I try to move again, but it’s hopeless.
She has to be dreaming or sleepwalking again.But it doesn’t feel like it.I don’t sense her in there.This is someone else, and I have a feeling I know who.
Kuchisake-Onna.
She stares at me.Then, as if a button has been released, the smile drops and her eyes widen, fear expanding them before she flops onto my chest like she’s melted before me.
“Hayami?”I wiggle up the bed and pull Hayami up.
She opens her eyes.Blinks.She searches the room before her gaze lands on me, taking in that she is astride me.
“What the hell?”She lurches back, her face frantic.
“I don’t know what happened.I woke up and you were sitting on me.”
“Oh my God.”She puts her hand over her mouth.“How?Why?I don’t….”
“Did you fall asleep?”I ask.
“I don’t….I’m not sure.I don’t remember.I was reading my book, and then….”She shakes her head.“Maybe?”
“I think you were sleepwalking,” I lie.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.It’s fine.”
She sits up on her heels.“It’s not, though.What the hell is wrong with me?Why would I climb onto your lap?”
“There’s no need to look for reasons.People do all sorts of strange things when they sleepwalk.It’s fine, honestly.”
“I’m so embarrassed.”She places her head in her hands, and I pull them away.
“Listen to me,” I say, holding her hands between us.“Don’t ever be embarrassed in front of me.Ever.”
“But—”
“No buts.There’s no need to feel shame in front of me, Hayami.You’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Except straddle you in your sleep.Oh my God, I didn’t….”She gulps, assesses me.“I didn’ttouchyou or anything, did I?”
“No.And stop this, now.It was nothing.Innocent sleepwalking, that’s all.”
“Jesus.What’s wrong with me?”She glances over at the chair she was sitting in when we came into my room.Her book’s abandoned on the floor.“I need to stop reading this shit.It’s doing things to me, and not in a good way.”
“Let’s go downstairs and get a drink, shall we?”
My hand shakes.I hide it behind my back as she moves from the bed, and then I stand, frustrated that I’m lying to her, but she looks so embarrassed.She thinks she’s losing her mind because of a bit of sleepwalking and a racy book.But what would she think if I told her what I saw and what I now think is happening in this house?
Kuchisake-Onna.
Maybe she’ll thinkI’mlosing my mind.As I sure as hellfeellike I am.
We head downstairs and into the kitchen.
“What time is it?”Hayami asks as I pour two glasses of whisky.
“Just after twelve.”I hand her one glass, which she takes, and I lead her into the large living room.
