The sun shone brightly through the window. Birds chirped loudly along the canopy, waking me up from my slumber. I let out a small yawn and rolled to my side. My name is Koharu and I’m a simple person living in the heart of Tokyo. To me, mornings were quite dreadful and therefore, I simply was not a morning person. Peering over my shoulder, I felt a small shudder strike throughout my body. I couldn’t help but feel as if someone was watching me. Shrugging it off, I plopped down at my vanity.

“O.M.G!!”, I exclaimed. I forgot to change my clothes last night!

I stood up and made my way downstairs. I decided to make myself a delicious plate of pancakes with fresh strawberries and maple syrup. As a kid, my mom loved cooking and making yummy, sugary-sweet desserts. In this case, it’s breakfast! I carefully topped a juicy, ripe strawberry overtop of my fresh pancakes. The aroma of the pancakes lingered throughout the room, making my house smell like heaven.

Slathering the maple syrup overtop of my mouth-watering pancakes, I got a notification from my phone.

“100K likes!”, I exclaimed, nearly knocking my breakfast onto the floor. Breaking silence breached the room. I stared at the picture I had posted on Acebook. I clenched my phone in my fist, nearly crushing it to bits. I gritted my teeth in despair and sunk to the floor.

“Why, why you?!”, I said. My voice was breaking to bits. Tears fell. My heart, shattered. Painful memories swarmed like bees.

Get up.

“W-Who, who’s there?!”, I exclaimed. A strange voice called out to me.

Come on, I won’t hurt you.

There it was again. For a minute, I felt my body tensing up, as if it were getting more frozen by the second. I thought I saw a strange silhouette appearing before me, reaching their hand.

Ring,Ring,Ring!

An abrupt noise made me click back reality. It was my boss!

“Yikes, I’m late for work!”

I jumped onto my feet and devoured the last of my breakfast. Rushing to get changed, I knew my boss wouldn’t be happy with me. I work as a quiet intern lady at a small company not too far from home. I rushed out the door and hopped into the front seat of my small red car. Darn! The streets were full of traffic. People bustling along the sidewalk and impatient drivers honking from here and there. I was *so*** close to being fired! Time ticked away as I was still a few blocks away from work. The time is 9:45am. Since I am already an hour late, and traffic doesn’t seem to be getting any better, I considered just turning back and going home. It wasn’t until the news screens popped up. Every driver looked stopped honking and looked through their windows.

Breaking news, a family of four was found dead at their house this morning. Local citizens have been reporting of stolen things and eerie voices at night. Everyone, please be cautious!

“Hmm”, I thought to myself. Could this have anything to do with the voices I heard this morning..?

It is now 10:25am and I am just stepping into the doors to my workplace. Suddenly, an announcement over the speakers go off.

Koharu, please come to the managers office immediately!

Huh, strange, I usually never get called there. I’m not even sure the manager knows I’m alive.... I bounced up the stairs and flung through the office doors. Wow...things really are nicer in there!

“M-Manager, what did you need me for?”

“Koharu, YOU ARE FIRED!”