Something Different Chapter. 1
Authors note: So fyi I started writing this like 3 or 4 years ago, I haven't changed much I only picked up the story where I left it and continuated it.
Lara could only hear the sounds of zippers opening, closing, and nervous steps that went along the flat. The trip to Japan was starting in a few hours, and she still needed to finish packing up. She had a small list of items that she needed to bring, slowly she started to pack everything up, while her friends screamed for her to hurry up.
The minutes went by flying, at least it was the sensation that she had. She was waiting patiently next to her pink suitcase to finally board her flight. Lara looked around finding her friends with her gaze, it was her first long flight and felt nervous, but her companions looked rather calm.
The nervousness that filled her body left fast, because once she felt the stability of the airplane felt aspleep almost instantly. Although she recovered her peace once she set foot at Haneda airport. The blond girl looked around feeling a bit dizzy, she was living the dream she had since she was young.
The calls from her friends pulled her out of her thoughts.
From the airport, they took a taxi that brought them to the apartment they had rented for the duration of their stay. It was decorated in a traditional Japanese style, but instead of feeling eerie like the houses in horror movies, it radiated a peaceful, positive energy, at least that was how the blonde felt. According to her friends, she was a "psychic," though the blue-eyed girl always dismissed their teasing. She had always considered herself an ordinary person.
The apartment's owner, Hitoshi, was an elderly man who helped them settle in, recommended places to eat, and welcomed them with open arms. Coming from Spain, the three friends were used to a certain level of warmth and hospitality, but even so, they found the Japanese man's kindness surprisingly genuine.
That evening, they ate ramen while discussing the activities they wanted to do during their trip. Alex suggested visiting Hokkaido, to Lara he looked half husky. He loved the cold, and with his black hair and blue eyes, he often reminded people of the dog breed. His idea was quickly rejected by Sol, who wanted to visit Okinawa and spend time on its beautiful beaches. In the end, the only proposal everyone agreed on was Lara's. Somewhat shyly, she suggested going to Nara to see and feed the deers and visit some of its temples.
After dinner and a quiet conversation so as not to disturb the neighbors, they went to bed, all pleasantly surprised by how comfortable futons actually were.
The next morning, the three friends packed their small bags for the day, said goodbye to Hitoshi, and caught a train bound for Nara.
The day was wonderful. They took countless photos of the deer, paid their respects at several temples, and after making one last stop to enjoy some kuzu mochi, they boarded another train back to their apartment in Tokyo.
Once they arrived at Tokyo Station, they headed toward the apartment. Along the way, however, a large torii gate caught the blonde's attention.
"Guys, do we have time to visit one more temple?" She asked hesitantly. Something about the place's aura had drawn her in.
"I guess so. I'm not hungry enough yet to start making dinner" Alex replied with a shrug.
With that, the three of them climbed the stone steps and passed beneath the crimson torii. Beyond it stretched a stone pathway lined with towering trees that looked centuries old. An elderly man was sweeping dry leaves from the path. He wore what the foreigners recognized as traditional clothing and quietly muttered to himself as he worked. When he turned and noticed them, he immediately walked over.
"Have you come to visit the temple?"
Lara, whose Japanese was the strongest among them, answered politely:"Yes, but we know it's rather late. If it's any trouble, we can leave".
"No. Of course not! Please, come in!" The old man replied enthusiastically.
Out of the corner of her eye, the blonde caught sight of a black-haired young woman hurrying into one of the temple buildings. She paid it little attention and focused instead on what the old man was saying.
"This temple is over five hundred years old. It has never left our family's care. We are the proud guardians of this great Shinto shrine. Here we honor the kami and perform rituals to protect people from evil spirits" He explained.
The old man showed them every corner of the shrine: a sacred ancient tree, the prayer area, and finally an old structure where, according to him, the remnants of evil spirits were cast away.
Lara felt uneasy. Something didn't match what she was sensing. A strange energy pressed down on her, making her anxious. Hoping to distract herself, she looked around. At the base of the old well-like structure, she noticed a glass jar containing several stones. Curious, she picked it up and was about to ask what it was when an unseen force suddenly seized her, dragging her toward the depths of the ancient well.
The last thing her two friends saw was what looked like a gigantic centipede carrying Lara away. Frozen in shock, she clutched the glass jar tightly in one hand as she disappeared into the darkness.
Remember: You can find this fanfic on Wattpad, in a future you will be able to find it in ao3.
Wattpad link
gummygunk
areudirty
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
kianamaiart
discoholicmusic
germansingergirl