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Struggling to fit her things in her small bag, Eliza gritted her teeth in frustration.

“Come on, Liz! We’re gonna leave without you!” Kimura’s lazy voice echoed through the halls downstairs.

Eliza squeezed her eyes shut as she strained the bag’s zipper shut. She sighed in relief as the zipper finally shut. Running down the stairs, she saw Kimura waiting for her, carrying a simple knapsack on his back. Frowning stubbornly, she shifted the bag on her shoulder, “Who said you could even come?”

Kimura opened the front door and started to walk out, completely ignoring her. He threw his bag into the trunk of his car, yawning.

Fuming, Eliza stomped over to the car and scrambled in. Kimura smirked, trying to cover up a laugh at her expression. Finally, he got in and started the engine.



The car rumbled loudly as it rolled over the bumpy road. Eliza stared in awe at the beautiful view outside.


Kimura grinned as he stomped on the brake, the car jerking to a stop. Eliza flew forward, her head hitting the ceiling roughly. She spun around sharply, her forehead red from the hit, “Kimura!”

The eldest brother tried to cover a laugh as he gathered up his things, struggling to run out the car door, “We’re here.” Kimura burst out laughing and ran out onto the beach.

Eliza steamed as she rubbed the spot on her forehead. She got out of the car and watched her brother run swiftly along the shore. Sighing in defeat, Eliza slammed the car door shut.

“Liz!”

She turned around, spotting a small group of people walking towards her. A smile broke across her face as Eliza waved.

“Come on, let’s go!” Lynn grinned and took Eliza’s hand, the others following.
Laughing, Eliza walked alongside the black haired girl.




The bright sun shone brightly upon the beach as the day was filled with ecstasy.

Along the shore of the beach, Alexa laid on a chair, reading silently.

Kimura and Chris were involved in a competitive race along the shoreline, kicking up sand everywhere.

Walking in the shallow end of the water, Eliza and Lynn laughed, splashing water up at each other’s faces.

Suddenly, two tall figures splashed up from underneath the water in front of the two girls. Kouza and Satomi grinned wickedly as they shot large streams of water from two loaded water guns.

Lynn and Eliza laughed and screamed as they were pelted with what seemed an endless amount of water.

The stream of water finally weakened as the guns ran out. The twins’ smile dropped from their faces as they looked up sheepishly at the now soaking girls. Dropping the guns, the brothers ran as quickly as their strong legs could take them.

Eliza giggled uncontrollably and ran after them. Water was splashed up everywhere as she tackled Satomi into the water. Lynn grinned and followed suit.

The surface of the water relaxed momentarily, the waves slowly pushing the sand underneath.

A second or two passed with silence, suddenly Kouza shot up from the water, gasping for air. Satomi came up afterwards. Regaining their postures, the twins grinned as they saw the girls swim up to the surface, laughing wildly at their expressions. Kouza had a small crab clutching onto his shorts, as well as the seaweed hanging off his brother’s head.

Satomi grimly peeled the slimy plant off his head and bleakly tossed it in the water; while his brother struggled to tear the crab’s grip from his shorts. Lynn and Eliza fell backwards in the water, giggling and snickering.



Evening fell, and the sun was red as time passed. The soft waves moved along the water as the sky darkened.

Alexa looked up at the sky and folded her chair, “We should get going. There’s a nearby hotel, we should go there.”

The rest agreed and headed for their cars. Eliza shut the car door and sat back, exhausted.





“Welcome to the Utsurikomi Hotel. How may I help you today?” A kind looking lady smiled behind the reception desk.

Alexa nodded, “Yes, may we get two suites; one with three beds, and one with four?”

The twins’ whined, “We have to share rooms?”

“Yes, that is the most we can afford.” Alexa frowned.

The connoisseur punched some of the keys of the computer and looked up from the screen, “Your rooms will be at suites 214 and 215. Here are you keys.” She handed Alexa two silver keys.

Making the payment, the group arrived at two similar rooms.

Satomi and Kouza groaned, disappointed to having to share rooms.

Lynn rolled her eyes, “Grow up, at least we aren’t stuffed into one room itself.”

Yawning, Eliza took the key from Alexa and opened the first door, “Well, good night.”

The rest muttered their good nights’ and went in, drained from the day that had passed.



The sweet chirping of birds sounded outside the window as morning arrived. The sun pierced through the cracks of the shades, illuminating the room.

Eliza’s eyes blinked open as she woke up groggily. Sitting up from her bed, she stretched out her arms and sighed. Looking around, Eliza noticed that the two beds on the other side of the room were empty, the sheets messily tossed to the edge of the bed. She looked around for her friends aimlessly and shrugged.

Grimacing, she got out of bed and dragged herself into the shower.






Pulling on a baggy T-shirt and jean shorts, Eliza wiped her face with a small white towel.

Eliza turned to her mirror and stared at her reflection. A tall girl with light brown hair and green eyes looked back at her. She blinked slowly, I haven’t had that dream in a while.. Picking up a brush, she slowly brushed her long hair. On her left wrist, was a silver chain with an small charm, shaped as two swords crossed together.

Sighing, she placed the brush down on the dresser and left to the hotel lobby.

As Eliza stepped down the stairs, she realized everyone else was standing there, waiting for her.

Twins had their arms crossed impatiently as they waited. Seeing Eliza come down the stairs, their faces lit up with joy. They came simultaneously, towards Eliza, and took each of her hands.

“You’re late!” Their voices sounded at the same time as they grinned wickedly at her.

Confused, Eliza frowned slightly, “What-.”

The two boys laughed and pulled her along out of the hotel doors, the rest following close behind.




Walking a small distance from the hotel, the group arrived at a daunting mansion. The sight of this house stirred your blood at the very moment eyes set upon it.

An ominous impression hung around this house as if the bright sun could never reach its walls. The gate in front was creaking as it swung in the faint breeze, its rusty hinges ready to give out. On a faded plaque, it was written:



Scrunching her nose in difficulty reading these etched words, Alexa straightened up, “This place has been abandoned for thirty four years..”

Frozen in their footsteps, Lynn and Eliza stood at the gate, their eyes enormous. Eliza swallowed a large lump in her throat and turned to the twins, “Why are we here anyway?”

Kouza was first to speak, “To go in.”

Cutting in, Satomi grinned, “And explore; it’s known to be-.”

“Haunted.” The boys smirked.

Chills ran up Eliza’s back as the wind howled through the silence. Her soft brown eyes froze as her head was filled with images of grotesque spirits and ghosts.

Rolling his eyes, Kimura yawned, “Are you scared, Liz?”

Eliza shook her head vigorously, “No, why would I be?” At the very moment she had said that, she regretted it grimly.

The twins grinned and took her arms, leading her towards the mansion door, “Then let’s go!”

Gritting her teeth, Eliza turned her head towards Lynn, her eyes pleading for help. The black haired girl just shrugged in apology.



The group raised their heads, looking up at the heavy wooden door before them. Silence was the only thing on the other side, waiting for the doors to crack open.

Chris, after a long moment of stillness, took one the handles and gripped tightly. Kimura did the same to the other. Concurrently, they pulled with great strength.

A loud groaning sounded from the rusty hinges as the door slowly opened. A dim light poured in through the doorway, illuminating the remnants inside. Everything was covered in either a layer of white dust or a dirty white sheet.

Footsteps echoed through the room as the group walked in. Alexa carefully picked up an old lantern. After a couple moments of confusion, she lit it with success. Shadows were wavering slightly as they walked.

Eliza looked up to see a large staircase leading to the second floor; small creaks came from each step as she started to walk up.

Lynn flinched at the tiny sounds that came from her surroundings and quickly caught up next to Eliza. The rest slowly proceeded behind the two girls.

Arriving at a dark hallway, beautiful paintings were revealed along the walls. The scenery on these intricate frames had magnificence beyond words.

At the end of this hallway was a white door. Complex carvings were designed on the sides of this door. Lynn stared momentarily at this door, and glanced at Eliza. She stretched out her hand, trembling slightly, onto the knob. Gripping onto the knob firmly, she turned it and pushed the door gently open.

Inside this room, was a simple study. A canvas could be found, a finished painting was set upon it, a small scenery with snow falling all around. A desk was collecting dust on the other side of the room, a couple notepads and papers lying unto it.

Placed in the middle of this room, was a large object, covered with a white sheet.

The group stumbled into this room, carefully examining the simple objects of this room.

Eliza, with her curiosity, could not resist tearing off this white sheet. As the cloth fell to the floor, her eyes widened at the marvelous sight. In front of her, was a mirror.