And On That Night... [Private]

Kirino hasn't liked walking home alone since she was a child. She hates walking home alone when it's dark. It scares her, bringing back memories that only she and one other person share. And now it was dark. She was alone. And she was not home. Unfortunately, she doesn't have her own car yet, so there was only two choices. She could sit here at the school, grade papers all night, and go to sleep at her desk, or she can get up the guts to walk out of this building and head home for a good nights rest. This time, she chose the second option, knowing she was going to regret it. She picked up her bag and began to make the very long and lonely journey back to her home. The moment she left the school grounds, she felt a chill go up her spine. "Damn it..." she mumbled under her breath, gripping the strap to her bag tightly, "Come on Kirino... You know it's all in your head." She kept going, walking down a dimly lit street. Then, just like all the nights she walked home before, she began to hear it. It was a howling, a loud and menacing howling. She knew it was all in her head. She'd been hearing this since that damn night over ten years ago. This is why she chose to avoid walking home alone at night.

She quickened her pace, hurrying down the street. The howling came again. She reached up and grabbed onto her hair, gripping a bit tightly. Why would this fear not leave her? She was a child when it happened. Why does it continue? These were questions she constantly asked herself. Never did she get an answer. She hurried even more and she began to hear the sound of footsteps behind her. It was actually beginning to convince her. It was there. She stopped walking, turned around. Nothing was there. Taking in a deep breath, she slowly let it out and followed it with a gulp. Turning back to the direction her home was, she began walking again, trying to calm herself down. It came again. The howling, the stomping. It seemed to get closer and closer. "Stop it, stop it, stop it!" she practically begged, quickening her pace once more. She was running now, trying desperately to get away from this thing she had plaguing her head. It always stopped when she was with another, or when she got home. One or the other, one or the other. She wanted someone to show up, or to get home. Fast. Now if that was possible. She kept going... running as fast as she could away from this mental howl.

Kirino could hear it coming closer. The footsteps getting louder and louder as if something was chasing her. If she turned, nothing would be there. She knew this, so their was no point. Why was this memory plaguing her? Why would it not go away? She just continued running. A new sound hit her ear. The sound of a man asking if she was okay. Immediately she stopped running and turned her head to look a few feet down the street. She saw him waving at her. She walked closer to him, stopping a mere two feet from him. Finally... the sound was gone. Placing her hands on the side of her head, she took in a deep breath and brushed her hair back using her fingers. Looking back to him, she had a small smile form on her face, but still looked weak and worried. The sound was gone, but only until he left her side and she would have to walk alone again. "Yeah..." she nodded a couple times, swallowing before speaking once more, "Y-yeah. I'm okay. Just... I just don't enjoy being out at night, ya know? Too many creeps out and about..." She noticed he was carrying a few things and then decided to spark up some conversation. "You just coming from the market? Looks like you did some decent shopping..." Not the best of subjects, but it would do until she and he would have to separate.

Kirino listened to his explanation about the groceries, but she was only half listening. Her mind was elsewhere, wondering what was going to happen when she had to get home. She merely nodded towards him, just acting as if she was listening to what he was saying. It was then that he asked if he could walk her home. Her head shot up and she stared at him. He continued on and introduced himself. She glanced down to his hand, then back up to him, then down to his hand, and back up to him once more. "YES!" she said in relief as she reached up and grabbed onto his hand, shaking it rapidly, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I would appreciate that very much!" Kirino took in a deep breath and slowly let it out, trying her best to relax. She looked around and then regained her composure. "You... said your name was Andrew, right?" she said, her hand still holding onto his, now giving it a more gentle shake, "I'm Kirino Etokai. It is nice to meet you." Kirino happily looped her arm around him and walked rather close with a large smile on her face. She began leading him towards where she lived, having no problem at all with holding rather tightly onto him. Obviously her nerves were still a little rattled. It was just nice for her to have someone walk with her instead of being alone.