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Mountains loomed in the distance, ending in fields. The smell of salt flowed through the air as the bus got closer and closer to the beach. Haru sat with Keiko next to him and in the seat facing them was a tall woman who was glaring at him.             “Oba-san, are you doing okay?” HaruContinue reading “Chapter 20”

Erik stood on a path overlooking the city. He took a deep breath. Bushes lined its sides as the noise of traffic hummed in the distance. The afternoon sun shined over their heads. Haru and Keiko were in front of him.             “I’m going to need your help,” Erik said. “On Spring break, I wantContinue reading “Chapter 19”

A storm brewed over the sea. Waves racked jagged rocks as a menagerie of maniacal monsters gathered on them. One of them, a serpent with a woman’s head, a nure onna, spoke.             “My friends! We have gathered here today to discuss the overthrow of humanity!”             There was no response, just the crashing ofContinue reading “Chapter 18”

Akechi Jubei stood outside Yoko Oni high school with the morning sun to his back. He tapped his foot as his patience drained away. A black cat ran out of the school and passed by him. Soon after, Haru walked inside the gate with Keiko by his side.             “You’ve finally showed up,” Akechi said.Continue reading “Chapter 17”

Blood trickled from Erik’s forehead as he slammed it into the side of the school. Thump! Thump! Thump! A crack formed in the wall from the force of impact. Keiko was backing away from him while Haru stood firm.             “I spent two days in Baba Yaga’s house…” Erik said. “…and it turns out thatContinue reading “Chapter 16”

The Monday afternoon school bell rang. Watanabe opened the door to the journalism club’s room.             Watanabe asked, “Did any of you find anything?”             All the other club members were huddled in a circle around a table.             Jirogame said, “We can talk about that later. We have a problem.”             She joined theContinue reading “Chapter 15”

Noon had come and gone. Baba Yaga gathered Haru and her two guests in front of her hut. The crone looked over Keiko and huffed.             “You’ve passed all my tests so far,” she said. “And you’ve been here for almost two days now. It’s time that you’ve left.”             Keiko bowed, “Thank you forContinue reading “Chapter 14”

Night blanketed the forest. Keiko looked out the window. In the darkness, she saw the glowing eye sockets of the skulls that hung from Baba Yaga’s fence. Her spine tingled with fear.             A horseman rode to the fence and stopped. Both horse and rider were pitch black, clothes and body alike. The rider lookedContinue reading “Chapter 13”

At the end of the hall, an old grandfather clock chimed twelve times. Keiko said, “We’ve finished just in time.” Haru replied, “I haven’t made Japanese food before, so I’m sorry if I slowed you down.” “It’s fine, Haru-kun. What matters is that we got it done.” Keiko rushed to the table. As she did,Continue reading “Chapter 12”

A cool wind blew through the forest as the sun rose on the horizon. Keiko looked into the deep, dark forest. A man riding a horse passed her into the woods. Both man and horse, as well as their clothes, were pale white. They faded into the darkness. Erik walked over.             “I see thatContinue reading “Chapter 11”