As The Horizon Vanishes Into Darkness

Night had engulfed the largest island by the time the ferry reached its destination. Cape Oma’s sloping green hills expanded out into the darkened waters, welcoming the friends to Honshu. Kureha and Rin had made their way to the front of the ferry to watch the island arrive. Seeing the mainland greet them gave Kureha a rush of excitement, but it was also quieted by the somber stillness of the city before them.

Oma had never thrived. Tuna fishing and a nuclear power plant were its main drivers for activity, so in the face of oblivion nights were muted and dark. Occasional lights in the distant waters told them that some fishers were still out catching remaining hauls.

“It’s strange isn’t it? They think that all the animals and plants will be gone too. All those fish, no idea that one day they’ll be dead in an instant,” said RIn.

“But I guess that’s every day for them. They could be caught in nets tonight and become our dinner…” Kureha pondered as she watched the distant lights.

Their faint, small orbs of yellow would flicker and fade then return from the black, then fade again. Waves were cutting them from sight before revealing them again, and Kureha couldn’t help but imagine every light vanishing.

“Aw, now I feel bad about eating sushi,” Rin sighed.

“Gonna become an animal rights activist right here at the end?” Kureha smirked.

“No, but I will be especially appreciative of my next tuna sashimi,” Rin grinned

Beneath them, the ferry lurched into position. Ropes harnessed the massive vessel into place, and the crowds moved to depart.

“Oooooookay, let’s go get Sayane!” Rin clapped as Kureha allowed herself to return to focusing on joy.

Doing so caused a small rush of nerves igniting to send bumps across her skin as she closed her eyes and clapped as well. Whatever adventures Honshu held, they all began with them departing that ferry.

Down they went, with excited footsteps echoing across the metal steps and metal walls, as unseen voices of dozens of other passengers drifted by in muted echoes. Once Rin and Kureha reached the lower deck, a howl greeted them from across the loading bay. Rin cupped her hands over her mouth and let out a return howl. Kureha found herself laughing in surprise, unaware that such a thing seemed common between her and whoever that was. She assumed it was Arata, but then another howl rose, followed by another.

The smallest flash of isolation glitched in Kureha’s mind when she realized it was coming from Riku and Shiona as well, and she couldn’t help but once again curse the fact that her years of drifting had robbed her of so many small moments of friendship.

But then Kai’s voice rose and let out a howl.

He’d missed out on even more than Kureha, yet he was there now, howling with them. Stings of joy cut through the dullness and happiness returned in full, sending a burst of sound into Kureha’s lungs. Before she realized it, she skipped into the air and let out a nervous cry that turned into a howl. Her eyes closed and the howl built further. Rin joined her in releasing another call and their friends followed suit, guiding the two girls to their location behind a support beam.

Sayane was waiting, with the four others already in her open doors. It had only been two hours since they’d loaded into the ferry, but something about arriving in Oma had made Sayane’s separation and return feel more magnificent. Their chariot awaited them, ready to carry them forward into the unknown.

“I’ll take first driving leg!” Riku joked.

“Perfect!” Rin clapped as they reached the others.

Behind them, safety alarms began to sound as the loading bay doors opened. Cool ocean air rushed through the widening opening, sending hints of salt and fish into Kureha’s nose as she and the other friends let out cheers of excitement.

“Okay for real though, what are we doing for lodgings and food? Oma seems a little… thin…” Arata asked as he moved to the driver’s seat and the others took their places.

Kureha sat in the passenger seat across from Kai and noticed the detail of his forearms as his hand tensed on the steering wheel and he released the seat latch to extend his leg room. His hands were veined and strong and his lips parted as he shifted and moved.

“We need gas, and need to find a store for groceries and… other things…” said Rin.

Kureha smirked when she realized what Rin was referencing.

“Other things?” Riku asked.

“I’m about to start my period. And I have a few pads and tampons, but we should stock up,” she said to cover for Rin, who chuckled and winked at her.

To their credit, none of the boys scoffed or acted disgusted, as so many other boys usually would.

“Periods sound like a fucking nightmare, I’m sorry you guys,” Kai said as he pulled Sayane’s shifter into reverse.

“Ok well I’ll make a list real quick, so we can get everything,” Riku said as he clicked open his phone to take notes.

“Alright, let’s see. Pads.Tampons. What flow, girls?” Shiona asked.

“Heavy!” said Rin.

“So heavy,” said Kureha.

“Okay. Floodgate levels, noted. Then daily vitamins. What else?” Riku asked.

Tires turned and the van began to back towards the ramp. Every passenger looked back towards the ramp.

“Help me out here. Let me know if I’m getting close to a column,” Kai said as he turned the wheel slightly.

“You’re good. You’re good,” Arata replied with a steady thumbs up as he watched the sides.

“We should grab a few big bottles of water, and some fruit packets and non-perishables. Just in case,” said Rin.

“Toothpaste too!” Shiona added.

All of them had packed handfuls of such things, but now that they were away from Hokkaido, there was a faint sense of uncertainty and unfamiliarity coupling with the rising understanding that supply lines would only continue to degrade from here. It was in all of their best interest to have emergency supplies, no matter what was happening.

Seconds later, Sayane was fully out of the ferry and rolling onto the asphalt of the island. A collective inhale rose in the cabin of the van as the friends braced for what awaited.

“Toilet paper?” Arata posited.

“Maybe! Just in case,” Shiona agreed.

Kai shifted into drive and they departed for Oma’s center.

Empty residential neighborhoods drifted beside them in sparse silence. Standalone homes littered sloping hills. Their path wound along the edge of the island, close to the sea, meaning every few seconds, the houses would thin enough to allow the darkness of the expansive ocean to cut through. Seeing it sent subtle jabs of melancholy back into Kureha’s mind. It felt like The Calamity was following them, even though they hadn’t even seen it yet. Eventually, she had to look away from the darkness. Even after she did, it felt as though some manner of heaviness had drifted into the van. Kai’s hands were tense on the steering wheel as they continued forward.

“Hey Kai, looks like there’s a few restaurants on the right in like a kilometer,” Riku called from the back as he scrolled through his phone.

“Perfect, thanks,” Kai replied as he leaned forward slightly.

“Can you keep a look out for them?” he asked Kureha.

His hand reached in her direction and Kureha found herself extending her own to meet him. When their palms met, Kureha noticed his hand was trembling. Something was off with him, and Kureha wanted to ask, but then she stopped and decided instead to just run her thumb along his knuckles. Flinches in his fingers told her he was still shaking. Then his fingers intertwined with hers and he inhaled a slow inhale.

 “Kai…” she whispered.

A subtle cough moved through his closed lips as he nodded and blinked his eyes.

“I don’t know. Just came on quick,” he murmured.

Arata’s hand rose from behind them and rested on Kai’s shoulder, and he let out a soft whimper. Tears glistened in his eyes as sweat turned his palm moist against Kureha’s but neither of them released.

“You’re okay, you’re okay,” Kureha whispered.

Kai forced a nod as he pushed several slow, deep exhales through his nose for the remaining minutes. No one talked within the van. Kureha noticed all four of the others were silently looking out the window towards Hokkaido, which was now gone. Beyond the faint blips of light from stray fishing boats, only blackness was there.

Dread returned against Kureha’s wishes, but she forced herself to focus until the roadway opened up ahead.

“This street coming up,” she said as she clasped both of her hands over his.

Kai nodded and released her hand to return his grip to the steering wheel. Once he was back to place, Kureha’s hand moved to rest on his shoulder. Seconds later, they exited from the main road and onto a side street, where several streetside parking spaces were available.

Gears shifted into park. Kai closed his eyes and nodded as he rubbed his temple.

“Sorry, that was weird,” he sighed.

His hand returned to Kureha’s and his touch calmed her for a moment. Behind them, the others slowly faded from their haze.

“I… I need to eat something…” Shiona whispered.

“Yeah… I don’t feel great,” Riku agreed.

All Rin could do was squeak an agreement. Arata was the only one who seemed moderately calm. As the others struggled to adjust back to clarity, he scratched his brow and kissed Rin on the head.

“We’re okay. We’re all okay,” he said as he reached out for his friends.

“I’ll go see what’s open from these few right here. We’ll just grab one and then we’ll find somewhere to crash and call it a night. Kai, I can drive the rest of the night,” he said calmly as he rubbed Kai’s shoulder and moved to open the van door.

With that, he jumped out into the night and trotted away towards the few restaurants that were lit. No one spoke or moved, beyond extending their hands for the others. Moments later, a lattice of arms was stretched across Sayane’s interior as the friends sat in silence and waited for Arata to return.

When he did reappear, he had a bewildered smirk on his face.

“Are any open?” Rin asked.

“Uh… One is. And it’s… interesting…” he smiled.

“Interesting?” Kureha asked.

“Are you guys up for American diner food with an eccentric old man from New Orleans?” he asked.