Once Upon A Lie

Chapter 3: Mocking Bird

After that day at the gym, I spot Riki more and more often. Maybe it's because he started attending more often or because now I finally notice him.

I wave at him, he nods as a response... But that's about it. Nothing more, nothing less.

At this point, it became a daily routine to look for him in the crowd, just to greet him.

And he doesn't seem to mind.

Quite the opposite - it feels like he's also searching for me among the many faces in the school.

It's Friday, school day starts and as per usual, I walk to my class, my eyes scan the surroundings for him - but he's nowhere to be seen.

Same as during lunch - can't spot him in the cafeteria either.

I even went to the gym (although I hate being there), but... No sign of him.

The day goes by and the bell finally rings, signaling the end of the last class. I rush out of the building and I stand by the main gate, looking around for Riki.

I wait, people pass by. Eventually both the school building and the school yard are empty, what seems to be the last friend group walks out, laughing and chatting as they walk by me.

But I wait there. Why? Why am I worried? He's a guy I barely spoke to, can't even call him a friend.

Yet something feels wrong.

One last look around the yard and I brace myself to go home. The sun is starting to set, painting everything in a soft, pink shade. As I walk down the street, an ominous feeling makes my blood cold. I stop just before a dark, what feels like endless, alley.

And then I heard it.

The sound of an iron blade, cutting through flesh. A sound, much reminding me of the day I witnessed my dad butchering a pig for Christmas. An unforgettable, gruesome noise, that made my skin crawl.

I almost puked.

Then, not even seconds after, a man's voice echoed through the alley, the words barely audible, suffocated by what seemed to be gurgling:

"Why, son? Why?"

Silence.

Deadly silence, that muffled the sounds of the cars' engines and honking, the people passing by, the dogs barking, the birds chirping.

Stillness.

As if time had stopped, the reality of this moment glued my soles to the pavement - I couldn't move. Yet my mind kept screaming "Run, run!", I couldn't.

When I finally managed to take a step back, somebody took a step towards me. Another one. And another one more. Until a silhouette emerged from the shadows, the setting sun barely outlining the face of the monster that had just murdered a person.

Standing just a couple of feet away from me, the figure turned around and saw me. I couldn't make out a face yet, but they surely know now that I'm aware of what happened.

"I saw nothing." - I managed to choke out the words, despite my throat tightening from fear.

The figure just stood there, silent.

Then, took one more step towards me, slowly and menacingly.

They kept getting closer, stopping right before me.

The little sunlight that had left, peaking through the tall buildings, finally fell on the person's face.

Riki?!

"And you heard nothing." - he spoke, low and monotone. No emotions. As if whatever happened in that alley actually never happened.

We just stood there, inches apart.

Only our breaths and the faint song of a mocking bird somewhere far in the distance could be heard.

My eyes wide in shock as I examine his face... The blood splatters on his cheek and forehead. Then lower to his hoodie and hands - dark bloody stains. The smell of iron made me nauseous as I almost felt the world crashing.

"Yume." - he whispered, his intent unreadable. - "I won't hurt you. Don't be scared of me. Please."