Friday
Approximately morning.
I suddenly awoke, sitting up fastly. Wow. Was that a dream that I had last night? The uh ghost one. I reached up slowly and touched my cheeks, right where that women had touched them. And when I did, it still felt quite cold to the touch. Whereas the rest of my body was really warm, nope, it wasn't a dream last night. And it wasn't my imagination either, like I had thought. I looked at the time on the clock, I had gotten a few minutes before my alarm came on. Might as well get dressed anyhow.
I stepped out of the bed, and walked toward my closet. I grabbed black shirt and my blue jeans that I put there as well, then I quickly changed into them. The only thing left was my socks, so I went over to my dresser and grabbed a black pair. I put them on, grabbed my school backpack and went downstairs to my living room. I set down the backpack and went back upstairs to the bathroom, once there I started brushing my hair. After I finished, I went back downstairs.
Then I sat down on my couch, and turned on the tv to the weather channel. Apparently it looks like it's gonna rain today, sweet! I just love rain if you haven't noticed, it's just so beautiful and wet. I continued to watch the channel until my alarm to leave for school rang, I quickly put my things into my backpack. And then turned off the tv, then I put on my nice sleek black sneakers to run outside. Once out, I turned around and closed the door shut behind me. I pulled out my keys, and locked the door. Then I started running, once I got to the main road, I continued to run faster and faster. Once I neared the cherry blossoms, I slowed down to appreciate them. They were so beautiful here, I wished that I had lived near some. But I didn't. Oh, well.
I looked to my left and saw the old apartment building, it looked plain lonely by itself over there. I continued to walk away from it, until I felt something. A lonely presence. I felt dread wash over me, sorrow as well. The dreaded sorrow of killing myself, it was so horrible. I stopped, and looked back. I felt another sense to be other there, I turned back and started walking toward the place.
Once near the entrance, I stopped and peered in. I placed a step in, and suddenly the door slammed closed behind me. I gasped in fright, and turned and tried to open the door forcefully. But it wouldn't budge, not at all. Damn it! I hate old buildings. Just this one though. Grr...!
"Tch..." I said softly. "Me, and my stupid luck."
I turned around again, and looked up, down, and everywhere else. Man, me and my stupid karma. Luckily it's never this bad. Anyhow, I stepped away from the door to be confronted by a cold blast of wind. I shivered quietly, and looked around again. There was a set of stairs in front of me, then to my left was a little area where the manager probably had stood.
Then off to my right was looking like a huge kitchen, which looked about the size of my living room and my kitchen together. Geez... did it look huge. I started up the staircase, holding my backpack in one hand. Then I heard a buzzing sound coming from my left, I stepped off the stairs and walked over to the small space before me.
When I stopped to look, I saw a camera on front of me. Hmm... interesting, why would there be a camera here though? I walked toward the camera and went in front of it, I waved like someone on film, just to see what it would be like. Not at all, fun. Then I felt another cold blast of wind pierce through me, and I dropped my bag so I could wrap my arms around myself. This wasn't a joke, and I wasn't doing it for fun in front of the camera either. It was really cold in here all of a sudden. And I don't know why either. I stepped back from my backpack on the floor, until my back hit a wall behind me. I was trapped. What to do? I hadn't a clue.
Suddenly I felt a presence here with me, like the one I felt outside. I felt the icy fingers of sorrow and death wrap around me, and I saw darkness closing on me. That's when I felt another presence, one that was justified, one that was protection, safeness. Which is when the darkness disappeared from around me, and I quickly stood up. I grabbed my backpack from the floor and ran up the stairs quickly. I was scared, and I knew it. I had never been through something like that, never. And it I was scared from what could possibly happen to me too. Once on the second floor, I ran into a darkened room. And then I felt myself slam into a window, the sound of glass breaking above my ears loud with danger. What had happened? I thought I wasn't even near a window, I didn't expect to run right into one at all. That's when I heard a door slam from below me, on the first floor. Glup... now I'm even more scared.
I set down my backpack on the floor, and pulled out a silver dagger. I had made specially for defense against supernatural things, and don't ask me how I did either. Even I don't know how, I just did. Anyhow, I took out my strap and wrapped it around my waist. Then I carefully put the dagger into it, after that I closed my backpack and put it back on. I walked calmly toward the door, and stood there. Then I walked toward the stairs and went down, when I did, nothing had changed. The door wasn't even open or cracked a bit open either, quite weird. I sense that something is here with me, but it doesn't want to touch me again.
Not with my guardian angel with me apparently. Whoever that may be, I'm grateful. I stood near the door once again, I put my hands on the doorknob. And I tried to pull it open, and when I did, it opened. Hmm... I stepped outside, closed the door quickly and then ran the hell out of there. As fast as I could. After running for a few minutes, I came close to the school, so I stopped. Whew! That was awfully close.
I looked down at my dagger, I'm just gonna keep it there. Weapons may be not aloud at school, but no one will be able to see it. As long as it's under my shirt anyway, or as an ankle strap. I carefully unwrapped the dagger belt and crouched downward, I lifted up my pants leg and put on my dagger strap. Once there, it didn't even look like I had a weapon.
Nice! I'm just plain awesome. Then I started walking toward school again, once inside, I went to my locker and dropped off my stuff. Then I grabbed my binder and my newly book, and went to my classroom. Unlike other high schools elsewhere, we only have one classroom for some students and others for the other students. Then the teachers just switch out. Sometimes, not for our class though. We only had one teach, he was okay I guess. Not mean, which was nice. I had a small group with my two best friends near the windows, so I went over and sat down. Of course I was the first one there in the classroom, hell not even the teacher was in yet.
Suddenly I heard footsteps nearby, and that's when I felt a presence in the room with me. It wasn't like the three this morning near the old apartment building, it was more human type. I turned my head to see Kazuya walk in, oh joy, something I didn't want. Geez... Do I always have this awful luck? I'm betting so. I turned my head away from him, pretending not to notice as he approached me. Why? Why couldn't he just leave me alone? Every guy who gets interested in my friends always come to me, it's so annoying. I just wanna punch them all out.
"Excuse me?" I heard a small voice above me.
I didn't even answer. I'm pretending to be deaf here, just leave me alone dude. Suddenly I felt something enter the room, dammit! Please don't tell me it's that thing from this morning that tried to kill me. Cause I know that the other presence that protected me is gone at the moment. I slowly crouched down in my seat and laid my hand softly on my dagger, it might not hurt that damn ghost, but at least it'll make it back off. Maybe.
"Excuse me?! Are you here?" replied the voice again.
Ugh... I'm getting tired of this shit. And I don't always cuss this much either, just when I'm frustrated or in a very bad mood.
"Yes! I'm here, happy?" I replied, looking up at his face.
"Yes, I am. Thank you." he said.
"What do you want? Want the number's of my friends do you? Fine, like I care." I said.
"What?" Kazuya said, looking plain and not confused.
Damn him!
"I said 'Do you want the number's of my friends?'" I asked, looking annoyed.
"No, I don't." he said.
"Hmm... then what do you want?" I asked.
"I want you to come with me, now." he replied.
"Why?" I inquired suspiciously.
"Just do so." he responded coldly.
Well, if you're gonna be like that. Then there's no way I'm going. Even if I get attacked or something. No way in hell.
"No thanks." I said coolly.
"Fine, be that way." he said, that's when I heard him walking away.
I sighed quietly.
"Thank god, he's gone." I replied quietly.
I stood up quietly, and stood near the window. I looked out quietly. It was quite beautiful out. The billowy white puffy clouds drifting out past the school, even though there wasn't anyone here yet to see it. Which was weird. I turned around and looked up at the clock, it was about 7:45 a.m. Where was everyone? There should be people in here and out in the halls. I walked faster toward the hall, and stopped at the door. I stepped carefully out, and looked both ways.
There was absolutely no one here, and that somehow scared me. Hmm... I stepped backward into the classroom, when suddenly I felt a presence here with me. A sorrowful, saddened presence. It was that one, the one from earlier that tried to kill me. I crouched down and pulled out my silver dagger from my ankle, and pointed it in front of me. I couldn't see it, but I could slightly feel it.
Which is when I felt myself falling through the air, I looked around and saw that nothing had looked the same. Darkness enveloped me, and I hit the ground with a thud. I felt someone shaking me terribly. I was still blackened out. And then Kazuya appeared in front of me again. He held out his hand to me, and offered to help me. I didn't know what else to do, so I grabbed his hand. That's when I opened my eyes to find sunlight hitting my eyes harshly, I quickly closed them again. Then I felt a shadow fall on me, I opened my eyes slowly to find two people surrounding me.
"Wh..what happened?" I stuttered quietly.
"You had passed out. So Lin here carried you out." replied the familiar voice of that one named Kazuya.
I sat up quickly, and looked down. Okay, my clothes were still on. Whew. I wasn't sure.
"So...? Who are you? And what are you doing here? Kazuya?" I inquired, putting my arms in a defensive position.
"I'm Kazuya Shibuya. This here is my assistant and friend Lin Koujo. And we're here to investigate the old apartment building, because your principal hired us too." he replied.
"So, what exactly kind of work do you do?" I said.
"We are the Shibuya Psychic Research center, or better known as SPR." he said.
"Then, where's your boss? I can't imagine you guys here without him." I wondered out loud.
"I'm the boss." Kazuya said.
I looked at him, then other at Lin. Who just simply nodded a yes. Geez...
"But... you're only like what, seventeen?" I said.
"Yes I am, so?" he asked.
"Nothing, it's just that I didn't expect that." I replied.
"So, what were you doing in there Ms.?" Kazuya said.
"I'm Mai Takahashi." I said. "And I was just interested in the place, that's all."
"Hmm... you can go then." he said.
"Thanks." I replied.
I got off the car, grabbed my bag and ran off.
"Kazuya. Do you really think she's the one?" Lin asked.
"Lin, I honestly don't know. But, she was in there for some reason. I just don't know why." Kazuya replied calmly.
So, all that was just a dream? Me being in my classroom, all by myself. Was it? I think it was, or else how did I get to that car? It had to be a dream. Once I got near my school, I walked in calmly and went to my locker. Or course I knew that my dagger was still in my bag, cause apparently even that was a dream too. Once there I put my bag into the locker, and grabbed my binder plus my book. Then I went to class, which was upstairs in my social studies. Which I also hated. But since I always got an A, I didn't really care. After being in class throughout the entire morning, it was finally lunchtime. Thank god. So I had just left my English class and went back upstairs to my math class, and I dropped off my binder there and went back downstairs. I went outside to get some fresh air, I really needed to. Once out, I left the school building behind me as I went back over to the old apartment building. I still couldn't believe that all that was just a dream, but it was.
Still, it was weird. I felt everything around me, it felt so real. But it wasn't. In the dream, anyway when I got near the old apartment building I reached down to my ankle and pulled out my silver dagger. I may not have experience in defense, but I'm still good at some things in life. It may have other things to do with life, but who cares. I crouched down again and put my dagger back on my ankle. Then I walked into the old apartment building, which had not changed at all. Even in my dreams. Even the camera was in the exact place as it had been.
Everything had a strange feeling of it. But I knew that if I stayed, that I might fall into another dream without realizing it again. And I can't let that happen, because I will not have that Lin person carry me out again. No way in hell will that happen. So I quickly turned around and walked out, which is when the door slammed shut behind me. Whew! That was awfully close. I guess I had to be a little psychic, because a nobody like me wouldn't be able to see and hear this stuff. Unless... I'm special, but not to be mean here, but I seriously doubt it. So I started walking back to school when I almost ran into a large car, like the ones that carry drinks I think. I don't exactly remember the name of the kind, but whatever.
Anyway, when I did I fell to the ground with a light thud.
"Ow..." I said, standing up and rubbing my butt.
Suddenly I felt someone standing in front of me, and when I looked up it was Kazuya. I nearly jumped out of my skin, but I still jumped a bit in the air.
That's when Kazuya chuckled softly. Wow. That was a first, he chuckled. And it sounded kinda hot too. Wow, wow. Stop thinking this Mai, you are not starting to like him. You can't, but I had a feeling that saying this mentally wouldn't help me or otherwise.
"What are you laughing at?" I said.
"Nothing at all. Come, follow me." he replied quietly.
"Fine." I said.
He started walking away from the front and walked toward the back of the car, and I followed him. When we got around the back, there was like things all over the back.
"Damn..." I whispered. "Sorry. I didn't mean to say that, but it's just my reaction."
"That's fine." Kazuya said.
Suddenly two people walked toward us when Kazuya sat down in the car in the back, looking at a computer. One was a tall woman with a man too, they so didn't look together. But that wasn't my business, but still. The women looked like in her early twenties and the man looked like in his slightly later twenties, they didn't look special. But, who knows? Right. Then they stopped in front of us.
"Hi, my name is Ayako Moriyama. I'm a shrine maiden here to destroy this spirit that's causing trouble, by any chance are you two the Shibuya Psychic Research center?" she asked.
"Yes, we are." Kazuya replied calmly.
"Hey..." I said softly.
"Never mind that, the principal wants you outta here. He says that kids like you wouldn't get the job done." she said.
"By the way, I'm Masahiro Hoshino. I'm a monk from the Koyasan Shingan, normally known whereas in Mt. Koga. And, you so don't look like a maiden." he snickered loudly.
I started laughing softly, which turned to a wild giggle fit. And then some snorting happened, totally by accident.
"Piff, I'm a maiden alright." Ayako said.
"By the way, there is no ghost." Kazuya said.
"Say what?" replied a stunned Ayako.
"Huh?" said Masahiro.
"Yes. It was only caused by the building sinking into the ground. Because some of the apartment is lopsided, meaning that there's a slope causing people to have strange feelings. Even though, I've been told that no one is supposed to be in there. Because of this, the foundation has been cracked by drought. Because the foundation is surrounded by water which causing the cracks in the foundation, and the walls too. From a sinkhole in the ground an vetus bene." Kazuya said, stunningly.
Damn, he's awesome. Okay, I have to accept this. I'm falling from him, and nothing can stop me. Suddenly I felt someone behind me, and I turned sharply to see a young boy standing there.
"Ahh..." I screamed out loud, taking a step backwards.
Everyone looked my way, and I was starting to feel quite embarrassed.
"Sorry for scaring you." replied quietly from the boy.
"It's okay." I said softly.
I turned around, and stuck out my hand. The young guy looked at strangely. Hmm... anyway, I quickly grabbed his hand and shook it gently.
"My name is Mai Takahashi, you?" I said politely.
"My..my name is Hiroto Takashima." he replied gently, and looking a bit shy.
"Nice to meet you Hiroto, can I be your friend?" I wondered nicely.
"Um... sure I guess." he replied quietly.
"Sweet!" I said loudly.
I walked forward to Hiroto and pulled him into a tight hug, at first he struggled. But then he settled down, since fighting was one way that I wouldn't back down from a hug.
*Cough*
I let go of Hiroto, and turned around again to find everyone still watching us. My face suddenly colored with bright red.
"Sorry, you guys were saying something?" I questioned.
"Yes. So you're saying that the place isn't haunted at all?" Ayako said towards Kazuya.
"Yes, I'm actually quite sure." he responded.
"I guess there isn't anything for me to do now. Later I guess." Ayako said, and left.
"I hope we can work together on a case sooner or later. Bye." said the Monk guy.
Darn it, I forgot his name. And it's only been just a few minutes too, ugh. Oh well. Then he left.
"So um Kazuya?" I said, walking toward him again.
"Yes?" he replied.
"So when you told them that we both were part of your organization, did you also mean me too?" I said.
"Unless you don't want to, that is." he responded.
"Why would you want me?" I said.
"Because I see some things in you, that's why. Plus, Lin doesn't mind at all." Kazuya said.
"I don't mind. So where exactly is your guy's headquarters?" I wondered.
"Here in Fairbanks." he replied softly.
"Oh really?" I said.
"Yes."
"Cool. So when do I start?" I wondered.
"Tomorrow." Kazuya replied.
"Okay." I said. "And are you absolutely sure that the old apartment isn't haunted?"
"I'm positive." he replied.
"Okay." I said, I turned around and grabbed Hiroto's arm and pulled him along with me away from Kazuya. "Come on."
"He...hey!" Hiroto exclaimed.
After dragging Hiroto for ten or fifteen minutes, I stopped. Whatever. I knew that it was haunted, cause how could I explain what happened to me. I turned around and pulled Hiroto over to a nice spot in the grass underneath a tree. And we both sat down softly, feeling the breeze as it swept through our hair.
"Hey Hiroto, I've got a question." I said.
"Shoot." he replied.
"Can you sense ghosts, or I mean spirits?" I wondered.
"Uh.. yes I do. And I have a tv show about it, in Japan." he replied softly.
"That's cool, cause I need to tell you something." I said, looking away.
"Tell me. I don't mind."
"I might be sensing them too. I'm not exactly sure though, cause it's been weird since yesterday." I said, looking down at the ground, knowing he might laugh at me.
"Really?" Hiroto said excitedly.
"What?" I looked up at his face.
"Do you really sense them like me?" he wondered.
"I believe so. I've already seen two ghosts, both yesterday. Then I felt three presences while I was in the old apartment building, which is why I asked Kazuya if he was sure or not. So I'm not sure anymore." I replied, blushing a bit.
"Well, you don't seem like to be lying. So I know you're telling the truth. What kind of spirits did you see yesterday? Tell me everything." Hiroto said.
"Okay. It was after school, me and my friends were done ghost telling when Kazuya walked in. Then soon after that, my two friends and Kazuya walked away and left me in my classroom. When I was about to leave, the door like slammed closed in front of me and I couldn't get it open. Which is when I turned around to see a women standing behind me, she didn't look evil or cruel. So I figured she was the ghost of our school that protects the students. When she finally let me leave, I was outside when I turned around and looked back at the school. And that's when I saw a shadow, and it didn't look human." I paused to take a deep breath.
"Please continue." Hiroto said looking interested.
"Okay. Anyway when I got home, after eating and everything else. Then I went to bed, then around three in the morning I awoke again. Something had wakened me, and when I went out to my living room to find her standing out there waiting for me. Then she gave me a vision, of the same shadow I had seen, but...but even bigger and more dangerous it seemed. After that, I went back to bed." I paused again.
"Come on, continue more. It's getting even more exciting." Hiroto said excitedly.
"Why are you so interested in my story?" I said.
"Well, it's true that I can sense spirits. I just haven't seen one before, that's all. Plus, it's great to hear a story that hasn't come from me either. You don't know how tiring it is, being on a tv show of your own. It's tough." Hiroto said, looking down.
"Why don't you join us? I mean Shibuya Psychic Research center. Why not?" I said, putting my hand softly onto Hiroto's shoulder blade.
He looked up at me, and nodded slowly.
"Great!" I said loudly.
I grabbed his shoulders and pulled him into another tight hug, I was so happy. Suddenly I felt another presence with us, damno it. I felt an icy coldness surround us. It was sorrow, and death coming for us. Or maybe just me. It always seemed to show up at the least of times that I didn't expect it.
"Hey um, I never got your name?" Hiroto said.
"It's Mai, Hiroto. And you did get my name before, but it's okay." I said.
"Oh, right, Mai. Mai do you feel that around us? The coldness?" Hiroto inquired, starting to shiver.
"Yes Hiroto, I feel it. It's one of the presence that I have felt before, I believe it's the evil one." I replied, standing up with Hiroto next to me.
"Oh, oh. Okay." he stuttered softly. "Are we gonna die, Mai?"
"Not if I can help it." I replied grimly.
I leaned down and uncovered my silver dagger on my ankle, I grabbed it from my holder. Then I stood up fully, and placed the dagger in front of us. That's when a dark blackness formed in front of us. I gasped in fright, and I felt Hiroto shiver violently behind me. I guess he was telling the truth when he said he never did see a ghost before. I have to get him away, no matter what. I aimed my dagger toward what I thought was the head of the thing, and threw it. Hard. It struck it, making it disappear for a moment then reappeared. I grabbed Hiroto's hand hard and ran toward our right, and I felt it still following us. If I could only distract it so Hiroto can escape, wait... I know how. But, it's my only way. I stopped running, and pushed Hiroto in front of me. He turned and looked at me, confused.
"Hiroto, go without me." I said, turning slightly so I can keep an eye on him and the thing.
"I can't." he said.
"Go!" I said, pointing to my right. "Now! Before it's too late."
"I can't leave you here to die Mai." he said stubbornly.
"I'm not gonna die Hiroto, I've got my dagger." I said.
"No you don't, it's still that way when you threw it." he said.
"Actually, no it's not." I said, I quickly crouched down and grabbed my silver dagger off my ankle. "See."
"Oh, but still..." he tried to say.
But then I interrupted him by saying, "Hiroto, if you really want to help me. Go find Kazuya and Lin, his assistant. Please. I can't let you get hurt."
I looked over at him with sorrow in my eyes. I saw surprise hit his cute little face, which is when he took off running. Looks like it's now my fight. Here I go. I turned around, my back facing the running Hiroto. I began walking into the foggy area where I knew that thing would be. I held the dagger by my side, as I walked through the dense fog. But the creature still didn't attack me like I thought it would, but that doesn't mean I'd let down my guard either. Once I came out to the other side of the fog, I saw it there. Standing still, waiting for me to come back. Probably knew that I would have come back either way, damno that thing.
I stopped, and looked at it. That's when it attacked, it swiftly ran at me. Darkness closing in on me. I gasped, when my eyes saw darkness. I was now dead. Great.
