AN: I'm going and fixing spelling errors and stuff, so I'm sorry to disturb you if an alert thingy was sent to your emal :(
Whispering Pages
Chapter 8: Identity
Evening June 15th
"Here, Naru."
The paper was taken from Mai's hands with a sharp tug. Her presence or act of assistance went unaccounted for as Naru returned to his work without so much as a glance towards her. Mai sighed dejectedly. Her boss had the worst aura she'd seen him with within the last year - a nearly unapproachable space in the room.
It had been like that for hours…
"Mai!" a low whisper sounded.
She turned around with a start and noticed the monk motioning her over with a slick hand. With one last glance at Naru, Mai walked across the room to the table where the rest of the SPR members were residing. Mingled with anger and irritation, Mai's towering stance was intimidating. Before she could open her mouth with a frowning brow, Takigawa pulled her in close by placing a hand on her shoulder.
"So…" he started quietly, carefully eyeing Lin and Naru, "What's new with the boss?"
Mai half-scowled and closed her eyes with irritation. "Why don't you go ask him yourself? Ever since we got back -"
"It's not our fault." Ayako hissed suddenly. Her eyes shifted uncomfortably to the window showing the dark campus below. "We want to be doing something, but it's going to be impossible to get anything out of Naru for now, and we can't leave this building!"
Bright lights of blue, white and red blinked against the dark sky. A siren was turned off and on. John stood to close the curtains and looked out before re-closing them with a sharp tug.
Yes, we'd been confined on this floor. Mai remembered.
The corpse had been taken away for identification by the police to a pathologist in a nearby city. They had been confined in the room - for protection they had said. They'd known better.
After returning to the base, everyone had been silent with thought and terror, each mind processing the events that had occurred all so suddenly. Now, several hours later with no newly acquired information, the members were getting restless.
The fast typing of Lin and Naru's shuffling sounds of paper became monotonous.
Mai had watched them, having nothing more efficient to do. She'd received no orders from Naru nor any ideas on what his next plans would be. So she'd decided to do a little investigating of her own. It's strange. She'd ended up thinking with a worried frown. She knew that it was on everyone's mind - the question that had sparked possible new threats.
Who had called the police?
Madoka and Yasuhara had been able to leave before 119 and the police had arrived - they were free. Lin had been at the base with no idea that they'd found a body. Naru would have definitely been against it until the case had been solved. Everyone knew how much he didn't want to be inspected or be involved with the police….which meant that there had been someone else on the campus watching their moves.
It made Mai shiver to think it.
More so, what had been strange was that with the arrival of the police, immediately they'd been treated as if they'd been the murderers.
Yes, arriving at the scene where they had found a discreetly hidden underground space and happened to find a recently dead body would seem suspicious. Especially when they'd had no evidence to how they'd found out about it. Even though Naru had been able to show and confirm the principal's letter to show that they were on a case, it had done little good. The SPR members had become prime suspects. They would be taken away the next morning around noon after everything had settled down.
But it had been all done discreetly on the cop's part. The murderer may still be on campus Shibuya-san. The chief officer had said. We'll escort you to the station the next morning after we conduct a thorough search. We need you to tell us everything you know.
Naru, being Naru, had denied that he knew nothing of importance. The finding of the trapdoor had been the work of the 'impressive detective skills of Takigawa-san.'
Then, everyone had been taken to the base. It was minutes later that they found out their phone lines had been disconnected and their internet shut off. It was a nagging feeling that Mai had. The situation was as if someone was trying to set them up. Before she could think more of it, the sudden scrapping of chair legs against the carpet sounded.
Takigawa and Ayako stopped in an argument they'd started with surprised 'oh's. John's face looked tired and stern, as did Masako's. Mai turned around to see Naru looking towards them with a strange gleam in his eyes.
"There's something I need to announce."
Naru's hard voice was like a sudden chill through the air. His gaze was enough to get everyone's attention. He leaned lightly against the table behind him, and spoke with a lowered tone. "I'm sure that you've all been wondering who had contacted the police." He paused as a couple of agreeing faces looked at him. "This case is much more than just the avenging spirits. There is definitely a person involved….possibly the murderer."
Mai bit her lip at the sudden words. Sure she'd been thinking about it, but now having Naru confirm so made her heart beast faster. Someone else was involved…and who knew how long he or she had been watching them…
"So…it wasn't the work of any spirits?" Ayako questioned with light fear mingled in her voice.
"It's too early to jump to conclusions like that, isn't it?" Takigawa asked, obviously trying to be the devil's advocate. "I mean, someone was killed, but it could be like Urado -"
"I know." Naru cut in, "Because I saw the body. It had been strangled with rope and cut with knives."
Masako shuffled in her seat, rather uncomfortable, a raised sleeve covering her face. John spoke out her name and the medium said slowly: "I did not feel any traces of spirits ever nearing the area of the spot."
"And also…" John's light voice was hard to hear. He was facing down, looking at his still dirtied hands - brown with soil. "When Matsuzaki-san and I were digging, I noticed that the soil was a slightly lighter color than it's surroundings. The trapdoor had been found before us."
They could see that it had been bothering him for quite a while.
"Then shouldn't we tell the police?" Ayako suggested loudly, landing a hand down upon the table. "Naru, if you're not going to say anything -"
"No one is stopping you."
His statement cut her off sharply. Ayako gritted her teeth and sat back down. Mai could see her anger and sighed with mixed feelings. Naru also seemed to be irritated beyond belief, now that the press were also involved…
Watching his way of behaving, Mai could see that he was drawn to this case more than he'd ever been to one. So she had a guess of what actions Naru was willing to take. Mai mustered up her courage and asked the one question she'd been wanting to ask for hours. "So what do you plan to do?"
Normally, Naru wouldn't have answered to such a direct, revealing question. However, this wasn't like any other case. Finally getting to the point, Naru looked straight at her and continued to lock eyes with his assistant as he stated the next sentence.
"You'll either have a choice to carry out this plan with me," Naru shook a number of loose papers in his right hand, "or remain in your rooms until morning and be escorted to the station by the police." Naru looked away, eyes closed as if from hiding an emotion he didn't want to share. "I don't think we have much of a choice. We are potential suspects of the murder at the moment." He paused for a moment. "Get some sleep, and gather back here at midnight if you're willing to participate."
A silent moment was drawn out. It inflated between Naru and everyone else. He looked towards Lin, motioning that this applied to the older man as well. This was different from the usual consent for departure. This time, it was the true question of loyalty.
No one said a word - instead, they got up from their seats and made their way out their door. Ayako pushed Mai along, giving the young girl a look of understanding.
Before they could retire to their rooms, Lin's hard voice stopped them one last time.
"Please be cautious to lock your doors and windows. Also remember to keep the camera on the beds." His narrowed eyes looked at each person before landing lastly on Mai. "Stay in your rooms and leave under no circumstances. If this wasn't the work of spirits, then the murder could still be on campus."
Mai swallowed hard and felt a strange chill go up her back. She promised to listen to the man.
For those next couple of hours, no one was able to sleep soundly.
...
A strange tune hummed across the sky. Her voice was carefree and sharp against the soundless, cold air. A number of the police were still patrolling the area and it looked as if they would remain the whole night. But that didn't matter as long as they found a way to the library. She wanted to end this. End everyone, everything…and for that, she needed to destroy that notebook.
Her voice stopped, tilting her head to a side with a sigh. A long, moonlit finger was drawing swirls upon the table they'd all used to sit at. It's surface was polished, yet dented in many areas. Words were carved into the wood.
She looked into the glass and saw her reflection smile eerily back. Beside her were two darkly clad figures. She turned, her long hair swinging around her shoulders with speed, to see nothing but shelves and books. It frightened her, before she remembered that they had always been with her. Now after so many years, a reunion was taking place.
With another smile - this one of understanding mixed into a smirk - she began to hum again, and waited.
Three hours later - Half an hour to Midnight
The knob turned, and the door to the base opened with a swing that revealed Mai's glowing face and the rest of the alert SPR members. With no hesitation, the young girl half-jogged, half-walked to the opposite side of the seated man. Her expression was hidden, but could be well reflected on the monk beside her - one with a calm smile and serious eyes.
No one had to speak a work to understand what was going on.
Naru put down his long chilled tea as Ayako, Masako and John trailed in behind Mai and Takigawa. Ayako had her arms crossed with a huff, but was undoubtedly willing staying.
Naru remained silent, his observing dark eyes meaningfully resting on each member. As he did so, his hands tightened upon each other. With the expressionless face of his, Naru raised his brows the slightest bit and met eyes with Lin. The Chinese man nodded…and Naru, turning his face back to his partners, smiled a short but gentle smile.
As soon as he'd displayed it, it disappeared and he was standing with the usual piercing stare.
Mai's eyes widened, and she wasn't the only one who had that reaction. Everyone looked at the young man as if he'd just called off the case with a laugh. But they quickly recovered.
"He does have a heart." Ayako whispered to Takigawa. The monk laughed at her.
"He's only a young'in still."
Ayako let out a sharp breath, signaling that she'd heard something she didn't want to. "Don't say it like that…it makes it sound as if I'm old woman evaluating the younger generation."
"Well, it's not too far from the truth."
"WHA -"
"You didn't return here to idly chat did you?" Naru was still Naru Mai laughed to herself.
Takigawa, glad of the young man's save, walked away from the fuming miko who had raised a hand for a prepared strike. John raised a hand in the air and slowly lowered it, palm down. Calm yourself Matsuzaki-san, it's only Takigawa-san after all, he was saying silently with an uneasy smile.
And right off the bat, Naru said: "Lin doesn't approve of a number of us sneaking to the library because it could be a trap set by the murderer...but decided to help us out." He shrugged his shoulders, sending slight movement to the long black jacket he was wearing. "I know it is unlike myself to get so involved in a case that doesn't involve just spirits, but something unusual is occurring within the library."
And Mai is going to attend here with no hopes that she'll be accepted to another school so late into the year…
"But," Ayako started, "We're stuck in here."
Naru looked at her without worry. "However, the doors leading out aren't locked in case there is an emergency. So, I have a plan that I would like to share with you."
...
Officer Haruto was puzzled in more than one way.
He was, by no means, superstitious. However, the intensity of the young man's words were still ringing in his mind with a strange presence.
Do you honestly ask us to believe that the death of the woman had been the cause of some spirits? There's no such thing. This was homicide; murder – and the culprit is on the loose, possibly still near the scene of the crime. We also have orders to keep you all within sight until we can make sure you guys aren't guilty. Because you have no alibis that anyone else can backup...
That was what he'd replied back. However, the situation was strange. The call he'd received had been oddly calm and informative, and upon arriving at the scene, the caller had been no where to be found. The members had insisted that none of them had been the ones to do so.
Haruto, so intent with thought, nearly jumped when the radio attached to his side buzzed with static. He answered to the voice stating both his location and current report. Nothing yet. Tossing a casual glance up to the fourth story of the main building, Haruto's mind yet once again fell back to the SPR. He'd heard of them more than once. And yes, heard of what they had supposedly done.
But once, he'd heard it from people who'd seen the SPR in action. At a large house by the sea…
A young man had witnessed strange spirits and the possession of other family members. Haruto had been there to gather the dead bodies, the ending results of the case. This story had kept Haruto's attention wrapped around the man's every word. His body had been locked in still frame but his mind's eye had ran free, fascinated with this new, darkened side of the spiritual world suddenly at his disposal beneath the starlit sky.
Of course, afterwards he'd thought it all completely absurd. The deaths had been suicide, and only that.
He noticed the lights of the room go out and he dropped his gaze to the campus around him. Most of the chaos had died down hours ago, and now he and a few others were keeping watch for anything suspicious. Haruto was easing his shoulder of pain when an officer standing at one side of the library caught his attention.
What was that man thinking? He was too close to a closed of area and already stalling off course.
"Oy!" Haruto coughed and raised his voice. "Where do you think you're -"
The man was off and running before Haruto could finish his sentence.
"Hey!" His yelling voice had already attracted the attention of the other officers nearby. They turned and immediately spotted the suspicious man, making way towards the entrance.
"After him!"
They ran off with the rush of adrenaline and not stopping to think. Haruto failed to give out orders for a couple of men to stay put, thus failing to notice seven shadows blending into the night, silently running towards the library and dorms.
...
"Ahh…that was risky." Takigawa heaved, panting sharply from the sudden sprinting.
Mai nodded in agreement though he didn't see it, catching her breath much more quickly. She ran a hand across her chilled forehead and looked backwards. "Do you think Ayako and Masako made it to the dorms well?"
"We would have heard some commotion if they had." Naru reassured softly. He closed the door of the library and locked it with the spare keys he'd received from the principal. Carefully he slid them into his pants pockets and ordered the others to quickly follow. He and Lin disappeared into the shelves of books.
"John," Mai whispered, trailing behind her boss. "Make sure Bou-san doesn't die of a heart attack."
"Oy, I'm not that old."
The monk's voice was lost as the priest nodded at the girl, giving a sheepish smile. Lucky for them, Mai's cell phone began to ring.
"Right on time." Mai said as she handed it over to Naru.
He slid the top part open and raised the phone to his ear, listening carefully. His expression made it seem like they had all the time in the world. "Thanks Madoka." Naru raised his eyebrows with a satisfied glint in his eye. "It went well."
...
Haruto watched as the men in front of him caught up to the running officer. He was brought down roughly to the ground, and Haruto realized that the man was not fighting back. He wondered if the other men noticed that something was a bit off. The man only grunted as he was being cuffed and his glasses were crushed, cutting shards into the bridge of his nose.
Haruto grunted with approval. He squat down, flashlight in hand, and tossed the column of brightness into the man's face. "So, young man. What are you doing in an officer's unifor- eh?" His question trailed off as he lifted the end of his cap with a free hand. The man's face was so familiar…
Haruto's voice was suddenly caught in his throat. He stepped back with shock written all over his face. "Y-Yasuhara!"
The young, held down man was squinting from the bright light in his eyes, but looked towards Haruto nonetheless. Yasuhara greeted his father, and smiled.
...
"Madoka, are you ready?"
"Yeah."
"Keep your eyes on the screen at all times." The miko pressed the headphones on the sides and heard them click with a sharp tap. "John…do you hear me?"
A low shaking and dull tap came, and then sound reached her ears. 'H-hai. We've entered the library and are headed towards the second story.' There was a light pause before, 'I think someone is approaching…'
"John?" Ayako called out in earnest. A man was speaking and weither it was Naru or Lin she could not tell. There was the drumming of footsteps, then all that was returned was the sound of static and disconnection. The miko met eyes with Masako. "What do we do..."
All they could do was watch the cameras positioned within the library. "Like John-san said," Masako whispered, motioning Ayako over. "They are jogging to the bottom of the stairway -"
She gasped. Ayako stopped in her steps. The figure of a person was waiting for them at the base of the stairs. Who they saw appear before Lin, Naru, Mai, John and Takigawa, was the last person they'd expected to see.
It was the person everyone had assumed dead.
To be continued…
I actually have no idea what Yasuhara's father does so… :P
