121

Say, isn’t it satisfying….karma that is….

Talking about karma…have you heard of a rumour?

That ‘121’ is a cursed number

House no. 121…train no. 121…street no.121….and room no.121

Even the time 12:1 to 1:21 is a curse…..

When did it become a curse?

A long…long time ago

Even before they died in room no. 121

Even before that, 121-house burnt to ashes

Even before that train crashed….

It was created by a young, miserable teenager

He made it for all those who bear suffering in their hearts, those who have only their diaries, and those who are left to suffer

Just sign the contract with me, the leader

I will grant you the power to take your revenge

A soft yet chilling voice resonated from behind them. On Toby's bed sat a cloaked guy, his legs crossed and hand pressed against his face. With an uncanny smile, Ren looked at Cero. Ren noticed the panic on Cero's face.

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“Toby?”

Toby smiled and tilted his head, looking at Lunette. “With that, we have 1…then 2…and finally 1 more death. That marks the start of the 121 curse, as said by the leader.”

“What the hell are you saying?” Yuzuru shouted.

“You guys must have noticed all the signs, right?” Toby giggled. “Or the timings?”

Everyone looked at each other and shrugged. Toby sighed and looked around with a smile. A flash of light streaked across him; it was Sen's scythe.

It went past Toby without a scratch. Sen clicked his tongue.

“Hopelessly shameless.” Toby stared at Sen, who swung his scythe again.

*THUD*

The room twisted. Thick fog rose from the floor. A wave of coughs broke out in the group as the room became hazy.

“The air… don’t breathe… run out!” Sen shouted and raised his scythe at Toby.

Yuzuru grabbed his arm, dragging Sen out of the room. The fog had spread, engulfing the hallway. They all dashed through the dark hallways, using the lights from their powers or phones, bumping into each other. On entering the lounge, they scattered.

Yuzuru grabbed the glass door. “I ain't staying with a ghost!”

Kaya yanked the other door, “Me neither!”

The two pulled the door, but the door didn’t bulge. Yuzuru lowered his hand and shone his eye. The glass vibrated, but the door remained intact.

Yao pushed Yuzuru aside and punched the glass; a crack went along the length of the glass. He looked at Yuzuru smugly. “See, my strength's better-“

Sen tapped his shoulder and pointed. The glass was again intact.

Kaya snapped his fingers, and a gust of air crashed against the door, but it was still unscratched.

“I guess…you guys should have figured that if someone wanted to haunt us…they wouldn't make the escape easy.” Sen narrowed his eyes.

“Maybe the windows?“ Jacksaw pointed at the kitchen.

“I think that won’t work. Why block the door and leave the windows?” Nive sighed.

Vivian ran her finger on the glass with a smile.“Shouldn’t we fight him? He is a weakling after all.”

“My scythe didn’t touch him…. I am not too sure about powers.” Sen tightened his grip.

Riley rubbed her forehead. “Why don’t we try talking to him?”

“I agree!” Jacksaw raised his hand but lowered it under Sen's stare. "Y-yeah, let's not."

The sky rumbled, a splatter echoed from the glass, followed by another. Lightning flashed in the dark sky, revealing the stormy sky.

“Typical haunted scene.” Yuzuru shook his head.

There was a roar, followed by lightning. The light illuminated the lounge for a split second, enough to notice the blood handprints smeared on the glass. They flashed light on the blood-stained glass and looked at each other.

With another flash, Toby stood in front of the glass door, smiling at everyone.

“Don’t smile like that!” Jacksaw took a step back.

Toby giggled. “Smile like what?”

“Like you aren’t a soul who killed 4 people.” Sen coughed, and a tear streaked down his cheek.

He touched the tear and glanced at the rest, who rubbed their hands on their faces, coughing violently.

“You guys don’t feel remorse, so I will help.”

The air grew heavier; even the power balls weren’t enough to see. Without a word, they scattered around, rushing out of the lounge.

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The thunderstorm raged louder. In small groups, they roamed the hallways. This place, which they never really called home but was still familiar to them, had turned dark, haunted, and unfamiliar.

“I hope the others are okay…” Riley held Vivian’s hand. “I didn’t see Ren the whole day…”

“Don’t worry, he must be dead.” Vivain scoffed.

“Please be a little nicer.”

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“So how many are we?” Sen looked at their group.

“We might be the most in number.” Nami counted.

“Sen, Nami, Yao, Sephora, Jacksaw, and me.” Yuzuru smiled.

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“Nive…I have a necklace…” Nive (girl) walked next to the other Nive.

“What necklace?”

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Rose turned around, “I can’t believe Toby finally got stronger….well, as far as the law of the Jungle goes-“

“The weak must be crushed by the strong….” Dan smiled at her. “Though it’s always funny seeing the weak suffer….won’t you agree?”

“Not really…” Rose tapped her chin and looked at Kaya. “What do you think?”

“I don’t know.” Kaya ruffled his hair.

“So then why did you?” Lea walked behind them.

“Because it was funny.” Dan chuckled.

“Because that's the jungle law…”

“Because everyone was doing that…”

“So those were your reasons to destroy my life?”

Toby stood in front of them, frowning.