Chapter 4

The case

Mai's POV

Walking in with more tea, I saw the ever stoic Naru and Lin, both seated in the lounge, waiting for me. I handed everyone tea, before Mr Brown finally spoke up.

"Hello, as you know, I'm Johns father, Michael Brown. I came here to require your assistance. My old friends house in Australia, I believe, is haunted. No one has lived there, since the parents of John's dear childhood friend, passed away. From what I heard, her father was murdered in the house, in front of her..." Mr Brown paused, allowing the information to sink in. "Some nights, we would see lights flickering, and hear screams for help. They are so pained... its hard to hear" Mr Brown placed down his tea, before looking down at his lap. He was reluctant to continue, but he knew better then to hold back information. "A few days ago, a group of young teens broke into the house, for a dare I believe. They wanted to mess up the child's room. She was a little different in appearance, and they didn't like her for it... They didn't stay long, as most of them ran out scared. But... a boy had been found on the floor of the lounge two days later. He was wounded, but nothing fatal. He seemed to have seen something horrible... he was petrified! He wont even speak"

Naru placed a hand on his chin, or as everyone else dubbed, his thinking pose.

"We'll take the case. If you'll give you're information to my assassin here, we'll see you in two days. Also get 3 rooms ready for us. One with a lot of outlets and two for sleeping." He informed, before going back to his office. Lin quickly followed his example, going to his own office.

Mr. Brown handed me the address, and my eyes widen.

'Home?' I thought to my self. 'Am I going home after all these years?' I smiled, tears welling in the corners of my eyes. John noticed this, and walked over to me and tapped my shoulder.

"You alright Mai?" He's blue eyes were soft as ever, but they also held concerned. I nodded and rubbed my now tear filled eye's and smiled sweetly at him. Mr. Brown had already left and now it's just me and John alone.

I lightly blushed but pushed it off. I then felt arm's around me. I looked up and it was John. I hugged back while blushing, but asked shyly.

"Jo-John what are you doing?" He then stopped and blushed.

"I-I'm sorry Mai. I guess I just left my thought's of my old friend get the best of me. Sorry." He scratched the back of his head. "I'll see you tomorrow Mai." he bowed and he left.

I called the others to tell them to meet here tomorrow at 7am sharp, made another cup of tea for Naru, then went home for the day.

Once I got home, I took out my contacts and made dinner.

After I finished, I took and shower, packed and went to bed.

The next day I was woke up late... again. I rushed to get ready. After I put my contacts in I ran down the street. I walked into the building and saw everyone there.

"Hi everyone. Sorry I'm late." I apologised, as I walked in.

"You're late Mai. Tea." I heard Naru call as he walked into the main room with everyone. I muttered insults, but compelled and went to make tea for everyone.

As I came back Lin was in there with his laptop now. I handed out the tea and Naru informed everyone of the case. The same thing that Mr. Brown told us yesterday.

"Any questions?" Naru asked, after he finished. I saw Ayako rise her hand like a school child.

"Is our way there and back paid for?" She asked, understandably. Naru nodded.

"What time will why leave?" Monk asked.

"We'll be leaving tomorrow at 7am." Naru replied.

"There's also an hour different. So when we get there it will be about 4pm." John announced. Everyone nodded.

"Everyone can go now. Oh, and Mai tea." Everyone nodded and left, but me and John.

I went to get tea for Naru and Lin. As I handed them there tea Naru let me leave.

"John, if you don't mind me asking why are you still here." I asked, getting ready to leave.

"I wanted to know if I could... give you a lift home." He asked. I blushed, but smiled and nodded a yes.

We went to John's car and he took me home.

"Mai, why did you look so shocked when you saw the address yesterday?" John asked. My eye's widen and hid them behind my bangs.

"It's hard to explain... I'll tell you tomorrow." I promised, as we pull up to my house and I ran inside.

Once I got inside I locked the door went to my room and sat on my bed. I looked over at a picture I have from when I was little. There was mom, dad, John, his dad and me. I still remember that day like it was yesterday.

Flashback

Mai's Pov

"John! John!" A happy, but shy little 6 year old me called out to my only friend. I ran up to him with a book that's at a seventh grade level. My ten year old friend, John, turned around and smiled at me.

"Justina. What is it?" He asked young me. I held my book out to him.

"I got a new book. Do you want to read it with me?" I asked shyly, looking down, scared him would saying no. I felt him take the book.

"Let's go read it." He smiled at me and I smiled back. He took my hand we went to read it. As we got half way thought my dad called over to us. I stood up and my white dress fell back down to where it should be. I turn around to John and hold my hand out.

"Let's go John." He took my hand and we walked to my parents and his father. His mother was out of town that week. Our parents got in line and we took a picture. We just didn't thing it be the last one she would take with her father.

End of flashback

I was soon asleep.

The next day when I woke up, my cheeks were wet with tears. I hurried up and took a shower. I turned on the water. As I waited for the water to got hot I got the outfit I will be using for today. Once I got back, I took off my outfit. I got in the shower and washed up. After I finished I got out, turned the water off and got dressed.

Just as I put on a golden locket I heard the door. Without thinking I went to answer it, wondering who would be here at this time. As I opened the door I heard a gasped. I looked up and saw...