Moving Shadows

In the rear mirror, something moved closer to the parked car.

Maria: (Putting her hand on her chest.) I promise, Akio. I only want to take a quick look. 'Sincere.'

The cowering form in the corner eased up; no longer retreating back. Akio was sitting up, still looking down, his eyes neither looking at Mitsuko nor Maria, his black hair draped down over his face, the soaked strands clinging to his cheeks.

Maria: 'Sincere.' Mitsu, dear, could you please turn away for a moment? I'll explain later, for Akio's sake.

Mitsuko: (Gentle nod.) No problem.

Mitsuko could hear Maria's shuffling; the need to know was present in his mind. Maria's recent words piqued his curiosity. He fumbled with the car knobs to take his mind off of it all. Out of habit, he moved the rear view mirror upwards, barely seeing Maria's scalp.

Maria: Mitsu I won't ask again; sit still or wait outside! 'Annoyed.'

Mitsuko launched a defeated gesture, both hands surrendering upwards.

Soft palms reached for Akio, the small boy, no longer moving or recoiling into the corner; instead, he sat silent and still, like a statue made from flesh and bone. Soft white fingertips parted the black hair like a forbidden curtain. Freed from the strands of darkness, a soft blue eye appeared.

Mitsuko was also sitting motionless, unknowingly emulating the form of Akio. His eyes darted around in boredom, wanting to see what was behind him. Out of curiosity, he looked up at the rear mirror, something caught his attention.

In the distance, someone was looking back at him.

Mitsuko: 'Squinting.' What the?

A tall figure stood several metres away, behind a row of bushes. It was staring at the car.

Maria moved her hand upwards; rough skin trickled along her finger tips, something wet and warm smeared on her fingers, and the smell of metal hit her nose.

Maria: Honey, could you pass me the emergency kit out of the glove compartment? 'Composed.' The little red bag that has the bandages. 'Sweet.' You are doing great, Akio!

Mitsuko looked away from the rear view mirror and unlocked the glove box's clasp beneath him. Rummaging around for the red bag. 

Maria: 'Apologetic.' Sorry, it's in the other glove box, my bad.

Mitsuko leaned over, once again looking at the rear view mirror. Whatever was standing behind the bushes was now in front of them, still looking at the car.

Mitsuko: What is this guy's problem? 'Irate.'

A tap came from behind, patting the back of the driver's seat.

Maria: The bag, please! 'Bothered.'

A rugged hand reached for the glove box to his right, blindly fumbling around, not wanting to take his eyes off the lone figure standing on the street. Mitsuko aimlessly fumbled for the polyester bag with the tips of his fingers, just out of reach, forcing himself to ignore the mirror and lean down.

Mitsuko: Come here, you! (Grabbing something.) Sneaky little bugger.

The little red bag appeared out of the glove box and made its way into Maria's open hand.

Maria: 'Sarcastic.' Thank you (Unzipping the bag.)

Mitsuko returned to the mirror, still wondering about the figure outside, and the sounds of plastic being ripped open went in one ear and out the other.

Mitsuko: 'Muttering.' Where have you gone? (Tilting the mirror.) Must have boggered off... creep

Mitsuko's eyes narrowed, now focusing onto something close by.

Whoever had been standing by the bushes was now next to the side door where Akio was sitting. A shadowy arm moved, reaching for the handle. Long blackened fingers sent a chill up Mitsuko's spine, and the idle car roared to life as he slammed on the gas pedal, jerking Maria and Akio forward violently, followed by a soft screeching.

The small bandage in Maria's hand flung forward, rolling into the empty footwell.

Maria: 'Shouting.' MITSU, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? (Holding onto Akio.)

The beeps of disgruntled drivers echoed into the night. 

Ignoring Maria's outburst, Mitsuko turned back to the mirror to see that whatever had been outside Akio's door was still standing there on the empty street.

Maria: I want an answer now, Mitsu! 'Pissed.' It's a good thing I didn't have scissors, or else I would have stabbed them into your thick skull.

Now focused on the road ahead, Mitsuko could answer Maria's calls.

Mitsuko: 'Bellowing.' Someone was trying to open Akio's side door. (Slowing down.) I saw them by the bushes, and before I knew it, they were on top of the car.

Maria spun around, trying to get her bearings on where they were parked a moment ago, frantically looking for the person Mitsuko just mentioned.

Maria: Where? I don't see anyone. 'Frightened.' Shouldn't we call the police? (Eyes darting around.)

An authoritarian tone took control of the spiralling feeling in his chest and Maria's

Mitsuko: 'Firm.' We are heading home; I don't want to be stuck out here any longer; nights like these bring out the crazies. As soon as we get back, I am calling the police. 'Whispering.' I only took my eyes off him for a second.

Maria turned to Akio, still in her tight, warm embrace.

Maria: I'm sorry, Akio; we will get you home as soon as we can. I promise. 'Apologetic.'

A single pale blue eye peered through the gap in the pitch-black hair, fixated on the soft glow of the broken moon floating above.

Something watched as the car faded off into the distance.