#237

I was stunned to see the cardboard cutouts expression changed. I held borei at the ready, along with my raiton hands. I approached the cutout and grabbed the note. I slowly opened it and began to read.

The note reads only one thing, the number 237 scribbled by someone scared out of their mind over and over until it filled the entire page.

I crumpled up the note up and threw it to the ground. I sighed and held my dagger and jutsu at the ready. I didn't know what was going on, but I didn't like it.

The door that remained closed started moving a bit, it sounded like someone was knocking on it from the other side. The pace of the knocking grew faster and faster until all of a sudden it just stopped and the lock holding it closed clicked open.

I was getting more scared by the moment. I rushed toward the door, kicking it open to see if I save what or who was banging on the door so rapidly. Borei and my jutsu remained ready for use, but I was beginning to wonder what was up with this place and why the Old Man wanted me to visit here.

The room was small, a man that looked exactly like the cardboard cutout though was hanging on a rope by his neck in the center. He didnt seem to move though his body swayed from side to side as blood dripped down from his face.

My face was in sheer terror. I'd just been fitness to a murder or a suicide. Either way, I didn't like it. It wasn't what I wanted to spend my night doing. I stepped closer to get a better look at the man. I clenched my dagger as tight as I could and kept my hands raiton charged.

As you get in close you see the number once again, 237. Written in the design of his tie, the number on his employee ID and even scribbled on the bottom of his shoes.

I looked at the number, but still had no clue what it meant. I was getting tired of this number though. I wanted to know what was going on, but I wasn't going to leave until I found out.

As you're inspecting the body the lifeless body begins to speak, repeating only three words over and over. "2...3...7...2...3...7...2..3..7..."

As the body began to speak, began to back step slowly. I couldn't take my eyes off of it, but I needed to get out of here. I switched on chakra sensory to see my surroundings. I gripped borei and kept my technique at the ready. I didn't like what was going on.

The door you entered through slams shut and locks itself, leaving you alone in the room with the body still saying the numbers over and over.

I sighed and walked toward the body. I figured what the hell. I walked closer to the body, sheathing borei, but leaving my jutsu in case something attacked me. I placed my hand on the body, just to see how it would react.

As you touch the body it freezes up then slowly turns its head to look at you, its eyes snap open to reveal two empty lifeless eyes that have the number 237 in place of pupils. "237..." And suddenly the lights go out once again.

I stepped back and tried to stay calm. It wasn't working. A look of terror was glassed across my face. I couldn't take much more of this, but I was determined. I wouldn't break!

The lock on the door behind you clicks open, the darkness is still all around you though you swear you can still hear someone saying the number in a whispered voice.

I slowly turned as I heard the door unlock and start to open. I clenched my fists and braced for an attack. I had an overall bad feeling, but I felt like the Old Man was behind it somehow. But if he was, there would be a reason. As terrified as I was, it was adrenaline pumping.

As you look through the door in front of you nothing seems to have changed, its hard to tell from the darkness but all seems to be normal.

I slowly began to move, eventually making my way into the original room, hoping that I wouldn't get jumped. I held borei, but deactivated my technique, I felt as if I wouldn't need it.

Nothing seems to change as you enter, the door to the outside street remains open and filters in a bit of light though evening is starting to set in as the sun is setting.

I saw that the sun was starting to set and light was dimming. How long had I been in here for? I carefully watched my surroundings as I moved toward the door to leave.

As you approach the door you hear the sound of someone eating outside, between the liquid and slurping sounds it seems to be ramen though you aren't certain.

I listen closely as I approach the door, making sure to avoid making sound. I grasp my dagger and step through the doorway and into the sunlight, trying to figure out what was making the slurping sounds.

When you step out you see me, sitting on a box and holding a bowl of ramen and slurping away as I force back a laugh. I finish slurping down what I have in my mouth and look to you. "Well you lasted a lot longer than we thought you would, two lessons happened today but can you tell me what they were?"

A look of relief and angry cross my face. Had he been out here the whole time? Then he mentioned something about lessons being learned, so I thought. I said the things that seemed most fitting given the particular situation.

"Be aware or your surroundings and don't let your guard down?"