[color=ecba5c][h2][center]Kayda Takahashi[/center][/h2][/color]
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[b][u]Tokyo Station:[/u][/b]

“No. Please don’t-”

An ear-piercing scream erupted from inside the women’s restroom. A shade of mahogany sprayed across the wall. The door's creak drowned out by the squeak of a turning faucet. Sounds of flowing water used to scrub their hands. She held her breath, index finger pressed against her lips. Eyes peered outside. Smiling like the crocodile beneath the surface, stalking its prey. Watching the stranger scratch their neck, wearing stained disposable gloves. Raising a tool above their head, whipping it into the air. Splattering the thick substance onto the wall. The vibrant purple clashed among the warmer colors.

Her focus interrupted by a loud slam coming from the foot of her classmate. The door burst open, revealing them. The graffiti artist swung around, face covered in a kitsune mask. Grabbing the unzipped backpack stuffed with acrylic paint cans lying beside their feet. Bolting down the hallway and passing the corner, disappearing from the girls sight. Kayda and her classmate looked at the unfinished abstract art, then glanced at each other.

"Kay, we're going to get some veggie crisps before we board. Do you want anything?" The classmate asked standing behind Kayda, before stepping outside. Noticing a garter snake emerge from Kayda's shirt, then slither around her neck. Her classmate unconsciously twirls her curly hair and sighed. "Make Erebus stay underneath your clothes. He's already made Rachel cry bloody murder. You don't want him scaring the first years off the train.” Her classmate held her hands by her mouth mimicking a megaphone. “Ms.Ophidiophobia, stop hiding and come with me! You owe me for the Starbucks I bought last time!”

[color=ecba5c]“Sorry, Rachel. He likes the smell of the perfume that I gave you. So he offered you a friendly lick.”[/color] Kayda said half-smiling, stifling a giggle. The youngest girl inched out the stall, looking pale as a ghost. Kayda walked away from the door. Giving Rachel enough space to lunge out and grab her other classmate's shoulders. Causing her friend’s eyes to roll, becoming a human shield. The two girls sauntered across the hallway. Waving along with Kayda before parting.

Kayda glanced down at Erebus, lifting the shirt up off her right shoulder. The snake’s flicked his tongue, heading to her sleeve until concealed. [color=ecba5c]“Come on, you know better than that.”[/color] She scolds with a whisper. Covering her mouth as she let out a yawn. Feeling vibrations coming from her phone twice. Pulling out her cell out of her pocket and checking her father’s unread texts.

[quote=Dad]No, our turbulence wasn't that bad. We still arrived on time. But the little white boy wouldn't stop kicking my seat and I didn't want to wake the mother. She felt nauseous the entire flight.[/quote]

[quote=Dad]But you should worry about getting to your train on time. Hope you have a good first day back at school. I still cannot believe my precious daughter is in her last year of junior high. You grew up so fast. Your mother would be so proud. Love you.[/quote]

Kayda smiled and quickly texted back and hit send. Glancing back at the graffiti and frowning. [i][color=ecba5c]“I wanted to see them finish...”[/color][/i] She thought. Walking past the men’s restroom, hearing someone’s lousy whistling exiting. Seeing a janitor wearing headphones, pulling out a cart filled with cleaning chemicals. Kayda observed the man collapsing to his knees, hand balled into fists.

“I just finished cleaning the bathroom!” He yelled out in exasperation. She checked the time, having plenty remaining. Sliding the phone back into her pocket, approaching the janitor. 

[color=ecba5c]“Would you like some help?”[/color]