Lily: Chapter three is up.
Mai: Obviously.
Lily: Shut up and read it before I switch the script.
Mai:….Bit-
Lily: I recommend you close your mouth before finishing that. Now disclaimer.
Mai: *grumble grumble* BlackLily11 doesn't own Ghost Hunt or anything in the contents of these chapters.
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~Case 1: The Wo-Man Eating Killer
File 3
Chapter 3: Missing…Maybe At Least
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Flashback:
"Naru is so going to scold me big time when I get back."
End of Flashback
In particular there wasn't anything that I needed to check on actually, I just needed some time to do my own little investigation session. I smiled at my diligent choice of phrasing it. Detective Taniyama Mai was now in the building. I stifled back a giggle. As I began rounding a corner I started thinking hard on what Dream Naru had told me. I understand the whole 'your pure and innocent' crap about me, but why only me? I mean surely Masako and Ayako had their motherly sides. But, these spirits only seemed to
want to get to me. It is quite odd really, if you think about it. I mean, it just doesn't add up in my eyes. You would think I'm used to being targeted so much but in reality I'm in just as much shock as the little fat boy who found out his favorite candy store had shut down. (Haha sorry, I know it's mean but I just couldn't think of anything else.) I sighed inwardly. Maybe Naru is right; I should just have a sign embedded into my forehead that read, 'Vulnerable child, easy victim, very stupid! Kill me now because anyone could do it in their
sleep!' Ha, there probably is some invisible little sign on my forehead reading something very similar to this. As my thoughts died down I stopped dead in my tracks and froze. Observing my ambiance, I shuddered. I haven't seen this part of the resort earlier… Was I really…lost? Oh gawd I can't be. I remember once when I was only six or seven, after my father's death I had went to Wal*Mart with my mother to buy some flowers and a picture frame for a mini shrine in the house. I told Oka-san that I would go and see the fishes to tell them about my
day and had asked her to wait in the jewelry section for a moment. And then when I came back I couldn't find her and ended up crying to one of the cashier ladies until she filed a missing child alert over her speaker thingy. (Ha! This actually happened to me! Well except that wasn't the reason we were at Wal*Mart! ^^) That was a very scary moment for me, being six. But, this was an even scarier moment for me, being nearly 16. Well, let's add up the puzzle pieces here shall we; I'm lost in a haunted spa
resort, I don't have my cell on me, I have no clue how to contact Lin or even talk to his shiki things, there's three ghosts who want me dead and about two dozen that we want me to be
a murderer. See, it's not that bad. *cough cough sarcasm cough* and adding to it, I'm about to pee my pants. The air is as still as a statue and there is an eerie wind blowing around me face. My short brown locks curl around me face as I looked around. Which way did I come from again? Ugh, I don't remember now! I had been
looking around so much and turning my body I hadn't realized what I was doing. I could always scream and everyone would find me. But that could possibly end my life if
Naru were to see me alone and screaming in the middle of a haunted resort's hallway. Yeah, that's definitely how I want to die. I ran a finger through my neatly combed hair. A small yawn escaped my lips as I sunk down against the wall. My cinnamon brown eyes had trouble staying open as my eyelids softly flickered open and closed. Snuggling up against the tiled floor I used my soft hands as a pillow and pulled my body into a ball of some sort. Well, I guess this as bad a time as ever to sleep, but I just…can't….stay…awake. Another weary yawn drenched my lips. Finally my body
gave in and I slowly started falling into an unconscious state.
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Everyone seemed a bit downcast as they realized who they had just let slip out of their grips about ten minutes ago. I mean really, what are these idiots thinking. I'm especially in shock of Lin, not so much the others. "How in bloody hell did you manage to let her leave this room with only one of Lin's shiki and the 'help of the cameras' when you know that Mai could be protected by all of us times ten and she could still manage to get herself in some predicament that only she is capable of doing!" Naru glared at the three not-so-innocent teens and three
not-so-innocent-adults as he ran a hand through his raven colored hair. "Naru I tried to stop them but-"I stopped that idiot of a medium short. "I don't wanna hear this crap. You here are all at fault. Now get your asses up and out of this room right now." I demanded in the harshest tone ever. Takigawa laid a hand on my shoulder and a glared a million deaths at him. He pulled away reluctantly and frowned. "Well where
are we going?" Ayako asked as if it wasn't the most obvious thing right now. "To fix your god-damned mistake and find Mai right this instant before it's too late!" I half shouted. The six lifted their
bodies off of the chairs and couches and made them vacant as they staggered along out of base. Well all but my assistant Lin who stayed incase Mai had come back and also because he didn't usually do these hunt-search things. I groaned. Why had I even cared so much for this girl anyway? She was the most idiotic person he had ever met and not the finest looking women. Sure she was beautiful but-just-just forget this thought. My legs rounded another corner as I searched high and low, not really caring where I was as long as everyone stayed in their groups and they found her. Naru insisted on going
alone but of course he ended up with Osamu. John had taken Hara-san and Takigawa accompanied Matsuzaki-san. They each held walkie talkies for easy communication purposes. So far this search was taking a toll and I was becoming slightly nervous about this. Well more worried over nervous…this girl, his assistant-no, Mai Taniyama, a girl who had reached into even Lin and his owns hearts easily, as if it was child's play. She really was
something else, this girl. Having extraordinary PK that hadn't even been fully uncovered, a brilliant smile that stayed strong even in the toughest situations when everyone else was distressed, even after the loss of her parents, her only real family, she still kept collected and stayed strapping, willing herself to be more concerned of others' well being over her own. Taniyama Mai really was something else, a girl different from any other, really. But he wouldn't ever lover her, I couldn't. Love is just an emotion, a feeling one may overcome if desired. I was a person who would never love another person; it just wasn't something I would
stoop low enough to actually do. Love…it comes with pain and emotion, something that I didn't enjoy. But Mai…I shook my mind of anything that clouded it. So basically, everything, for the time being. His only concerns right now was to find his assistant. After wielding a few more hallways he paused, lifting the black walkie talkie to his ear, "Status check." I said no emotion. The line was blank for a moment before sound echoed on the speaker, "Nothing." Takigawa whispered inaudibly. Muffled cried built up after a moment as the line switched to John. "Naru…you might want to come to the pool room…" He rumored. Without thinking I hastened from my spot towards the room John had told me. Their stood a
weeping Hara-san and Matsuzaki-san, John and Takigawa and Yasuhara (He had run with Naru) stared, gaping at the site before them. Bold and in red, which I'm guessing was blood, was a message inscribed into the bottom of the waterless pool. It read out, 'SHE'S OURS, NOT THEIRS.' So many different theories and questions flooded my mind. "Does this mean that Takeuchi-san has her…..or those men…?" John
choked, disgusted at the thought. Takigawa jumped, "WE DON'T EVEN FREAKING KNOW IF THEY HAVE HER! SHE COULD BE DEAD FOR ALL WE KNOW AND IT'S ALL BECAUSE WE LET HER GO!" Takigawa cursed, tears slowly streaming down his cheek. I must admit, it was rare to see the Monk cry, but this was, indeed, serious. I felt anger flood over me as I clench my fists. "Those bastards are really gonna regret messing with us…." I trailed off, gritting my teeth with each and every heart-stabbing word.
For once, I didn't know what to do. No, I didn't know where to start, would be the proper response.
.. ~*~ ..
Everyone at base sat there, waiting. Waiting for Naru to diverge a plan. But, we have one little problem right now…he's not here. Well, sort of at least. His mind wasn't here. Only minutes ago Naru was pissed to hell and back when we had all found out about Mai being missing. Storming off like the Mad Hatter he had come back to base, sat down on a chair and he's been silent ever since. The same stoic and calm features spread over his crème white skin. The monk and
miko began to seriously worry for Naru. Lin sighed and stood up, directing everyone's attention. "I know you're all curious about as to what Naru is doing right this moment, but just give him some space. He needs to think about how we'll get her back and he's taking her absence pretty hard. You must understand he's having a bit of
trouble coping with this all right now, so just leave the boy be." At his words Naru still sat, expressionless. The medium clenched her doll-like fists, outraged that Naru had cared so much for the trouble-maker. What did Mai have that I didn't? She began fuming on the inside while Yasuhara stood. "I don't know about you all, but if all we do is assemble here and think, Mai might be dying right now for all we know. We need to do not think." Silence embraced the air. "Yasuhara might not be a physic….but I fear he might be right…." John spoke up. Takigawa and Ayako stood up
and smiled, passing out a few walkie talks, video cameras and protective charms. "Alright then it's settled. Ayako and Takigawa, you'll be one group." Yasuhara spoke. The two bickerers nodded, heading out of the room. "John, you me and Masako will be the other team. Lin, stay here with Naru." And with that the base was almost vacant.
Yasuhara's Group:
John wielded the video camera while I have the walkie talkie and Masako the protective charm. Mai said it herself, those men are out there for women, but I guess as long as Mai isn't around John and I are safe. I switched the walkie talkie button up so I could speak through, "Anything yet?" It had been about thirty
minutes since we had all set out and had no clue where to look; we just started randomly checking places. The static over the device stopped and voices echoed in, "Well not much. We did find a knocked over coffee table however, but other than that nothing." I sighed into the gadget. "Keep searching." I uttered softly.
"I feel something here." Masako announced, lifting the sleeve of her Honey yellow kimono up to meet her lips. We all stopped dead in out tracks. "What is it Masako? Do you maybe sense Mai…." John said, saying the last part slowly and clearly. She shook her head as her face paled. "I-I can't quite put my finger on it. I can feel it….but I don't know who, or what, this spirit is…but I know for sure it's' very powerful and impure."The hallway we were in stilled as Masako turned her head. She faced the door to the locker room. Lifting her petite hand up, she pointed
at the spot she faced. "Something's there…." And just like that the door flew open. I jumped back a bit. "Masako, did you do this?" She rapidly shook her head in trepidation. "No, not me…" I gulped and John pulled the girl behind him. John began to tip toe into the room. "John are you an idiot! What the hell are you doing?" I screamed at him. "No…follow me in here, we'll be fine." Masako instinctively followed, leaving m no choice but to come along. We mutely crept into the room and just like that the door slammed shut after filing in. I approached the door
at a fast pace and as I was reaching for the doorknob I was pulled back by a hand. Masako's hand. She shook her fragile head, "Look at the knob." I turned my glance on the golden handle and noticed that it was a fiery red now. It seems as if someone were burning it. That thing was as hot as hell! I took a good look around the room. Bright blue walls
and more tiled floor. The room had nothing in it except in the center of the room where there was a counter top like thing there, but for people to lay on. It had some straps to hold a person down and beside it was a tray with some cutting utensils. I shivered, "Where are we?"
Takigawa's Group:
The priestess and I rounded yet another hallway and still nothing. She huffed angrily. "Agh! Why can't we just find something already!" I smiled, "We will, chill your gray hairs will ya'." WHACK. I groaned. "What was that for?" I pleaded. WHACK. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry…jeez…" This time the girl smiled evilly, "That's more like it. I pulled out the black walkie talkie that we had been given and held down a
button, allowing me to speak. "Anything yet?" But after I released the button, all you heard was static. "Oh crap…" Ayako whirled around, wide eyed. "Did you see that?" She practically shouted in my ear. "No, what are you talking about?" the miko pointed down to the end of the hallway and found an open door there. Grabbing my hand she dragged me to it. "Ayako I don't think this is such a great idea." I muutered, but it had been too late, the door slammed shut on us and we were trapped in the room….but we did have guests? "John, Masako, Yasu! What are you guys doing here?" she screeched. "We're
trapped here, that damned spirit got us…"John went on. I tilted my head, "But didn't you see the door open up just now?" Yasuhara shook his head. "Nope, all we say was you guys walk through the door I guess. Oh and don't touch the door knob." I gave a quizzical look and turned around. And of course, the once golden door handle was now glowing a red-ish color. I sighed, sinking down to the floor beside my friends. "Hey you guys, you do realize I can bust down the door, right?" I spoke up. Everyone eyed him as if he carried two heads. I sat up, heaving a sigh and brought my right leg
up. thrusting it at the pale white door a loud CRACK was heard as the door split off of it's hinges. "It seems that the spirit that put us here wasn't all that strong." I smirked. Masako placed a look of terror on her face. "No…. I think it wanted us to get out…" John cringed his nose, "But why would the spirit know
you could break the door down but still lead you here?" Yasuhara stiffened a bit. "Well what if it was a different spirit that brought my group here from the one that lured you and Matsuzaki-san here. Like the spirit who brought you guys was trying to let us go?" I shook my head. "It just doesn't
add up right." "Well let's get back to base and rest for a bit. This place is really starting to freak me out." The group of workers nodded and fearfully left that room.
Somewhere in this story where Mai is:
I sat up quickly and instantly regretted it as I let out a yelp. My body felted as if it was sub-zero and I could clearly see the puffs of smoke that led out to be my breath. My body felt limp and dreary, but I fought the urge and sat up silently enduring the pain. Taking in my environment I noticed that I was in a room that had no windows and one door. It was completely cemented and solid. Puddles of blood and bones scattered around my body. I gasped and quickly covered my mouth with my hand.
In taking the horrid site a tear escaped my eyes. "Oh my gawd…." I trailed off in horror. Suddenly I remembered something. I was in the hallway and passed out but…how they heck did I get here? My body temperature dropped a tad bit more as I try to remember anything that happened earlier, but it was all so blank. I prop my exhausted body up against the concrete wall behind me and shakily lifted my knees into my chest. Why on earth did my body hurt so much now? I felt almost paralyzed as the room just got colder and colder. It was even worse as blood drenched my clothes and the smell wandered through my body. To put it short; I felt like crap. I glanced at the door on the other side of the spaced out room and shook my head. It's
probably locked anyways, I mean what type of person or spirit is stupid enough to not lock the door? I sighed and tucked my arms into my shirt to keep warm. I could sense my lip turning different shades of blue and soon enough I went numb. My stomach growled and I frowned. I hadn't eaten breakfast yet either. My quivering faced ducked
into my knees as a soft sob was placed on lips. No, I mustn't cry. This was my fault in the first place. I got myself into this mess and I was going to get myself out. I desperately crawled over the bones and blood with trouble and aimed my site for the door. My throat thickened as a raspy cough exited my lungs. Trudging forward I was only inches from the door before WHAM! It swung open and closed in a matter of seconds. I looked around the room terrified and scrunched back into ball form. "Your unguarded…vulnerable…weak…pure…MINE." A hoarse voice whispered behind
my back. Shivers went down my spine as I was too scared to pop my head up and turn around. But of course being me I just had to look and slowly turned my body around. I just stared at the ghastly site in front of me, fear written all over my body."AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh!" I screamed in panic. There was the ghostly face of Shiono Keitaru. Half of his body was burned and you could see his flesh and bones in various places. His lips curled up into an eerie smile as blood fell from his mouth. I forcefully pushed my body back and landed on a few skulls. I screamed out in terror
again as I fearfully looked between the ghost and the bones and blood. "W-what do you want…" I stuttered. Shiono's face just stayed in the little smirked position until he frowned, "I want…you…" he whispered. Like the flash of lightning, the creature was now beside me. I screamed slightly from his fast motions. Using his grimy dead hand he
brushed it up against my cheek, causing a bruise to form there. I winced at his cold touch. It's not like it was cold enough in here already*sarcasm*. The apprehension in me rose as my body trembled on instinct. "I will have you soon….your blood will be MINE." The voice whispered in a harsh tone. And as soon as it had all happened, it ended with the figure vanishing. Gathering my quaking self I edged myself into the blood soaked corner. "Just what have I gotten myself into this time?"
Back At Base:
As all of the team mates entered the base, the same scrutinizing look was washed over them all as they gave each other sideward's glances. Lin popped his head around and lifted his brow, "What were your findings?" Yasuhara, John and Takigawa bit their lips as the two girls sat on the couch, tired expressions crossed their faces. "Well…" John went on, explaining the whole scenario out loud. Lin nodded along while Naru just sat their pondering something. Everyone seemed deep in thought and unsure of what to do next. Where is she!
I voice in the room hissed. Heads flicked from side to side to see where the unexpected voice had come from. Shiono took her! He….WILL PAY! The outraged voice cursed. The voice sounded of a young woman, around her early thirties or so. "Who are you and who is Shiono?" Naru piped up, earning stares
from the others. Just what was this boy thinking? Stillness swept across us for what seemed like forever. I have no reason to answer to a low life man of yourself. Your one of his kind….who took our revenge away from us! The woman jeered. Naru seethed his teeth, trying to keep calm about this. "Answer me." Naru demanded. The whole room began to shake violently as some fell to the floor in panic. Suddenly a blood curdling scream was heard echoing throughout the building. Almost impossible to find where it had came from, but it was definitely heard. Many heads
snapped up at its familiar sound. "MAI!" The voices boomed. The screaming was cut dead and dread followed through us all. Shiono has the child….He will PAY! The voice seemed to disappear after that and the shaking went along with her. "Did you guys…." Ayako went on. Everyone nodded their head, knowing what she was going to say. "At least we know she's alright….sort of…" John smiled weakly. Masako shook her head, distraught. "That scream…..it was a mix of anguish, fear, sorrow, hate….loneliness…" A tear streaked her cheek, "Whatever has Mai will stop
at nothing to kill her. She's scared and alone….but I can feel her presence. Barely, but it's good to know that she's alive." Naru leapt over to Masako and stared deeply at her, "Where is she." He commanded. Masako seemed a bit taken back at his words.
"I-I don't know. It's complicated enough to even sense her existence, let alone where she might be." Naru unconsciously gritted his teeth. Masako widened her eyes, more tears spilling over her. Ayako was now doing the same. The monk ran over to the priestess as she faced the medium. "Did you see that too, Masako?" She whispered. She slowly nodded her head, bringing the sleeve of her kimono to her mouth, looking down. Takigawa bit his lip, "What, what did you see…." He asked, a bit frightened to find out. All eyes turned
on the two females. "Mai….she's crawled up in a ball in a corner…so much blood…..and those bones…" Masako shivered, sinking into John's arms. Naru turned to Matsuzaki-san. "What else." The woman closed her eyes briefly. "I only saw a concise image of Mai hugging her knees to her chest in the corner of some room. She was dripping head to toe in blood and bones scatter around her. It looked like she was crying and I only saw her face for a moment, but her whole face was pale and her lips blue. Wherever she was, she was definitely
below freezing temperature." John gawked, "Oh God…." Lin put a hand to his face, "But how come only you two saw and no one else?" Yasuhara looked up, "Maybe that voice from earlier showed it to them. I mean if what Mai said about the female spirits hating men was true, then it would make sense." "She was probably showing them so they could find her or
show them how horrid men are. You heard the spirit, whoever this Shiono guy was, he has Mai." He finished. "She must be so scared…" Ayako breathed. The Monk carefully embraced her into a warm hug, causing the miko to blush faintly. Naru stood back up, "Lin, look up news articles of the fire here in the resort and try to find information on this Shiono person.
Takigawa, I want you, Matsuzaki-san, John and Hara-san to gather up equipment. Yasuhara, go find the total blueprints of this building inside and out. We all heard that scream; Mai is definitely somewhere close by. We're going to find Mai and solve this case."
Lily: Interesting huh?
Mai: It's moving along a bit too fast.
Lily: Oh hush I know that.
Mai: Well review and let's hope I don't die….
Lily: Nah, I won't kill you….yet…..maybe….
Mai: Ok…REVIEW! CAUSE OF YOU DON'T LILY SHALL WAIT TO UPDATE! ^^