The restaurant located on the ground floor of the hotel was small but cozy. The wooden furniture and yellow lights added just the right touches to complement the design. The strong smell of coffee, mixed with the subtle aromas of different foods, spread throughout the place. 

At the end of a row of empty tables, four people were chatting excitedly as they reviewed the route that would take them to their first destination of the day: the Hie Shrine.

“According to the map, the shrine is about a 400-meter walk away, so we'll get there pretty quickly. On the way out, we walk to the taxi stand half a block down the street, and head to the Tokyo Skytree, is that okay?” Sophia confirmed with the rest once again.

“It seems perfect to me,” Sabrina agreed as she put the last bite of her dessert into her mouth. “Them we'll haf move time tu walk avound,” she mumbled with her mouth full of food.

“Do we have enough cash?” Ciel asked after sipping her strawberry smoothie. Meanwhile, her free hand smacked Sabrina's head in rebuke.

“Yep,” Joel replied, ignoring the typical antics of his friends.

“Then let's get going.” Sabrina checked the time on her phone and stood up. Her fair complexion had regained its natural color and her mood had returned to normal; so much so that what happened last night seemed like an illusion.

It was the middle of spring in Japan and the weather was mild, perfect for walking. Still, the morning breeze was quite cool, so many people had light coats on. The area where the hotel was located was full of restaurants, bars, and other lodgings. Luckily, there weren't many people at that time, so the walk was rather pleasant. 

Passing by the Bank of China, they reached Sotobori-Dori Avenue. Across the street and between two buildings was a dark gray torii gate with a green sign with gold letters written on it. On the side, there was also a map with the necessary information about the shrine.

They all gawked at the giant torii, for it was the first time they had visited a shrine. Although none of them were fervent believers, they couldn't help but feel the sacred air that the place emanated. Indeed, it was as if the gate separated the human world from the divine world.

When they crossed the torii, the four of them suddenly stopped and looked at each other quizzically.

“Was it just me or…?” Sophia asked, frowning.

“No, I felt it too,” Joel said in wonder, his big brown eyes wide open.

“I thought I was the only one,” Ciel added in amazement.

Sabrina nodded twice, for she had felt it too. It was as if she had passed through some kind of membrane and was now inside a bubble. The air felt cleaner and her body was lighter. She even believed her surroundings had become more radiant.

On the other side of the torii was a short flight of steps that connected to another street. In the center of the wooden lanterns was a stone sign with the words ‘Sanno Hie Shrine’ engraved on it.

“Let's take a photo here,” Ciel proposed, showing her phone.

The problem was that their tripod had broken and they had not purchased a replacement yet. So if they wanted a group photo, they had to ask someone else or prop the phone up somewhere. 

While they debated whether to take a selfie and continue on their way, a man approached them. Although they couldn't see his full face since he wore a facemask, his captivating amber eyes had a mix of European and Asian features. A professional camera hung around his neck, so everyone assumed he was another tourist who had noticed their dilemma.

“Excuse me, if you don't mind, can I take you some photos?” The man asked in a perfect British accent as he raised his camera. “Free of charge,” he clarified when he saw them hesitate. “I can show you my Instagram so you can see some of my latest works. I'll send the photos to your email after editing them.”

“Can you show me, please?” Joel was the only one to approach the photographer.

Sabrina watched the man furtively. He seemed to be about their age, around thirty years old. He didn't act strange and was very polite, however, she felt something didn't fit. Unconsciously, she averted her gaze to the other two girls. 

Sophia was intently examining the guys, while Ciel exchanged glances with her; her hazel eyes reflected the same discomfort. Noticing their exchange, Sophia glanced at them out of the corner of her eye and raised her eyebrows, implying something. 

The three of them came to the same conclusion without saying a word.

After a few minutes, Joel returned and told them it seemed legitimate, so they agreed to his offer. After taking a few photos with his camera and one of their phones, the man bid them farewell cheerfully and walked down the path on the right. They, however, went down the left side.

Before going up another flight of stairs, Sabrina glanced over her shoulder. She was greatly alarmed to see that the man had also turned around and was watching them from afar. Instinctively, Sabrina gave a small, harmless smile, and he returned the gesture by waving his hand.

‘How awkward,’ she thought as she turned quickly to follow her friends.

The long flight of stairs was narrow, so they were forced to go up in a single row. The path was adorned with ninety vermilion-colored torii gates that were clustered together. 

Despite being amused taking photos, Sabrina occasionally turned around to check if the man was following them. The fifth time she turned around and saw only a few tourists also taking photos, she thought she was being too paranoid and stopped.

Upon reaching the top, the group followed the marked path until they found one of the side entrances to the main shrine. After walking in, the first thing they noticed was the huge main building on their right, where several people were queuing up to pray and pay their respects to the gods. Luckily, the place was not so crowded and they could walk around easily.

They also saw two stalls; one where they could buy amulets and other types of souvenirs, and the other where they could get the goshuin seal —a handwritten stamp that serves as proof of their visit—, but to get it they needed a special booklet that they did not have.

In the center of the courtyard was a large hoop that appeared to be made of straw, and there were two long bamboo poles on the sides. Visitors would first go through the hoop and then line up to pray. On either side were roofed passages embellished with wisteria trees in full bloom that gave off a musky fragrance.

“Where is it…?” Sabrina murmured, searching for something with her eyes, and the rest did the same.

According to their information, they had to first find a water ablution pavilion, where they had to perform a ceremonial purification rite, which consisted of washing their hands, mouth, and also the water ladle before offering their prayers.

“Could that be it?” Sophia pointed to the other corner of the courtyard, where three people were each holding a wooden ladle.

“Yes, that's it!” The brunette exclaimed excitedly upon recognizing the pavilion.

As they performed the ritual, they couldn't help but laugh at themselves as they watched their clumsy actions as they tried to imitate the locals.

“Do it again, just in case,” Joel suggested to the black-haired girl with a mischievous smile, who looked at him confused. “I don't think a single purification is enough,” and he moved his eyebrows up and down several times.

“And you need a few exorcisms, let me ask if they do those here,” Ciel retorted, pretending to be looking for a shrine employee.

“Ask them if they do a two-for-one discount,” Sabrina added, pointing at herself.

“Guys, we came to visit the shrine, not to set it on fire,” Sophia joined in and everyone laughed quietly.

When they finished, they joined the line to pass through the giant hoop. The line moved quickly as they chatted until it was finally their turn. As she waited for the others to cross one by one, Sabrina stared in wonder at the hoop and thought that it looked like some kind of dimensional portal; one that would transport her in an instant to a fantasy world like those in the books she liked to read.

Suddenly, a horrible feeling ran through the back of her neck, making her shrink her shoulders. Sabrina quickly scanned her surroundings, until her gaze landed on a lone figure standing motionless in the middle of the front door. Before she could look at the familiar man more closely, her friend's voice startled her.

“Brina, hurry up! Don't hold up the line,” Joel urged her.

“Ah, yeah, sorry,” she muttered with embarrassment.

As she crossed to the other side of the hoop, Sabrina again experienced the sensation of passing through a thin membrane, although this time the feeling was even more real.

Fleeting images flashed through her mind like lightning. The world spun out of control, and the wind, fierce and biting, whipped at her body as she plummeted from the sky. Her eyes could barely open against the relentless force of the air. Below, a sea of ​​white trees stretched out like a shimmering canvas, but its beauty vanished in an instant as a blinding light consumed everything.

Sabrina staggered as a torrent of voices assaulted her eardrums with force. Sophia and Joel reacted quickly and grabbed her by the arms, saving her from an embarrassing fall in front of everyone.

“Are you okay?” they both asked at the same time.

“Yes, I just got dizzy for a moment. I'm better now, it's nothing serious.” Sabrina wasn't sure if she was trying to reassure her friends or to quell the nervousness that was growing inside her.

“If you feel bad, we can sit down for a while and then come back,” Ciel suggested, but the brunette refused.

“I'm fine, let's move on.”

The three of them examined her face with concern, but in the end, decided to continue to the next line. After about fifteen minutes, it was finally their turn. 

Sabrina neither affirmed nor denied the existence of what others called gods. To be honest, relying on something unknown and intangible like a god gave her an unpleasant feeling of uncertainty, so she preferred to rely on herself and the people who were always by her side through thick and thin. However, when she visited a church, temple, or shrine, she always tried to respect their rules regardless of her own beliefs, just like now.

‘I don't know if they exist, but... Whoever is listening, I don't want to dream anymore, please,’ she desperately begged with all her might. Her intertwined fingers turned white from clenching them so hard. ‘Allow us to return home safely... Thank you.’ She bowed and stepped to the side, waiting for her friends to finish.

Then, everyone headed straight for the stall where they sold souvenirs, amulets, and so on.

“I want to buy an amulet.”

“Me too. And I want that wooden tablet to write wishes on.”

“Let's buy those fortune papers too,” Joel suggested as they joined another queue. “Although I wouldn't be surprised if we all got the worst ones,” he joked.

After a while, the four were under the roofed passage covered in wisteria flowers, putting their new purchases in their bags. Then they busied themselves with writing on their wishing boards, leaving the fortune papers for last. 

“What did you all write?” Ciel asked, putting her tablet aside and casting a curious glance at the others'. 

“May we always find our way home, safe and sound, and may we be together forever,” Sabrina answered honestly, showing what she had written. “And you?”

“Prosperity and health for my loved ones,” Ciel replied with a relaxed expression brimming with affection.

“May I never lack the wisdom to resolve and overcome any situation,” Sophia continued, raising her tablet with an air that reflected her usual confidence.

“May my mental health be stable and may no passion enslave me,” said Joel, being the last one to share his own. “Happiness and health to all who seek it.”

“Stop, holy sir, your magnanimity overwhelms me!” Sabrina teased him, dramatically bringing a hand to her face and pretending that Joel's tablet was blinding her eyes, eliciting everyone's laughter.

After everyone revealed their wishes, the most anticipated moment arrived: the mysterious omikuji that contained their fortune. Since they were in Japanese, they decided to use the translators on their phones for greater convenience. 

The four then concentrated on reading, but the heavy silence that surrounded them was evident. The girls raised their gazes almost at the same time, fixing their somber eyes on the boy's face. 

“Don't tell me... You're kidding, right?” Joel began to laugh out of nervousness as he felt the threatening pressure on him.

“Mine says ‘kyō’.” Sophia was the first to speak out. “According to the translator, it means misfortune.”

“Mine too,” Ciel followed.

“Mine says ‘dai-kyō’... Great misfortune.” Sabrina had a scathing expression as she glared at the boy who moments before had joked about this.

“Mine also says ‘kyō’.” Joel couldn't contain his laughter, as the chances of something like this happening were slim, and yet, they had pulled it off.

Amid laughter and disbelief —and a few well-deserved hits to someone—, everyone hung up their tablets and tied their papers in their respective places before continuing on their way. As they passed through the passageway full of purple flowers again, Sabrina heard a faint voice calling her and turned around, thinking it was one of her friends.

“Did you say something?”

“No?” Sophia denied it without taking her eyes off her phone while checking the route and the visiting hours of their next destination.

“Let's buy something to drink, please,” Ciel asked, bringing a hand to her neck. Her throat felt so dry that she couldn't wait to empty one, maybe two, bottles of water.

 “And something to eat on the way,” Joel added as he felt his stomach protesting from hunger.

Sabrina, confused, thought she might have misheard and continued walking, trying to convince herself it was nothing. But just as she was about to cross the imposing main door, she heard it again. A high-pitched, desperate voice broke through the murmur of voices in the shrine, shouting her name. The rest were unintelligible words, like a twisted lament that faded away before taking shape.

A cold chill ran through her body, making her skin crawl and digging into her chest like a silent warning. The feeling of being watched returned, but this time it was different: something sinister, charged with perversity, seemed to lurk in the shadows.

Suddenly, a gust of wind whipped through the branches of the wisteria, tearing off hundreds of violet petals that swirled in a chaotic whirlwind, drowning out all sounds. The courtyard was plunged into an unnatural silence, so dense that every step and breath she took echoed loudly.

“Brina, don’t stay behind or you’ll get lost!”

“Hurry up!”

“Coming!”

The voices of her friends echoed in the distance, tearing through the oppressive stillness. All the sounds came back as if their disappearance moments ago had been a delirium of her own. Sabrina ran quickly towards them with her heart pounding hard in her chest, refusing to look back.