Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt. By the way, I edited the format of the last chapter so it's easier to read.

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Case 1: The Wo-Man Eating Killer

Chapter 9: Goodbye…

File 9

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Flashback

There Mai was, being held by a battered and boney zombie body on the other side of the blood filled pool. She had Mai under most of the blood except for her head, which was being held up from her hair by the ghostly hand from the body dangling its feet over the blood. She seemed so…delighted, it was creepy. Mai was struggling terribly and looked like she was in terrible pain, clawing at the hand with her own. "N-no…" she gurgled. Just a few moments ago they were doing something ridiculous all the while Mai was struggling against this! Naru's eyes widened. Hadn't she said in her dream she dreamt that she saw herself drowning in a- OH MY GOD!

End of Flashback

Everybody visible in the room tensed. They knew that the slightest movements could cause harm to their cheerful little Mai. Naru's face ached with emotion. Pain, suffering, fear, worry, anger. All of this towards both Mai and that-that- thing.

"Takeuchi Rio…" Venom laced and drenched over my words. The boney figure tilted its head.

"What's wrong boy? Upset I have your precious little friend? Well don't worry, she's in good care with me…my hands are blood free." The way she phrased that sentence was unbearable.

The fright etched on the young teen girl's face made everyone want to cry. Blood splashed and pooled around the pale blue tile floor surrounding the pool. The skeletal face looked down at her struggling victim. The rest of the hair that was still on her head swayed downwards.

"I feel your fear…but it's nothing compared to mine, child." That's it! It was getting to be too much for anyone to handle. Naru knew that there was one, and one only, way to save Mai. He shut his eyes gently and began to concentrate. With his right hand, he latched on to his left arm, steadying it up in the air. It was when a small force pushed up against everyone when Lin noticed what the boy was doing.

"Naru don't!" He shouted.

But it was too late. He aimed his hand towards Takeuchi-san and a bright yellow lightning bolt of energy shot through the air. A sickening THUD and a CRACK resounded in the room. Takeuchi screamed and wailed, dropping Mai into the blood filled container to grip onto herself. Naru felt himself almost lose it. Without thinking he jumped into the pool to save the girl.

"NO!" Naru's guardian called. The tall and usually stoic man flew past the confused faces everyone held and jumped after his friend.

Naru used his PK, and a lot of it. He can't be straining himself now! Mai's body, exhausted, sunk to the bottom of the deep-end.

I guess this is the end, huh? She thought. She felt herself getting lighter and lighter, slipping away as the crimson liquid filled her lungs and nostrils. It was thicker than water and more painful than she imagined, but she held up no struggle.

As she was about to lose reality for good, a tight arm wrapped around her waist. If it weren't for her exhaustion and the fact that blood was surrounding her, her eyes would have shot open in a heartbeat.

It didn't feel too familiar, though. She wondered slightly over whom it was who had saved her. She was sure she heard two people plunge in after her, too.

Her ability to think clearly had disappeared along with her ability to keep conscious any longer. Soon, her body surfaced to air, but she was unable to even throw a coughing fit. No, she was already slipped into the darkness.

Normal POV:

Lin, Naru, and Mai had been down in the pool for what seemed like ages. But really, it was only a few minutes. Finally, the three bodies surfaced. Two lungs gasping for air. The third; quiet and still.

Lin was holding both teens under his arms, swimming as fast as possible to the edge. He lifted the two scarlet soaked people up and laid them down, lifting himself up. The only sound was the ripple effect of liquid and the heavy breathing of everyone.

Ayako soon rushed to her senses, and looked helplessly between the three.

"I'm fine. I'll take care of Naru. Help Mai, now! Someone call an ambulance!" The older man screamed.

Naru's body soon collapsed with Mai's. Yasuhara whipped out his cell phone, punching in numbers at a rapid pace.

Placing the phone to his ear he said in a hurry. "We have two people unconscious, who nearly drowned here! I need an ambulance!" A/N: I have no clue what the address was and was too lazy to make one up (;

John, Masako, Yasuhara, and Bou-san stood still with trepidation. What was going to happen? Why didn't I do anything? No, why can't I do something? Those questions swum around in the fours' heads.

Ayako began pumping Mai's chest, attempting to get her to cough whatever blood was still in her out. But to no avail, she was still. Next thing, she checked for pulse and nearly fell over. "Her pulse is low, but it's something."

Lin nodded. "Naru's pulse is normal, but he's suffered severely." The sound of sirens arose and Yasuhara snapped his head up. He, along with the monk, ran out to direct the medical aids to where they were. Suddenly, about a dozen doctors and such swarmed the room. Ayako frantically talked to the two main doctors and they nodded along. A woman and man placed the unconscious teens on stretchers lifting them up and carrying them to the ambulance itself.

One of the head doctors cleared his throat. Everyone silenced. "It's a good thing we got here when we did. We thank you for all the information Dr. Matsuzaki, it's greatly appreciated. It's certain that the boy, Shibuya-san, will be alright as long as he gets a weeks' rest in the hospital. As for the girl, Taniyama-san, we're unsure. Normally people die of lose of too much blood, not because of inhaling too much."

Everyone gasped. "W-What…She's going to die?" Masako whispered.

The Doctor seemed to realized his mistake and shook his hands, "No, no. The probability of her living is high, but, the chances of her waking up, are low…"The man frowned, his shaggy brown hair moving to the side as he walked forward.

He handed a card to Lin. "You seem to be the man in charge here; this is the hospital they'll be sent to. Please come as soon as possible. And as for what's gone on here, "He started, directing that at the pool filled with blood and the strange teens/adults, ",we'll leave the questions for later." With those last few words, the man walked off.

John lowered his head, saying a silent prayer. "Let's go." Bou-san said seriously.

An Hour Later; the Hospital

Outside of the Emergency room where Mai was being worked on, all of SPR sat speechless on the light blue hospital chairs. Naru had been taken down to his own room for examination and rest, perfectly safe and not as damaged any longer. Nurses and doctors rarely walked by them. When they did though, they would frown. It's not every day a large group of bloody, exhausted people sit outside the ER, heads in their hands, moping in the long, empty and silent corridor. Well, actually it is, without the bloody part.

Another hour swam by. Masako's head sagged onto John's shoulder as she slept, tears stains still streaking her rosy cheeks. John's eyes were silently closed, his head tilted back against the beige wall. Lin talked on the phone quietly from down the hall, presumably calling Madoka. Ayako and Bou-san had gone to take a walk and relieve some stress. Lin shut his phone and walked back towards the group. At that same precise moment, one of the surgical doctors stepped out of the surgery ward where Mai was being held. Seeing as to how only the tall man remained awake, she approached wearily.

Lin gave a curt nod, "How is Taniyama-san's current state?"

The doctor, Doctor Ayaka, smiled sadly, "Taniyama-san…is in comatose state. Her body inhaled too much blood but luckily we were able to pump it out of her system. The thickness of it caused her to injure her kidney, which had to be replaced. Fortunately, one of our previous patients passed on before he was able to receive his kidney transplant, which enabled Taniyama-san to take the donated organ in his place. It was rather recent so we had time, just about made it. She also has a slight head concussion. We found bruises along her scalp and so we believe the reason to be is violent manor towards her head. That would be all…I'm very sorry. If she does not awaken within the next 4 days…I wouldn't keep your hopes up. But, we'll have her remain here if that is the case, if you'd like."

Lin nodded slowly. The older man closed his eyes briefly. Re-opening them, worry and sadness etched into his normally masked face. The cheerful and sunny girl who had easily made everyone happy was in comatose. That same girl managed to bring joy to everyone and anything. No matter what, she always smiled and looked on the brightside. She had lost about everything but she didn't mind, no, she acted as though she had everything she needed. This for her was true. All she ever needed, all she ever wanted, was a family. And we gave her that to cherish and hold. She held us together and gave each and every one of us a bond, and something to appreciate. She opened up us all and put a special place in our hearts, something that only very few did for Naru and Lin. She never got seriously mad or frustrated at anyone and would forgive almost anyone. Mai Taniyama, the daylight of SPR, their close friend, their new found 'family' member, was in a sleeping state and might not wake up. Reality hit, and it hit hard. Mai might not wake up.

"Lin-san? I need you to fill out these forms for Taniyama-san, if you will. When you are finished you may hand them to one of the nurses at the desk. We will be transferring her to the ICU until further notice. Her room number would be B114. Ask a nurse for assistance on escorting you there. Thank you." With a pat on the back and a hearty smile, the Doctor left Lin standing there, for the first time ever, dumbfounded.

He glanced down at the packet of papers on his hand. There were maybe three or four he had to fill out. Massaging his temples, he took a seat, removed the pen from the clipboard the papers were attached to, and got writing.

In half an hour's time, each form was done and ready to go. Some parts were difficult to answer but they are complete. The tall man stood back up, bringing the packet to the receptionist's desk not a few feet away from him. Sighing, he hand the papers to a female nurse in her late forties.

"These are Taniyama Mai's form papers. I was told to leave them with you. And also, to get an escort to Room B114."

The woman smiled up at him, "Of course, sir." Pressing a dark red button on the wall, she spoke into the speaker, "Shii, your needed to escort a young man. Report back, please." After lifting her finger from the button, she told me, "He'll be a minute or so. I'll get to work on these papers, then. Thank you, sir. You may take a seat."

The man did as told and patiently awaited the nurse. After five minutes, a young man wheeled around the corner. Out of breath, he spoke up, "I'm here, ma'am. Who- pant pant- needs the- pant- escort?"

A vein popped on Lin's head. "Excuse me," the man spoke up, standing, "that would be me. Room B114, if that's not too much trouble." The younger one of the two looked intimated and winced.

"Y-Yes sir," he saluted. The nurse Lin had spoken to a few minutes before hand waved her hand at him, signaling for him to come over.

She leaned up into his ear, "It's his first day, go easy on 'em." Lin nodded his head, and silently followed the boy in tow. It was tense and quiet. The boy, Lin had learned from his nametag was named Shii, stopped a few halls down and opened up the large double doors. Above it, in bright red, were the words ICU. That was where Mai was. Just the thought of seeing his companion again, made him smile lightly. Something, almost no one could do. Mai, to him, was like the crazy yet enjoyable niece. A/N: Yeah, this is Lin. In my world, Lin has to be with Madoka. And only occasionally Mai.

Taking in a breath, he prepared to enter the door labeled B114. She could be awake right now, but she isn't, he thought glumly. Shii bid him a dew and left.

Lin lifted his hand, and pushed open the doors. It was brighter in here than it was out there. Makes it…nicer. But still not fun. At all. In any perspective.

Glimpsing upwards, he caught sight of a rather pale body, the color slowly returning to it. Many different machines surrounded her and a good handful of tubes were poking out of her. She had on a breathing mask and her heart monitor was beating at a slow pace, but it was something and that's was counts.

Striding towards his 'niece,' Lin put his hand on Mai's heart gently, but it caused her heart monitor to go up to normal speed, if only for a moment. To say he was surprised was an understatement. "Mai…san?" He asked the air. This time, her finger twitched. Lin's eyes widened. She could hear him. She could feel him. Quietly, he whipped out his cell phone. The first number that came to mind was Naru. Naru would want to know this. But, he was in the hospital as well. Punching in seven digits, Lin decided on calling up the priestess.

The agony of each ring was endless. Until finally, the other line picked up. A horse voice came on, probably from crying. "Lin-san? W-Where- where are you?"

"I'm in the ICU, Mai's room, Matsuzaki-san. I- Mai-san is- she can hear me talking to her." He left it hanging. I don't know whether the doctor was more shocked that Lin stuttered, he had said Mai-san or the fact that Mai was partly conscious.

The reply was short, but enough, "I'm on my way down."

Juliet: Good news, there WILL be a sequel! *Squeals* I'm so excited!

Mai: I hope you can keep up with all four stories your doing…

Juliet: I can, because its summer and I got my computer fixed, FINALLY.

Mai: I wish you the best of luck. So people, being as it's the last chapter of this story, (not a very good story)review to your heart's content! Review, because Juliet needs some feedback here! The sequel will be MUCH better than this story, according to Juliet. So, REVIEW. And please, READ THE SEQUEL WHEN IT COMES OUT(: And by the way, sorry this is a short chapter, but if I wrote anymore, the suspense would fly away! YOU BETTA READ THE SEQUEL AND FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS!