Chapter 5: Dinner Among Friends?
Summary: More questions are asked and answers given as the SPR crew has dinner with Mai-chan's friend Marie McLoughlin or is it Aria Kalani? Is anyone else confused yet? Bou-san holds his head in confusion.
Author's Notes: I'm sorry it's been a bit since I last updated. I've had a rather busy weekend and we've had repairs going on in our apartment the last few days. Plus dealing with depression issues. I may have to cut down posting to twice a week, but I do have at least two more cases ready in rough draft form. This really did take me longer to write than I thought it would. I was trying hard to keep everyone in character, not sure I succeeded... Let me know what you think! Please!
This chapter we will be seeing the case from multiple perspectives. Hopefully I can get back on a roll with my writing. Reviews really do help inspire! Thank you Shunakoo25 for your review!
I hope you all enjoy this next installment of The Darkside of Paradise!
Case File 1: The Blood Soaked Dorm - Part 4
Unknown Mansion Somewhere on O'ahu...
"Kahuna 'anaana, is it complete? Have the four virgin sacrifices been given to our God, Kekipi?" A young Hawaiian student asked the older man dressed in a flowing robe of status.
"Indeed, the sacrifices have been prepared and gifted to our God! Our God shall rise and push out the weakling God of Christianity! We Hawaiian's have been denied our rightful place and our ancient religions! Our long wait is almost over!" The Older man stated full of dark glee, he raised his hands high over his head as he sent praises to Kekipi in the sing song language of Hawaii. The high roofed room was filled with his extended family, all carrying the blood of Kekipi and one lucky young man might become host to their God and Master. Kekipi I live to serve you! Tell me which of these young men you chose?!
A powerful force seemed to over shadow the older man and High Priest to the soon to be new God, and he heard Kekipi's voice in his mind. ::The child to be born, of your wife. I will take his body, once the final ritual has taken place and my General has been drawn into my service wholeheartedly! She will be my perfect mate! You have done well!::
The older man dropped his arms to his side, his thin lips pulled into a knowing smirk. "We do not have long to wait now!" And my son will become host to our God! He silently shouted in his mind. As he looked over at his expecting wife who was eight months pregnant. With luck the ritual will finish just before she gives birth. Though I will be sad to lose her so soon. The woman had no idea her life would be sacrificed to allow Kekipi to inhabit their as yet unborn son.
The younger man shuddered in anticipation, more than ready to serve the Kahuna 'anaana before him. "Is our God pleased?" He asked excitement glittering in his black eyes.
"He is very pleased. We were able to provide him with a strongly gifted psychic to feed upon, which means he will now have a general for his Legion of Blood. Soon the old ways will return! Mark my words!" There was a glint of true madness in the Kahuna 'anaana's eyes, for he willingly handed over youths in the prime of their lives to an apparition of an ancient ancestor.
The younger man grinned maliciously as he knelt and offered praise to Kekipi, secure in the knowledge he served a greater purpose.
Deep beneath Hale Aloha Lehu Dorm...
Mai checked on Marcus Donovan, though he remained unconscious, his vitals were strong. I wonder why they seperated us the way they did. Oh Naru, where are you? Please come and find us! Haha, why do I even ask that? He rejected me, why do I even think he might be worried enough to find me? The only reason he bothered in the past is because he felt responsible for an employee. A deep sigh was drawn out of Mai as she looked at the cold stone of the cell she shared with Marcus. This blood soaked cell, how many died in here to turn the walls this brownish black? And where is here anyway? I'm almost afraid to sleep. Afraid that thing, that hungry ghost will come and kill me while I sleep. A sigh escaped Mai as she contemplated her surroundings.
There is so much I don't understand about this case. Gene might be able to tell me more IF I sleep. But how will I get that information to Aria and Naru? I wonder if he's even in Hawaii yet? I've completely lost track of time in this never changing place.
Mai's eyes get heavy and her form slumps against the wall next to where Marcus lays still unconscious. Neither feels the temperature start to fall as the ghostly form of the ancient Hawaiian Kahuna 'anaana begins to form in the cell. He looks down on the sleeping couple. "You will be my finest accomplishment Miss Taniyama. No one will be able to stand before my Legion of Blood, with you leading it. You will be mine of your own free will!" Suddenly mist swirls around the apparition, when the mist fades the apparition is gone. All that remains is its cruel laughter echoing throughout the lower cells.
The Astral Plain...
Mai looked around recognizing the blackness as the place she gathers information, she turned in a slow circle. She finally spotted Gene, a smile curled her lips and despite the terrible situation she found herself in, she gave Gene a bear hug. "I'm so glad to see you Gene!" She cried.
Gene had looked like he was ready to yell at her for not listening, but ended up sighing and returning her hug. "Mai I told you not to investigate alone! Now you've been taken! That thing wants you as it's mate! But for some reason it needs you and the others to willing give yourselves over to it's power."
"Wait... We have to willingly give ourselves to it? Why?" Mai asked in confusion.
"His name in life was Kekipi, and he was and still is a Kahuna 'anaana. A user of Dark magic. I think he is trying to elevate himself to Godhood and you four are the last set of sacrifices he needs. Please Mai, be careful. I'm not sure what constitutes giving yourself willingly in his mind. Also warn my idiot scientist brother that he has living helpers! That is how you were taken in the first place!" Gene intoned, preying to all that was holy that Mai understood.
Mai studied Gene, trying to piece together everything that happened. "How, how do I warn him? I'm trapped in a blood soaked cell that feels like it's deep underground."
Gene smiled a special smile just for Mai. "The same way you gave Miss Hara your lucky key! But you'll need to wait for his mind to calm down. He is very upset right now. Probably angry with himself for not getting to Hawaii sooner."
Mai laughed at that. "That sounds just like him! Will you show me they way once he is calm?"
"Of course." Gene's smile grows then fades as he takes Mai into the past, showing her what Kekipi has in store for the students that have been taken. His voice echoes in her mind. "He has something else in mind for you..." Blackness closes over her once again as she falls into a normal sleep.
The Kalani Estate's Main Dining Room...
Naru POV...
He followed Sebastian into the dining room, which was a grand affair. The table and chairs were of a dark stained mahogany. There was also a large picture window looking out at the garden and beach beyond. Even I have to admit this place is beautiful. I think I can understand why Mai agreed to come live and work here. He thought as he looked out of the picture window.
He glanced over at Marie McLoughlin, whom he had admired since he read her first paper on Empathic ability. She thinks I hate her. I don't not really. I'm just angry Mai is in this situation to begin with. She should be here, safe and sound! He thought angrily. The glare he had been wearing slowly faded as he slipped his mask of neutrality back on. If we are playing the blame game, I should start with myself. Perhaps if I had not rejected her confession and returned to Japan sooner, she might never have felt the need to travel to Hawaii.
Naru's eyes lift to Marie's, "Sebastian mentioned that Mai had a secondary vision that morning, could you tell us what she told you?" He hoped to get a better handle on what was happening at the University of Hawaii.
Aria looked grim. "Mai was terrified, she saw the Hale Aloha Lehu Dorm before it was renovated, four students were conducting a test of courage, I believe she said. Then the dream skipped and construction workers came out of the building and informed a man in authority that they had found the missing students." She took a deep breath holding it a moment before releasing it. "The scary part for her was, something she described as evil seemed to pull her into darkness and proceeded to tell her she would be it's finest accomplishment and that she would join it's legion of blood."
For a time everyone was silent. Naru could feel the panic rising, somehow he kept his indifferent mask on, "Thank you for sharing the I with us." His voice was quieter than normal as his mind went to work.
Aria nodded, "It does not sound good does it?"
"No it does not." Naru replied shortly.
Lin's POV...
Lin studied his companions sitting around the diner table before settling his good eye on Aria. "How did Miss Taniyama look when she entered the building?" He asked quietly.
Aria paled then took a deep breath as if steadying her nerves. "Upon entering the dorm Mai paled and looked a little green, like she might get sick. I offered to put off further examination of the dorm if she needed to go lay down. However she insisted on moving forward, something about getting data for Naru." Lin watched her eyes flicker to where Naru himself sat.
Lin's brow furrowed, "So Mai was the one to insist?"
Aria once again met his eyes, "Yes, she did. She has told me you all call her a trouble magnet but I didn't fully appreciate what the title entailed."
Miss Hara spoke up then, "You do know Mai can be classified as a medium, correct?" Her hand lifted in front of her face so her kimono sleeve hid her mouth.
Aria's face soured, "Mai can be classified as many things, given her gifts. Some of which are still in the process of waking. In point of fact her 'animal instincts' are the first stirrings of her Empathic gift waking up."
Lin's eyes widen. "She is an Empath?" His shock coloring his voice.
Monk's POV...
Monk looked up at Aria a slight frown furrowed his brow. He ignored part of the previous conversation to ask, "You knew we were coming, why did you go into the building if you knew the other students disappeared from there? Yes I know Mai can be insistent, but she obviously respects you, she would most likely have followed your orders." He tried to keep his voice steady, yet some of the anger and fear bled into his voice.
Aria locked eyes with Monk before answering. "We only knew that the missing students had visited a particular room in the Hale Aloha Lehu Dorm before going missing. Not that they disappeared from said room. If I had known I would never have let Mai step foot into that room! And if the Dean had not distracted me, I might have prevented her disappearance entirely! Which reminds me. Sebastian when you and Yasuhara go and talk to the lore keepers, ask about a Kahuna 'anaana named Kekipi. The Dean mentioned him after Mai disappeared."
Sebastian nodded, "Of course. Should we see if he has any living descendants?"
Aria nodded. "Good idea.
Monk sat back frowning to himself and half expecting Ayako to hit him over the head with her purse. When he glanced at her, he saw his worries mirrored in her eyes.
John Brown's POV:
John had kept his eyes on his food throughout the conversation so far. Though he feared for Mai's safety he could not ignore his own part in why Mai left which made him truly heart sick. He realized how he had failed to check on someone he had considered a sister. Father forgive me for failing one of your children and please keep Mai and the other missing students safe. If the worse should happen take them into your tender Mercy. John prayed silently before finally asking Aria, "Could you tell us how you met Mai? I know Mai said it was a long story and she had wanted to wait until we got here... I'd really appreciate hearing how Mai met Marie McLoughlin."
Aria let out a small huff of humorless laughter. "So have you read some of the McLoughlin papers?" Aria asked.
John nodded. "I'd had a partitioner ask some questions and Kazuya had handed me copies of a couple of papers by Marie McLoughlin on that particular subject. So I am rather curious how our little Mai knows a famous researcher."
Aria flashed him a genuine smile, "It seems so long ago now. As you maybe well aware Mai's father passed away when she was 8. My youngest sibling Melody was the same age as Mai give or take a few weeks. They entered third grade the same year and they both signed up for the pen pal program that was in effect for that year. My sister signed up to write to someone in Japan so she could practice her kanji." She falls silent, her eyes distant as she remembers.
"Melody was very excited about her pen pal when she got the assignment. We quickly learned that Mai was mourning her father, as we were mourning ours. I'm was the one helping my sister write her letters. When the program ended Melody and Mai chose to continue writing to each other, I actually found it very sweet. When they were 12 Mai's mother died. We tried to be there for her adding email and phone calls to the usual twice a month letters. Our own mother had died two years before that along with two of our brothers and their spouses and children in a terrible traffic accident. I haven't taken a bus since." Aria fought her tears determined not to give in to her own despair.
"Shortly after they turned 14, Melody was killed in a school shooting along with 8 other students and 3 teachers. She had written a letter to Mai but forgot to grab it that day to mail. I ended up traveling to Japan a month after the shooting to tell Mai in person and to give her Melody's last letter. I sort of adopted Mai as my little sister in that trip. We wrote emails almost every day, and letters twice a month. I also called her weekly at an appointed time. Only missing the call if she said she would be busy on a case. Though that didn't come up until her freshman year of high school." She fell silent for a moment before looking up.
"So that is how we met. And I'll never forgive myself if we don't find her in time! She is the last of my family, well my close family. I have a few distant cousins, Hawaiian, Japanese and Chinese. Maybe even a few Irish cousins somewhere along the line. But it would no doubt take a lot of research to find them. I had 6 siblings. Three older and three younger. I even had nieces and nephews." She sighs and a sad smile crossed her lips. "So when I say I'll do what ever I have to to save her, know I speak the truth."
Ayako's POV...
Ayako, who had remained silent up to this point said. "We need to stop the blame game. We all know Mai to be headstrong. She is always following her instincts. What we need to do now is find evidence of what is going on. We need to get cameras and our other diagnostic tools set up. We need facts! We need to find Mai!"
She turned to look at Monk, "And don't make me hit you! Stupid Monk! Instead of complaining, help find a way to find Mai!" Ayako's voice had steadily risen with each word. Nor did she realize she was standing with tears of frustration coursing down her face.
Aria stood and gently touched the Miko's arm. "We will find Mai. I won't rest until she is found!"
General POV...
The rest of the meal was conducted in silence, each person deep in their own thoughts. As the meal was cleared away and dessert set out, conversation once again started up. It was quiet as the group shared memories of past cases, most of which centered around Mai and her penchant for attracting ghosts.
Later that night in Naru's room...
He had turned off the lights after changing, but instead of climbing into bed Naru settled into the overstuffed chair that sat next to his window. He had calmed down just a bit. He reviewed a piece of information Aria had shared at one point that evening...
"There have been other instances students have gone missing. That go all the way back to before the Hale Aloha Lehu Dorm was refurbished. It is always four students, two males and two females. Their bodies are always found six months after the last one disappears. However time of death is impossible to pinpoint as all the bodies are mere husks. All fluids and fats have been completely sucked out of them."
Naru frowned. We have no clue how long we have to find Mai before she... dies. I cannot let her die!
Naru closed his eyes taking a deep breath and once again endeavored to find his calm. When he opened his eyes, he was shocked. Standing before him was Mai, but she was transparent and glowed just slightly. He thought, No! We are too late! Has she come to say goodbye?
Her voice echoed hollowly in the darkened room, "Whatever you're thinking, just stop it! You idiot scientist!"
Gene's nickname for him snapped him out of his daze. "Mai? How? Where are you?" He fired off his first few questions.
Mai actually laughed before answering, "Gene is acting to help me cross the miles. I believe I'm somewhere on the Manoa Campus. But it feels like we're deep underground. As far as I know all four of us are alive, however two of the students may have bad head injuries. I'm in a cell with the first student who went missing."
Naru nodded, as he grabbed his black folder to begin making notes. "What can you tell me about your surroundings, have you had more dreams?"
"Naru, you are so impatient! We are in stone cells that appear to be soaked in gallons of blood! But that is not important. What is important is the fact the apparition that is holding us needs us to willingly consent to being sacrificed. Though Gene is unsure what constitutes 'being willing' means to this particular ghost. Until it has our willing cooperation it will keep us alive. What it wants out of me is different than what it wants out of the other three. Be prepared because of this I think a third female might go missing! Also I get the feeling it is close to its goal! The most important fact is that it has living helpers. Possibly descendants? I'm not to sure." At that point Mai looks over her shoulder and fear contorts her face. "Hurry Naru! Find us! I have to go... It is coming!"
Her scream filled Naru's ears as Mai's image faded away. He stood and screamed... "MAI!"
Author's Notes: I have a question for my readers. I have a few ideas for one shots that fit into the Hawaiian location. Should I just include them in the main book, just between other cases or should I post them as one shots and tell where they fit into the main book in their description? Which would you prefer?
Edited 6-7-2017: Fixed misused words, added missing words and smoothed out some sentences to make the story flow a little smoother.