The sound of footsteps cracking branches continues to grow more distant. Though the sun was starting to set, Hiroshi would be able to see the child mounting over the height of the hill on his scrawny legs. Upon being called the child turned to look at him, eyes full of tears. His hands were shaking around a small swiss army knife, likely one for simple survival techniques as opposed to a real weapon. But regardless, it was still enough to cut and, despite his trembling hands and lip it was clear the boy had enough intent to follow through with the action.

[b]

 [i]“Leave me alone I... I don’t belong in this world!”[/i] [/b] he shouts, pressing the heels of his hands to his face to wipe away his tears. Upon further inspection, the very core of the child’s chest was glowing underneath his tattered, food stained shirt. The ethereal glow beat in time with Hiroshi’s heart, as if it was able to read his pulse down to the very second. It disappeared a few moments after its appearance as the boy turned away and ran towards the sound of rushing water. 

So many news reports had spoken of a majority of deaths that took place in the forest ended up being in the cold waters of the river that passed through. The site was a convienient place to wash away one’s body so a family member wouldn’t have to find it. It was also a place where murderers brought their dead to hide them, sometimes in an attempt to mask their victim's death as a suicide. Because of this, the river had been named after [i]Death[/i] itself, for all of the lives that it took down into its murky currents. Today, it seemed another soul was determined to throw itself into the dark waters, never to be found. 

And indeed, a splashing sound followed by a high scream would alarm Hiroshi to the fact that the boy had already started to put his plan into motion. There would only be a short amount of time to stop him. 

In the surrounding area a plethora of blue lights started to ignite and flicker, their bright cyan eyes glowing bright through the ever looming darkness. The little puffs of fire lined up by the river, bathing the edges of the water in blue tones. They stood still against the bank among the roots, indifferent to the small boy choking and splashing against the current. Their duties had already been fulfilled.