Her heart pounds erratically. She is gasping for air. She tries very hard to do it quietly. She put her left hand to cover her mouth. Afraid that the breaths she forces out will be heard.
Her eyes keep glancing at the door. Mother asked her to go here. To hide under the bed. She said, 'Keep quiet. And no matter what happens, do not go out. Do not make any noise. Close your eyes, darling.'
That was what her mother said.
But she kept her eyes open. For she is worried. Worried about mother. And father. Father has gone out, rushing immediately after they heard the noise. Someone shouting, a commotion. She thought she heard something crack. A table maybe. Or was it a bone.
Then the crashing blow on the door. It rattles. She gasps. Her body crampes from the tension of holding herself immobile. As if anyone can see her move under the bed.
She saw her mother's legs at the side of the bed, and then they lurch forward. Her mother let out a shriek. Someone throw her mother on the bed. She can hear her mother's screams. Not of fright, but of fight.
She look up to the bed on top of her, wondering what was happening. She hears clothes being tear. Slaps and kicks. And her mother's groan.
She also heard a man's voice. Speaking in Japanese. She can only understand some of it.
'Bitch.'
'Your husband... journalist.. '
'Told him to stop.. wouldn't listen.'
'Don't mess with us.'
'You're going to pay.'
The bed shakes. She wonders what is going on on top of her. Her mother gasps and groans. The man, the tormentor cursing and shouting. She doesn't understand what is going on but she knows mother is being hurt.
She attempts to go out. And as she is about to move to her left, a blade came piercing down the bed. And the tip ends close to her right face. She froze. Hands still on her mouth. She did not dare to move.
Then the blade slowly raise. She hears movement. She glanced at the door. A man was walking out. His back is turn on her. But she noticed a tattoo that run from beneath the black collar shirt he is wearing. Wings. And tails.
And then he turned.
Glancing at the bed, as if making sure of something. Will he noticed that she is under the bed? She closes her eyes. And wait.
