Hello readers and reviewers! Rei here! Some of you may know me from my story, The Power of a Phoenix. For those of you who don't know me, welcome! This story came to me while I was watching a marathon shortly before Halloween on the Scariest Places on Earth show. I watched that marathon for almost two days straight, so after I did finally stop watching it, my mind was completely warped. That's why I decided to write this story, as a way of getting all of those thoughts out of my head. This does not mean that this story will be warped, however.
In the episode that inspired me, the Wilson family decides to go and stay the night at a haunted island called Poveglia. The 'g' in Poveglia is silent. Anyway, some pretty twisted things happened and, while I was skeptical, I thought it was pretty cool. So I thought, why not put the Bladebreakers in the place of the Wilson family? And that's what I did.
Don't be fooled, everything about Poveglia has been thoroughly researched by myself, so all facts are proven and…semi-true, I suppose. I'm not exactly sure. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
NON YAOI!
Disclaimer: Don't own it.
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Poveglia. Most people outside of Italy have never heard of this place, and those that have try not to think about it. For you see, Poveglia is a place of unspeakable horror that will turn even the most skeptical into believers. Spirits haunt the island, spirits that have found it impossible for them ever to be laid to rest. Perhaps a little history is required at this point.
Poveglia is a small island between Venice and Lido. It's dark and shady past begins with the Black Death. Many people know the story of the Black Death, about how it killed hundreds of thousands of people in Europe in the 14th Century. It was said that your body would swell up, and your esophagus would tighten to the point were you couldn't even swallow water. Many of the people that were struck with this deadly illness were taken to the island known as Poveglia. The victims would have hoods placed over their heads and were then transported by gondolas from Venice to the island. They were then thrown in 'plague pits' and buried alive. What makes this so devastating is the fact that these people were left alone to suffer without any medical care whatsoever. They were simply buried and left to die.
No one dared to step foot on the island after that, until the 19th century, that is. In 1922, a psychiatric hospital was built on the island. But that's not the worst part. The hospital was built right on top of one of the biggest plague pits on the whole island. Did anyone care? Of course not. They chose to ignore the fact that the pits were even there. And they paid dearly for that mistake.
It is said that the patients brought there began to see strange spirits, spirits that belonged to the tormented plague victims. The head surgeon there saw this as an opportunity to learn more about mental disease because, of course, he assumed the patients to all be crazy. He performed crude lobotomies on the patients and conducted torturous experiments. It is said that he even cut the patients heads open and conducted medical experiments on the brains.
Soon after this all happened, the doctor himself began to see the ghosts as well. The last time he was seen alive was at the top of the bell tower of the hospital. He stood there for several moments and then…he fell. Or, perhaps, he was pushed by an unseen force. The hospital was shut down after that, but still remains on the island, waiting for more victims to fall into its trap. This might happen sooner than most people think, for six teenagers are about to go on the most terrifying adventure of their entire lives. Will they make it out alive? Or will the spirits there trap them forever, until they too wander the island side by side with the undead?
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KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.
"Will someone get the door!"
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.
"Hello! Guys!"
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.
"Oh fine, I'll get it." Tyson Granger scrambled off the couch and went to answer the door. The knocking had been created by the postman.
"Kai Hiwatari?" the man asked.
"Uh, no. I'm Tyson."
"Oh," replied the man. "I was told that I could find him here. Is he around?"
"Um, yes, I think. KAI!" Tyson called through the house. Footsteps echoed through the dojo. Suddenly Kai appeared at the door.
"What?" he demanded in an impatient voice.
"Cool it, there's just someone here for you." Kai turned to the postman.
"What do you want?"
The man held out a pen and a clipboard. "Sign here." Kai obliged and signed his name on the clipboard. He handed it back to the postman, who handed him a small, square package. He then nodded to both boys and turned to walk away. Kai walked away from the door, still staring at the tiny package. It had his name on it, that was for sure, but it had no return address.
Tyson shut the door and sprinted up to Kai. "Who's it from?" he asked, leaning in for a closer look. Kai turned away from him.
"Will you stop hovering over me! I don't know who it's from."
"Well, open it," Tyson insisted, trying to contain his excitement.
"Don't tell me what to do Tyson," ordered Kai, then walked into the living room and began to open it anyways.
"Hey guys!" called Tyson. "Come in here for a sec!" The squeaking sound of the sliding glass door opening could be heard, along with the sound of footsteps hitting the wooden floors. Max and Rei appeared seconds later.
"What is it?" asked Rei. "We were right in the middle of training."
"Kai's got this weird package. Come check it out." Kai had now finished opening the package and was holding a white envelope in one hand and a video tape in the other.
"What's that?" asked Max.
"I don't know," Kai replied in a low voice, never taking his eyes off the video tape.
"Well let's watch it then!" demanded Tyson. Kai shot him a threatening look that made him cower slightly before putting the tape into the VCR.
At first Kai thought that nothing was even on the tape, that the whole thing was some kind of joke. The entire screen was black, although the VCR appeared to be working. It was then that a dark, shady voice slid smoothly from the speakers.
"Hello Kai," the voice said. "You may not know who I am, but I know who you are. Obviously, I choose to keep my identity a secret…for now."
Everyone exchanged glances, then turned back to the TV. screen.
"My name is not important for the moment, as I know that you are wondering who I am. As I said before, the mystery that is myself will be solved soon enough. Before I continue, I must ask. Do you know of a place called Poveglia? I thought not. What would a Russian like you know about this infamous island? Nothing at all. I have sent this tape to you to offer you an invitation. A three night stay on Poveglia. If you except, your physical and spiritual abilities will be tested far beyond there limits and your mind will undergo severe psychological strain. You may bring 5 guests with you to the island, no more, no less. If you accept this invitation, proceed to open the envelope if you have not already. If you do not except…well…let's just say that we will be paying you a little visit shortly, along with some of our friends as well. Salutations, and good day."
The tape stopped rolling and then popped out of the VCR. Everyone's mouths, save Kai, were hanging open. Shocked expressions covered their faces, and their eyes were widened.
"Wow," breathed Tyson, "that was twisted."
"Uh, Kai? I don't want to undergo severe psychological torture," complained Max.
Kai gave him a strange look. "What are you talking about?"
Max shifted uncomfortably. "Well, it said that you had to bring 5 guests, so I figured—
"Max, I am not going on a stupid trip to some island. No one's going to undergo anything."
"Well," mused Rei, "it does sound kind of interesting. I mean, who in the world could have sent that tape? And were, or what, is Poveglia anyway?"
"I don't know Rei," replied Kai. "And I don't plan on finding out."
"It could be kinda cool."
"Tyson!" yelled everyone in unison.
Tyson held up his hands in defense. "What, I didn't say that I wanted to go! I just said that it sounded kind of interesting, and a little twisted." He mumbled the last part.
"No, Tyson, it doesn't sound interesting. It sounds like another sick plot by another sick guy," retorted Kai. He then threw the tape on the floor (which landed with a 'clank') and walked away, the envelope gliding gently through the air before hitting the ground. Rei picked up the letter.
"I wonder what it says…" he mused. Rei carefully ripped open the seal, the others crowding around him, pulled out a piece of folded paper, and unfolded it. Then he began to read:
"If you are reading this, Kai Hiwatari, then it is my guess that you have accepted our invitation. Poveglia is an island off the coast of Venice, Italy, in case you didn't know, and is a breeding ground for…" Rei faltered for a moment, "spirits," he whispered. "This is merely a test of your abilities, as we are very interested in you. We wish to see how you will handle yourself in a situation were you not only have to fight for your survival, but for the survival of your friends. Below is a map of Poveglia and a brief history of the island. Your guide will meet you at Venice airport on September the twentieth. Your six tickets are included in the envelope.
Bidding you a fond farewell,
Anonymous
No sooner had the last letter left Rei's mouth did each member of the household feel a sharp jolt of pain enter their minds. It was as if clawing hands had somehow found their way inside the teen's heads, causing them extreme pain. It was short lived, however, for the pain was so intense, all three boys dropped unconscious in a matter of seconds.
Tyson, Rei, and Max all fell to the floor in a heap, their faces flushed and sweaty. Kai, who was walking down the street when the pain hit him, first landed on his knees, clutching his head in pain, before blacking out as well and falling down to the hard pavement beneath him.
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"It was lucky I saw him when I did. I almost hit the poor boy!"
"What do you suppose is wrong with him? He looks fine to me."
"Alright everyone, back up! Give the kid some air!"
Kai heard the voices around him, but they were sort of fuzzy sounding; just clear enough for him to understand what they were saying. He opened his crimson eyes slowly to see several distorted, hazy blobs hovering around him. He blinked a few times to clear his vision. Kai realized that the man closest to him appeared to be a paramedic, most likely the one who was shouting at the others to stow it. For that he was grateful, as he had a splitting headache.
"Are you ok kid?" he asked with concern.
Kai ignored him and began to push himself off the pavement and into a sitting position. He regretted doing so. A large stab of pain shot through his head, causing him to hold his head and clench his teeth. The paramedic reacted quickly, pushing him back down to the ground.
"Whoa! Take it easy! You're recovering from shock."
Kai scowled at him. "I am NOT in shock! Now let me go!" He pushed the medic out of the way and stood up on shaky legs, desperately trying to ignore the pain in his head. Needless to say, it didn't work. Kai fell right back down to his knees. The medic hovered over him again, like a pesky fly that wouldn't go away no matter how many times you shooed it.
"Young man, if you will not accompany me to the hospital, I will be forced to sedate you. You are in obvious need of medical attention."
"Hospital! You aren't taking me to any hospital! I'm fine!"
The medic shook his head and pulled a sedative out of his first aid kit. Kai tried to fight back, really he did, but didn't have the strength to do so. The needle was forced into his flesh, and Kai could feel the hot liquid begin to course through his veins. Several minutes later, he was once again unconscious.
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"Rei?"
The voice sounded distant to Rei, as if the person was whispering to him from across a room.
"Rei? Come on, buddy, wake up."
'Tyson…' he thought. Then he remembered the bizarre video tape, the mysterious letter, and most of all, the immense pain he had felt before blacking out. That pain had subsided to a dull ache, but his head still pounded behind his eyelids. He felt Tyson shaking his shoulders, which only worsened his headache.
"Rei, wake up. This isn't funny!" Rei noted the worry that plagued his voice, and decided to give waking up fully a shot. He slowly opened his amber eyes, careful not to irritate his already throbbing head. He could vaguely see the fuzzy shapes that he believed to be his friends hovering above him. After blinking a few times, he could clearly make out the forms around him.
"Thank God," breathed Max.
"Don't every scare us like that again Rei," warned Tyson, "or I swear to God I'll kill you."
"Sorry," Rei managed to whisper.
Tyson sighed. "Just try to wake up a little more so we can find Kai and figure out what in the hell just happened."
Rei didn't bother nodding, seeing as it probably wasn't the best idea in his condition, instead simply standing up on shaky legs.
"When did you guys wake up?" he asked.
Max shrugged. "A little while ago. Don't worry, the dizzy feeling goes away pretty quick."
"That's good," continued Rei, "cause I think I'm gonna be sick."
Max and Tyson visibly backed off. "Whatever dude, just don't throw up on us," said Max.
Rei gave them a look, then began to shakily head towards the front door. The dizziness and nausea was slowly fading away, for which he was grateful. It was then that the phone began to ring. Rei stopped in his tracks, turning to see Tyson answer it.
"Hello?" he said into the receiver. "Yeah, why do you wanna know…uh-huh…" It was at this point in the conversation that Tyson's eyes widened. "WHAT! Is he okay? Is he hurt? What happened?" Max and Rei crowded around the phone, begging to know who was on the other end.
"Go away guys! You're bugging me!" They both backed off and let Tyson continue with his conversation. "Could you give me some specific directions? Ok, thanks. We'll be right there. Bye." Tyson hung up the phone.
He turned to Max and Rei, who both gave him a look that clearly showed that they were craving information. "That was the hospital guys." The looks on there faces begged him to continue. "Kai…he's…he's in the emergency room."
"WHAT!" they both shouted in unison, shocked expressions making there way onto there faces.
"What's wrong with him?" Max demanded to know.
"I'm not sure; all they said was that he's in the emergency room and that they didn't have any more details."
"Well, let's go then!" urged Rei. Tyson and Max nodded, and they all headed out the door.
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The three teens walked swiftly down the white and crowded halls of the hospital. The place stunk horrid of anesthetic and unbearable cleanness. Luckily, the hospital that Kai had been brought to was only a short walk away. Considering that Tyson's grandpa was out of town and couldn't drive them, (like they'd trust his grandpa behind the wheel of a car anyway) this was a very good thing.
Tyson practically ran up to the desk in the emergency center waiting room and pounded his fists on the surface while asking rather rudely, "Where in the fucking heck is my friend! And you better not give me that 'no details' shit that you did over the phone, because my patience is pretty thin, lady, and I'm not afraid to get violent!"
The young lady at the desk just stared at him in astonishment; she even considered calling the police. Rei intervened before she could, however.
"I'm really sorry miss," he apologized. "It's been a long day and my small brained friend over hear has a really bad temper."
"Shut up Rei! I do not have a small brain and I do not have a bad temper!"
Rei ignored him. "Were looking for Kai Hiwatari. He was brought in earlier and we need to see him."
The receptionist considered it for a minute, contemplating whether or not to give out this information to a potentially dangerous young man, but the one called Rei seemed sincere enough and she began searching for the name Hiwatari on her computer.
"He's in room 69, just down the hall," she replied when she had found the number. Once the other two boys and began sprinting down the hallway, she whispered to Rei, "Please keep your friend under control though, or we might be forced to sedate him."
"Oh, don't worry," assured Rei," I will."
When they walked into Kai's hospital room, they expected to see him lying in a bed, horribly injured. Instead, he was fully clothed and seemed ready to leave. When he saw them come in he let out a large groan, knowing what was coming next.
"Kai!" yelled Tyson, who began to quickly advance toward their team captain.
'Oh, great…' he thought.
Tyson embraced him in a brotherly (and rather large) hug, while Kai stood there helpless, his breath caught in his throat as Tyson was suffocating him.
"I was so worried! You scared us all half to death Kai! We thought you were hurt!"
"Tyson," gasped Kai.
"Yeah?"
"If you don't let go of me, I'm going to pound your head into your shoulders." Tyson abruptly let go, and Kai let out a large breath.
"You know I don't like being touched Tyson!" scolded Kai.
"I know that, but we were worried about you man. We thought that something bad had happened to you."
Kai let out a 'hn'. "Well, I'm fine. I just passed out is all."
"Really?" inquired Rei. "So did we. Right after I finished reading that letter."
"What? Why did you guys open that thing! This whole thing could be a trap—
"Which means that whoever is doing this isn't going to leave us alone, so we might as well get this over with," Rei cut him off.
"Rei—
"Listen Kai, if we don't do this, these people will never leave us alone. Maybe it's best that we just go."
Despite the other's fear, they nodded in agreement. Whoever this guy was, they didn't want him stalking them.
Kai let out an exasperated sigh and ran a hand through his slate hair. "I guess…I have no choice to go then, huh?"
"Basically."
Kai groaned. "I know I'm going to regret this…fine I'll go." Smiles crossed all of their faces. They were going to Poveglia.
"See," began Max, "that wasn't so hard, was it?"
Kai scowled at him and Max backed off. "But if anything…unusual happens, we are leaving, you got that?" They all nodded their heads in unison. "Let's get out of here then, this place is making me sick to my stomach."
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"Sir, the letter has been opened."
The statement was directed at a man sitting behind a long, oak desk, filled with papers. Flames danced and crackled in the fireplace in front of him and crimson tapestries lined the walls. The man's face was unidentifiable, as it was hidden in the shadows.
"Excellent," he replied. The letter had been read, which meant that Kai and his friends were now bounded by the spell sent with the package. When he and his friends got to Poveglia, they wouldn't be leaving until he said they would.