Chapter 10
Monday May 7th : Morning
Cinder-Valor Evocation and Healing (C.V.E.H)
Opening my eyes I came faced with a blinding white light. Letting my eyes focus, the white light turned to ceiling fluorescent lights. My eyes watered at the brightness.
Where am I? A constant beeping kept ringing in my ears, louder and louder it got. My head throbbed and ached, my eyes barely even able to stay open. Everything hurt. My skin felt as it was badly burned.
Beep….Beep….Beep….
Stop. Please, make it stop.
Beep….Beep….Beep….
"I SAID STOP!" I screamed. My body launched forward, in a swift second and gust are air left my body in a perfect circle around me, slamming into every object in its perimeter. Shattering them against the walls. I looked in disbelief at what I had done. I looked at my shaking hands, black markings in the most beautiful knots and patterns covered my entire hands, and up my arms.
"W-what did I do?" I trembled. "What's happening to me!"
A few seconds later the door to the room opened up, five people came rushing towards me, not surprised by the broken equipment scattered on the floor. Two of the five were men, the placed their hands on my shoulders and pushed make back into the bed. Fear ran through me, I squirmed and kicked my legs, trying to free myself from the strangers
"Let go of me!" I got one arm free and punched the nearest man. He stumbled back, holding his nose. The other gentleman, clearly dumbfounded by my action, loosened his grip allowing me to make my escape. I climbed from the bed to the cold floors. The man I punch stood behind me, reaching out to grab my arms. I dodged his attempt, stumbling and tripping over a broken piece of wood. I landed on the floor, quickly grabbing what looked to be a chair leg. I swung and hit him in the knee. Buckling from the impact I jumped to my feet and made my way for the open door. The three others, who were clearing frightened nurses huddled together by the wall. Staying out of harm's way. I got closer to the door but stopped short, the second male blocked my way.
"Who are you!" I yelled out at him
"Stay calm, we are trying to help" He lunged towards me. I did the first thing any woman would do when being attacked. I kicked him as hard as I could right between his legs. Time froze as I watched his eyes go wide with pain, water-filled them. His face got red. And he tumbled to the ground holding his hurt manhood.
"People who are helping don't randomly assault others!" I said as I jumped over his crumbled form, him whimpering on the ground. I made my way out the door. Unaware of my location and where to go. I quickly looked at my surrounding, a long hallway with doors on both sides, tiled white floors and cream colored walls. I had to make a fast decision on which way to run. Screw it, right it is. My bare feet patted down the hallway
"Stop her!" one of the men yelled from my holding room. I looked back at him, leaning against the door frame, still holding his extended self. But what surprised me more was Bou-san helping him and Ayako looking into the destroyed room with a hand covering her mouth. Not paying attention to where I was running too, I slammed into a hardened body. Hands gripped my arms and pinned them to my side. I looked at who I ran into.
"L-Lin" Lin towered over me, looking at me sternly with one eye. Naru came to the side of him, a little surprised to see me. He looked at the scene behind and shook his head "Naru?" I was so confused, where am I?
"Thank you for stopping her" A mans voice rung behind me, looked to him, the man I hit with the chair leg. He looked to be out of breath and limping.
"Lin let go of me! They are trying to hurt me!" I thrashed in Lin's arms.
"No Mia, they are helping you," he said. I felt the other man touch my back,
"I'm sorry Miss, but this is going to hurt" I stared at him with fear in my eyes as he held up a needled with clear liquid in it.
"N-NO -" the initial puncture of the needle itself didn't hurt, its what he injected into me did. Tears streamed down my face as if a dam had opened within, a single scream left my throat as I went limp in Lin's embrace. My entire body broke out in sweat, fire ran through my veins. And the world around me ceased to exist.
"Mummy, can we go to the park!" a little girl ran up to her presumed mother. Dressed in a strapless white sundress, covering her shoulders with a pale yellow cardigan. Her long brown curly hair flowed within the spring breeze. Her face was blurred and unseen. She reached for the little girl,
"Sure we can love. Let us just wait for daddy to get home so we all can go together." she lifted the small child in her arms and rested her on her hips
"Okay" the child pouted and crossed her arms
"Now don't act like that Briar" the women lifted her hand so Brair could see. A single pink rose appeared. The girl's eyes light up with awe and grabbed the blooming flower. "That always cheers you up, my little rosebud." The women started to walk down the stone path towards a large white house.
"You know, one day you won't need me to do that. You'll be able to produce your own roses." she opened the sliding glass door and stepped inside. Setting Briar down on one of the island chairs in the kitchen.
"I'll make roses for sissy!" Briar gushed as she played with her flower. Her mother chuckled
"What about a baby brother" Brair's face crunched and she stuck out her tongue.
"Boys are yukky!" Briar's mom giggled as she made her a small sandwich.
"Well sorry kiddo. You're going to have a yukky little brother"
"No" Brair threw the rose on the ground. An opening and closing door sounded down the hallways, voices could be heard
"Mira!" a man's voice called
"It the kitchen honey!" seconds later a tall man with brown hair appeared wearing a gray suit. Behind him, an older lady in a long purple dress and snow color hair in two long braids followed.
"Welcome home hun." Mira walked around the island, giving her husband a passionate kiss. The old lady walked around the couple and gabbed Brair off the stool
"Now I that how you treat your nana" the women planted kissed all over Briar's chubby cheeks. The girl laughed and giggled
"Hi, Muzzy!" Brair wrapped her arms around the older woman's next. Her father came up and kissed her on her cheek.
"Hi sweetheart," she said, tickling her side
"Hi daddy" she patted his hand away while laughing. He turned back to Mira. "Muzzy is going to be staying here for a few days. Mummy and Daddy have another case" Brair nodded and placed her head on Muzzy's shoulder
"So, how did the doctors go?" He placed a hand on her waist and pulled her close "I am really sorry I couldn't be there. No other earlier flights could be booked"
"James, its alright" she placed a gentle hand on his cheek. Turning towards Muzzy and her daughter.
"Brair, do you want to tell daddy whats in mummy's tummy" Brair puffed her cheeks
"Yukky baby brother" Muzzy laughed at her disdain.
"What!" James looked at Mira with excitement in his eyes "I'm having a son!" he picked Mira up and swung her around "I'm having a baby boy! We are having a boy!" he placed her down and kissed her over and over
"No!" Brair whined "I want a sissy" Everyone laughed.
"How about you help name your brother Brair" Her eyes little up
"Ollie!" Brair clapped "Ollie! Ollie!" she continued to chant
"Ollie?" James looked to Mira "Oliver?" Mira smiled
"I was thinking maybe Eugene" she implied.
"What about Oliver Eugene?" Muzzy asked, looking between the couple.
"I really love that. Oliver Eugene Richardson. Its perfect" Mira smiled as James kissed her temple.
I opened my eyes slowly, my head pounded, and my body throbbed. My vision was hazy, the room was dark besides a single warm lamp that was to my left. I tried to sit up, my arms were bent, my hands rested near my ears, my wrist was in braces. I felt the weight on my ankles, I moved them to find they also were in brown thick leather braces.
"W-whats going on" anxiety washed over me. My heart raced against my chest. I can't move.
"Mai" a cool voice droned to my left. I shifted my gaze. Sitting in a chair at my bedside was Naru.
"Naru. Where am I. What's happening! Why can't I move!?" I looked to him for answers, he sighed and closed his book. Setting it aside on the nightstand.
"Stop panicking. Everything is fine." he stood up and unhooked the braces from my wrists. Then made his way to my ankles. Finally free I sat up and rubbed my joints. "I brought you to this facility. Cinder- Valor Evocation and Healing. CVEH for short."
"Huh?"
"It's a satellite building in Japan that deals with the supernatural. Those Maids that were murdered at the Rosenberg Mansion, CVEH came and took the bodies. Normal police wouldn't handle these situations, let alone believe them. CVEH handles cases like these. People who have been hurt or affected by the paranormal or other supernatural occurrences." Lin, who was in another corner voiced.
"It was a half a day drive to get up here," Ayako said coming to my bedside "But Naru said they could help you" I looked back at Naru
"Do they know what's going on with me?" I asked, begging for answers
"No."
"Great" Mai sighed and looked at her hands, "Kat mentioned something about Carpe. What is that?"
"Carpe's are a myth. Are clan that supposedly lived in ancient times. There is no documents or proof of their existence" Naru said,
"Then how do you explain everything that has been happening to me, those markings that showed"
"When we are in England, I'll talk to my father. Maybe he would know more" Naru stood and walked out of the room.
"I'll be taking my leave. I have a flight to catch this evening" Lin stood as well, walked to the end of the bed "Take care Mai, I'll see you shortly" Lin nodded his head and left.
"Shortly?" Mai looked to Ayako and surprising enough Bou-san was seated on the sofa behind her
"How long has it been?"
Ayako brushed hair out of Mai's face
"A few days." she said softly "We brought you to Rosenberg Hospital after you passed out in the field-"
"You fell right into Naru's arms. Like a princess" Bou-san mocked and pretended to faint. Ayako hit him in the head for acting childish. Mai just blushed, not remembering her actions
"Anyway, you had an extremely high fever, no matter what the doctors did, they couldn't bring it down. They did bandage you up. You're very lucky, you wounds should heal fine, with minimal scarring."
"Then how did I end up here?" The door opened back up in mind question. Naru walked through with a male nurse. It was the man I kicked. I blushed really heard
"Y-you!" I bowed my head in apology "I'm really sorry I kicked you in your—uh—manliness?" Monk collapsed in a fit of laughter.
"It's alright, we shouldn't have sprung on you.." He held a try in his hands, placing it on the bed he handed me a cup of water and two pills "Advil, to help with your head." I nodded in thanks and took the medicine. "I'm sorry it isn't much else we can do for your situation. The board offered for you to stay and do a test to come up with a conclusion. Your Boss over here said that wasn't going to be necessary"
"Naru, they can help me"
"No, we will figure it out in England" The nurse nodded,
"Your boss has your discharge papers. Sign them and bring them to the front desk. There is also a number you can call if you don't find your answers" He picked up the tray and exited the room.
"Man Mai, who knew you had it in you to attack people. You brought down two men twice your size! It was epic. Even the room didn't get off easy" Monk was still laughing away. Ayako hit him again. Mai signed the papers Naru handed her. And looked at the number.
"Are you positive your father can help me?" she looked up at him "I mean if you can't..." she trailed off.
"I might be a genius, but my father is far more knowledgeable than myself." Naru picked up a bag off the ground "There's a change of clothes. Get dressed. We still have to drive a few hours to get home so you can pack."
"Where is everyone else?" she looked inside the bag and took out some clothes
"Madoka, Father. Brown, and Miss. Hara are already in England. Lin is picking up Yasu and heading to the airport for their five o-clock flight. Ours leaves at eight-twenty. Hurry Up" Naru, exited the room with Ayako and Monk.
I strapped the seatbelt around my waist as I looked out the window of the plane. "I really don't know why you upgraded my ticket to business, I was perfectly fine in coach"
"Because I'm in business." He said, pulling a book from his carry on. And an extra, handing it to me. I like reading but not his taste in books.
"No, you were in first class." I took the book from him. Surprised it was a book I would actually read. I blushed a little. Does Naru really pay that much attention to me? "Granted, I'm not complaining. It is a lot comfier then coach."
"There wasn't any extra seats in first class. I need to keep an eye on you"
"Monk and Ayako could have done that"
"Sober?" Naru placed his carry on in the space above us. "Tokugawa doesn't like flying, he sleeps. And Ms. Matsuzaki has had already two glasses of wine before we boarded." I sighed. Agreeing with him. I opened my book, hopefully being able to finish before we land in England. I should its a twelve-hour flight after all.
I awoke from my nap, looked at the flight tracker; little less than two hours left. Thank god. I looked to Naru, who was still reading that oversized book. Mine already long finished. Never realized how fast of a reader I am till this flight. And that was a four-hundred paged book.
"Hey Naru, you never told me how the case ended"
"It ended like normally. After Mr. Rosenberg was burned his daughter Zoe moved on." Never taking his eyes off the book "You were right again. Zoe had nothing to do with the series of events."
"Did she mention what had happened to her?"
"Her father killed her that night Yasu mentioned. When she brought that boy over. Dumped her body in the woods, in an underground cave near the house"
"That's where she took Tiana and I. I don't remember seeing her remains," Mai said softly
"She lead Monk and Lin to them, they buried her and she moved on. Miss. Williams suffered a broken leg but will recover fine. The Mataki returned to the house. Father. Brown purified the property"
"Oh. That's good" She let Naru continue his reading. She looked out the window out to the darkened skies
'I really love that. Oliver Eugene Richardson. Its perfect'
A fragment of her previous dream came to her. She looked at Naru once more. That dream made no sense at all. Sure it had her parents names in them, but she didn't remember those events happening. That's because they didn't. It wasn't real…
...Then why do I have this pit in my stomach
"Weren't you ever taught its rude to stare" Naru coldly scolded her. Not fazed by the tone
"Who were you and Gene named after?" Naru turned to her. Her body shaking as if she was dreading the answer
"Excuse me?"
"When the both of you were adopted. Your parents gave you English names. Oliver and Eugene. Where you named after anyone?" Mai asked with a little edge. Naru looked at her through cold eyes
"It never came up. Nor is it important" getting her answer she turned away. Not once speaking to him for the rest of the flight. Her hand shook in her lap. The rest of the crew landed. A limo waited for them outside the terminal. Both Monk and Ayako, drunk stumbled to the vehicle laughing. Mai and Naru were already inside, waiting for the drunken fools
Tuesdayt May 8th : Morning
England
About forty-five minutes later, the limo pulled up to opening gates. The driveway was lined with blooming trees and flowers.
"T-this is you home!" Ayako hiccuped. Still clearly drunk. Mai exited the limo and gazed at the giant mansion in front of her. Never in her life did she see such a big house. They walked up to the front door, a gentleman in black greeted us and let us in. The rest of SPR was in the foyer waiting, along with two others, a tall gentleman in a dark gray suit, his hair slicked back and graying on the sides. And a beautiful maiden with long golden hair and bright green eyes. Naru's parents.
"Mira?" both of them spoke. Pure astonishment in their voices. Everyone looked at me in question, Madoka was the only one to look away.
"N-no. Mai, her daughter" I said sheepishly. Uncomfortable under everyone's gazes.