There was a cold wind blowing that night. Singing the songs of the dead and forgotten ones. Those who have no voice of their own and use the winds to communicate to the living.

Mai was drinking a hot cup of tea standing in front of the window. Watching nothing in particular, but waiting. For what? Him? She had this feeling that if she stood in the same place long enough he would surely come back to her.

But she would never admit it out loud. She felt a deep depression fill her up as she stood in front of the window. It had been since 3 months she had quit SPR, and in the back of her mind she regretted it. She truly missed the work. It was her own selfishness that gave her the reason to leave.

She found it hard to work with him, loving him and hoping that someday he would feel the same. But it never happened.

She kept in touch with everyone but Naru. Even Miss Hara the famous psychic. She talked to John and Monk on a weekly basis. They still helped Naru when he called them.

She set the tea cup down and folded her arms across her chest, trying not to miss him more than she already did. She listened to the lonely song of the wind for a moment longer and headed off to bed.

As she laid there in the dark, half asleep she heard a hypnotic chiming. Not thinking, she let her mind unwind to the seductive tune. And in her dream…

She was standing in front of her window. The voices from the wind turned into little soft mists that took the shape of butterflies that kept calling her name. Mai, Mai. Begging her to join them. Mai, they whispered. Mai come with us…..As she listened to their musical whispers she felt as if she was in a trance. She heard a light chiming sound as they encircled her. She felt a moment of bliss that soon faded with the butterflies. She was left standing alone…..

Xxxxx

Mai woke the next morning and barely made it down the stairs. Her head was spinning, and she decided she needed a strong cup of coffee over tea. She fixed herself cup and headed to her window. The morning was gray and storm clouds were forming to east.

She felt the hollowness start to grow as she watched the storm clouds. The phone rang. She shook her head to clear her empty thoughts.

"Hello?" she said

"Mai! It's Monk. How are you doing?"

A smile formed on her lips, "Good, and you?"

"I'm doing well. How is the new house? Are you getting tired of living in the country side alone?"

"Monk, you always ask me that…..and the answer will always be the same. Yes I love the new house and no I am not growing tired of living in the country alone. It's quit relaxing." She told him.

He giggled and continued. "Well I will be in the area, thought I would stop by and see you Mai."

"I would love that Monk. When do you think you will be here?"

"Tomorrow afternoon. Will that work for you?" He questioned her.

"Yes. I look forward to it."

They said their goodbyes and she grabbed her coffee and stood looking out. Rain started to fall and soon her smile Monk had left faded. She told him she was happy here but she knew she felt alone and secluded.

She finished her coffee and started her daily routine. 2 months and she had boxes left to unpack. She started to go through them and heard the fmiluar chiming sound. She stopped to listen….. but she only heard silence. She shurgged it off and carried a box of books upstairs to a small room she would use as a library.

She came to the top of the stairs and heard a soft voice. Mai…..Mai. She froze. No way! She thought to herself. She heard it again. Mai…..Mai. She knew that voice. It was Naru.

She set the box down and followed the voice. It continued to call her name. She stopped in front of the door that led to the attic. She listened for a moment and heard the soft chimes again. She realized it was the sound of the butterflies from her dream. She felt excitement wash over her and quickly went up the stairs.

There they were fluttering all around him. The mist turned into a silver shimmer and the butterflies! The beautiful butterflies! How they gracefully fluttered around in sync with the chimes.

He turned his head toward her and she saw those familiar blue eyes. "Naru…" She whispered and began to fall in love all over again. She stated to walk towards him. He smiled. That smile… the one she only saw in her dreams. "Naru…" her voice was weak. " Don't leave me…"

She held out her hand, hoping he would take it. But he dident. He only stood there whispering her name. At that moment her heart broke. She fell to the floor. Tears spilling from her eyes. She made the mistake of closing her eyes.

She opened them and he was gone. The butterflies were gone. No enchanting chimes or silver shimmer. She laid there alone and cried for most of the afternoon.

Xxxxxx

As the rain begain to subside, Mai poured herself a glass of whiskey. After todays cruel daydream it would take a lot more than tea to calm her nerves. She stood there in front of her window feeling cold and numb. Lost in her thoughts as she listened to the silence of the country side outside. Maybe I will get a cat. She thought to herself.

Ding, dong….. ding dong. She jumps at the sound of the old antique grandfather clock. She looked up at it. " ten o'clock already? Wow."

She took one last look out the window. The hair on the back of her neck stood up and the blood froze in her veins.