Red on White @(incruentus-corvus)
Little puffs of steam rose from the princess' scarf as she bobbed down the walkway, her tiny head wrapped round in a fluffy hat. It was an especially chilly evening, not a time for many people to be outside. Though the quick walk from her teacher's studio to the bus stop was nothing too complex. Akane hummed as she travelled. She kept her mind on her lesson instead of the cold, her mittened hands curling around her backpack straps. Her violin case poked from its top, just concealed by the zipper. Akane loved to play and she'd been putting much more effort into her lessons recently. Her displays of responsibility and determination had earned her much more respect from her parents, and the little princess was graciously rewarded with additional autonomy.
The bus stop appeared on the horizon, its neon lettering promising warmth and security. But at that moment, Akane remembered something crucial. While she'd made sure to pack her violin case into her backpack, she could not consciously recall putting her violin in it first. In a frantic motion, the little princess stripped off her bag and unzipped it, yanking out the hard instrument case. Upon undoing the clasps, she discovered her violin was indeed missing.
Akane swiftly put everything back in its place and took off at a run. She had to make it back before her teacher left. She would have finished locking up fifteen minutes ago, then probably went to her car. If Akane hurried, she might be able to catch her in the parking lot. Akane couldn't believe how foolish she'd been. Her snow boots pounded against the sidewalk as she ran, her breath now expelled in trails of white smoke like a dragon's fire.
The little princess skidded into the studio parking lot, her wide grey eyes scanning desperately for her teacher's car.
"Marina-sensei! Marina-sensei!" Akane called out in hopes that her mentor might still be near.
There was no response. However, Akane did see her teacher's automobile after all- it was the one with the blue sticker on the back. Akane breathed an enormous sigh of relief; Marina had pointed out once before that the sticker ensured her car wouldn't be towed, even if left overnight. That was certainly her vehicle, and that meant she was still here. Akane just had to find her and get that violin back. Marina would have the keys to the studio...
Akane drew closer to the car, much more relaxed in pace. Perhaps her teacher was simply sitting inside, fishing around in her purse or something. The little princess slowed so as not to startle her. Her throat ached from the harsh wind she'd shoved down it.
Splash. Akane's gaze dropped to her boot. She'd stepped in a puddle, curiously enough. She thought it was too cold for water to stay in liquid form. A warm breeze tickled her nose, but its smell was foul. Akane recognized it as the coppery tang of blood.
All of it was blood. It leaked from Marina's car.
If it weren't for the sudden rattling from the corner, Akane would have vomited on the spot. But the sound distracted her. The little princess turned on her heel and pursued it, hoping against logic that whoever it was might have seen what happened to her teacher. Distantly, Akane noticed that she was following a trail of red dots in the snow.
She could see him! A man with a black messenger bag on his shoulder, exiting onto the street through an alleyway. Judging from the blood on his shoes, he'd seen the puddles too. Akane opened her mouth to call to him again, but then she shut it. The little princess' expression hardened. She wasn't stupid. That man was an adult- if he'd seen the blood and hadn't called the police, then he must somehow be involved.
Akane followed him from a distance. Not once did her eyes leave his back. He'd done something terrible, this man. If she trailed him long enough, he'd reveal what it was.