Chapter 6: Setting Up and Digging In
Summary: Lin and Aria talk. Mai and Marcus are both awake and talking. Death visits the cells below the dorms. Naru discovers a secret door. Will Naru piece together all the clues in time?
Author's Notes: I'm sorry this took so long to get out. It was one of the more difficult chapters to write as there is so much going on.
Case File 1: The Blood Soaked Dorm - Part 5
Kalani Estate, Late Night...
Lin had gone to the Estates library to see what he could find on the grounds of the University of Hawaii Manoa Campus. Hoping he would find information on who may have originally owned the land before it was given to the University. He had no luck.
Lin had seen the look of desperation in Naru's eyes before... Just after Gene died and Noll had decided to follow him to Japan, to find his body. For Noll's sake we have to find Taniyama-san! Noll can't survive losing someone else he cares about!
The library was silent, only the rustle of turning pages disturbed the silence now and then. Lin jumped when the voice spoke just behind him. "Give it a rest Lin-san, we need to be rested if we are to find and save Mai." There was a giggle afterwards and she continued as he turned to face her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. My employees say I walk around on cat's feet." There was a soft yet sad smile on her face.
"Miss Aria. What brings you here?" He asked quietly.
"Hmmm? Well I was having bad dreams, though mine don't give me information the way Mai's do. Mostly they are just bad memories. I find it restful to be in the library. It was a place my Father and I shared in common." Her eyes roamed over the books as her fingers touched a book spine here or there.
Lin watched her curiously. "Why do you go by Aria Kalani day to day, yet write under Marie McLoughlin?" Lin surprised himself as he spoke those words.
Aria laughed. "Because my parents in their infinite wisdom saddled me with a hyphenated last name at birth." Her eyes met his, laughter lighting her too green orbs. "My full name is Aria Marie Kalani-McLoughlin. They had a wonderful sense of humor." Her voice went sort of dry with sarcasm. "You have no idea how often I was teased about being married at such a young age."
Lin found himself chuckling with Aria over the foibles of youth. "I think I understand. Writing as Marie allows you to pass almost disregarded by those who follow Marie's work if you're called Aria in your day to day life."
With a laugh Aria dropped into the chair next to Lin. "Exactly!"
Through the hours that passed in companionable silence Lin found himself thinking more about the lady sitting next to him. She has been through more than most people, yet she retains a kindness of spirit that others untouched by violence rarely have. Madako is bubbly and mischievous. She also tends to meddle in things best left to run their course. Aria is like Mai in that she can still smile after all she has lost. Now I need to find Mai, not only to save Noll from losing himself, but to save Aria from the same fate.
They were both going through the books Lin had selected to try and find anything that could help. By the middle of the night they had packed up and were heading to their rooms when they passed Naru's door just in time to hear him scream, "MAI!"
Lin wasted no time in throwing open Naru's door. "Naru! What is it?" He asked as he stalked up to his young charge.
Naru was visibly shaking. "Mai... Came to me, with her astral projection ability. She warned that the spirit or ghost behind this has living helpers and for some reason needs it's sacrifices to consent willingly to its power before it will take their lives." He falls silent as he finally meets Lin's eyes. "We have as long as it takes the spirit to convince or trick them into giving themselves to it willingly. I have no clue how long we have, but I know Mai is a fighter!"
Lin frowned, "And that will depend on each individual." He sighed. "So right now Mai is alive and hopefully the other students are correct?"
Naru nodded, "She appeared to be okay, though two students might have bad head injuries." He paused. "Whatever or whoever is behind this was coming near to it's end goal, he or it caused her to scream in terror as she faded from my presence." Naru's voice hitched in his throat as these words poured forth.
Lin grimaced putting a hand on Naru's shoulder. "We will set up the monitoring equipment first thing in the morning, we should also try to find a blueprint of the Hale Aloha Lehu Dorm, that will go a long way to finding hidden spaces. Was Mai able to tell you where she was?"
Naru shook his head, "No, though she felt they were in deep underground cells somewhere on the University campus."
Lin nodded, "That's enough, get some rest and we can fill the others in tomorrow morning." With that Lin left the room, guiding Aria out. "Sorry, I'm sure you had questions, but it's best for him if we don't grill him more right now. I think he would have gone into deep shock."
Aria shook her head, "It's alright. I think Mai confirmed a few things and gave us a few more clues. She is far stronger than most people seem to think, just from looking at her that is."
Lin could only nod as he guided Aria back to her room and said good night. Once he was in his quarters he settled in to meditate, communicating with his most powerful shiki. Sending said shiki off to search for their missing friend and the other missing students.
Deep in the underground cells...
Trey Reeds sat on his haunches looking at Dominique, though he had yet to learn her name. To him she was beautiful. Her long strawberry blonde hair pooled around her head, which now rested on Trey's folded up shirt as he had nothing else to try to cushion her head with. I wonder if she was the one thrown, like Marcus. Though the girl being transferred was really a cute little thing too! Damn if they were putting her with Marcus, he's a lucky bastard! Troy uncomfortably adjusted his trousers as he contemplated what was going on. He also was upset with himself for getting aroused in this situation.
A quiet voice entered his head, :What is wrong with desiring a beautiful woman who is right in front of you? After all you could die any moment. Who wants to die a virgin? Never knowing the comfort that a woman can bring. (He suddenly felt like these were his own thoughts and he grinned as the inner voice continued.) Though if we were to be intimate, both parties should be consenting, after all if we somehow survive, We would not want her claiming rape.::
Trey fell into deep thought as he gently played with a strand of her hair. His eyes staring off into a point only he could see.
While on the spirit plain Kekipi laughed heartily to himself. This boy is far too easy to manipulate! He thought, perhaps I can manipulate my chosen one into getting Marcus to accept oral sex... Whatever happens she must remain pure in order for her to be my General and eventual mate! Again his cruel laughter echoed throughout the Spirit Plain, and...
Gene watched the despot of a spirit unnoticed. I will protect Mai from you! You monster! He yelled silently, deep in his own mind. His face carried a very Naru-like expression of unadulterated rage.
In another cell not far away...
Marcus crouched over the girl he found unconscious next to him. He feared her dead at first, but her pulse was strong and she was breathing despite looking pale. He muttered, "Please wake up miss! I don't know what happened to Trey, but I swear on my Grand-Mother's grave I will do everything in my power to protect you!"
Despite his efforts she remained unresponsive. All he could do was wait and pray...
Several hours later, on the University of Hawaii Manoa Campus...
The team broke up to take care of the jobs Naru had outlined earlier that morning...
Monk, John and Lin were setting up the cameras and microphones while Sebastian and Yasu went to talk with the keepers of the oral traditions of the local Hawaiians. Masako, Ayako and Aria's bodyguard (whose name is Dusty) were making a walk through the Dorm. Naru and Aria were talking to the Dean of the University of Hawaii Manoa Campus. They hoped to glean a little more information on the Dorm from him.
Masako looked at the bodyguard, "Dusty, was it?" At his nod she continued, "Just how can you protect us from angry spirits, should we encounter some?"
Dusty grinned at the Japanese China doll in her light blue kimono, "Well mam, you see Miss Aria tends to gather spiritualists from all over. I'm something of an exorcist also. Not quite like your Father Brown or the Monk or yonder Miko, my learnin' comes from a more Western approach to cleansing spirits." He fell silent after talking so much and dropped his eyes to the floor, a bit embarrassed at how verbose he had been.
Both Ayako and Masako giggled to see such a strong looking man blush with embarrassment.
Dusty ducked his chin as he muttered, "Be ye sensing anything Ladies?" He asked, trying to get things back on track.
Masako nodded, "There are many spirits here, yet they feel... Strange. Like they are empty... I can't explain it any better than that. I mean they are sort of like hollow spirits, yet it's like they have no emotions or memories of their own.."
Ayako looked at Masako with consternation, "So these spirits are controlled by a more powerful spirit? Yet they are empty of emotion? How is that possible?"
Masako sighed, "I don't know, and I'm unsure if I can cleanse them for that reason. We may have to exorcise them." She muttered sadly.
"Unless we find the controlling spirit first and remove it. Then these empty spirits may be released to pass on naturally." Dusty offered. "I don't actually like to exorcise spirits unless all other options have been exhausted."
Masako nodded, smiling at him behind her kimono sleeve. "Where are you originally from Dusty?" She asked trying to place his accent.
He blushed as he ducked his head again, muttering. "Georgia, mam."
Monk, John and Lin finished placing the cameras, mics and other sensors. Converging outside the Hale Aloha Lehu Dorm. Soon Masako, Ayako and Dusty joined them. They stood in the shade of a Koa tree as they discussed the days events thus far. Naru and Aria joined the group just in time to hear Masako's description of the spirits within the dorm.
"Is there a particular reason you can think of for the spirits trapped here to feel that way, Miss Hara?" Naru asked in a serious tone.
Masako bowed her head thinking. "Remember the descriptions of the bodies found each time? Like they were dried out mummies? All fluids and fat just gone? I think that mirrored what happened to the spirits of the students that died. The fluids could represent the spirits feelings while the fat could be representative of the persons memories. Thus empty spirits. They don't have any will or memories of their own. Thus they became an extension of a more powerful spirit."
"Have you sensed this other spirit?" Aria asked.
"I feel something very evil, but it's distant. It feels like it is far away, perhaps deep underground." Masako stated as a shiver of dread coursed down her spine.
John stared at the circular dorm, his brows furrowed, he could feel the wrongness of this place. A part of him wanted to simply burn down the dorm and cleanse the very land it stood on. "The Empty Spirits as you call them, maybe difficult to remove as long as the other presence still remains, correct?" Something in his eyes made Masako gasp.
"That is the feeling I get yes." Now her eyes settled on the building. "Despite how the building looks to normal sight... To Me the building appears to be soaked in the blood of hundreds if not thousands of people. I truly do not know how Mai could even step foot in there. I barely made my rounds inside. The smell of blood was as overpowering inside there as it was in the Urado Mansion!"
"Be that as it may... I still need to go inside and have a look at room 406 for myself." Naru intoned. Pulling his black notebook and pen out of his pocket he looked at Lin. "Come on, let's make this quick. I want to be out of there no later than 5 P.M." Lin merely nodded his agreement, while Aria grabbed Naru's arm. Naru turned to look at her.
She simply stated, "I'm coming with you."
Naru let out a deep sigh, "Fine, the rest of you stay here, if we aren't out in 30 minutes call or come looking for us. 406 is the only room we will be checking out!"
Back in the underground cells...
Mai woke with a groan, she slowly sat up one hand to her aching temple. She gasped in alarm when a voice spoke up next to her.
"You're awake! Thank God! How do you feel miss? I'm Marcus Donovan, by he way!" She glanced at the young man next to her. His warm gray-green eyes smiled into her own brown eyes.
"Uh... um.. I-Im okay, just a little headache is all." She felt her cheeks flushed with the warmth of an embarrassed blush. She was thankful for how dark the cell was! Remembering her manners she added, "My name is Mai Taniyama."
Marcus' eyes widened for just a moment then he breathed out, "Mai." In a most intimate manner, "What a beautiful name for a beautiful girl." He added. His smile curved his lips invitingly. "I'm very glad you are alright. I was a little worried when I woke to find you slumped next to me like that."
"I'm sorry about that. I tend to have retro-cognitive and precognitive dreams or I end up astral projecting. My psychic abilities have slowly been waking over the last three years or so." Mai shrugged. "I was trying to get us help, but as I'm unsure exactly where we are... It maybe a while before help arrives."
Marcus's eyes widened in shock, "Really? That is amazing. My family sometimes produces psychics, but it's always the girls that receive any gifts. Though I suppose I carry the potential for my children to be psychics. Do you have any other gifts, besides the dreams and astral projection?" He asked curiously.
"My intuition has never been wrong, my former boss listened to it and had more faith in it than I ever did." She looked at Marcus, "Are you alright? When I got here you were unconscious."
"Yeah, fine. I got hit by a strong force when some kind of apparition appeared in the cell." Marcus paused, he furrowed his brow. "I swear it was some old Hawaiian spirit..." His voice trailed away.
"With evilly glowing blood red eyes?" She asked in a whisper.
"Yeah..." He admitted with a small shudder.
Elsewhere in the cells...
Trey was stroking Dominique's cheek, as he whispered, "We may never escape this place, surely you don't want to die without knowing the fulfillment intimacy with someone can bring?"
Dominique looked at the handsome blonde and wondered... "I do want to know, yet I wanted to wait for vows to be spoken." She said as soft tears escaped her eyes.
With gentle hands Trey drew Dominique to him and he just held her, softly talking to her about inconsequential things hoping to calm and reasure her. Unexpectedly she turned to face him, she captured his lips with hers, giving herself over to a first kiss that became better and deeper by the moment. That was all the encouragement Trey needed. The voice he had heard in his mind before told him what to do, and everything it told him, he did just so.
Up in the Hale Aloha Lehu Dorm...
Naru walked through the halls with Lin and Aria following close behind. They soon stood in front of room 406, It was the last room on the floor, and furthest from the stairwell... Looking at the floor plans, it seemed there was space for a set of stairs, yet there appeared to be no way to access that space! Naru could feel the chill in the air, seeping out from under the door, while Lin called for his remaining Shiki. Naru took a deep, steadying breath just before he pushed open the door.
As the door opened and Aria looked in she saw several spirits she could only assume were the empty spirits Masako had mentioned outside. She whispered, "There are several empty spirits moving around the room."
Naru glanced at her, "I didn't know you could see spirits." He said flatly.
"What you don't know about me could fill a library." She said almost as flatly as Naru's voice had been. Lin had a difficult time suppressing his chuckle.
Without further discussion the three entered the room, the shiki disrupted the empty spirits causing auditory wails to be heard within the room as the empty spirits fled into a wall. Aria pointed to the wall they had fled through. "They went into that wall."
Naru turned his fill attention to the wall, soon finding the hidden button that opened the secret door that lead to a set of stairs that seemed to go down into the bowls of the earth.
Lin asked, "Are we going down now?"
Aria answered. "No we are going back to my place. I have designed a mini-bot that does not disturb spirits to go into places such as this. It will record ambient temperatures, EVPs and give us a look at the area without putting a person in unnecessary danger. It would not hurt to wait until morning to send it down!"
Naru slowly nodded, yet he could not shake the feeling that they were running out of time.
At that moment down in the cells...
Mai had just finished filling Marcus in on her dreams and the message she had given her one time boss about what was happening. Marcus asked, "So we have to not give ourselves willingly to the creature. But what marks us as willing anyway?"
"I'm not sure, but I think it has something to do with our purity, I know I am a virgin. I get the feeling that apparition enjoys watching as it's victims succumb to base desires. I keep hearing a voice telling me to do things I would never do outside of marriage." Mai admitted.
Marcus looked stunned, he had been having thoughts of trying to get Mai to give him oral sex, and he felt sick. Is that thought actually the words of the apparition, trying to make me pliable to its power? He wondered as a shudder passed through him.
That is when they heard screams coming from a cell deeper in the catacomb of cells. Mai's eyes widened, black and bloody fear gripped her heart in its cruel hands. Please Naru! Find us! Save us! Hurry! I think Dominique and Trey are dying! At that moment the screams stopped and the cells were once again as silent as a tomb. "Now he'll be able to solely concentrate on us." She whispered in a desperate voice.
Marcus pulled her into his arms offering this beautiful young woman as much comfort as he could give and he squashed the voice that whispered to him, telling him to ask her to suck his cock.
Back in room 406...
Naru swore he heard Mai scream his name. Swore he heard her say "Please Naru! Find us! Save us! Hurry! I think Dominique and Trey are dieing!" However he could not hear the screams that prompted those words. He felt shaken to the core.
He turned from the door, hitting the hidden button again. "We have to hurry! Time is moving faster than we think, yet you are right without more knowledge we don't know what we will be walking into! I think... Mai sent another message, Dominique Vienna and Trey Reeds may be dead or dying at this very moment." He looks at his two companions. "I really hope Yasu and Sebastian found some useful information because we didn't get near enough out of the Dean!"
With that they left the dorm behind. The entire group would meet back up at the Kalani Estate for dinner and to discuss the day's events. Hang on Mai! We are coming! Don't give up or give in! We will save you! He thought desperately, hoping she would hear him, the way he had heard her.
Author's Note: Naru has more pieces than he realizes. But the real clincher will be the information that Yasu and Sebastian report in the next chapter! Until then have a wonderful day or week! Please read and review! The reviews really do help keep me motivated!
Edited 6-7-2017: Corrected misused words, added missed words and reworded certain sentences to make the story flow better.