Asako walked closely to the streets, indeed the path she had to take was way inside, away from the street. But she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The streets of Yokohama were buzzing with all sorts of talks; people arguing for bargain, tourists talking their usual nonsense about the awe of the city even if it stank worse than a waste pit, then people meeting other people. One would completely feel safe and think that all the people would keep an eye on each other and there is no chance of being harmed. Asako knew better, being born as Japanese can really tell you what sort of eye people keep. Even in western region people like to stare at you with that hungry stare, not every other person you meet will know everything about the art of zen and Buddhist scriptures. Many even didn't go to pray in the temple. Only after they realise that they are too old to stare at a 21-year-old lady, only then they seek relief in the temple. Also, the common illusion of being safe in a street full of people was common; nobody cared if your purse goes missing, nobody will tell you the right direction to a place and especially if it's a local stud. They will just mind their own business and keep staring at you only to comfort their animal side.

But Asako was not being followed by a lowly stud nor was she followed into a deep and silent corner of the street. She could go where-ever she wanted only to be followed by the long, drooping, monstrously terrifying shadow of a woman. She had walked from the train and all the way to the market, but that shadow was always behind. She had turned behind, of course. Little did it help to comfort her. Woman? Yes, a woman because when she had entered the public restroom at the station. She could hear her sitting on the seat next to her room. Eagerness had crept into her slowly, the simple urge to bend down and look at the woman. But she didn't, she had a better plan. She had slowly come out of the cabin and then bend down from the front to look at the legs. There were none.

She had risen up, ' She was there. I could feel it. . . I could. I . . . ' she turned behind to look at the face of the ghastly woman, tall dark hair and paper white face struck with fear. She screamed.

An elderly lady got hold of her. She recovered from her fright only to see her face in the mirror. She saw the Elderly woman, " Arigato Gosaimasu " She thanked her, the woman smiled and nodded. Asako saw her opening the door of the restroom just beside her and going in.

" Am I going crazy? " she thought. But she had left hurriedly.

Among the loud noise of the hawkers and fishermen hauling people with absurd prices, she moved past them all. Trying to take sharp turns and avoiding wide areas. She didn't mind being touched at all now. She just wanted to get away. " Haruki. I need to go to Haruki " she reminded herself.

The second encounter, which had given her the unwanted assurity that someone really was following her. Happened when she had gone into a shop.

After the mysterious encounter at the public restroom. She had taken a stroll in the park. Just to clear out her mind, she was going over to Haruki and oh, how well did she know the used-up trick of inviting over dinner and proposing. But she had decided to accept the ring. ' Yes, males are all like that. Old is gold. Always the same motto. But Haruki-San is nice. I have spent enough time with him to know that he isn't a bad person, but. . . should I? . . . should I accept it?. . . Can I take this step? ' she thought hard over the thought. ' Mother please help me. I need your advice ' she looked up at the sky and closed her eyes, clasping her hands. Sitting on the swing at dusk when the winds swept the dust like finishing off all the work in the office and enjoying the rest after the excruciating day. Her hair flapped everywhere. She still sat down trying to draw peace with herself, a thousand questions in her mind. She could hear the crows caw as if calling it an end to the day, she could feel the wind wiping away the work of every person to make a clean slate for tomorrow. Finally, she had somehow calmed herself down and decided to get a small gift for Haruki. She walked out of the park.

The nearest shop sold art and craft material. She went inside the shop, it was not very big, just about a small plot like a garden. She immediately engaged herself into finding a perfect gift. There weren't many customers in the shop, A woman with her child holding hands. The little girl pointed towards all the various brushes and papers kept near the store gate. Asako looked over and realised that Haruki had much interest in Sado, the art of writing. She went over to the stand and started to inspect the various brushes.

Then suddenly the door clicked open, the small calling bell tingled to announce the entrance of a new customer. Asako looked around, no one had entered. But the bell had rung. The attendee had come to wish but seeing there was none, he had gone back without much notice. Asako's senses had gone far from alert, she had almost felt the slight brush of someone going past her, like that of a coat.

She looked around, right and left. Who was there? She looked back to see an old man picking up an ink bottle and putting it back. The feeling of being watched had returned. Her eyes squinted and her body had become alert. She could sense the presence of someone just beside her, standing there over the scissor's corners, she could feel the heat radiating from someone just beside her. She could imagine the body of the woman perfectly, tall with brown overcoat ( Explains the touch ) with long black hairs ( Just like her ) and wearing red heels ( Just like her )

She waved her hand around to feel and as if the body were aggravated, a sudden pang of fear gripped her, the chest began to feel heavy with guilt. What guilt? Heart was racing faster and faster. She could see two blood-red eyes inside her mind. Someone touched from behind, she threw over the brushes and staggered back. It was the attendee. He picked up the brushes and placed them back, " May I help you ma'am? " he asked politely " Sumimasen " she said, apologising to the attendee. She selected a set of brush and some rice paper, Linen. She could feel the woman just behind her. Anytime there will be a touch and then looking back at the horrific sight of a woman with her brain all bashed inside, eyeballs clinging from the last muscle left and teeth all gone and brain oozing out that greyish red matter all on the floor. " Hey! " the desk clerk snapped. Asako paid for the things and left.

7:00 PM. In front of Haruki's building. He lived on the 12th floor. 1207. The long, calm, and peaceful rays of sun had folded its arms. The night began to take control. The sinister, dark, and mischievous night. It liked to play with the people, it liked trouble, it could create the scariest illusions in one's mind. Asako went inside the building, signing her name on the register she went to take the elevator.

A low whining began to surround the parking lot, a crying and scared whining. Asako's stomach lurched, she could hear the whining just near her ears. She decided to ignore it, no she won't take the bait. Lots of cars were parked around, the elevator was just front. A small walk and she would be safe for tonight. The whining grew a little louder and little higher. Her curious mind grew tired after seeking answers, but she remained headstrong. She pressed the button for the elevator and waited. The building was 20 storey long. The lift was on 15th. It came down to 12th, 11th , 10. . .

Suddenly a car roared to life, an SUV. Its hoarse engine roared louder than the whining. The car revved at full speed making the engine roar louder as if getting angry. Asako knew this was a warning, from whom? Less did she care about that. She still didn't move.

The headlights of car switched on, the big white angry eyes. Thirsty for revenge. The car roared to life again and this time it didn't hold back. It came at her in full force, the blinding light made it impossible to escape. It was coming for her. " No! " she screamed; her mind only came up with one option for survival.

The car came in with full potential. She picked up her feet, running as fast in the opposite direction. The car came as close to dress. She could feel the heat from the engine. She saw the left door and smashed inside. The car suddenly came to a halt.

She fell down on the floor. The echo filled inside the room; it was an auditorium. She saw the car reversing back and the door closed. She tried the doors, but they were locked. She pushed but they still didn't budge. She looked inside the auditorium, she gasped.

Sitting in the middle row of the middle group was a woman, the same woman she had imagined at the art and craft store. The same except that she wore a mask. Asako's vision blurred.

" Who are you? What do you want? " asked Asako. The lady got up, Asako flinched. She looked behind her but at an instant, as if the woman could float, she grabbed Asako's hand. Asako tried to break free but the grip was strong, like that of a martial artist.

" Let go me!!" Asako screamed, she could see her eyes. Those cursed eyes. They were wide open with two very small back bead stuck inside the ghostly white eyes.

" Do you think I am pretty? " asked the woman, she had a very sweet voice.

" Let me go!! "

" Do I look pretty to you? " the woman asked again. Asako struggled to get free,

" Am I--- "

" YES!! YES, you are pretty!! You are the prettiest woman I've met!! " admitted Asako in a hope to get free, that's what she wanted isn't it? Bloody psychopath.

But the woman didn't let go of her. Instead she removed her mask with one hand and stared back at Asako. Asako saw the face, she screamed at the top of her lungs.

As pretty was her voice and as good she looked from the figure. Behind that mask lay the most sinister of all. Behind that mask lay a smile, a smile carved all the way to the ears, it was as if the mouth had been cut open all the way from the cheeks and to the ears. The whole jaw mutilated by scissors. The woman leaned forwards towards Asako and said, " What about now? " in the sinister voice.

Asako kicked the woman, she felt back but got up holding a pair of scissors in hand, the same scissors that were in the shop. She ran with the scissors towards Asako.

Asako ducked and escaped behind her. The woman turned and float high above the ground and instantly crashed back to grab Asako by her throat and lift her high up.

" You will be beautiful like me! " screamed the lady. Asako tried to break free but the strong force with which the woman held her was very over-powering. The woman brought the scissors close to her mouth and one end went inside.

In between the two blades was Asako's tender mouth. The woman smiled and with a flick she closed the scissors and the blood spurted out of the mouth as Asako gave the agonisingly painful scream. The woman released the scissors and started to make another cut all the way to the ear. But Asako grabbed her arm. With all her might she dug her long nails into the wrists. It didn't affect her. The woman began to continue her mutilation when again, Asako tried to jump higher in the air, it didn't release her, but the scissors fell down. The woman groaned and tried to choke her. Asako grabbed her throat and both of them went down on the ground,

Asako was gasping for breath. The hold was firm. She looked at the side and without thinking reached for it. An instant later the woman noticed that for which had she reached. But it was too late, with a force mightier than anything, Asako gorged the scissors into the woman's head. The woman fell down on the ground.

Blood still gushing out of her half-cut mouth, she stabbed the woman 5-6 times in the head and threw the scissors away. The woman lay still. Without further ado, Asako ran out of the auditorium, the car roared once more and came for her, but she avoided it and hit herself straight in the pillar. The car ran over her arm, dislocating the elbow.

Someone came hurling towards her. She could barely see who it was, but the only words she could say were, " Kuchisake-onna ", Haruki grabbed hold of her, " Kuchisake-onna " she repeated. Later while being treated, she repeated the word again, " Kuchisake-onna ", which in English meant, ' The Slit-Mouthed Woman '

Author's Note
Inspired from Japanese Urban Legend of Kuchisake-Onna, who terrorised the people of Japan by abducting kids ( mostly girls ) and carving their mouths with scissors. However, no proof or evidence has been submitted against this unnamed woman. Although many cases occurred with similar description.