Chapter 42

***WARNING SOME OF THE THEMES AND LANGUAGE IN THIS CHAPTER ARE RATED M. ****

The night had been restless.

The foreign shiki gami hadn't come back, but there were many different voices recorded throughout the night shifts.

Naru had the last shift with Lin.

They waited for the rest of the team to join them in the base. Sunlight invaded, illuminating their research and adding a glare to their monitors. Even though the young scientist had been one of the first to get some sleep in the makeshift bedroom, fashioned from cots rolled in from the nurse's office, he hadn't slept much. He had been waiting anxiously for the sun to rise in anticipation of calling Mai's school.

There were very few times where Naru had prayed in his life.

To be frank he could account for each of those instances on one hand.

First, was when he and Gene had been abandoned, he prayed for help and food. The second was when he had his first poltergeist tantrum at their first orphanage, he prayed for it to stop. Third, was when he prayed that Martin and Luella were good people. Fourth, he'd prayed for his brother to be alive after the first time he dreamt of his death.

Last was when he got out of bed this morning.

He couldn't describe what he was feeling now, but it felt most distinctly like fear. Logic wanted to persuade him into thinking that it had only been three days since he'd seen her last, and the odds of her being successfully kidnapped were low. Though his gut, 'animal instincts', were saying something was very wrong.

He was no intuitive.

He relied strictly on facts, and there were no guesses for him, only percentages and statistics.

It was still very strange for Naru to be able to sense something was off. Against his nature despite his field of choice. His rationality was delineating this emotion as fear. Fear of the unknown to be more specific, but it was closer to what he'd read about intuition. Therefore, he'd tossed and turned most of the night calculating odds and rattling off statistics about crime in Shibuya to distract himself.

Needless to say, it had failed to reassure him.

Especially after, four missed calls.

Now, he sat and reviewed the footage from the previous night and early this morning and noted all the disembodied voices about the school. They were all quite eerie, to say the least.

"It appears that the voices are all saying the same thing, but the EVP's are so low it's difficult to discern. Clean up the audio and see what you can divulge." Naru told Lin and checked the hour for the fifth time since he'd arrived to base. Of course, his assistant had noticed the scattered behavior of his pupil and boss, but he would doubt anyone else could see anything as nuanced as his current behavior.

'He's waiting to call the school.' Lin realized as he watched. Whenever a group of staff or students entered the building on the video feed, he'd check the time.

He was nervous.

"If she isn't there, what will you do?" Lin interjected into the silence and the scientist narrowed his eyes, considering his answer. He seemed to be hesitant whether or not to tell Lin, but secrecy wasn't going to be conducive to finding Mai.

"If she hasn't been at school or seen by any of her friends, I'll report her missing to the police. Then we'll be solving this case today." Naru reported out and Lin sighed.

They had pulled many miracles in the past, including solving a case in less than a day, but never one of this complexity. Although their goal was lofty, he was just as worried about Mai. Perhaps something had indeed happened, but he was secretly hoping she'd misplaced her phone. Lin didn't want to consider the possibilities, so he decided to follow his employer's example and poured all his energy into the case until more facts were available.

"I've cleaned the audio. It seems the voices are asking for help." Lin informed and handed his headphones over. Adjusting them over his ears, Naru eyed the audio file, and waited for the high-frequency sections and focused.

Help me!

I can't get out, please!

Stuck here….we…

I didn't…I want to …die yet…

..brother I'm sorry…help

The last voice made him pause the recording, getting the gist of the messages Naru removed his headphones. There were the voices of so many spirits, but the only spirits they had encountered were being enslaved by someone number three had addressed as 'master'. This person was a woman who had been at the school longer than two years when the disappearances had started.

To him, it was clear who the main suspect was, but he would need to be sure.

To the same point, being sure wasn't enough to close the case.

This person also needed to admit to being a part of the missing students at the school. Even if they were able to get this person's confession to the authorities; apprehending her with an immeasurable amount of shiki working for her would be difficult, even with this team. Judging by the number of voices recorded from the previous night it could be as many as ten.

"Is it possible to turn human souls into shiki gami?" Naru inquired having read nothing of the sort in his years of studying the paranormal. Lin slid down his headphones and his face turned grave and somewhat angry.

"It is taboo, no different than enslaving a living person, but with no definite end in escape or death. With that much said it is possible, but it is black magic. Meaning that it does not come without a price, and to enslave as many voices as we have heard on this recording... this person would have to be very strong spiritually or very ill physically." Lin informed hoping to get closer to identifying the culprit, but all the same, hoping that the previous topic wasn't occurring at this school. The duos' somber mood was interrupted.

"Good Morning Kazuya, Lin! We went and picked up some breakfast from a café down the street. I hope breakfast sandwiches will be okay." John called into base as the aroma of hot food and coffee filled the room.

"We also got two large teas. One earl gray and one green." Ayako announced placing the respective cups and food items in front of the dark duo.

"After you all eat, we'll be getting straight to work, and wrapping up the case in the next twenty-four hours. "Naru informed and noted the time again.

Ayako sucked her teeth and slammed her own cup down.

"Care to tell us what the rush is because ever since we got here you've been down our throats about finishing this case. Perhaps if you clued us in instead of barking like a dictator, we'd be more inclined to help you." Ayako declared and threw her hands above her head, magnifying her exasperation.

Naru turned in his chair and grabbed his tea, narrowing his eyes at the miko. He weighed his options before he spoke, but like always he chose to be direct and brief.

"If things go well then, the team shouldn't have to know, however, if they do not… then you all will be informed." Naru relayed and went back to reviewing the list of staff and students who fit the description.

"Monk cross-reference this list with the school nurse to see if any of these people had ongoing symptoms of illness or fatigue. Masako and John, walk the grounds and see if you sense anything outside the school. Matsuzaki, make enough charms for the base, pool room, and any of the previous locations that Hara listed from her last walk through." Naru closed and left base to conduct his business.

It was a few minutes past homeroom and into what should be first period for the average student. Naru figured that if he was going to call, he should leave the idiot time to arrive at school if she was late. On his previous calls to the main office an older woman he'd come to know as Ms. Higarashi would receive his calls.

Today was no different.

"Good Morning. Shikon High school. This is Ms. Higarashi speaking, how may I help you?"

"Yes, Ms. Higarashi, this is Mr. Shibuya from the research firm speaking." Naru introduced and awaited recognition.

"Ah… Mr. Shibuya. It's a pleasure to hear your voice. Has Ms. Taniyama forgot to inform us of another absence?" The secretary asked

falling into their usual song and dance.

"No, actually I haven't heard from Mai since we departed for our most recent case. I gave her leave to give her time to prepare for entrance exams and college applications. I've been trying to reach her since Tuesday with no avail. Has she been to school at all these past couple days?" Naru explained weaving his own white lies in.

"Pardon me one moment while I check our records. I should have just received this morning's set of attendance sheets from homeroom." Ms. Higarashi explained as Naru picked up on shuffling papers and extensive typing in the background.

"Oh…I see. Well, Mr. Shibuya, it appears that Ms. Taniyama was at school on Monday. Although she wasn't at school yesterday and was also absent from homeroom this morning. Perhaps she has come down with something and is remaining home ill. You know how these young people dress in the spring. Would you like me to send someone to her current residence to check in on her?" Ms. Higarashi asked.

Naru could feel a strange tightening sensation in his gut at the news. The more he discovered about the situation the more his factual sense of self was failing him.

"No, Ms. Higarashi that won't be necessary. I was planning to send one of my staff to do just that. We both know how forgetful she can be." Naru responded using the false jovial tone he used with potential clients.

"You are certainly correct about that Mr. Shibuya. Well, tell her to call the school guidance counselor if she needs any help with her exams or applications. Kids around this age get very stressed, easily flustered, and can do all sort of strange things when they get nervous about securing their future. They are so young and impressionable that they might take advice from the wrong person. I know Mai is a good kid, but you make sure to let her know she can always receive help from our school." Ms. Higarashi droned on and Naru began to get impatient.

"Yes, Well thank you for your time, Ms. Higarashi." He announced curtly.

"Oh… well of course. Do keep me informed on her health if that is the reason for her absence." The secretary urged.

"Yes, I will most likely have one of my associates call to update the school. Have a good day." Naru rushed and hung up.

He needed to send someone over to their apartment.

He brushed his palm over his mouth and his fingers felt the beginnings of stubble. His brain proceeded to calculate and rerun different places Mai went often, and if any of them required that she miss school for more than one day.

'She isn't at school, nor this case, and Yasuhara certainly hasn't seen her yet or he would have informed me of her location. Her teacher lives hours away by plane and she just left. Could it be that she was upset with me for leaving her behind? Could she simply be avoiding me? No, Yasuhara hasn't been able to reach her by cell either. Where else could she go if not with one of the team members?' Suddenly he began to scan his contacts for a number he seldom ever reached out to, but it wasn't too long ago that they had collaborated.

Ring… ring …ring….ring…ring…ring ri- Hello you've reached the voicemail box o-

He quickly hung up and called again.

Ring… ring …ring…ri-

"Hello?!" A voice whispered harshly.

"Have you seen Mai?" Naru interjected immediately.

"Listen, I'm in gym class right now. My teacher will make me run until the final bell if she sees me on the phone. "Michiru whispered harshly.

"Answer the question." Naru demanded unapologetically.

"No okay! You happy? Not since Monday. Why is something wrong?" Michiru asked in return anger melting into a panic.

"Has Keiko's ex-boyfriend been around your school since Monday?" Naru bulldozed on not letting up for her questions.

"No, he hasn't. So what's happening? Don't leave me in the dark here! If something is wrong, I deserve to know it this time! I'm not losing anyone else!" Michiru yelled forgetting herself for a moment.

"Neither am I. I'll handle it." Naru avowed and hung up. He paced now contemplating his next move.

Ring….ring…ring..ring…r-

"Well, hello, teenage heartthrob. What do I owe this phone call?" Yasuhara answered and Naru didn't even have the energy to roll his eyes.

"She wasn't at school yesterday or this morning, but Michiru claimed the ex-boyfriend hasn't made an appearance near the school again either." Naru relayed to his constituent on the other line.

"I see… this isn't looking very good." Yasu's voice already zapped of its usual spark.

"Go to the apartment. I have a spare key at the front desk. Look for any signs of forced entry and if it looks obvious that anything is amiss call the police. If not bring me one of the most recent things she had on her." Naru ordered.

"Consider it done. I should be back to your location within the next four hours." Yasuhara estimated.

"Good." Naru affirmed and hung up. His brain was working in overdrive.

Not even his rational self could deny the multiple inconsistency that made it impossible for Mai's sudden disappearance to be a work of fiction from an overactive imagination. Things were no longer checking out for any of the girl's normal patterns, but with this new set of information from the team's researcher, including police intel, made an unsettling picture clearer and clearer. Shoving his phone back into his pocket and releasing a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, Naru forced his heart rate to slow down.

If he were to suddenly poltergeist it would only contribute to the chaotic nature of their current case. Pacing back into base, he was a bit surprised when Lin spun around to meet him, and stood from his chair. Naru only shook his head attempting to suppress the bile of anxiety from rushing out of him.

He sat heavily showing more of his exhaustion than he planned.

'This range of emotions is draining. It's this girl. She's trying to ruin me.' He thought for a moment imagining what she would say if he ever said that aloud. A throat tightening sensation commandeered the moment swiftly and he dove back into the research he'd previously been conducting.

He heard Lin sigh heavily and sit back down beside him.

"I take it you've contacted Yasuhara then." Lin inquired somberly.

"He'll be back with news four hours from now." Naru responded and Lin didn't pry any longer. He knew that once the young scholar arrived everything would unfold from there. Ayako's eyes danced between the two men but she simply rolled her eyes completely unaware of what just transpired between the two.

The night had been restless.

She was so exhausted that she regretfully wasn't able to dream.

Mai's instincts only allowed her a few hours of sleep before alerting her to something approaching her from the other side of the doors. She knew that whatever or whoever it was had been there moving around for a while before the light came on. Mai squinted away shielding her face. It hurt her eyes after being engulfed in darkness for an immeasurable number of hours.

"There she is." A familiar voice resounded.

Mai's eyes began to focus on the figure of Kasai standing over her smirking down at her battered shape. Last time she saw this boy he had broken her ankle, so she wasn't inclined to say anything that might inspire his rage again.

"You look a bit tired Mai. You must not have slept very well. Luckily I have just the thing for that." Kasai chuckled and held up a big warm looking blanket. Mai looked at it and looked back at him confused.

"I'm willing to give this to you, but you and I have to talk first." Kasai explained and sat on the floor next to her. Mai heard a second pair of footsteps and the other figure was in the doorway still clad in the mask and the unrevealing get-up from yesterday. Mai looked back to Kasai who wore a disarming smile, but the look of him only made her stomach churn and her heartbeat increase.

She nodded quickly but made little movement to uncurl herself more than necessary.

"Why were you at the police station on Saturday?" Kasai asked and Mai nearly dry-heaved. She looked up at him knowing how much surprise she must be showing on her face.

'How does he know? Was... he must have been there that day? How long has he been following me?' Mai wondered trying to keep panic from invading her senses.

"How do you know I was there?" Mai whispered narrowing her eyes. Suddenly the smile fell from his face and his current expression made Mai tremble.

"Read rule four Mai." Kasai said and stood up to point to the paper hanging on the wall. Mai looked over at the paper barely moving her body to bring the words into her line of site.

"READ IT OUT LOUD!" He screamed causing Mai to jump and recoil back into herself defensively. Mai fumbled the words from her mouth clumsy and tried desperately not to cry. She could barely understand the sentence herself, and her captor didn't seem satisfied either.

"Look at me." He growled bending down to grab her chin and forced Mai to look him in the eye. Her face began to dampen with tears, but her eyes remained fierce and unyielding.

"Read it out loud again." Kasai demanded smirking down at Mai.

"Disobedience will be punished." Mai whispered looking away from his unhinged expression. Kasai let go of her face and laughed to himself shaking his head.

"So you know rule number four, and yet when I asked you a question you responded with another question. You do know you'll have to be punished now, right?" Kasai reported and Mai just placed her face back into her legs and curled into herself further.

"Why are you doing this?" Mai asked her voice gaining more volume but was still muffled between her legs.

"More questions huh? Mask, come in and close the door." He ordered and the voiceless figure did just that. Now Mai didn't dare look away from the two. Her heart felt as though it might leap out of her chest at any moment. Kasai pulled his shirt from out of his pants, and started to removed his belt.

Mai began to shake her head no and sobs began to rack her body.

"Please, d-don't…please…I-I'm sorry…please!" She begged as she watched him remove his belt and unbutton his shirt. He started to laugh again and he threw his shirt behind him.

"What? Do you think I want to rape you? You're my little sister. That would be wrong and disgusting. I just know I might work up a sweat and would hate to sully my shirt." Kasai taunted as Mai's sobbing continued. Kasai wrapped his belt around his hand and held it taught.

"Mask, can you count back from ten for me?" Kasai requested. Mai fearfully looked between the two realizing what was about to happen.

"Ten." A deep voice boomed from behind the mask. Suddenly a lash made contact with her skin and she cried out.

"Nine..."

Yasuhara stood in front of the building and made his way through the sliding doors, and straight to the front desk where an older woman sat typing away.

"Good Afternoon. I'm a friend of Mr. Shibuya and he told me I'd be able to receive a spare key from here." Yasu announced and the woman nodded typing some information into the computer.

"His room number?" The woman asked.

"817." Yasu responded.

"Please write down his security code on the sticky notes on the counter." Yasuhara complied and the woman took the notepad to compare with the information in the system. After her eyes finished skating from the screen to the note a couple of times she reached for her keys and unlocked a drawer. She gave Yasuhara a key with an 817-tag hanging from it and he communicated his thanks. The researcher's smile fell from his face as soon as he exited the elevator and made his way toward the room in question.

'Please. Just miraculously be here Mai.' He begged the heavens as he reached for the door but it was already open.

His heart sank.

He looked at deadbolt and the frame was completely crushed inward making it useless. Yasu adjusted his glasses and turned on the light, slowly making his way into the apartment.

Something disturbing caught his eye.

On the hardwood floor was a small puddle of dried blood, and Yasuhara hardened his expression. He slowly and quietly made his way from room to room only to find that the apartment was empty. The only thing out of place was the blood near the door. Yasuhara was partially thankful he didn't find the lifeless body of his friend in the apartment, but this left more questions and little relief.

He took out his phone and took photos of the obstructed door and the blood on the floor. On the counter, Yasuhara spotted Mai's school bag and her cell phone and felt his heart sink further. He reached over and took the set off charms from the school bag and dialed the police.

It took about less than twenty minutes for two officers to arrive at the apartment door, and an hour for them to fill out the missing person's paperwork, take his statement and get similar photographs of the scene. He gave one of the cops a copy of the information he'd had on Kasai which got him a strange look from both of them.

"Son…how did you get this information? Most of this shouldn't be available to the public." The older male cop asked.

"I'm a professional researcher sir and Mai Taniyama, the missing person in question, requested that I do some research on this man before she went missing. This building has lots of surveillance so it shouldn't take too long to find out if and how she was taken from the building." He surmised adjusting his glasses.

"If you ask me that makes you our first suspect, not this Kasai guy." The other cop informed eying him distrustfully.

"I've already given you all my personal information so it shouldn't be that difficult to track me down if what you say is true. Now I have to report back to my boss in the next hour, so if you could let me know if you find anything on the buildings footage that would be very much appreciated. Please do your best to find my friend." Yasuhara said and bowed before exiting the building.

Pain crawled over her like a hundred roaches.

Mai could feel her skin begin to swell from the various welts that started to appear on her skin. She just laid in the corner of the room with her entire body laid out facing the wall. She was too exhausted to cry anymore or even move for that matter.

Even now with her worn out form all she could think about was how to escape. She'd already been here what she guessed was a few days, and today was the first time she'd seen Kasai.

It was also the first time that the Noh-Mask spoke, and it was apparently a he.

'Kasai must be continuing his life as normal so it doesn't look suspicious when people start to see that I'm missing. The fact that where ever I am I only have to worry about one other person between me and escape is even better odds.' Mai thought numbly trying to forget all that was happening to her.

After much 'coercing' Mai responded that she was there to find out information about Keiko's death because she didn't believe that he had nothing to do with it. All details he must have already known since he had the manila folder she'd gotten from Yasu. She could only pray that her friends would be safe from Kasai.

He was willing to torture her and he had a gun.

She didn't want to think what else he and this mask-wearing character were capable of.

Ironically, after he had the information from her that he wanted he left her the blanket, which she hadn't had the strength to reach out for. It was dark again, but Mai couldn't have been more relieved. When it was dark neither of those monsters were there, and she was safe and alone.

'I have to talk to Gene. He might be the only way I can get out of here.' Mai thought to herself and slowly moved her aching limbs. As she pushed herself upwards, she could feel some of her bruises leaking blood, but she didn't let it deter her. Doing her best not to disturb her ankle, her hands desperately searched for the bread and water. She consumed both greedily this time not caring if she needed to use the bucket. After she finished eating, she searched for the blanket and wrapped herself up in it.

'Please Gene. I need your help.' Mai begged and she relaxed her body just like he'd taught her in search of the spiritual plane.

Hey readers. A tough chapter to write. Thanks again for the great reviews and support. I hoped you enjoyed it and I'll see you in the next one.