Disclaimer: Don't own Ghost Hunt, or Blue Lagoon, I just use them for my entertainment to play with.
Chapter Four: Neighbors
Naru POV
"A little more towards the right," Mai shouts while I glance down at her from the hole of the roof, the next day after she saw the ghost.
The hole looks like it was burnt out, but there's no residue of any fire mark which is weird.
"I haven't even started, why are saying that?" I asked in wonder. Since yesterday's incident, she seems a little more on the edge.
I haven't told her, but she's been waking me up in the middle of the night, from her screams. She won't say anything, so I won't ask. I have a good feeling that it has to do with the fire and the ghost. I wonder how many souls live on this island?
One thing is for sure, she looks exhausted, just like me, but I hid it well, so she won't worry about me.
"Oh, sorry, well, err, do you have the lumber?" she clears her throat. I have found some lumber behind the tree yesterday afternoon, right after arriving to prepare dinner. They seem in pretty good shape, oddly enough, not half-eaten or rotting away.
"Yes, I brought it with me," I answered, grabbing the lumber and placed it over the top of the hole, watching Mai leave the treehouse. I look up at the blue sky, taking a breath.
To tell you the truth, I'm not used to this, and yet, I know I have to be strong but is not easy. Six days stuck here and it feels like an eternity.
"Hello," Mai surprises me, while appearing in front of me, I jump back startled by her sudden presence. Clearing my throat, a smile sneaked into her red lips.
Cunning girl, is dangerous here, what in the world is she doing?
"Why are you here? I'm not sure if this roof can hold both of us." I scolded. Mai faces me, while my eyes betrayed me, and automatically landed on her outfit. My eyes landed on the flat of her exposed stomach, then it traveled up to her breasts, seems to blend perfectly with the brown shirt, noticing that her breasts grew more from the last time I took real notice. I gulped, looking away, feeling like I just did something dirty.
It's hot, I know modern girls wear this, but... This is Mai. I.. shouldn't even think of it. Lucky girl, I know my limits, if I was someone else, I wouldn't hold back. She would be in big trouble, but since when she got bustier?
Shaking my head, trying to filter out my thoughts, the thoughts of doing more than just stare at her flushed in my mind, but not lustful, it's a weird feeling. I can't name it. I don't understand it, but the thought of it makes my heart race in a strange matter, that my chest warms up at the thought.
"Ah, I forgot to tell you, you look rather handsome wearing the white shirt and black pants, it suits you, you look more tropical now." she smiles, watching her eyes travel down on me, making me shiver a little. I can see the innocence in her look, as a blush passes her cheeks.
One of the reasons I respect Mai, she's too darn innocent and naïve at times. While there's no other male around, she's safe.
"I know, if you're going to flirt with me, then don't, just hold the limber down, so I can nail it down since you're here." I place the other lumber next to the other. Mai becomes annoyed, groaning under her breath.
"Jerk, and I wasn't flirting with you. I have a better reaction to a wall than you. I just simply told you a fact, nothing else, so don't flatter yourself.." she avoids my eyes, taking notice that she covers her chest with her arm. I just cleared my throat, feeling uncomfortable, I know she's not feeling it as well.
I hope that ship comes by now, or Mai has to change into her original clothes.
"I'm not flattering myself, just stating a fact, now hold it tight," I wave my rock, placing the nail down.
About twenty minutes later, I think, since the time here seems so weird. I finished nailing down the lumber, wiping my sweaty forehead with my arm, I look at her catching her observing my job, with a critical eye.
"You think it won't leak? I mean, it can get through the cracks," Mai whispers, placing her hand on top of it. I stare at it, then turned around to grab an old red blanket that I found downstairs two days ago.
"I'll place this on top of it and nail it down, just in case.."
"Are you sure? I mean, don't we have one less thing to cover ourselves?"
"There's plenty of quilts downstairs," I assured her while standing up, carefully I drape the blanket on top and stretched it.
Mai helps me out to take out the air under it and adjust it with me. After a few minutes, we finally finished. Satisfied with our work, Mai and I move carefully down the roof, using a small latter that I found inside the treehouse. I helped Mai get down, so she won't harm herself.
"This is pretty cool, we're building a home. Hey, do you want to take a walk around? We haven't left all morning and from the window, we haven't spotted any ship, so, can we? We have been working all morning." she asks, turning to face me, pleading with her brown eyes.
"I was wondering what other places we can explore, to get to learn more. See if we can solve this, and try to find a way back home.." I told her, going up towards the second floor to get the knife. Mai nods, waiting for me.
Taking the knife, I place it on my waistband of the pants, going back downstairs; Mai is holding a canteen that we found a few days ago.
"We are running low on water and fruits. Do you think we can find another source of food? And I'm not willing to kill a wild animal, I was traumatized by the gutting of the fish last night.." her face scrunches as she shivered.
"You learned, right?"
"Yes, but.."
"But nothing, you have to learn how to survive, when you have nothing, but the wildlife, all reasons leaves a man and do what they have to survive. Plus, no one will know." and before she could argue, even more, I turned to look at her, but instead of arguing with me she only said.
"I know, I just don't want to kill an animal to eat it,"
"I'm not going to argue about that Mai, let's just go.." reaching the bottom, I memorized the pathways.
"I'm not going to argue with you," I heard her whisper under her breath.
I just changed the subject, not wanting to take this to a whole new level.
"Do you remember the way to go to the shore or the stream?" I asked to make sure if we do separate, at least I don't have to worry about her getting lost.
"Not a hundred percent, but through the shore path I remember it," she confirms, moving towards my side.
"You know, I feel like I'm in a movie or something, ah, I know, that American show I watched over online."
"It does?"
"Yes, is like ah, Tarzan mix with a movie I have seen before, which I thought was a beautiful romantic movie," she whispers, tapping her lower lip with her index finger.
"What's the name?"
"Blue Lagoon, have you seen it?"
"No." I heard about it since it's my mother's few favorite movies. I just decline to see it.
"Oh, I figure, since it's not your type of movie, it's romantic. It's about a young boy and girl that gets stranded on an island just like this, with some older man. He dies, so the children end up surviving. After a few years pass, the children grow up and develops feeling for each other, and eventually fall in love." she paused, as a blush passes her cheeks.
"Not that romantic."
"It is, I mean they argued at times, and such, but it's so cute. They discover how grown-ups act when they are attracted to each other, and stuff and since they didn't know how babies are made, they kept making love to each other until she ended up pregnant. They didn't know, until one night her water broke or something in those lines. They took care of the baby and such. Ending of the movie: finally, a ship founds them, I can't remember if they were found alive or dead. I know they ate some sort of fruit and fell asleep on a boat. I have seen it a few years ago." she whispers, noticing her voice drops.
"How is that similar to our situation? We are already grown, and we don't have any feelings for each other." I didn't find myself particularly liking those words that came out of my mouth.
"Well, I don't know. One thing is that I have one thing in common with the lead girl.." her voice seems to drop a little.
"What's that? In love with the main character?" I challenged, remembering her words.
Mai's eyes widen, hurt pass through them, hurting me from her reaction. I don't know how to react to this.
"No, I meant, that I never kiss a guy, so like her, before the main guy kisses her, she had no idea what that felt like, just like me." her gaze drops on the ground, taking a huge step away from me. My heart jumped painfully against my ribs.
"You're not the only one, so don't worry, you won't be alone in that department," I admitted, not sure why I didn't give a sly remark but felt a sense of relief dawning in me.
I did give mouth to mouth to Mai.
I bit my lower lip, remembering how soft her lips felt. Yet that didn't count.
"You never kiss a guy?" she surprises me with her words, as I felt a vein pop out, just from her sudden words.
"Really? Or you are just playing stupid with me?"
"Hey, I'm not, I.. Oh... You mean you haven't kissed a girl before, sorry.." she nervously rubs her back with a cracked chuckle, but then it dawns on her, as her eyes widen.
"Oh... I thought you did. I mean, you have many girls throwing themselves at you. I don't know... I imagined you already did.." she shrugs, not taking notice that she seems, relief about this new information.
"I'm not much with human contact Mai. I don't believe in getting physical with no woman. I have my reasons." I told her that much.
Cause, none seem to interest me, and from everything I have lived, so far, and seen in this line of work. It's hard to attach myself to someone to open up. Yet... Why do I feel at ease to know that for the last year, that I have been absent, Mai never kissed anyone. That makes me feel happy. So that makes me the first person to touch her lips?
Finally reaching the stream, we started to walk in the opposite direction of the fish pond we found yesterday.
"I hope you do, when we return, you'll find a good woman for your liking. It's not like we are missing anything. It makes me cringe a little just thinking about.." she admits, sticking out her tongue in a disgusting matter.
"Cringe? Why?"
"I don't know, it just does. Well, I shouldn't say anything until I get my first kiss, then I tell you.." she smiles at me, but I took notice that it didn't reach her eyes, only hurt.
"Let just change the subject," I admitted, looking up at the stream, watching as the water ran down. Mai gave me one last look, nodding her head.
"See, we are familiar from the movie. The only difference is that we don't love each other and that we have ghosts on this island.."
I cross my arms, as a sudden sadness pass over me, but shrugged it off.
"And that's our reality Mai and don't you forget it. Remember, I'm just your boss and you're my assistant."
Mai POV
"Look at that, mangos," I pointed above me, watching a monkey sitting on top of a branch eating a banana near the mangoes on his right side.
"You're pointing at the mangos, instead of that monkey?" Naru asks, as though he found it hard to believe.
"Hey, don't judge me, I haven't had mangoes for a while now and if I had a camera, I would have taken a picture of the monkey. Either way, it's cute the way he or she eats the banana." I realized, stepping forward to get a better view, arching my head up to get a better view.
"Enjoy, it's not every day we get to see that," Naru whispers on my left ear causing me to shiver. I slightly turn my head to see him dangerously close to me, he turns his blue eyes to lock with mine, my breath caught, as I fist my hand, trying to control my breath.
He doesn't love me, he said it himself, we are coworkers, he's my boss. Yet... Why am I happy that he hasn't kissed any girl? I wonder if he could kiss me. Even just a peck, I would like to know, how that feels like, especially to the man I like. I wouldn't mind.
I bit my lower lip, once again that desire hits me, as my eyes turn heavy, my breathing matching the heaviness, aching. He arched a brow, as the monkey threw the tip of the banana near my feet, jolting me out of my spell.
I cleared my throat, jumping back. I turned my gaze back towards the monkey as I rub my chest, trying to calm down my heart. Naru rubs his lips, trying to hide his amused smile, and shook his head.
"We should keep going, to see if we can find anything useful," Naru states, moving forward.
"But the mangoes, can we take some home? They are useful Naru." I asked, feeling the urge to have a feast.
"When we return okay.." he confirms, like a father complimenting his daughter. I smiled at him, feeling happy about that, that I jump with delight.
"Really? Good, so let's go." I started to move ahead. A loud roaring noise it's heard on our right, past the long trees. I watch as a flock of birds, and the monkey fleeing away.
Stopping on track, I turned to face Naru.
"Did you just heard that?" My heart started to beat a mile per second, when the roar seems to get closer and closer, that I felt the earth under my feet tremble.
"I think we, no, we should run," Naru didn't hesitate, taking a hold of my hand and pulls me forward, starting to run.. Yet, I forced myself to stop, making Naru pull back.
"Mai!" he hissed under his breath when I turned my head to stare at a huge boar that seems to arrive at the edge of the stream, taking a sip.
"Look a boar.." Pointing at it, I watch it dust himself or herself, not sure of the gender, leaving a cloud of dust behind.
"Boar?" Naru repeats, turning his gaze, staring at the boar, using its tusks to wash off from the water.
"It makes a lot of noise, I think it just needed some water or something," I turned my gaze, to see Naru running his free hand through his hair.
"Luckily we moved away, if we had stayed, it would be likely it could have chased us, do you understand?" He stated matter of fact. I shyly nodded, moving to face the boar once more, watching it lay down, closing its eyes.
"We should keep going, or not, we will be in trouble when it wakes," I suggested, turning to face Naru once more, only to take one little notice. My heart started to hammer hard against my ribs.
We held each other hand, but for some odd reason, it seems more intimate than before? Cause right now, his hands feel warm, protective, and big. It felt right against mine. All I wanted is to keep holding his hand. I bit my lower lip feeling my cheeks grow warm.
"So we know now, that we have wild boars around and monkeys, so we need to be careful when we travel. Also. I think we should head back now, I have to keep fixing the treehouse.." Naru didn't notice that he was still holding my hand while he spoke since he was looking at the boar all of this time.
Why did he ruffle my hair yesterday? That seems so unlike him, yet... So like him? Just being on the island for a week is making my brain mush or something.
"Alright, until we learn the way. Also, we need to recap on the ghost on which came yesterday." I mumbled the last part, looking at the ground. I shivered, from the memory-making Naru glance down at me.
"Fire, seems to be a big element, we should go.." glancing up, he seems lost in thought, then I watch him glance at our join hands.
He lets go so fast, as though he just touched a hot iron or something. Making me feel alone and cold. My heart began to hurts.
He retreats as though I'm a disease or something.
"Yeah," I agree, clearing my throat, placing my hand behind my back.
Don't you know Naru, that your actions, just like that, hurt me? Can't you just treat me as a friend rather than a disease? Can't you hear that I'm crying on the inside?
###
"Hey, I forgot to ask, what made you take this case?" I asked, trying to sound like my old self, since we returned, we have been quiet for some hours now.
"Do you want to know?" Naru asks, watching him pull the chest towards the open window, then taking out more men's clothing.
"I wouldn't be asking you if I didn't want to know. Since we are stuck in this God-forsaken place, I want to know why my loving boss took this case? I didn't even dream about it." I get on my knees, looking more thoroughly inside the other chest he left behind.
"Gene told me to take it," he admits, making me lift my gaze to stare at him surprised that he told me.
"What? Wait, did you just answered me?" He turns his gaze at me and gave me that stoic look once again.
"You asked. He visited in my dreams and told me to take a case that involves a ghost that is haunting a village. That's all." he shrugs, placing some pants down on the ground, to stare at me. I stare back at him, trying to think.
"Did he say anything in particular? Why would you even take it? You don't normally take cases like this, without hard facts or such.."
"He said that time will tell, and he said that it will satisfy my curiosity. That's all." Sitting, I cross my arms, staring at the ground.
"Something seems off, this whole trip is. Why would Gene say that time will tell, and satisfy your curiosity? Why? What made you take it Naru, not from those simple words you would say yes.." Naru simply stares at me, noticing how deep in thought they look, then he shook his head.
"Let's just say... I was stupid enough to believe in my own brother's words, that's all. Now we are stuck in this place, with some ghosts and animals being our neighbors instead of humans." he complains, turning back to do his business.
Biting my lower lip, I rose my sight, to stare at the new patch hole on the ceiling.
"I'm going to look it as another way. From what I have learned from this job, nothing is for nothing. Everything has a background story or a reason for us to appear. Just when I met you... It was to help you find your brother, even though you had to lie," I hissed the last part out.
"So you're saying that Gene had this planned out?" he asks as though he didn't hear my last remark.
"You said it yourself, Naru, he did, and for that reason, he can't reach my dreams, last time I talked to him was last week, now that I remember, he did say something odd," now that it came back to me, I knitted my brows together confused by this.
"That is?"
"Gene said that time will tell and that I have to be careful. I didn't think anything of importance, but there was something that he whispered in my ear,"
This time I lower my head, to see that Naru moved closer, sitting next to me, with a leg up. I did a double-take since I didn't hear him move.
Sometimes, he's like a ninja.
I shook my head.
"Do you remember what he whispered?" he asks. Blushing, since my eyes landed on his naked torso, his white shirt is slit open, revealing a little too much of his skin. I gulped, moving my body a little away from him since I still feel uncomfortable with my attire.
I did mean it, what I said earlier today, he does look handsome with those half short pants, that reach to his ankle, as well as his white shirt that is slit open in the middle, revealing his chest, and his hair wildly tossed to the side, made him look like a movie star or something, like a pirate, more likely... Darn him for being incredibly handsome.
"Mai," I heard him say, snapping out of my daze, I saw him wave his hand in front of my face.
"Huh?" I blushed, even more, taking a huge notice, that I was staring at his chest, aching to lay my head on top of it and hear his heart. Okay, I read a little too many romance novels and mangas.
"Don't make me repeat myself," he warns me.
"Oh, the whisper," retreating my gaze, so he won't catch me staring like a peeping tom, I cleared my throat, waving my hand like a fan.
"It's hot, too damn hot. Yes, I remember."
"So?"
"So?" I repeated, not getting why he's being pushy, I'm getting sidetrack. This is so messed up.
I should've been stuck with Bou-san or Lin, at least I'm not attracted to them.
"Mai!" He draws me back with a stern look causing me to remember what we were talking about.
"Oh, yeah, he whispered that..." I blinked, trying to remember it.
"You forgot didn't you," he stated as a matter of fact.
"I did," I lower my head in shame, hearing him groan.
"Sorry I forgot, I mean, I thought it wasn't very important, that he said that in ten, both shall be free." my eyes widen, clapping my hands.
"Aha, I remember, he said at ten, both shall be free." Turning my gaze, Naru gave me an odd look.
"At ten, you shall be free? What the hell does that mean?"
"I don't know, you're the smart one here."
"I don't have enough evidence, nor backup to decipher this. Either way, it can mean many things. Ten hours, Ten months, years, minutes, or just a number ten.." he shrugs.
"All, I knew that he wanted me to get this case, and he did a pretty good job convincing me. He knew that we'll be stuck here, that's why he hinted us out. He can't reach us. So we are stuck in our own."
"Alright then, what about the ghost I saw yesterday? The fire? The man, the woman, this place, We have to do something." I suggested, rubbing my temples.
"I doubt that will be the last ghost you'll see... The fire can have a meaning, or something or being used on this island. This place looks like many people lived here before. From the clothing, we found men and women. Also.." he paused, when he stood, heading for the chest. I followed him with my gaze, when he takes out a small blue bag, from the chest.
"What's that?" I asked. Naru comes towards my side and this time sits in front of me.
"Toys, children's toys." he just opens the blue bag and tilts it over, to reveal many small toys, such as a raddle, a toy giraffe, and a train toy, very old fashion toys.
"There were children here? I haven't seen any children in my dreams and the ghost I saw was in a uniform, I think of war world 2.." I shivered from that. Naru lifted his gaze from the toys, giving me a stern look.
"Maybe they escaped. We can't be sure. At least we are well prepared at the clothing department, and I discovered some books behind the log I threw away yesterday." I saw a spark in his eyes.
"Then go and read it, see if you can find anything useful. Then what should I cook for dinner?"
"We have some mangos that we picked up and other fruits, so a fruit salad and we have plenty of water, that we picked up. Until I can find things more edible food, we have to be careful what we eat."
"Okay, you know, since it's only six days, eating this organic food has made me feel more energetic than ever, and I think my skin got better." I smiled, feeling happy about it.
"Then, you're in luck, until then, we have free organic food all over." He stood, placing all the toys back where he found them and heading for the second floor. Standing up, I went up towards the window, to stare outside to see the view of the ocean.
Taking notice, from a large distance, a dark cloud was forming.
I hope is not another storm. We still trying to set up here.
I bend down, to grab the mirror, and hoisted it up.
"I have the perfect place for you." I smiled, heading up the stairs.
"Naru, I have the perfect place to put this old mirror," I chime, going up to him, as he lowers the book to arch a brow up. He sat a few feet away from my bed, with his back leaning against the wall.
"Where?"
"Here," I peeped, stepping over his legs.
I place the mirror on top of an old rock stable thing near his bed since I reattached it, placing some pillow around, to make sure that the mirror won't fall.
Placing it in between the pillows, I place my hands on my hip with a grin on my face.
"Perfect, and I made sure that it won't fall. Unless there's an earthquake or something." I told him. Naru stares at the mirror but doesn't comment on it.
"Oh, there's a black cloud forming near the mountains, it can indicate a storm." I sat across Naru.
"Then we have to restock, and make sure everything is secure, just in case.. I'll get on it in a few," he mumbles, retrieving his sight back at the book.
"What is the book about?"
"Herbs, and animals... Guess what year it was copyrighted." he challenged. I shrug my shoulders, rolling my eyes.
"Such a book nerd, but either way, I don't know, 1929," I took a shot. Naru lowers the book, staring at me as though I just said something intelligent.
"Spot on... This will be very helpful. The owner of this book was a guy named John Coleman."
"Anyone you heard about?"
"Nope."
"Oh... Hey, have you found anything, a written journal, or a diary? From what I remember in the movies and on books in real life, that people back then use to write a lot." I remembered, from what I have studied of the history books.
"There are many books, if you want, go look. I'll just want to memorize, just in case," he suggested.
I glanced behind him, to see a bunch of old books stacked on top of each other, about three rows of them. I felt a sweat drop behind my head and nervously laughed.
"Wow, that's a lot. Okay... An hour of reading, then we go and stalk up, okay.."
"Yes, mom," Naru seriously grumble. I took in a breath shaking my head.
"I don't get you. You are like a different personality here." I sat in front of the stack of books, next to Naru. Naru stares at me blankly, just blinking, which to tell you the truth, is quite creepy, but then lifts his book, and ignores me completely.. I almost dropped down in annoyance, but shrugged it off.
"So not creepy at all." I shivered, starting to search for a diary or journal.
O.O
I stretched my aching back after we finally finished adjusting the treehouse, to make sure that is strong enough to withstand the storm. For the last two hours, the sky has become so dark, that anyone would confuse it as nighttime.
Looking out the window, I watch the waves turning rougher by the second.
"Let's hope that the roof patch can withstand the storm."
"I hope so too, and if it lasted this long, I think it can withstand another one. Luckily we stock up on food and water, that counts.." I smiled, to see in front of me, Naru leaning against the wall using his right shoulder, cross arms, just staring at the outside.
"I haven't found anything yet, too many books to look through, but some of these books go back, in the early 18th century and early 19th... Weird." I told him, causing him to look back at me.
"Looks like those people that have inhabited this treehouse, have been from different periods."
"I can guess that.. Hey Naru, do you think our friends still looking for us?" I felt saddened by the thought of them giving up.
"Highly doubt it. It's only been six days. Lin saw me using a floating device."
"Oh... Okay," not sure if that his words are soothing me. Lowering my gaze, a sudden chill pass through me, once again, then I jumped in fright, when a big thunderbolt flashes in the ocean, making a huge thunderous sound.
"It's just thunder," Naru took notice as I hold in my chest, trying to control my beating heart.
"I don't like thunder and I just felt cold. It's like a hundred degrees in here, why would I feel cold. I do admit though, is quite refreshing." I added, trying to get my mind out of the odd feeling.
"Ghost.." Naru simply says. I stare at him, shaking my head.
"Geez, thanks, I can tell how much you care about me." I paused, when I heard a small voice, actually more like a giggle of a child behind me. My eyes widen.
"Please tell me you heard that?" I pleaded, moving towards Naru's side.
"I heard it," he confirms, making me breathe out relieved. Turning my head, reaching Naru's side, the cold seems to be increased by the second.
Then I heard a raddle, a child raddle. Gulping hard, I felt something gently hit my barefoot. Looking down, the raddle that Naru place inside the bag earlier, lay next to me.
"Okay, this is just. Oh God, I have to pick it up don't I?" I groaned, but what surprised me, when Naru bends down taking it instead.
"Ne?"
"How did it leave its bag?" I whispered, watching Naru stare at the raddle.
He lifted his gaze since he is still bent, his face is the same length as mine. I blushed, feeling his warm breath brush against my skin.
"The baby ghost did it. Maybe it wants to show us something.." He shrugs, straightens up.
'BOOM!' another thunderstruck, making me jump, wrapping my arms around Naru's shoulders shaking like a twig... I felt Naru go stiff.
"Mai?"
"Give me a minute. I told you I hate thunder.." I press my face on the side of his neck not caring how embarrassing this is.
I hate thunders since I was a child.
Feeling a hand on my shoulder, I took a step back, trying to calm myself down.
"Sorry, I know how much you don't like being touched," I whispered, rubbing the back of my head, feeling my heart beating hard, not sure from the fright or from being bold enough to hug him.
"We have a ghost here, and your more scare of thunder?"
"Right now, yes. And, where's the raddle?" I asked, noticing that he wasn't holding it any longer. A giggle is heard again when I felt something on my hand. Lifting my right hand, the raddle is firmly in my hand, my hand began to shake.
"Please tell me you placed it in my hand?"
"I haven't.." Naru truthfully tells me, then my eyes widen, watching Naru disappear.
"What the?" I whispered, watching a tall, lean man appear in front of me. He somewhat similar to Naru, but older, with a beard, wearing the same clothes as Naru. He is holding a baby, that giggle in his arms.
"Hayato, stop fussing Mama will be here in a few. She went to take a bath." his voice is deep, familiar, like a mix of Lin, and yet it isn't. The baby giggles, even more, noticing that Hayato's eyes are a deep green, like her father.
The man lifts his sight, as though he could see me and a deep sadness passes his eyes.
"I have no idea, what I have done to deserve the love of my wife or to have you. I promise you will not live on this God-forsaken island. Not like us. He will never get you. Even if time has stopped for us. You will grow, and will have a good life." He kisses the baby's head tenderly.
I felt my heart warms at the scene, wondering what happen to him, to the baby, and his wife.
"What happened?" I whispered, causing the man to lift his gaze, staring straight at me. His eyes narrow, taking a step back.
"You evil ghost! I won't let you get my child!" he yells, protecting the baby in his arms and scampering away as fast as he could.
"Wait, I'm not a ghost," I yelled at him, but no use, he was already gone.
I took notice, that he or I think the baby drop the raddle. Going up to it, I bend down and picked it up, and it was the same old raddle from earlier. I lifted myself to see two legs appear in front of me, making me gasp.
"Mai, are you okay?" Naru bends down, helping me straighten up. I stare at him with wide eyes.
"There was this man, he somewhat looks like you, but older. He was holding a baby. What happened?"
"You just zoned out, staring at nothing, but I did notice that your eyes moved, as though you were seeing something. Then you just reach down, that's all," he explains.
Rubbing my head, a sudden headache form on my head.
"That creature, or a man that wants our soul or something like that, wanted the baby. From what I gather, I have a..." another thunder interrupts me, causing me to yelp, this time, I rush my steps, going up the stairs, and went inside my little adobe, burying myself inside the blankets.
"Mai, you can't just hide inside there."
"Yes, I can, I have done it a hundred times. Is my haven. J.t let it be. I have a headache. I will rather be dealing with a ghost, than thunder.." I argue as though I was a child. I heard Naru's footsteps, not sure where though.
"Just sleep, then. I'll be here, I won't let anything get to you.." he simply says, in a mellow voice. I sneak a peak from my blankets, to stare at him. He sat right next to my bed, cross legs, just reading a book.
I gulped, feeling my cheeks redden once again.
"We'll talk about it more tomorrow." was his last words, after that, he buries his nose inside the book. I stare at him for a long while, tighten my hold on the blankets. For a reason, his words, and him sitting next to me, makes me feel at peace.
Don't you see Naru? How calmer and gentler you have become since we became stranded here? Can you just let yourself open up? I won't judge you.
Sneaking a handout, stretching it out, so I can pretend that I took a hold of his hand, even though I touch the transparent cloth.
I felt a tear roll down my cheek, feeling my heart tighten.
'I have no idea how long we will be here, so please Naru opens up a little, and even as a friend, let me see that kind side of yours.' Staring at him for another few minutes, I lay my hand down, turning around, placing the blanket over my head.
I sniffed. Yet another thunder roars the island, causing me to whimper.
"Mai?" I heard Naru say my name, I just shut my eyes very tight.
"I just hope the storm goes away and fast."
Naru POV
"Interesting, so that where I can find the suds.." I whispered to myself, a few hours later, lowering the book down, I heard the rain pouring down hard.
Standing up, stretching my aching legs, I headed down, to cover the window, with large plain lumber, that fits the window perfectly. Well, I somewhat tied a blanket, to fuse them. Mai helped me put it together since it was her idea.
Placing it, a sudden chill ran down me, when I heard a clap of thunder. Looking around the treehouse, since it wasn't as dark as it should, it was still a bit bright in the treehouse.
Going up the steps, I sat right next to Mai's bed, watching her sleep.
"Wonder why you're afraid of thunders?" Laying down, placing my arms behind my head, I stare at the patch hole, trying to see if it's leaking and so far so good.
So many questions, no answer to. Fire? What does that mean? Gene wanted me to take this case, and yet I won't admit how Gene convinced me. I won't even think about it. Also, what about ten? What does that mean.. Mai saw the man holding the baby? Are her powers growing? Or is it this place? Either way.. We need to...
I stopped my thinking when a loud howl is heard, causing me to jolt up.
Mai did the same, holding tight to the blanket shaking slightly.
"Was that a wolf?"
"No, it sounded more human than anything." I was sure about that.
Mai moves out of her adobe, sitting next to me, placing her legs up, while rubbing her eyes.
"I was finally in a deep sleep, then I had this strange dream. I stood outside of the treehouse, and all I did is watching it. There were other people around as well. Yet fire surrounded us. Then the howl woke me." she looks like a five-year-old looking at me.
I resisted placing my arm around her small shoulders.
"People watching the treehouse?" I asked, standing up, Mai glance at me, but acted immediately and starts to follow me. Going down the stairs, I reach the window and made a peephole, by moving slightly the lumber to the right.
All I see is heavy rain, Mai bends down, so she can stand in front of me, feeling her small back press against my chest. I suddenly felt my throat becoming thick, that I had to gulp heavily, taking notice that her hair picked up in a loose bun, that the scent of the water springs, and pines surrounded my senses.
She smells nice. Wait what?
Shaking my head, thunder broke in, lighting up the sky. In doing so, my eyes widen, as Mai let out a yelp.
"OH MY GOD!" she covers her mouth, as I tighten my hold on the lumber... Feeling my heart race for the first time in a year, and that's fear.
A sudden fear hits me.. Letting go of the lumber, Mai turns to face me, shaking even more. I just stare at the lumber, as my mind tries to adjust to what I just saw.
"My dream.." Mai paused, gulping hard.
So, that answers my earlier questions this morning.
I have never seen this type of haunting before, only in a horror movie, nor our cases had this.
"You're right, we are not alone," I whispered, Mai moves forward, and wraps her arms around my midsection, and felt her shake even more. This time, I don't stiffen, cause of the shock itself. Yet I don't hold her.
"Oh my God, how are we.."
"By doing what we are best at, and that's doing our job." I simply told her, since is the truth, while I stare at the ground, waiting for Mai to calm down.
Beyond our treehouse which is slowly becoming our home. Just like in a horror flick, another thunder hits, lighting up the sky, and the wet grounds. Gathered in a circle of the un-dead, or rather more like deform spirits, surround the tree. Staring up at our tree-house and the worst part is that they all are inflamed with fire as though it was a large ring, which brights up the dark ground. They just wait, as a wolf-looking animal stood in the middle, howling. Lowering its head, a deadly smirk passes his wolf-like face.
"You two can't escape me!" with another flash of lighting, everyone disappears, leaving the wolf to chuckle and fades away.
I hope everyone is enjoying it, so please feel free to let me know, if not it's okay. Halfway through I'll begin to switch things around. I made it Ten than the original thought of Eight. No spoilers, but I got another idea.