Chapter One
"There is no other life form that exists outside of earth," The biology teacher explained "We have been to the Moon, and we have seen Mars, and there have been no evidence of life." The bell had started to ring, class was dismissed and everyone had begun to pack up and leave. Chihiro that was in a daze, leaped up and headed straight the door, pushing through the crowded hallway and to the car park. She turned on the gas and headed to the place she always went for ten consecutive years, The Path That Leads to the Spirit World. She had always gone there, in winter rain, in summer sun, in spring blossoms and in autumn leaves, she had always tried. The biology teacher's lecture echoed in her mind. 'No other life form, huh' she thought as she walked over to the little remains of the Kohaku River and tried to telepath messages to the Spirit World. "Haku…" she whispered, "Haku can you hear me?" She dipped her hands into the murky water, stood up and walked off. She had remembered it all, even when she was supposed to forget. She was the only one who knew, no she had seen, with her very eyes another life form: Immortal, different to her own kind and… Spectacular. She had always been curious and fascinated, how could they perform magic? How could they transform, from one figure to another in seconds? With the Spirit World a human's knowledge seemed so limited. She was in a daze until she was interrupted by her phone. Briiing Briingit called Briiing Briing "Hello?" Chihiro answered.
"Chihiro, you haven't called for days, we were so worried!" The phone spoke in a loud and alarmed voice:
"Mum, I'm fine; I had some work to do and was busy so I couldn't call."
"You should come live with us instead of living alone; I was so taken back when you decided to stay,"
"Mum, I'm 20 already; I can do fine by myself"
"But still-"
"I said its fine already! I have to go, I'm sorry, I'll call again soon"
"Wait Chihiro wait-"
Beep
She sighed, I can never tell my parents the truth she thought, and looked at the tunnel, she had tried returning so many times only ending up failing. She turned her heel from the Portal; she didn't want to be disappointed again. She looked back, and her body moved itself, it was…moving towards the tunnel? She tried to stop herself with all her might and failed, she ran into the portal only to see...
She opened her eyes to see food stalls everywhere, she stared wide-eyed. "This place is…" she whispered, she had made it to the Spirit World! She had gone through! In her excitement she ran straight ahead towards the bridge and to Yubaba's Bathouse, not knowing a single thing of the dark future that is ahead of her.