I sigh and do some little discreet stretching movements before I start my exploration.

My Japanese wasn't as rusty as some would think. I'd used phrases now and then to insult Kat when she went too far. Ares helped me practice a week before we moved since he had learned the language as well.

In all, I was able to ask for directions easily, from those around me.

I take pictures and post them a few on my social media accounts. Unlike Kat I don’t have an overwhelming amount of followers but being and part of the Vermillion family had spurred many of my classmates to follow me back then. I could pick out some of them in the replies. One comment in particular, I frown and ignore. It was nice indulging myself the bright neon lights and flashy caricatures of tv characters all around, I wouldn't sour my own mood anymore today. I lift my mood by ogling every clothes store window and taking down names in my notes app enthusiastically.

Grinning stupidly at my list which had grown ridiculously over time, I can't help thinking how fun coming out for shopping another day would be.

I keep up my walk, aiming to get home a little later just so Ares would give Kat a little bit of hell for chasing me off so long. I wouldn't call myself vindictive...I guess.

I stop, looking around to get my bearings since I've been walking pretty aimlessly. It had grown dark pretty quickly and the city seemed to have dimmed a bit actually. The neon lights from several stores that had threatened to blind me everywhere had turned out like everyone had decided to close up early. The streets as well had quickly thinned out without my notice.

Maybe it was getting too late. I pulled out my phone only to see it was almost 9 pm. Sure it was a bit late for me who palnned to get home before then but it was normal time for night life.

Then I remember the curfew the Demona articles talked about.

Shit.

I pulled up a map to find my way home when my screen suddenly goes black.

Double shit.

My mind goes back to the serial murder news articles. I really wasn't liking this, becoming a serial killer's statistic was on my top ten ways not to die list.

I scan the area and approach the first person that comes into sight. It was a young man clearly rushing home himself but kind enough to give me directions to the area where the apartment complex would be which was good enough.

Scolding myself for getting so carried away I start my brisk walk home.

I've barely taken three steps back when...I feel it.

A strange icky sensation spreading across my skin. Was someone watching me?

My eyes dart around the street. I'm the only person still there. I ignore it and keep walking, jogging actually, my gut urging me to get as far away as possible. My short sprint is interrupted by the sudden sensation of the world being overturned. Everything spinning and my feet losing balance until it come slamming right into the ground.

Panick sweeps through me as my scream drowns into a pained groan and vision swims. My mind is full of questions as I try to pull myself up and see what had thrown me into the alley.

I feel sick already.

It stands at the entrance of the alley, a large spider-like form, as big as a car standing on eight legs that seemed just as thick as tree branches. And where the insect's face was meant to be was the sick twisted body of a woman from the waist up, with stringy hair and dry cracked lips muttering in words I can't understand.

All thoughts leave my head, my feet are trembling and the scream aching to leave my chest is stuck in my throat. I see it move closer and my body is spurred by instinct to avoid, I stand, managing not to trip over myself in fear and notice the piece of web attached to the back of my legs where I'd been lifted and thrown.

Shit, shit, shit.

I turn back to the large menacing thing that's still slowly approaching me like it's playing some sick twisted game. My heartbeat is fast enough to hurt in my chest, whatever this thing was, I couldn't let it kill me. Kat would be way too happy at my death.

With that motivatio, I yank the web off and start running toward the strange monster. The woman makes to grab me but I slide under the beast. Ignoring it's disgusting underbelly as I do.

'Get to the main street,' I tell myself.

There's a shrill cry behind me. That icky feeling washing over me once more before i feel my leg stuck, I fall and glare at the web pulling me toward her.

I kick and tug but unfortunately, some above average skills in volleyball, gymnastics qnd taekwondo didn't prepare you for giant spider women attacks. I scream for help, tears prickling at my eyes as I dig my nails into the ground to stop myself from being pulled by the thread.

My life couldn't end way, it just couldn't!

A giant spider-lady thing was about to kill me?!

How was it possible, and why me?

Cold clammy hands wrapped around my body. Dread sinks into my gut and I squirm trying to evade the repulsive being to no avail. The head comes closer to my neck and I can feel the hot sticky breath, not as rancid as I'd expect but carrying the most intoxicating scent of roses.

I scream one last time, completely unaware when the monster joins me quickly after until I'm violently thrown aside.

My head hits the ground multiple times as I roll into the concrete. With a pained groan, I push myself up to take a glance at what was going on.

A hooded human form had a large sword plunged into the monster's back. The air implodes with rippling ethereal energy, knocking me back a little bit more as the monster's shrill cry fades until just its legs are the only twitching part of it.

The large sword disappeared and the hood-wearing stranger turns to me, it's too dark to see a face but I could make out burning turquoise slits for eyes.

Demona.

I don't know why I Know but I do.

I struggle to my feet ready to run but they are right next to me already, holding my shoulder in a vice-like grip.

"Leave me alone!" I yell, struggling only to fall. My legs are shaking again.

"Settle down." A calm feminine voice instructs.

I shake my head, using my hands to pull myself back. Away. My eyes do to the monster that lay twitching, who ever could do that wasn't to trusted.

She follows my gaze, her voice is a bit airy when she speaks, "Jorōgumo."

"Huh?"

"Spider bride, it's a youkai, an evil one specifically but don't worry, I've eliminated it. You're safe."

I stared at her in disbelief. Youkai? Spider bride? What in the hell?! "What are you?"

"A helper, that's all you need to know. Where do you live...Kira?"

I say nothing, stunned at the chain of events as well as the fact that she has used my name without asking for it.

"Or don't bother I know where you live as well. Let's g-"

I slap her hand away from me, "Stay away you freak!" I screech, bolting up and running for the street.

No sooner, my knees buckle and my vision swims causing me to fall to the ground. A prick of pain make itself known in my neck and my arm goes up to inspect it.

With the last slivers of my vision, I could see it was a tiny dart. I slump, hitting the ground again. I hear Demona's heavy footsteps coming my way.

"I know, Sint. I'll deal with it properly after I return her home...it's not like there's much it can do now, it's dead the murders will stop for a while... Asmodeus, shut up..."

Who was she talking to? More spirits?

This didn't make any sense.

Nothing made sense.

The darkness is slowly closing in but I try to keep it at bay. I'm being lifted up with no real effort, it feels so warm and nice.

"Why..." The question dies in my throat, what was I going to ask again?

Something is pushing past my lips into my mouth.

"Hush now, and forget everything." Her voice is sweet, enticing slow as whatever she's fed me goes down my throat.

Forget? What does she mean?

I don’t want to forget.