"Congratulations, Ogino-san."

It was as simple as that. Chihiro quietly nodded, bowed, and accepted her diploma. Walking off the platform, she gave a sigh of relief and smiled meekly at her parents. Her father, who'd gained quite a bit of weight in the past few years, smiled brightly and held up a fist in triumph. Her mother sat beside him, a soft smile on her face.

They were so happy for her. Right after high school, she entered university and went straight into law. Her dad used to tell her that she could get herself out of any situation if she tried hard enough, and law just seemed to be the obvious choice.

Her marks were brilliant. Tomorrow morning she had an interview with a firm in Toyama, and would have to drive through the night to get there. Needless to say, the after party celebration was quick.

Her parents waved from the doorway as she drove away from the house she had spent the last twelve years of her life living in. She remembered how much she hated the fact that she had to live there, but then… she couldn't recall when, but she eventually learned to like it. Her school wasn't all bad, and after a few weeks, she was already surrounded by a group of friends. She remembered how her mother would remark how much her attitude changed since the move, but her father waved it off and labeled it as 'a change of air'.

She was happy; truly, she was. Toyama was going to be fantastic. Her life was finally starting, and she couldn't wait.

She left at eight that evening, and if her math was correct, that would put her in Toyama by midnight. She would be able to catch a few hours of sleep and then would be up again for her interview at eight.

The radio played lightly in the background and she nodded her head to the beat. Rain drummed on the hood of her car but it didn't' detract from her view of the road. A strong cup of coffee sat in the cup holder, just in case she began to feel sleepy. Two hours in, and she was still perfectly lucid. She was much too excited to fall asleep.

She was a good driver- she passed her driver's examination with flying colors, as she did everything else. She even knew how to change a flat tire, thanks to her dad.

She knew the curve was coming up, but she never anticipated that a person would dart into the road.

At least, she thought it was a person. It moved much too fast to be human, but its shape was humanoid. She wrenched her wheel to the left and her car began to spin wildly on the slick road.

Her mind moved in slow motion. She knew what she had to do, but she simply couldn't because right before she went over the cliff, the creature turned and looked at her.

It was wearing a white mask.

Then she saw no more.

Her eyes flew open when she felt the water hit her feet. She shifted quickly, and to her horror, saw that her entire car was surrounded by water.

"This can't be happening!" she screamed, and yanked at her seat belt. She tried her phone, but there was no signal. She pounded at the windows, but they wouldn't give.

Chihiro screamed once again in frustration and fear. She could feel the warm tears on her cheeks.

But then, she remembered. She reached into her glove box and pulled out pocket knife her father gave her when she entered high school. Just in case of emergencies, he'd said.

She frantically sliced at the belt around her waist, and when the water reached her neck, she was out. Rearing back, she used the force of the lower body to kick at the windows, but she wasn't strong enough. The water swelled around her quickly, and she floated to the roof, trying to breathe as much precious air as she could.

I have to get out, I have to get out, I have to get out, I have to get out, she chanted like a mantra.

But she never did.

She held on for two minutes, but then her mouth instinctively opened, and water tore through her lungs. Her body shook and she choked, but only inhaled more water. She didn't know that dying would be this painful as she inhaled again.

Black spots appeared in her vision then, and her mind began to float elsewhere. A new pain pulled her back, but only for a moment.

The tie that she wore around her wrist, a sparkly one that stood the test of time, burned red and singed her arm.

A vision- no, a memory- flickered in her mind. A dragon… the color of pearl… saving her… a pink shoe…

Then her heart stopped beating, and she thought no more.

In an old house, atop a mantle, a small spool of thread sat, gathering dust. It hadn't been touched in years, but it was seen by all who passed the threshold.

An older woman rocked in her chair, lightly humming as her fingers swiftly ran over her needlework. A fire crackled in the hearth and a stew was brewing on the stove.

Suddenly, she stared forward. Her eyes gazed, seeing nothing, and after a few moments, her head snapped up.

The thread atop the hearth was glowing a fierce red.

Zeniba's eyes widened and she quickly went to the fireplace and took the burning thread in her hands. It pulsed strongly, once, twice, then faded.

"Oh, no, Chihiro, no," she sobbed, and the thread, now black and cold, fell from her fingers.