Snoring, arms and legs spread, you lay on your futon like a see star and slumbered. It was a deep sleep, so deep that you hadn't even been plagued by fears of the future and what choice to make.

The air was cool and crisp as it tickled your nose. Suddenly there was image of a dog in your mind.

A golden retriever.

Why did you have to dream of a dog all of a sudden?

Leaves rustled. Blossoms opened to spread their sweet scent of spring. Somewhere in the distance water splashed from a natural fountain.

A hollow bamboo trunk hit stone.

It was so calm, it made you curl up and turn on your side. The blanket slid off your legs. Blindly, you tried to reach for it but instead hit something hard and fleshy instead.

Startled, Johnny rose from his sleep. As if struck by lightning he sat up straight, eyes wide open and a look of confusion on his face.

His mind still fogged by the weight of sleep, he looked to his left and right, then raised his arm to check the watch on his wrist.

"Huh...", not quite back in reality yet, he frowned. "Almost eleven. Why do I got a feelin' somethin' ain't right?"

He patted your shoulder.

Muttering something under your breath, you frowned in your sleep and tried to shake him off.

But he kept insisting.

"Go away...", you groaned and grabbed his hand to throw it back into his face.

"I can very much relate to that.", he said with a yawn. "Just a quick question, why is no one here?"

You let a deep breath and buried your face in your pillow.

"I dunno. Don't care..."

"Sure.", Johnny lay back down again, hands crossed behind his head and let out a deep breath. "By the way, when does lectures start?"

Silence.

For a very long moment there was nothing but the wind that chased across the treetops. Water ran. Soft waves filled the open room.

Both of your breaths synchronised and for a short second it sounded like one big snort.

Suddenly, your eyes tore open. With your nails dug into the cover of your pillow you sat up straight, cold sweat running down your back.

Your breath hitched.

"Fuuuck!", you screamed as you jumped up and tore open the door of the closet to grab your orange uniform in a hurry.

Not even questioning your panic, Johnny jumped up as well and did what you did, same order and with the same kind of concern written all over his face.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuuuck!", you gasped, toothbrush in your mouth and searched the entrance area of the dorm for your shoes.

To be fair, there were only two pairs left, yours and Johnny's. The others had left already so their pairs didn't get you confused. But you had a tendency of throwing off your shoes whenever so they were scattered across the hallway.

"Wait for me!", Johnny yelled after you, still busy trying to fix his hair.

You were already a good but away from the house as he managed to catch up with you, shoes in hand since he didn't have the time to put them on.

His uniform was a mess as well, the belt was only tied loosely around his waist and he had gotten the brown undergarments mixed up with the orange ones that were supposed to be worn on top.

You would have liked to help him but it was only a matter of seconds now that decided over an inconvenient punishment or straight up death.

The monks weren't merciful when it came to over sleeping.

"Run!", you gasped and threw the toothbrush into one of the ponds as you were done brushing.

"What's gonna happen with that?", he asked, pointing with a finger at it.

Your legs started to run.

"Don't know, but they magically disappear whenever."

"There's magic that does that here?"

With a groan, you threw your head back and squeezed your eyes shut.

"No, Johnny, the monks fish em' out!"

"Aww.", he couldn't hide the disappointment on his face.

Wind chased through your (H/C) hair as you chased down the gigantic stairs. You were in such a hurry that you almost stumbled.

Maybe a broken neck would have been more pleasant than what awaited you down in the lecture halls of the temple.

Since he wasn't as familiar with the surroundings as you Johnny needed some time to make it to the middle one of the three platforms. Out of breath, he had to support himself by popping his hands onto his tights.

"Sonofabitch!", he gasped with his head hanging low.

Impatiently, you paced on the spot.

"Look, I don't mean to be a bitch, but we gotta roll.", your gaze jumped over to the large archway that wasn't far from the lecture halls. "Or I gotta leave you behind. Everyone is next to themselves."

"Oh, don't come at me with that bullshit!", pulling a face, he sucked in a deep breath and got going again.

Even though you knew that every second counted you found yourself choosing a slower speed so that Johnny was able to keep up.

His breath was heavy, his lungs rattled a little whenever he breathed in. Obviously he was not as well trained as you yet, his stamina must have been limited to a few movie scenes in a row at best.

As of now he was more of a weight that held you back.

And yet, you couldn't bring yourself to abandon him, even though you might would have been able to save your own ass.

The shadow of the archway fell over your heads. The scent of pinewood was in the air.

Confused, you stopped in your tracks, your eyes narrowed. Something was off.

Just to be sure you raised your chin and listened.

Only the wind could be heard. No fighting, no footsteps or voices that gave instructions.

"What?", sweat shimmered on Johnny's forehead as he stopped next to you. "You gotta lead the way."

A shaky breath left his lips. He was completely out of energy already.

Suspicious, your eyes narrowed. He was about to say something but you silenced him with a raised finger. Your gaze wandered across the paths.

"Quite.", you whispered.

All the hairs in the back of your neck stood up straight.

"You are late.", a clam voice cut through the tension.

Suppressing a curse, you bit your lips and pulled a face.