Within the dimly lit room a small red, pink and green ball was curled up in the corner. The young girl stared at the rose shaped door that was the only entrance and exit to her room. It was strange to see it open. The lights in the hallway flickered again. This time she could have sworn she saw something pass by. The multicolored ball uncurled to reveal a girl probably no older than the age of eight and a doll that was nearly as big as she was. Ayumu inched her way closer to the door with the doll in hand. Was it safe to go out?

Cautiously the petite girl peeked outside of the door, looking up and down the hall as the lights flickered again. There was a trail of blood leading to the right. She shivered slightly, taking a step back into her room. “What do you think Hotaru? Should we go out and explore?” The girl whispered to the doll she held. After a moment she nodded as if the doll had answered her. “Stay close to me, hopefully nothing will happen.”

She tiptoed out into the hall debating which way to go when more movement caught her attention. “Look Hotaru, it’s a ball and kitty.” She pointed towards the far end of the hall were a crystal was rolling along the floor being followed by a white cat (Shiro). For a moment Ayumu just stood there watching. Down that way there was more blood along with dismembered body parts. She hugged the doll in her hands tightly to her chest, peeking over its head as she watched.

The little girl found herself slowly moving closer to the crystal and white cat, trying to hide behind her doll. Once she was halfway to them she stopped and moved so she was close to the wall. “Hello,” she squeaked. She was still clinging tightly to Hotaru, but her face was now visible.