A horrible squawk came from the monster's beak. Despite my fear, I forced my body to move. I started running, not knowing where I was going in this maze of hallways. 

As much as I forbade myself from turning around, my foolish instincts couldn't help it. It was trying to fly towards me, but due to its large size it was difficult for it to do so. 

The thought of attacking it now that it was out of its element crossed my mind, but the long claws and sharp beak made me realize how foolish that option was. And Yuriko can't shoot without making sure she won't hit me. 

I can only run as best as my wound allows me and hope to find the way out. 

After turning two more corners I started to wonder how big the house was, but I regretted complaining about its large size when I saw a dead end. 

«'Damn, I entered the wrong hallway.»

I reached the end and turned around, preparing for an inevitable confrontation. The large, shadowy figure of the bird stood at the end of the hallway. Its beak moved in a way that made it seem like it was smiling at my misfortune. The glee in its eyes confirmed that it was mocking me. 

It let out a gruesome squawk the moment I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. 

 part of the window, instead of being covered by white paper, had a thin row of rectangular glass that allowed you to see out. Through it I could see a pair of red eyes staring at me and a row of sharp teeth. 

I froze in place knowing that with the slightest movement both beasts would jump out to attack me. Then a wild idea came to my mind. I made use of my photographic memory and gathered the courage to carry out my plan. I bet everything on it. 

«'Please make it work.»

The muscles in my legs tensed and a stream of pain ran from my ankle to the knee of my injured leg the moment I pushed my body against the wall opposite the window. 

As I predicted, the internal walls in this type of house are not that strong or thick. My plan worked and the wall broke. 

As if everything was in slow motion, I saw the bird advance towards me at the same time the other monster broke the wall. Both collided with each other and that did not seem to please either of them. They began to fight each other to see who would have the right to the prey. 

I got up from the rubble and ran towards the sliding door that would allow me to return through the hallway since it was impossible to even think of passing between them. 

As soon as I turned around, a figure startled me but when I saw Yuriko's altered face my body relaxed. 

—¡Aisha! Are you okay? Let's get out of here.— Without giving me time to answer her question, she took me by the arm and pulled me through the hallways once again.

We passed the broken wall towards the path we originally had to take and in an instant we found ourselves in a living room. The redhead came out through a door and the reddish color of the dawn greeted us. 

A monster shaped like a giant flea jumped towards Yuriko but she took my katana and got rid of it without a problem. We ran to the main door trying not to attract the attention of the rest of the monsters that roamed the garden and I couldn't help but feel sorry when I saw how a couple of them were distracted with the fish in the pond. 

The door was open and when we crossed it we could see Yuriko's family and a couple more people. 

—¡Yuri, Aisha! Are you okay? 

— We're fine mom. But we have to go, they'll soon realize that there's no one home anymore. 

Mr. Nishimura approached us and looked at us. I couldn't detect any hostility in his action, in fact, I couldn't detect any kind of emotion. He turned to look at one of his men and made a sign to them. A few seconds later a brown-haired man with a backpack in his hands stood next to him. 

—Take these, they will help you on your journey. I'm afraid we have to part ways here.

The man approached me and handed me the backpack. I took it hesitantly. 

—Take this too.—He handed me a long piece of paper. — We didn’t have time to talk about it, but the safest route to downtown is marked on this map. This is all we can do for you.

I took the map as he explained and spread it out making sure there was indeed a marked route. 

—Sir. The monsters are starting to disperse.— The woman who had guided us to the Nishimura house yesterday announced. 

—It’s time to go.— he turned around as his men began to move. He stopped before walking. —Make sure my children’s effort wasn’t in vain.

Kumiko gave me a dazzling smile and bowed before following her husband with Yua at her side. 

—Makoto, go away.— Yuriko snapped at her younger brother. 

—¿What, why? I still haven't said goodbye to...

-I- don't care. Go away.—. She pushed the redhead's shoulder forcing him to walk.

Makoto looked at me saddened for not being able to say goodbye to me properly and before walking away he said something that I wasn't sure was going to happen.

—Goodbye Aisha. Let's see each other again soon. 

When he was far enough away from us, Yuriko took out a small black box from a bag that had been given to her and that I hadn't noticed. 

— Here. With these at least you'll know where you're running to.

I frowned in confusion. Hanging the backpack that her father had given me over my shoulder, I opened the box. Inside was a new pair of glasses with a beautiful gold frame and a transparent strap. 

—Thanks, but...I'm fine with mine.— I tried to return it but his dark look made me shrink into myself.

— Don't be silly. If you go out with those you will die for not having seen a monster.— She pointed at my thick black glasses suspiciously.— Also, without a cord you will lose them every time you run from one of them. 

I bit my tongue to keep from complaining about the fact that she thought I would only run if I ran into one, but to be honest, I probably would, if combat wasn't necessary. Not to mention that she was right, I have lost my glasses at least once per monster. I've been lucky before, but next time it could cause my death. 

Yuriko crossed her arms and tilted her hips, resting most of her weight on one of her legs. 

—I don't know why you're clinging so much to those old childish glasses, but for your sake and your brother's you'd better take my advice.— SHe looked at something behind me and then turned her gaze back to me.— You'd better survive...both of you.

And without saying anything else she walked past me going to her family and leaving me completely alone, again. I stared at the new glasses feeling a silence and tranquility around me that for some reason made me uneasy. I didn't come out of my reverie until I heard a scream in the distance. 

By then there was no one in sight. 

I changed my glasses ignoring the feeling that what I was doing was wrong and put my old pair back in the box. I ran my fingers over one of the silver butterflies that decorated both ends of the thick black plastic frame. Unconsciously my lips curved into a slight smile. 

«I haven't gotten there yet, sorry.»