Things weren't always like this. I remember a time in which no one had to fight for their lives.

My family was a pretty stable one. Which is shocking, as most story protagonists have some sort of abuse in their family.

But this isn't a happy story. Far from it actually. This is a story of blood, fighting, and horror.

Could humans have done anything to prevent this? Not likely. Ghouls were overpowered, far superior to humans in every way.

I never did like the situation we were in, but without it, I wouldn't have met the person who changed my life.

For better or worse? Who the hell knows.

~~~
February 10th, 2015

That's what year it is, right? I'm assuming so. It's been hard keeping track.

I don't even know why I'm doing this anymore. Maybe to feel a sense of clarity? Or maybe I'm just trying to keep myself from going insane.

Whichever it is, it seems to be working bit by bit.

Mom and Suki came back, luckily they weren't hurt. They had a run in with a ghoul, but managed to get away.

I wish they would bring me with them on these missions, I'm driving myself crazy in this bunker.

Even though I love him, dad is very bad company. Who knew someone who helped conceive you could be so boring.

It's not him that's boring. It's what he talks about. Which is nothing. No sports, no new TV shows to be excited about. All we have are books and board games. Which gets tedious after awhile.

It's what I expected though. Apocalypse and all power goes out. How cliche, right?

We don't know what happened to the rest of the world. Maybe it's only Japan that's like this.

Man, what I wouldn't give for some My Hero Academia right now---

I stopped writing and looked up, seeing mom come down with about three backpacks.

She put them all in the middle of the floor "we need to conserve for awhile. They're getting restless up there."

Before all this, mom was just an ordinary woman, providing for her children and cooking meals. Now she was a complete badass. Her skills with guns and knives was amazing.

Suki walked up to me, holding out a plastic bag "I found this while we were up there. I thought you'd like it. Hopefully you won't be so bored now."

I took the bag and opened it, seeing a sketch book, a single pack of sharpies, and mechanical pencils.

I smiled up at my older sister "thanks, it means alot"

She ruffled my hair and smirked "no problem, kiddo" I pouted "I'm 19 years old!" She rolled her eyes "you'll always be a kid to me, sis"

I watched as Suki walked away. She's always been much more prettier than me. In all honesty, I was jealous. I still loved her though. Why couldn't I get the good genes?

This whole thing has been hard on her. Because of those things up there, Suki lost her girlfriend of three years. She mourned for weeks.

I lost my best friend, but I could never imagine losing someone who you loved with all your heart.

I never had been in a relationship. Sure I had those cute ones in elementary school, but those never counted. With half the human population gone to shit, I'm probably gonna die alone in an alleyway somewhere.

I didn't need anyone though, I had my family, we were together and alive, and that was all that mattered to me.

Mom sat next to me and put a arm around my shoulder, giving me a side hug "how've you been?" I shrugged "I still wish you guys would bring me with you" mom held a stern look in her eyes "Y/N, you know why we can't do that." I sighed "I know, I know. Because we need to keep our numbers low." She nodded and booped my nose "how about next time we go up, I find you a new hoodie? The one you have is super thin and it's getting cold" I smiled "sure, that's sounds good".

Mom kissed my forehead "you've been so brave through all this, I don't know how you do it" I smirked "well, watching all those animes and zombie shows prepared me" she chuckled "of course. What would we do without your nerdy self" I leaned back on the couch we were on "you'd probably be dead".

Mom rolled her eyes and flicked the side of my head "sure".

She stood up "okay, we probably need to get to sleep. Everyone, grab your blankets. You know the drill"

All four of us grabbed our stuff, checking any and all entryways in case one was open. When that was done, we all either settled on the floor or couch. Me and Suki usually took the couch since we were younger.

Mom put out the lights and lied down.

If I was being honest, the dark calmed me now. It used to cause panic attacks when this stuff started, but I slowly realized it wasn't the dark that scared me, it was what could be lurking.

~~~
A loud thud woke me from my sleep. I froze. Was that a ghoul?

The thudding slowly turned into loud banging. My breathing quickened but I clamped my hand over my mouth.

My family seemed to wake up too due to the noise. My mom shushed everyone and grabbed her Q-Bullet gun, the one she had stolen from a dead CCG officer awhile back.

As mom approached the door the the bunker, a loud screaming filled the air. It was coming from outside.

"I know someone's in there!! Please, you have to help me!! I'll die out here!! He's coming!!"

The voice sounded male, like he was maybe in his early twenties. He continued to pound on the door "please!! I promise I won't hurt you, just let me in!" He sounded like he was sobbing.

My mom hesitated but opened the door.

A man came falling in as mom quickly shit the door, locking it again.

The man lied on the floor, sobbing. His body was tattered and bruised.

He looked up at my mom with tears in his eyes "t-thank you so much!" He bowed on the floor.

My mom pulled him up roughly my the back of his shirt "who was coming after you?" The man shook "a-a ghoul. I was trying to find a place to hide and he found me." Mom narrowed her eyes "how did you find us?" He stuttered "I saw you walking out of the department store earlier, and I followed you".

"Are you armed?" The man shook his head "are you injured?" He shook his head "what's your name?" He pursed his lips "Taka Ito" my mom nodded and dropped him.

"You leave in the morning. It should be safe by then. They're more active at night. We'll give you a weapon but that's it. We don't need extra baggage." Taka's eyes widened "c-can't I stay with you?" My mom glared at him "no. We've been just fine on our own without anyone else. You leave in the morning, that's final" Taka nodded and sighed.

I eyed him warily. There was something about him I just couldn't trust. Maybe it was because I hadn't seen another person in about a year. Something was off about him, I just couldn't tell what.

"Okay everyone, lay back down. We have alot to do tomorrow" we all nodded and went back to sleep.

I didn't know at that time that the ghoul that was following him, would just about be my biggest weakness

As they've said.

Be wary of he who calls himself 'The Eyepatch'

Hey guys! Welcome to the first chapter!! This book and GHOULISH are gonna be my main focuses right now.
I wanted to make a horror story involving Kaneki for awhile, and since GHOULISH is more of a love story than anything else, I wanted to try this out.
Fair warning, this book will have some graphic stuff, so if things like that make you squeamish, then I would suggest not reading this.
~Natalie
Word count:1375