Chapter 4

We didn't scream for long. We knew the graveyard was empty. We hadn't seen another person

anywhere nearby. Besides, the wind was howling so loudly, it drowned out our shouts.

The rain pounded down. My hair was matted to

my head. I kept wiping raindrops from my eyes.

I felt cold water seep into my shoes. I gazed

down and saw that deep puddles were spreading

across the mud of the grave floor. Worms crawled

over my feet and up my pant legs.

Riru started to hop up and down. To keep

warm, I guess.

"We can figure this out,” she said. "Asahi,

give me a boost."

She moved to a grave wall. I cupped my hands

under her shoes. And pushed. cupped my hands

Her hands scrabbled at the top. The dirt gave

way, and she started to slide back down. But I held on. Held her steady.

I gave her another push. She dug her fingers

into the mud and, with a groan, hoisted herself

out of the grave. She disappeared from view for

a few seconds, I heard her give a cheer.

Then she returned, peering down at Sai and

me. "Give me your hands," she said. Sai

shoved me from behind. Riru tugged me out. Then

we both pulled Sai up.

The cold, swirling wind made me shiver. All

three of us were soaked and covered with mud.

Lightning crackled again, followed by a boom

of rolling thunder.

“Let's get out of here!” I shouted.

I led the way. Ducking our heads against the

rain, we took a few running steps toward my

house.

And then we froze.

Voices whispered all around us. Voices carried

by the wind. Behind us. Ahead of us. Everywhere.

"Just the rain," I murmured. Every muscle in

my body tensed. I listened to the whispers -

and knew it couldn't be the wind.

I heard their words so clearly.

"Visit me..."

"Come to me. Visit me..."

“I'm soooooo lonely..."

Hoarse, raspy voices. Voices from the graves?

The dead and buried ... calling to us? Pleading

with us?

I pressed my hands over my ears. I tried to

shut them out.

But I could still hear their hoarse cries:

"Come here. Come over here ..."

"I won't hurt you. I'm so lonely...

And then I screamed in horror when a bony

hand squeezed my shoulder from behind.

Struggling to catch my breath, I spun around.

"Sai!”

He raised both hands. “I didn't do anything."

"You liar. You grabbed me." I grasped the front

of his coat and angrily pulled him toward me.

"No. I didn't touch you,” he protested. “I

swear." He pulled free of my grasp.

Riru stepped between us. “He didn't grab you,

Asahi," she said. “Stop acting crazy and let's

get home.”

Acting crazy?

Was it crazy? I could still hear the voices all

around.

Someone pushed me into that grave, and someone squeezed my shoulder. Someone ... living or dead?

I realized my whole body was trembling.

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