Secondhand Memories (Pioneer English Cell Phone Novel)

Phone Call

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Chapter 23

Phone Call

I headed across the rooftop and to the fence on one side. 
My fist slammed into the fence in all abandon.

It shook and rattled. 
Damn it. I closed my eyes.

For a few moments there was silence. 
I could only feel the sun on my neck.

Silence didn’t help. It made things worse.

I didn’t know what to think or what to feel. 
The last few minutes had been so unreal. 
Was it the heat?

My mind, my mind was blank. 
But at the same time it was a whirlpool that I couldn’t make any sense of. 

I could only hear the words of the man that called echo over and over.
A monotone drone, every word a hammer against my skull.
I could only hear my own heart pounding, rumbling through my body.

I wanted to cry, I wanted to shout, I wanted something, anything. 
But nothing came. I tried to picture Aoi-chan in my head but there was nothing. 

I desperately tried to remember her face, 
her soft hair, 
her warm hand in mine, 
her head against my shoulder, 
her smile, but there was nothing.

The only thing left now were the thoughts that spun in my head.

What if I could never see her again? 
What if I couldn’t see her smile again? 
Feel her fingertips against my palm? 
What if I couldn’t hold her again?

It dawned on me how precious she was to me. 
Only I suddenly realized that I hadn’t cherished her enough. 

The ground rose to meet my helpless body.

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Chapter 24

Phone Call

I opened my eyes.

Something was different about the field today.

Something in pink was shining under the sun.
It was an odd sight.

I first thought it was a part of the basketball court.

Then I realized what it was. Tears in my eyes.

The pink chalk was clearly defined,
drawn carefully on the court below.
Wide curves, broad curls, threading in and out.

It was a giant birthday cake, and in the middle was a simple message.

Happy 16th Birthday, Narimiya Seiji

It pierced my heart suddenly,
sending aching rivets of pain throughout my body.

I clutched at where my heart would be. I could hardly breath.

Was this what you planned all along? Aoi…

Tears threatened to overflow.
She made this all last night?

It was beautiful. This was such a beautiful scene.
It didn’t deserve to be happening now.

She was in danger. She risked her life to do this for me.

I wanted to scream. Where was she?

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Chapter 25

Phone Call

My cell phone rang again.

Damn it.

I picked up.

“Helloi?” My voice wavered.

It was the man.
“There are slight complications.”

He laughed hideously.

“Come to the shrine next to the school.”

“You bastard --!!” I swore at him, but was cut off.

There was only silence over the line.

My knuckles turned crimson
as I tore at the fence one last time
before spinning around,
anger quaking through my blood.

Tears of frustration threatened.
It wasn’t worry or fear anymore,
I was filled with contempt and rage.

Who could do something like this to us?
I would not forgive them.

I took off down the stairs and out of the school.

I hoped I wasn’t too late.