Simon Says

Chapter 1 ~ *•* ~ Mirai Takizawa ~ *•* ~

It's cold. And dark. I'm hunched over with my knees to my chest. I'm barefoot on a metal floor and leaning up against a metal wall. My short amber hair tickles the back of my neck as a breeze blows from an old air vent. I'm wearing a long, thin, sleeveless shirt that goes down to my thighs. I know it doesn't belong to me. I hear whispers around me but they seem muffled by walls. The room I'm in is small. Suddenly I hear a static-filled voice come out of a speaker over my head.

"Welcome to my daycare, ladies! I hope you're enjoying yourself! Oh! Oh! Wanna play a game?!" The voice pauses and then goes deep, "Simon says..."

[[[13 Hours Earlier]]]

I'm walking across the parking lot while holding a boy named Charlie's hand. After a minute I spot the people I'm looking for.

"There are your parents, Charlie!"

Charlie lets go of my hand and runs towards them.

"Mommy! Daddy!", Charlie exclaims wrapping his arms around them.

Charlie's dad, Mr. Jonnes, walks up to me holding his son's hand.

"Thank you, Miss Takizawa. My son loves this place.", he says giving me a warm smile.

I smile back, "Well I'm glad he's enjoying himself. But please, you can just call me Mirai. I'm only twenty-one you know. No need to be so formal."

Mrs. Jonnes stands next to her husband. "I can't believe you already started such an amazing daycare at your age. You really are great with kids."

I give her a thankful smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Jonnes."

Mr. Jonnes looks down at Charlie then back up at me. "Well we should be heading home now. We still need to make dinner."

I nod at Mr. Jonnes and give Charlie a smile and a wave.

Charlie waves at me, "Bye-bye, Miss. Mirai!"

I giggle and continue to wave, "Bye Charlie!"

I watch the Jonnes family pull out of the parking lot and drive away before walking back into the daycare. While I'm closing the front door I hear a desperate female voice with a strong British accent behind me getting louder and louder.

"Miss Mirai! Miss Mirai!"

I look to my left to see a girl with beautiful curly blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and is wearing a school uniform shirt and skirt.

"Is something wrong, Annabelle?", I ask curiously but cautiously.

Annabelle pushes her golden hair out of her face and catches her breathe before speaking. "Miss Mirai, some of the children are making a rather big fuss."

I squeeze my eyebrows together slightly. "What kind of fuss?", I ask, somewhat afraid to know the answer.

Annabelle leads me down the hallway and into the play room. It's a wreck. Toys are scattered everywhere. A few children are screaming. Some are running around. It is chaos.

Annabelle starts to speak. I'm barely able to make out what she is saying.

"I just took Josie to the restroom for a couple of minutes then I came back and... I'm so sorry, Miss Mirai!", Annabelle exclaims desperately.

I can hear the regret clearly in her voice.

I put my hand on her shoulder. "It's okay." I say, trying to comfort her, "It isn't your fault. I can handle this."

I walk to the middle of the room, reach down, and touch my toes.

"Simon says touch your toes!"