The Holiday

School trips at Kisaragi High were always a blast. This year the entire class was going to go on a hiking and camping holiday. Not everyone could come, of course, but there most of us were, early in the morning, before the sun even rose. My best friend, Seiko, wouldn't be coming, as she had to help care for her younger siblings. I was spending time with some other close friends of mine, and I would be for the whole week. At least there was no-one here I particularly disliked. Kishinuma and Shimasaki could be a bit perverted at times, though, and you cannot explain in words how annoying that can be. Besides, we had Mr Jun with us, watching over the class, among other teachers. All the girls loved Mr Jun. He was just so young and hot and cool. Provided people like Morishige didn't complain too much, it was geared up to be a great week.

I say that, but within seconds of walking, my legs were already hurting. There was excited chatter all around me and I couldn't help but join in. The countryside was lovely, and the fresh air smelled delightful, but nothing all that interesting happened during that walk. I saw Morishige trying to spin some story to Mr Jun and Ms Yui in an attempt to be excused early. It didn't wash with them and he sourly sloped back to the group. It was a bit funny, actually, but nothing really interesting happened until we were setting up camp.

I remember as I put up my tent that Suzumoto approached one of the teachers to ask where we were meant to go for bathrooms. Her and another girl from class left the clearing we were camping in, and I just kept my eyes on my work as I spoke to my friends, but everyone looked round when we heard the screaming.

It was Suzumoto and the other girl, Kawasaki. It kept coming, that blood-curdling screaming, slowly getting louder and louder. Finaly, Suzume broke free from the nearest cluster of trees, tears in her eyes and a horrified babbling coming from her throat as she pointed back where she'd come from. Finally, she fainted. I remember Mr Jun and Morishige running to catch her, but both failing, and then Mr Jun picked her up. "I'll take her back to the school and to the nurse's office." He told everyone. "But first I ought to see where Kawasaki is." And with that, he left, and we all began to quietly discuss what on earth we had just seen. Shinozaki started spinning this story about how there are all sorts of creatures and stuff in these woods. When Mr Jun returned, he announced that Kawasaki had purposely frightened Suzume (which is very unlike her) and so had been sent home by him, effective immediately. It didn't seem right, but it was quickly brushed aside by talk of marshmallows and games.

The night was cool and peaceful, and everyone slept soundly. The next morning, we were going to go to a museum. Nobody really wanted to go, but Mr Jun was doing his best to get us all really enthusiastic. Some of us pretended, just to make him happy.

Morishige stood near him most of the day, asking how Mayu was and whether he could go home to check up on her, but he was told no, he had to stay with the group. He sloped back to the rest of us and we kept going, but suddenly there was another scream, and we turned to see that one of the boys had thrown up. Great. Mr Jun offered to take him home. We didn't see them again for the rest of the day.

The museum was pretty dull, as expected, and half of the class just walked around comlaining that they wanted their lunch. At some point I heard a crash from somewhere else in the museum, and all I thought was 'someone's in trouble'.

There were no more complaints for the rest of the day, thank god. It was nice, and quiet, and Mr Jun met us at the next campsite. Mochida was no longer with him. Must have gone home he was so ill.

On the third day, I noticed Morishige was limping. He hadn't been the previous two days, and for once he wasn't bothering the teachers. Instead, he hung back, looking dishevelled. He looked like he hadn't had much sleep last night. Looking closer, I noticed why he was struggling to walk. One of his shoes was gone, the exposed sock becoming torn and filthy over the rough terrain. I assumed he must have lost it at the museum, as he had been the one to fall. I didn't want to imagine the state of his foot, but I could clearly see the swollen ankle and the way his leg shook when he tried to put weight on it. Why hadn't be told the teachers?

I hurried to the front of the group. "Mr Jun, Ms Yui, I think Morishige's been hurt."
"Hurt?" Yui asked at once, concern flooding her very being. "How?"
"He fell at the museum. He's walking weirdly and one of his shoes is gone, I think it broke."
"If it was really bothering him," Jun replied, "he would have said something. Even so, if this is the case, perhaps we should stop a moment, and certainly see about getting him properly equipped."
So everyone stopped for a rest. My friend and I went over to see if Morishige was okay. We found him curled up against a tree, attempting to hide his injury.
"What's up with you?" My friend, Atsumi, asked, hands on her hips.
"Can I help you?" He asked uncertainly.
"You've been trying to get out of doing this trip since it first started but now you have a legitimate excuse you're hiding it!"
He was silent for a long moment. "I saw what he did to Mochida."
"Mochida?" I asked, frowning.
"Mr Jun. He said he would take them home, but he didn't. I can't tell him about my leg or he'll get me too."
"Now you're just being stupid." Atsumi scolded. "Honestly, you must have a fever or something."
"Why would he hurt anyone?" I asked. "He's our teacher."
Morishige got to his feet then. "I can prove it!" He insisted, beginning to hobble off. "I saw where he took Mochida."

Worrying for his safety and sanity, we followed him, unaware of Mr Jun following close behind. Morishige led us for a while, until he came across a deep pit, lazily covered by vegetation that had red handprints on it. A little more worried now, we moved aside the grasses and peered into the pit. A pungent smell hit the three of us, and down there we definitely saw Mochida. I screamed, stumbling back and landing on my bottom as tears streamed down my face. Atsumi started off just whimpering, but then she pointed to a point over Morishige's shoulder, trying to warn him of something, but the words wouldn't come.
"Naughty children." Jun scolded as his arm wrapped around Morishige's throat. He began to strangle the life out of our struggling classmate and Atsumi finally found her voice.
"Ms Yui! Help! Ms Yui!" She ran into the woods screaming, and I lingered for a moment, trying to figure out a way to defend my struggling classmate, but the glint in Jun's eye told me all I needed to know. I was next. I took off in the same direction Atsumi had gone. It would lead back to Kisaragi Academy and we might even pass the museum on the way. I couldn't see where I was going, tears clouding my vision. I passed a mutilated body hidden in some bushes, and Atsumi crouched nearby, still screaming, too far gone to help. She was just hugging the bush that contained Kawasaki's remains and crying. I tried to pull her along with me, but she stayed in place. Jun came closer, axe in hand now, something else gripped in his other hand. Morishige's head. Just the head, dripping blood, eyes devoid of life, hair gripped in the teacher's savage hands. Still Atsumi would not move, so I ran, covering my ears as the axe cut her open. I shut my eyes as well, just praying to anyone who would listen that he wouldn't catch me.

Alas, my prayers went unanswered. I tripped and fell onto something cold and wet. Please, I begged, not another body, but when I opened my eyes I was faced with the lifeless, agonised gaze of what had once been Mayu Suzumoto.
"Nakashiiiiiimaaaaaa?" Cooed a terrifying voice. I turned, and found him there, axe raised, poised to strike.

I'm sorry, mum.