Chapter 14
"Ha! I knew you lot were useless without me, but this is just pitiful." Ayako said as she eyed the progress of base with her hands on her hips.
'Here we go.' Monk thought rubbing his temples.
"Matsuzaki, unless you plan on volunteering your skills toward manual labor, I suggest you remain silent." Naru said spitefully causing a vein to pop out of her forehead.
"Why you pompous little f-"Ayako began to march forward but John stood in her way and waved his hand in front of himself.
"Now now everyone. We are a bit behind so we'll need to work in unison to figure out this case. "The priest reasoned to keep the peace.
"John, is right. Our client doesn't have a lot of faith in our skills. Which leaves even more reason why we need to increase our proficiency. We've already had two encounters with this entity, and neither very pleasant as Monk and I can attest too. I'd like to assume that this spike in activity is in correlation to our arrival, but I don't have enough evidence to make such an assumption." Mai said looking over her own notes surprising a few others with the sudden semi-presentation.
'There goes Professor Mai at it again." Monk thought to himself while fighting to keep his face neutral.
"Gosh Mai, you sound like some old lecture professor, what's with you? Taking your queues from Naru now?" Ayako asked. At this time Monk caught her eye and he gave her the "I-can't-believe-you-just said-that-face". Ayako turned back to Mai whose jaw completely dropped open.
"Now you've done it." Monk said sighing.
"See Monk it is true! She said it word for word. I'm a boring know it all who doesn't know how to have fun!" Mai whined.
'Once again, I feel like I'm supposed to be offended.' Naru thought sighing.
"S-she didn't mean it, Mai. Ayako's just joking, right?" John tried to cover.
"No, I meant it." Ayako blandly stated and Mai sat depressingly in the corner.
"Enough. Mai, pull yourself together. We have a serious investigation on our hands with little to no progress." Naru scolded and continued.
"We'll be working in teams for the remainder of the investigation since this location has proven to be more dangerous than anticipated. Mai and Monk, I want the two of you to finish the setup of the cameras and Lin will assist the two you from base. Ayako and John, I need you to walk the entire building and tell me what you sense. What's happening here is still ambiguous, so if possible, tell me as much as you can. Am I clear with the orders?" Everyone nodded and dismissed themselves to their respective orders.
"Then the part where the killer pops up behind the girl and makes her take that poison gave me chills. I'm sorry if I embarrassed you by screaming." Keiko said as a light blush dusting her face as she looked away refusing to let him see.
"It's no problem, it was pretty cute to see you all scared." He said laughing making her blush more.
"Anyway, tell me about yourself. How about your school? Or your friends, are you a loner?" He joked.
"Oh no. I have lots of friends, but two best friends, Michiru and Mai." Keiko offered with a quaint smile.
"What kind of people are these friends of yours?" Kasai pressed bumping his date amicably.
"Well, they're both very outgoing people, and I'm the shyest of the three of us. Michiru is pretty popular and is involved in a lot of school activities. Mai is very smart and has a really cool job as a ghost hunter! Compared to them I'm not that interesting." Keiko said with a soft laugh and smile.
"Nah, I would say that you're exciting enough for me. Why don't we grab something to eat?" Kasai reassured with a smirk.
"Sure." And the two continued on into the night.
'A ghost hunter, huh? With such a unique place it shouldn't be too difficult to find. This is really too easy.' Kasai mused.
"This bites. I'm a monk, a monk damn it! Not once have I been asked to walk a location? Why do you think that is?" Monk grumbled while dragging his feet.
"Well Professor Davis is your idol. I'd figured his methods and madness would be easy for you to comprehend." Mai snapped through gritted teeth.
"Wow. Ouch, low blow Mai. I thought we were all going to forget I ever said that?" Mai ignored Monk and connected the wires.
"How's that Lin?" Mai probed over her radio.
"Good. Move on." Was his short reply through the device and Mai exhaled.
'Someone should really tell Lin he talks too much.' Mai thought to herself sarcastically and followed his order.
"Let's go." Mai crowed.
In all honesty, she was too much in her own world to pay her colleague any mind. She was a bit scared and felt in her gut she was justified in her terror. Her previous dubbed animal instinct didn't feel comfortable anywhere in this place. The anxiety was almost making her ill, and she hoped that no one else would notice.
'Last thing I need is everyone fawning over me like some kind of damsel in distress. You've changed for the better Mai; you have to become an asset and not an anchor.' She thought slowly fighting through her dread and finding the confidence and motivation to move onward.
Truthfully, she still wasn't sleeping well. The sight of her scarred arm and the thought of a lecherous serial killer waltzing through her dreams had left its mark. More than once Naru had seen her in the kitchen late at night just hovering over a glass of water.
If he could tell she wasn't okay, he definitely didn't say anything about it. So neither did she. Exhaustion from a long day was making her more and more irritable.
"Okay, the next two camera's go in the modern art section, then we can finally be done." Monk reported after giving their map another glance. Looking around now that the museum was closed. A few members of the cleaning staff were busy prepping for the next morning so they weren't completely alone.
The duo made quick work of the last two cameras and made their way to base without any incident. Things were finally up and running as they should be. John and Ayako had returned too by the time Monk and Mai arrived. John was helping with the last of the wiring of the monitors and Ayako seemed to be writing and posting a few wards for their base.
"This has to be the longest first day we've ever had on an investigation!" Monk complained plopping down into a chair.
"Not to mention t-"Mai was stopped by the sound of her cell phone ringing. She rushed over to her school bag and saw it was Keiko calling.
'Hmm… I have a sneaking suspicion what this is about.' Mai smirked at the caller ID.
"Hey Keiko."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Mai held the phone away from her head and caught the attention of a few others in base.
"I'm guessing that means it went well." Mai voiced sarcastically.
"Mai, he was everything! He held doors, pulled out chairs, paid, gave me compliments, and kissed my hand." Mai giggled at how giddy her friend was. It seemed like Keiko was still in the clouds.
"Glad to hear that I don't have to rearrange his organs. I'll have to tell Michi to cancel those spiked brass knuckles I ordered." Monk and Ayako laughed at her comment.
"Mai don't, I think I really like this guy." Keiko whined hoping her guard dog would back down.
"I know, but we're just looking out for you." Mai reasoned placing a hand on her hip.
"I know, I know." Keiko babbled.
"Mai." Was all Naru said and Mai knew her time was up.
'There goes the wet blanket.' Mai groaned.
"Anyway, I'm on a case right now and I can feel a certain narcissist burning holes in the back of my head, so I'll call you later. Thanks for checking in." Mai hummed in appreciation as her friend voiced her goodbyes.
Mai hung up and sighed happily turning around and taking a seat next to Ayako. The redhead looked at her and raised an eyebrow at her.
"What?" Mai asked feeling analyzed.
"It's just odd to hear you looking out for someone else. Not that your selfish, it's just you're the little sister type. It's an adjustment to see you acting all grown up." Ayako voiced with a soft smile.
"Yeah, I have to agree with Ayako, I can't imagine you rearranging anyone's organs either." Monk teased. They traded a few more jokes and Mai could feel her anxiety melting away with each laugh. She wondered if it was Ayako's wards or the good company that was helping her finally relax.
"If you are all done chit chatting, I'd like an update on our situation. Father Brown?" Naru said successfully killing the mood. John was a bit caught off guard but composed himself quickly enough to answer his boss.
"A-Ah yes. I'd have to agree with the findings of the others. Whatever is affecting the museum has a pretty thick and overwhelming presence. It's hard to know its exact origin. Sorry that I don't have anything new to report." John apologized scratching the back of his head, clearly a bit disappointed in himself. Noll scribbled down a few things and took some time to absorb the new information.
"John, here is a list of items that I want to be blessed that arrived after the activity started. Monk, go with John to make sure that it goes smoothly. Ayako I'm going to need at least 60 more wards for the night staff here. Mai, you will help her to distribute them. In the meantime, meditate and see if any new revelations about the case come to you. Everyone, these will most likely be the last tasks you do before we head to the hotel, so do them well." Naru directed swiftly.
"Aww… time for Mai to go down for her nap!" Monk goaded.
"Goodbye Monk." Mai replied hotly rolling her eyes and seeing Ayako settling down in front of her wards once more. Mai went over to the longest couch in base and laid down. It wasn't the most comfortable thing she'd ever slept on, but on the other had it wasn't the worst.
'When I'm trying to stay awake it's easy to doze off, but now that I'm under pressure I can't perform.' The young psychic thought to herself. Mai rolled onto her side, letting her eyes open and stare aimlessly.
Suddenly she felt a blanket covering her and she looked up. Surprisingly the culprit was none other than Oliver Davis himself. He also had a pillow in hand which he gingerly handed over to her, and Mai rose accepting it graciously.
"Thanks, Naru." Mai said and what he did next surprised her. He placed a hand on her head and smiled genuinely.
"Sleep." He said letting his iron mask return and he went back to his responsibilities. Mai could feel a light blush covering her face and she hid under the blanket. She then resumed her attempt at slumber which ultimately did end in success.
"WHAT! " A man screamed and slammed his hand on a table startling Mai.
"You heard what I said, you're fired. Now go." There was another man in the room and they stood across from each other beside a large wooden desk.
"I've been loyal to this place for almost forty years, and you're just going to let me go? Why? What have I done?" The man who was terminated bellowed.
"Miro, I warned you time and time again and you've done nothing about it. I know that you continue to do those stupid rituals, and people have caught word of it as well. It's bad for business. I've already been warned by the board of directors." From where Mai was standing, she couldn't see the man's face who was speaking; only Miro was visible.
"I told you it's-"
"I don't want to hear it now get out. I don't want to see your face again. You are banned from the premises. Do not ever come back!" The unknown man yelled and at this Miro grabbed his things.
"You'll regret this! Without me, this place will crumble! CRUMBLE! YOU BETTER JUST HOPE YOU DON'T GET CRUSHED!" Miro slammed the door and exited furiously.
Happy new year readers! I hope the new year will be as good to you all! Thank you for all the awesome reviews. Especially the ones that made me laugh or thoughtful on what to write for the next chapter. Review some more and I'll be sure to post the next chapter quickly.