Horror Series: Kana From Hell

 

Part One

Her bare feet flew across the filthy ground. The tree branches struck her as she ran through the woods and then she leapt over a rock and onto the road. She stumbled but didn’t stop. 

Behind her, she heard him bellow, “Stop! Stop, you little harlot!” 

She grew terrified and picked herself up promptly and ran. She saw the road that led to the bamboo groves and headed towards it. 

“Kana! Stop!” His voice slurred just a bit to give evidence of his inebriated state. The alcohol in his system did nothing to restrict his movements but only served to enhance his rage. 

Kana could feel hot tears run down her cheeks and she wiped it one hand, noticing that the blood and her tears had merged. It wasn’t her blood that was sprayed over her cheeks and her dress. 

Michi. 

Kana felt a fresh wave of grief wash over her. 

Just an hour ago, she had been with Michi at her home. After snacking on tea and rice crackers, Michi had pulled her playfully towards her. They were laughing, giggling, touching, caressing…when suddenly there had been a knock on the door. 

“Must be the workers,” Michi said, getting up. “My parents are getting tatami mats for the sitting room. I’ll just come.” 

Kana had felt the blood drain from her face. Her father worked for the tatami mat makers. She got up slowly and almost breathed a sigh of relief when she saw another man at the doorway. Then suddenly, he was pushed aside and Kana saw her father Hiroto enter, his eyes bloodshot, his breath reeking of alcohol. 

He pointed an accusatory finger at her. “I saw you through the window!” He looked at Michi with disgust. “With her!” 

“Father…let me explain…” Kana barely had time to speak another word before her father removed a dagger from his belt and plunged it into Michi’s neck. 

Kana was barely aware of the cry that had come out of her mouth as she watched Michi collapse on the ground, gurgling. Hiroto showed no mercy as he removed the dagger and repeatedly stabbed Michi with it. The other worker quietly retreated, his face stern, as if he too thought that the girls deserved this punishment.

When Michi was no longer moving, he turned towards Kana. “You have brought shame upon this family. It is your turn to die now.”

Kana thought she would never move considering the horror she had just witnessed but instincts took over and she found herself pushing Hiroto aside and running out of the house. 

The memories of her dear friend filled her heart with grief. Kana let out another loud sob as she remembered Michi looking in her direction, silently pleading for help as Hiroto stabbed her mercilessly. 

“Come back here!” Hiroto screamed. “Don’t you dare disobey me!” 

Kana entered the bamboo groves and kept running. Her lungs felt hot and heavy, so she stopped to catch her breath and made the mistake of turning her head. When she saw how close Hiroto was, she shrieked. 

She turned and began to run only to trip on something and sprawl on the ground. Her breath was knocked out of her and her teeth clattered together. She looked up and saw a small, dark figure watching her. His silhouette showed he was about three feet tall and stout and wearing an odd hat. 

“Kana!” Hiroto screamed. 

Kana snapped back and picked herself up again. She ran as fast as she could when suddenly she felt something grab her hair and tug. Kana fell down and screamed when her father towered above her. He grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her head forward. 

“You have brought shame upon my family. I curse you. I hope you burn in hell you disgusting sinner!” He brought down the dagger but Kana pushed his hand and rolled away. 

She stumbled but managed to save herself from falling. Behind her she heard a swooshing sound as Hiroto sliced the air with the dagger. 

“Watch out,” she heard a voice say. 

Kana was so startled by the unexpected warning that she didn’t look ahead and suddenly, the ground slipped from under her feet. She fell and her arms flailed to catch anything to save herself. 

She landed with a thud and felt the remaining of her breath being knocked out of her. 

Above her, she saw the dark head of her father peering down at her from the cliff. 

“H-help…” She struggled to speak as her mouth filled with blood. 

“Good riddance,” she heard Hiroto say. “You are not my daughter. I curse you to hell!” 

Kana felt her breath slowing down and tried to raise her hand only to find that her wrist was twisted and the bones from her leg were showing. She tried to call out again, then turned her head sideways and saw blood spill out of her mouth. When she turned back again, her father was gone. 

She thought about Michi, about her sweet and kind face, about her almond-shaped eyes, and small mouth, and her soft skin. 

Kana knew she was dying and decided to embrace it just so she could see Michi again. 

*****

The little old man had been waiting for her. He could sense her. They shared the same blood after all. He went towards her, muttering a profanity as he found his movements to be constricted because of the curse laid upon him. 

Every movement produced a thick, metallic clunking sound that kids had found amusing enough to harass him. He had found a haven in the bamboo groves where he wished to live undisturbed. 

But tonight, his instincts told him he had to come out of his shadows and when he saw her, he knew she was the only one who could save him. 

He saw the pool of blood growing under her, but that didn’t alarm him. It wasn’t too late just yet. He reached down and clasped her hand with his small frail one. 

He felt a powerful jolt and smiled to himself. It was her, all right. His instincts were never wrong. 

He closed his eyes, forced himself to concentrate on the nature around him from which he would draw his power. He began the incantation and felt Kana’s hand begin to warm. 

As the incantation went on, he felt the glow of energy grow within him. His hands tingled as it connected with the girl’s

Her eyes flickered and he saw her chest rise once more.

And then just as suddenly, she sat up and screamed. He was so shocked that he stumbled back and fell. 

The girl kept screaming and he saw her hand light up in flames and then die down leaving behind a long scar that started from her little finger to her wrist from where it forked down to her elbow. 

The old man approached her cautiously. The girl had stopped screaming but she was watching her hand curiously. 

When her eyes met with his she opened her mouth and screamed again. 

“Do not be afraid of my form,” He told her. “I have been cursed. I brought you back to life. I’ll explain it all.” He moved closer to study her arm. 

“But first, tell me. Why were you sent to hell?”