Snippet #2069422

"TOMASU. STOP!"

He could have easily ignored Sena's demand if she hadn't yanked his hand away from the purple door, snapping him out of his deep reverie. Her voice had come as though from a great distance away, and his hand was still not fully registering her touch, as though he were completely numb. He shook his head, trying to come back to himself. It was a strange feeling... as though a part of him had tried to eagerly pull away and get through the door - its soft fuzzy surface beckoning, tugging at his heart.

Slowly, as though it were taking days rather than seconds, Sena's voice became clearer, "...whatever you want. Do you understand?" Tomasu frowned at her and was about to dispute that she couldn't tell him what to do when Sayo's voice came into focus.

"Do you live in an or-pin-age? Does that mean you're an orpin?"

"It's orPHAN, Sayo," Tomasu explained but his expression was mirroring Sayo's curiosity as they both stared up at their elder. Tomasu watched Sena's face carefully as she knelt to face them eye-to-eye. He liked her long, flowing hair, not seeing how far down it went, and was tempted to run his hand through it. He didn't think he had met anyone without parents before and felt suddenly sad for Sena. He didn't get to see his own father much, as he was often away with the army but Tomasu was fiercely proud of him, thinking of how he protected those who couldn't protect themselves. Emotion filled him as he looked from Sena to Sayo, feeling protective of his new-found friends all of a sudden. The young boy had been told he looked like his father many times, and he wondered if he could emulate his bravery as well. Despite his itch for adventure, and the purple door hissing softly at his back, Tomasu decided to listen to Sena... this time.

"Fine, I won't go through the door. I won't even touch it." Sayo promised and Tomasu nodded in agreement. Sayo looked behind and Tomasu saw her eyes widened in horror; she let out a scream and ran into Sena for protection. Before he could even contemplate stopping himself, Tomasu spun round and had to drop to the ground. Something had flew out of the surface of the purple door and whipped past his head. He whimpered as it headed back towards the door, afraid to raise his head to see what it was but unable to resist. It was a strange type of vine, pure white with green veins running through it. The head reminded Tomasu of a Venus Flytrap, yet it seemed so much more... demonic. Its jagged teeth were bared in a sort of grimace and it looked ready to strike again.

"Let's go!" Tomasu grabbed Sena's hand, Sayo still wrapped around her. He ran towards the red door, which was looking more inviting by the minute. He ignored the knocker, another shapeshifter like before, and turned the handle. Running through, he made way for the girls before slamming it shut. He panted as he collapsed against the door, squeezing his eyes shut in the hope that this was all a bad dream.