chapter 27:aria

Takumi woke up to find himself in an unfamiliar room. It was small, barely enough space for a bed and a dresser, and the walls were plain white. He sat up, groaning as his head throbbed, trying to remember how he got here.

Then he remembered. Aria had attacked him in the park. He had been powerless against her magic, and she had taken him captive. He looked around the room for any sign of her, but there was none.

He stood up, feeling a bit wobbly, and walked to the door. He tried the handle, but it wouldn't budge. He pounded on the door with his fists, but there was no answer. He was trapped.

He searched the room, hoping to find something he could use to escape. But there was nothing. He looked out the window, but it was barred.

Takumi sank down onto the bed, feeling defeated. He had no idea what Aria wanted from him or why she had kidnapped him. All he knew was that he had to find a way out of here and get back to Hana.

He closed his eyes and tried to think. There had to be a way out of here. He just had to find it.

Suddenly, he heard a faint sound coming from the wall. It sounded like someone tapping on the other side. He pressed his ear to the wall, trying to hear better.

"Hey," a voice whispered. "Can you hear me?"

It was a girl's voice. Takumi's heart leapt with hope. "Yes!" he whispered back. "Who are you? Where are you?"

"I'm next door," the girl said. "I heard you shouting earlier. I've been trying to find a way to communicate with you. My name is Sakura."

"Sakura," Takumi repeated, relieved to know he wasn't alone. "Do you know how to get out of here?"

There was a pause. "I don't," Sakura said finally. "But I know someone who might. His name is Kaito. He's been here longer than I have, and he's been trying to find a way out for weeks. If anyone can help us, it's him."

"Where is he?" Takumi asked.

"He's in the room next to mine," Sakura said. "But be careful. Aria has guards watching the hallway. If they catch you, they'll hurt you."

Takumi nodded, though Sakura couldn't see him. "Thank you," he whispered. "I'll find a way to get to him."

He lay back down on the bed, feeling a bit more hopeful. If there was someone here who knew how to escape, he had a chance. But he couldn't do it alone. He needed Sakura's help.

He pressed his ear to the wall again. "Sakura," he whispered. "Can you hear me?"

"Yes," Sakura whispered back.

"We need to work together to get out of here," Takumi said. "Can you do that?"

There was a pause. "Yes," Sakura said finally. "I'll do whatever it takes to get out of here."

"Good," Takumi said, feeling a sense of determination. "We'll get out of here, Sakura. I promise."