shuffling about with an air of nervousness. Kureha felt the fear in her body growing into a scream. Her mouth felt dry, and her fingertips were suddenly ice cold, as though her pulse couldn't reach her extremities anymore.

Inside they went, where they were led into a large waiting room to be held under the supervision of several large men. None of them moved or looked around the room. Arata’s phone began to ring. He removed it from his pocket and saw that it was his brother.

“Should I answer?!” he whispered in terror.

“No, they might think we’re trying to cause more problems,” Riku said instantly.

The group thought about it very quickly then all agreed. Arata silenced his phone and lowered his head once more.

“I love you all,” Rin whimpered.

“I love you,” replied Arata.

“Always,” said Shiona.

Dryness had turned to burning within Kureha’s throat. Her heart felt like it was going to tear inside her chest. She felt weak and couldn’t force her hands to stop trembling as they clung to Kai.

The nearby door slid open quietly and the group flinched. To Kureha’s shock, she knew the person approaching. It was the somber man who had participated in her very last interview. He was in slacks and a white button-down shirt. His eyes were even darker now. It took a moment, but he recognized her after seeing her electric red hair. A slight snarl curled his mouth as he looked at her with a look that was simultaneously concerned and disgusted.

“Foolish girl. What are you doing here?” he snarled in a tone that was no longer as pleasant as it was just a day ago.

“We… we were out for dinner. We followed a random salaryman into a building full of bars. We went to a maid cafe, where your friends killed that salaryman, and harmed my friends for trying to stop them,” Kureha said as she stared at the floor.

The man hesitated. Outside, there were two bursts of loud metallic clapping sounds. Rin screamed but silenced herself. None of them had ever heard a gunshot before, but all of them knew that was what they just heard. Shiona’s breathing began to turn into a quiet gagging sound as she forced herself to remain calm.

“I’m sorry, everyone. I’m so sorry,” Kai said as tears rolled down his face.

Just then, the door slid open once more and the man Kureha had interviewed stood up straight. In walked a middle-aged man in a dark brown suit. His eyes were beyond darkened. Looking at them felt like looking into murky water where light does not reflect. Seeing his weathered face and harsh cheeks caused Kureha’s blood to seemingly stop flowing. He entered the room with his eyes on the young friends. He paced beside Kureha’s interviewee like a tiger eyeing its prey. Then he sat in the chair that was in the center of the room.

Kai fell on his face to beg.

“Sir, please. Do not harm my friends. I was the one who confronted your men. My friends did nothing wrong. Please, only harm me,” Kai said as his voice shook.

The man didn’t speak. His hand raised to his grizzled face and Kureha could see the tattoos on his hand and knuckles. As his palm rubbed along his chin, it sounded like high grit sandpaper scraping plastic. He seemed exhausted.

“You three. Step closer,” he said to the boys.

“Please, sir, just me,” Kai begged.

“Be quiet and step forward,” the interviewee interjected.

Kai hesitated in desperation then nodded. Rin’s fingers clung to Arata’s as long as they could. He stepped forward and helped Riku up from the floor. The three boys faced the terrifying man.

“Look at me,” he growled with a rasp.

The boys raised their heads. The man sighed a sigh that sounded more annoyed than anything.

“You are children,” was all he said.

The interviewee whispered something in his ear and the man’s gaze settled on Kureha. His dead eyes were indecipherable as she stared back at him. Even though Kureha couldn’t make out what he was thinking, in the deepest parts of her mind, she knew right then that she was staring at something of great evil.

Still, that evil paused and the man inhaled a fatigued, heavy breath.

“You did not antagonize my workers?” he asked.

“N…no sir… I only jumped up when they legitimately began to harm that man. I felt bad for him, and I was slightly drunk, not thinking clearly. So I tried to get between them,” replied Kai.

“That man was a pedofile who owed my organization a very large sum of money after years of us trafficking very young girls to him. When The Calamity appeared and currency collapsed, he thought his debt was expunged. Still feel bad for him?” the man asked in challenge.

The boys paused, shocked at the casual revelation of such horrific detail.

“Young… girls?...” repeated Arata.

“What? Do you think Japan’s fascination with child-like cuteness stops at the billboards of Akihabara? I have serviced thousands of men like that man. He survived longer than he should have. I apologize that you were collateral damage. He wasn’t meant to be killed. My workers were… dealt with... to even the balance of souls,” said the man.

“...You killed them. Just now. Didn’t you?” Riku dared to ask.

The man smiled a wicked smile and the shadows hung over his sunken eyes.

“Yes. Do you want to see the bodies?” he asked in a frighteningly sincere tone.

“No…” replied Riku.

“Those two were becoming unreliable. They saw The Calamity a week ago and were never the same. That is the second person they killed in just four days. So I dealt with them the way one does with a rabid dog that can no longer fulfill its purpose.”

Arata’s phone began to vibrate in his pocket once more.

“Sorry,” whispered Arata as he sent his brother’s call to voicemail.

The man eyed the group once more then exhaled.

“You are not to blame for what happened. I apologize you had to see what you did, and I apologize for the ferocity with which my workers harmed you. My personal doctor is on the way now. You will be tended to, then released. I will send in some girls to keep you company while you wait,” the man said.

Rin let out a slight bleat of choked relief. Shiona began to cry. Kai shook where he stood.

“Thank you,” said Kai.

The man bowed his head ever so slightly, then paused as though weighing a decision. He checked his watch and chuckled to himself as though recalling a joke that only he knew.

“You’re the interviewer girl, correct?” he said as he looked at the sky.

Kureha could barely force herself to speak.

“Ye-yes, sir,” she croaked.

“You interviewed my accountant here, correct?”

“Y…ye…yes…”

The man turned to her with a wicked smile. Firelight from the nearby lantern danced across his aged skin, highlighting every crevice and mark.

“How about an interview with me while we wait for my doctor to treat your companions?” he asked.

Kureha didn’t know if she even had the option to refuse or decline. Shock was so heavily clouding her thoughts, she agreed before even processing the request.

“Okay,” she replied.