Insanity is Just a State of Mind

Disclaimer: I still have not managed to acquire the rights…but it's only a matter of time!

Chapter One: "Is Someone There?"

It was a cloudy, mid-afternoon day. Three young girls were walking home from school together, talking cheerfully to one another. At twelve years old, they had no worries other than passing their classes. The three girls all wore the same uniform- a blue, long-sleeved sailor fuku with a red bow and a blue skirt that fell to their knees. They even shared the same neat white socks and shiny black maryjanes and all carried brown leather bags filled with schoolwork.

Suddenly, one of them stopped and looked at her watch. Her friends also stopped walking and turned to look at her. "Is something wrong, Ashley?" one of them asked-her best friend, Yutsuko, who was a pretty girl with fair skin and long black hair held back by a white headband. The other girl, Risa, said nothing. Despite her tomboyish, short black hair, she was very shy, as she was new to the school and still did not know Ashley and Yutsuko very well.

Ashley Tate shook her head. "I just realized I can't stop for ice cream with you guys. My cousin Alyssa is coming over today to stay with us for a bit. Mom told me to make sure to come straight home." she said with an apologetic smile. "I haven't seen Alyssa in a long time, like, since I was a real little kid, so I don't remember her very well. Mom did seemed a little worried when she mentioned that she was coming to stay with us though. I don't want to make her worry any more by being late."

Yutsuko smiled. "It's fine. Go see your cousin. We can get ice cream any old time. Just don't forget to call me tonight!" She gave her best friend a fake warning look.

"I won't." Ashley assured her with a laugh. "See you guys later!" she called behind her, waving as she ran off. When they did not stop for ice cream, the three split up here, as Yutsuko and Risa had to take the other road to get to where they lived.

"Bye!" Yutsuko shouted, returning the wave enthusiastically.

"Goodbye!" Risa said loudly, her face reddening.

Ashley slowed her pace once her friends were out of sight. There was no real reason to hurry. She would get home on time just like she always did when she did not stop off with her friends. So, why did she feel so uneasy?

The wind picked up a bit. Looking up at the sky, she could see that the clouds were getting darker, making it seem much later than it actually was. There would probably be a storm pretty soon. Hopefully, she would get home before it started.

Even as the wind started to howl, Ashley picked up the sound of footsteps mimicking her own. She thought nothing of it at first, but then they stopped when she did and resumed moving in sequence with hers. She nervously glanced behind her occasionally, but could not see even the slightest sign of anyone else on the sidewalk.

Then the footsteps started quickening, matching the pace of her panicking heart. She stopped and, again, so did they. Turning around, she stared at the completely deserted street uneasily, the wind running through her short, neatly-cut, dark brown hair. Why did everyone have to pick today to be inside?

"Is someone there?" she whispered. Even if there was, no way they could have heard her ask…and no way she would have wanted them to answer.

Ashley broke into a run, feeling the tears on her face. There was no reason to cry. Her mind was just making things up to scare her probably. No one was following her. She was a big girl now. It was childish to cry at her age. If Yutsuko were to see her like this, she would never let her forget it.

But she did not care. As her maryjanes slammed into the sidewalk, she did not care about anything but getting home-home with her mom and dad and her brother and sister…and even Alyssa. If she could just get home, she would do all her homework before even turning on the tv. She would play house with Stephanie whenever she wanted. And she would help her mom do the housework…and never fight with Michael over stupid things ever again. She wouldn't argue with dad when he told her she was playing the piano too loud. As long as she could see their faces again…then she would know she was safe.

The footsteps were louder and faster now. The person behind her was running too and seemed to be getting closer and closer…but she was almost home now. She could see her house…If she just kept running, she would make it…

Suddenly, Ashley felt the ground disappear from under her as her darn maryjanes slipped on the street. She fell forward and her head slammed into the ground. As she lay there on the ground, head pounding furiously, Ashley felt all the warmth slowly fading from her body. She saw the faces of her family and Yutsuko and Risa and wondered if she would ever see any of them again.

Even as she lay there, her body so numb and cold, Ashley felt something prick her arm. She saw…beside her…a devil? "I want to go home…" she whimpered hoarsely, her consciousness slowly fading as she felt something cold coursing through her entire body, making her shiver. Her head hurt more than ever now-like it was exploding. But she could not seem to think about the pain. Her memories felt like they were being pulled away from her-her family's faces disappearing into the darkness. She couldn't remember what they looked like!

Ashley kept whispering to herself until her consciousness faded away, not wanting to forget about her family-about that desire to be home and and safe in their arms…

"I want to see them…"

"I want to see them…"

"I want to see them…"

"I want to see them…"

"I want…to see them…?"

"I want…to see…"

"Want to see…them"

"Want to…see them"

"Want to…see…them…"

"Want…to…kill…them…"