A Wall That Screams for Help

Not every crisis announces itself with a scream.

Sometimes it starts with a small sound… maybe a bump in the night.

People imagine emergencies as dramatic, loud, impossible to ignore.

But in reality, danger is often quiet.

Almost polite.

As if it hopes you won’t notice.

—---------------------------------------------------------

Apparently, you are supposed to get used to strange noises in a new apartment.

I didn’t.

I’ve been here for 2 ½ weeks, and every night has something new to offer. A new sound. A different squeal. A muffled laughter being a few octaves higher than yesterday. Rage-y bursts of words I couldn’t make out. It all sounded like late-night gaming sessions going way too far. I just can’t get behind the fact that this young girl is pregnant while doing all of this.

At first. it was almost nostalgic. I used to be like that too.

But tonight was different.

BUMP.

I twitched awake, heart pounding. My phone screen lit up when I grabbed it from under the pillow.

2:38 a.m.

It was 1:20 a.m when I woke up because of her laughter.. She didn’t even let me sleep for 2 hours this time...

But this time, it was more like a knock. Not the sharp knocking from that afternoon. Not like the ones from my comeback stream.

A dull thud.

“.....seriously?” I groaned, dragging a hand over my face. “Is she really raging at her monitor at 3 a.m.?…”

I tried to sink back into my pillow, pulling the blanket over my head.

BUMP.

Even softer this time.

That.. didn’t sound like someone raging at a monitor. This was against my wall.

“Didn’t we just have the “don’t knock like a maniac” conversation?”

I stared into the dark, suddenly wide awake. A cold feeling crawled down my spine, pushing the sleepiness away.

She’s pregnant.

She probably lives alone.

Those two facts lined up in my mind, and suddenly the noise wasn't “annoying neighbor” anymore. It was a possible emergency.

“Shit.”

I kicked the blanket away, jammed my legs into some sweatpants, shrugged on a hoodie and took my keys. I didn’t even bother with socks. It was a cool summer night though. The floor was freezing under my feet as I stepped into the hallway.

The building was silent. No TVs, just that weird quiet you only get in the middle of the night.

I stood in front of her apartment for a few seconds, trying to convince myself that I was overreacting.

Maybe she just dropped something. Maybe she fell asleep on the floor. Maybe she –

My hand had already pressed the doorbell before I finished the thought.

Ding-dong.

I waited.

Nothing.

I rang again, then I added a couple knocks with my fist.

“Hey! It’s me. Your neighbor. Are you okay?”

Nothing.

“Hey?” I called, louder. “Can you answer me?”

For a moment, there was only my own breathing.

I was seconds away from calling an ambulance.

But then… just barely.

“...help…”

A whisper, so weak I was pretty sure I just imagined it.

My stomach dropped.

I tried the handle, but it didn't work.

I took out my phone, ready to call an ambulance when –

A quiet click came from the handle.

The door was opened. And in front of me.. my gamer neighbor lay on the floor in the narrow entrance area, one hand clutched around her belly, the other stretched toward the wall. Face in pain. Shallow breaths.

“S-Sorry for barging in” I muttered on reflex, even though she obviously couldn’t care less about politeness right now.

I rushed over and dropped to my knees beside her. “Can you hear me?”

She turned her head a little.. “N..neighbor?” The word came out thin.

“Yeah, its me. Don’t move, okay?” I said, as if she had the strength to go anywhere. “What happened?”

“...lightheaded…” she whispered. It was barely audible. “Everything spun…. My legs just.. gave out. I.. tried to get water.. or my phone but..”

Her gaze went upwards.

Her smartphone lay on top of a large cabinet. Way above doorknob height. Too high for someone collapsed on the floor. So that's why she was knocking, huh?

Okay. Think..

“Are you in pain? Like.. baby pain? I asked, not knowing the medical term.

“I dont know.. Just.. everything went black.. heart racing.. can’t.. stand.”

Thats… not good.

“P-please tell me.. that my baby will be alright.”

“Y-yes everything will be alright.. give me a second."

I took my phone out of my hoodie pocket. My thumb was already hovering above the emergency call button.. I hesitated. Calling an ambulance would work, sure.. but the hospital is maybe 10 minutes away by car. I’m not going to wait until the ambulance finds this building.

My parents car. I had a spare key.

I could get her to the hospital faster by myself.

“Is there anything you need for the hospital?” I forced myself to stay calm.

“Like documents? Insurance card? Whatever pregnant people need..”

Her eyes tried to focus on me. She really doesn’t look well…

“Hokenshó.. insurance card.. in the orange wallet.. on the shoe shelf.. And.. my boshi techó..”

I blinked. “Your bocchi what now?”

She took a shaky breath. “Mother-child.. record book. Blue cover.. They always ask for it..”

Right.

Phone.. please.. too”

I nodded. "Got it. Don’t move."

I got the stuff.

“Where are your cups.. let me give you something to drink before we go.”

“No… don’t go into the living area… just please.. hospital..”

I don’t care what she was hiding. I sprinted into the living area looking for the kitchen. She gave a tiny reaction, but this was not a situation to be worried about…...yeah, okay... it was pretty messy.

After forcing her to drink in tiny sips, we were ready to go.

“Alright..” i said, exhaling. “We’re going to the hospital now”

She tried to push herself up. Her arms shook and she collapsed back down.

“Right. Bad idea.” I muttered. “New plan.”

Before my brain could list all the ways this could be awkward, I slid one arm under her knees and one arm behind her back.

“W-wait..!” she protested weakly, but it was too late. I lifted her.

She was lighter than expected for someone that pregnant… Too light.

Her fingers clutched at my hoodie reflexively, and she pressed her forehead against my chest. I felt her breathing, fast and uneven.

“Sorry, I know this is weird..” I said. “But we’re out of options.”

“.... I.. I’m sorry..”

Why? Why is she apologizing?

The cold hallway air hit us as I stepped outside, with her in my arms.

The floor felt like ice on my bare feet. I just kept going. Down the stairs. Out of the building. Toward the small parking lot.

My parents car sat under the streetlight.. completely dusty. They walked to work. The only person who ever touched it used to be me..

I gently set her in the passenger seat.

“Seatbelt okay? Not too tight?”

“It’s.. fine.”

I jogged around to the drivers side, slid in, and stared at the wheel for a second.. I was anxious. I didn’t drive for years. It wasn’t necessary in Tokyo..

Please don’t crash with a pregnant woman in the car..

“Okay Ren..” I muttered to myself. “It’s only a driving simulator with insane graphics and no reset button..”

Luna gave me a glance. I shouldn’t have said that..

Muscle memory guided my feet to the pedals.

As I pulled out onto the empty road, I glanced sideways.

She had closed her eyes, one hand resting protectively on her belly. She was sweating, but her breathing was a little slower now.

“Thank you..” she said, her eyes still closed.

“Don’t thank me yet. I’m still remembering how to drive..”

That earned me a tiny weak laugh. But it faded quickly as she held her belly with both hands now.

“Did you drink enough today?.. Eat properly?" I asked, realizing I hadn’t seen her leave her apartment for groceries at all.

She hesitated.. That told me enough.

“I forgot… I was doing something.. something I probably shouldn’t do.. I just.. don’t really have a choice..”

Are we still talking about gaming addiction here? She... doesn’t have a choice?

Her voice broke. “I’m so scared.. What if something happened to my baby?..” Her eyes filled with tears.

I tightened my grip on the wheel. “You’ll both be fine. Just hang in there..” I said.. even though I don’t know.

“What’s your name by the way?” I asked.

“Komori.. Komori Yuna.”

Komori, huh? That suits.

“I’m Ren Sukegawa. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You’re a little late for that.” she said laughing, her voice coming back a little.

The hospital entrance came into view much faster than I expected. I pulled into the emergency lane in a way that would have made my driving instructor cry, and jumped out.

And together with her in my arms, I sprinted towards the automatic doors of the hospital.