Chapter 48
Naru strode back into the base and his team members all turned to him for their verdict. Mentally, he'd already decided after being berated by Masako that he could finally allow himself to do exactly what he'd wanted to do from the start.
Go after Mai.
"Yasuhara has given me some news on his progress I believe to be worthy of sharing. The police have been following Kasai's activity for a couple days now and he's continued his normal routine. Mai is still missing and there don't seem to be any signs of her being kept at his residence. I know she's still alive therefore Yasuhara has theorized that he must have employed an accomplice. Said accomplice is keeping her at a separate location where it would be more difficult to track her down." Naru stated one hand sliding into his pocket while the other rested on his chin precariously.
"Well, it's news but it's not exactly good." Monk muttered while clasping his hands behind his neck.
"I agree. The amount of distance that some unknown accomplice could cover in the amount of time the police have been focusing on Kasai is unsettling. It's bad enough imagining what this kid could do to her let alone some random person that might have her shacked up somewhere." Ayako chimed in, her voice weaker than any of them were accustomed to hearing.
"Indeed. Yasuhara also mentioned narrowing down his most likely list of suspects down to two possible culprits. He's hoping by mixing my psychometry with his details on their locations we may narrow down her likely whereabouts. Either way, I must say I agree with this reallocation of team members. Hara, I know you are accustomed to leading from your professional experience. In my absence, you and Takigawa will share the reins of this investigation. I require updates every six hours, minimum. Any new details communicated in the interim from our side will be sent to John. However, any additional communication with the client of an official diagnostic capacity will still be handled by me. Our client has proven to maintain a less than moral standing in regards to the disappearances and the wellbeing of staff and students. I'd like to personally monitor all further interactions. Have I made myself clear?" Naru spoke solidly and he received a few verbal affirmations around the room.
"Take shifts for the rest of the day while the students are here. We've worked through the night and the team requires rest. Lin and I will head back to SPR to meet Yasuhara. Do not hesitate to call should things go awry." Their boss closed and tilted his head over to Lin.
"Ayako." Lin called causing the red head to look over at the stoic giant with a raised brow.
"I'm leaving you in charge of the monitors. Though you like to feint ignorance to avoid setting up it is likely that your experience with medical devices is comparable to understanding our set up. I'll leave behind the manual in case the spirits decided to toy with the equipment. It runs through troubleshooting and such procedures." Lin explained closing his laptop and leaving behind a stack of papers with the priestess who rolled her eyes.
"The two of you had better bring her back. After we wrap things up here, we'll head over and assist you all. I'll also be on your ass about updates too buddy. So please. Bring her back." Monk called over before the two men departed without another word.
"Alright. Monk, please take the first resting shift. John and I will approach the spirits together one by one to see if we are able to cleanse them. Ayako watch the monitors. Everyone keep your radios on you so we can communicate if needed." Masako ordered and they all seemed to approve of the plan.
Kasai pulled out one of the many burner phones he had stowed away in his room prior to his departure from work. It had been a few days since his last encounter with his little prisoner and he just wanted to hear her voice.
He'd never tried to mentally break someone before, but the process was an absolute thrill.
Initially, he'd only wanted to torture and kill her. But upon some self-reflection, he felt that the idea of breaking her down piece by piece; savoring the mental regression he'd inflict was a fantastic idea too.
Right now though he'd been starved just to hear her voice and the desperation in her words.
Those thoughts were cut short when he dialed the cabin phone number. There was a landline that was disconnected from the outside of the cabin. For communication purposes, they agreed to allow the line to be live for an hour at 9 AM and 9 PM. It was now half past nine and there was no response from the cabin.
He called once. No response.
Twice. No response.
Even a third time. Annoyingly polite disconnected phone speech.
He tore the phone in two and discarded it on his way into work. Careful not to allow the police watch dog to see his suspicious actions.
'Something is very wrong. Assuming the worst she has escaped and that fool is running after her or dead. Time to cut all ties with him. If she escaped recently, she won't be moving very fast because of her injuries. Although, that section from last night's news cycle was concerning. She might be recognized if she is found. She saw my face when I kidnapped her. So I'll have to handle them both quickly if I am to survive this again. Accomplices are fun, but always so messy.' Kasai sighed and continued preparations for worst case scenario.
He'd been planning to abandon his mother for a while now.
She'd been a great piece of the puzzle while it was beneficial, but she seemed to be reaching her limit with his antics. He could tell that she was about done and could potentially turn them both in soon with her current emotional state.
He'd have to move quickly.
'Lucky for me old Byakuya has a nasty reputation for violence and there are definitely human remains hanging up like trophies in that little underground bunker of his. It should be easy enough to tip off the police about that. As for Mai… I'll either have to find her and dispose of her. Or go into hiding. Perhaps some of both. Just when I finally got a new pet.' Kasai pouted as he began his shift.
The office was a bit chilled on his arrival back from their case. The late spring weather brought a bright sunrise today, but dark storm clouds were rolling in from the horizon. The wind began to shift as a cooler breeze chased the duo into the office.
Luckily, an exhausted college student and a round of hot tea awaited the two on arrival. Naru, not one to mix words, especially in dire circumstances, hastened to the files laid out over the coffee table.
"Have you discovered anything new since we last spoke?" Naru inquired his eyes looking over the files like mad. Lin closed the door behind them and joined his two associates. Opening his laptop, he noted there were digital versions of most of the documents Yasuhara brought with him waiting in his email.
"Yes actually. I spoke with one of the officers on Mai's case a few moments ago and they were able to locate the vehicle that was used in her kidnapping." Yasuhara informed dutifully.
"Good. Has it rendered any information on her whereabouts?" Naru pressed once again.
"I'm afraid not. I'm not sure how the culprits were able to do this without detection, but the entire vehicle was incinerated and left by the side of the highway. It was actually discovered yesterday, but it took the forensics team a while to uncovered the license plate. I'm under the impression that the license plate was found only because the perpetrator wanted it to be. They could have easily taken it since they were able to leave the entire vehicle undetected. Naturally, not much else could be salvaged from the ashes." Yasuhara said as melancholy remained embedded in his posture and baggy under eyes.
"That will do Osamu. Now that I'm no longer necessary at the Private School Case I will be giving this my full attention. We are bringing Mai home as soon as we are able." Naru concluded.
He placed all of his paperwork down and leaned back into the couch as if preparing to sleep.
Naru reached into his pocket and closed his eyes.
Seeing where she was now would be difficult. It was always effortless to see when a person was last in contact with an object, and even the events happening around the object during that time. However, after that, he'd have to latch onto that person's aura and begin searching for new clues. Then he could sense what they were feeling and more information would flow forth from there.
Suddenly he felt her pain.
He could feel his back was burning, his ankles felt wrong and out of place, and a tidal wave of exhaustion held him down too.
'This is bad.' Was all he kept thinking as images of a forest filled his vision. He was limping and afraid, but the fire of determination filled him. There was evidence of severe dehydration and he could feel her shaking after each step forward.
Mai was struggling and fighting to survive.
'She's running away from something. Mai must have escaped or worse, is a part of some awful game of cat and mouse. Although, her belief in escape is overwhelming, but then again the idiot has always been an optimist. 'Naru noted absorbing her experiences and feeling the pain increase; his heart rate skyrocketed.
Unexpectedly, he was terrified and hiding covering himself in dried leaves behind a rotted-out tree trunk. The shaking had become much worse and he could feel a large lump in his throat. She probably hadn't even realized that tears were falling down her face.
There were voices, one more faint and the other much louder. One of them approached and then darkness. She must have fainted.
The pieces rushed around Naru like mad, but he memorized each of them.
He opened his eyes and the weight of the exhaustion fell away like a wool blanket. Only leaving dull notes of pain every now and then.
Next Naru noted the time.
10:23
He'd only lost eleven minutes to the visions, which was up with his personal best. It was rare he could pull in and out with such precision. Both of the fellow occupants seemed engrossed in their own research, most likely researching the prime suspects. They hadn't even noticed him shifting and his eyes readjusting to the office.
"Mai's in a forest. She's fainted in a forest. Her ankles are in bad condition... something is wrong with her back too. Exhaustion, dehydration, and exposure. Regardless, of her condition, we have indications of a likely location. We need a list of the most forested areas in Japan within a 250 km radius. I also need a catalog of Japanese soil types, native trees, insects, and agriculture." He ordered as he walked into his office and returned with the very same map that helped him locate his brother.
Pulling it out again left a bitter taste in his mouth, but he tried not to dwell on it.
What most people misunderstood about his abilities was that they believed he was a human dowsing rod. That he could use his visions to sense the location of lost love ones. Then from there be pulled by super natural forces to their locations.
Such was not the case.
Though his visions were an excellent source of information; it was his impeccable detective work that really gave him the edge to locate people. Essentially, becoming a botanist, entomologist, or whatever the situation called for overnight.
Lin returned with a few large English Encyclopedias about Japanese Geography and Natural Science they'd used in his brother's investigation as well. After flipping over to the glossary his eyes skated through the letters and sentences like mad. Absorbing what he could and taking furious notes in the process.
"Magnolia Stellata, Brown forest soil, deer, and Chyrsolin Virgata. Where do the four of these species populations coincide with one another?" Naru spoke aloud, but more to himself. He used four different highlighters to align each native habitat on the laminated map.
Propitiously, all these clues led only to one land mass.
"Mt. Atago in the Tochigi prefecture." Naru said spoke again. Yasuhara rose from his seat to look at the map from his perspective. He grabbed his notes again and nodded.
"That's the best clue we've gotten so far, but I must say... that area… Mt. Atago resides on is huge. It's also a three-hour drive if we can avoid traffic. How could we narrow down her location?" Lin spoke for the first time since they arrived in the office.
Yasu wasn't even sure how he continued to listen to everything around him and scour the internet all at once. The man must have been part machine.
"We may not need too." Yasuhara interjected as he pulled a picture out of his folder. He reread another passage from his file then used a black permanent marker to circle a section of lower elevation on the mountain.
"Byakuya Hidoi has a private residence in this area of the mountain. I'd say knowing where she is would be our accomplices smoking gun. However, this man does have both a firearms and hunting licenses. Therefore, we will be met with imminent resistance if we pursue or corner the suspect. Should I alert the police or are we going in alone?" Yasuhara revealed as the three men exchanged meaningful glances.
"In my vision, Mai was running away, so she might have been able to get away from captivity. If we can get to her before Byakuya does than we might be able to execute a rescue without confrontation. However, this man is most likely well versed in hunting and will be able to track her trail if she isn't careful. Regardless, there is a chance we may be able to find and get her back. Alert the detective of our findings, but we will be leaving immediately." Naru surmised and the three began to prepare.
'Just a little longer Mai. I'm coming.' Naru began to roll the map and prepare for the journey. He placed a hand over the locket she'd given him not long ago in hopes it could bring her back to him.
Masako and John were able to speak to five of the spirits in the past three hours, but their progress was unfortunately not as sweeping as they'd hoped. Two of the spirits spoke few words before hiding away again. Another two crossed over with adamant persuasion, and the last threw text books around the room wildly so they had to flee.
Currently, the were catching their breath after they'd both been chased out by a rather large set of encyclopedias. It was definitely difficult to continue the investigation while school was still in session, and maintain a level of discreteness.
"We-huff- should go back to –huff- base. So we can regroup –huff- with the others." John struggled to say, his back supported by the lockers behind his back.
"I'd have to agree. These spirits are more reluctant to listen to reason than I first assessed." Masako replied obviously discouraged.
"I think you're due for some rest. We can let Ayako and Monk try their hand at the spirits for now." John reasoned.
"Perhaps Ayako, but not Monk. He can only exorcise not cleanse. I don't want to give up on these children yet." Masako urged and
John took her hand, surprising her with his forwardness.
"Masako. We are a team. We must have faith in each other now more than ever. Do not count our teammates out. I'm positive they know what this means to you, and would consult with you before taking any further actions." John emphasized by squeezing her palm lightly.
The young medium only nodded feeling her face heat up a bit before looking away. She was positive the priest didn't know how handsome he truly was.
The duo made their return to base to see Ayako filing her nails in front of the monitors and humming to herself.
"Welcome back you two. Should I go wake the Monk? "Ayako greeted with a small smile. The softness that replaced her usual sass was strange, but it was no secret where her heart and mind were.
"Yes. I think Masako should take the next shift, and the three of us can discuss our next plan of action." John agreed and Ayako walked off to the adjoining room where the sleeping cots were located.
"NO! NOT YET! SHE CAN'T BE!" Masako cried out.
John whipped around and took in the sight of the medium. Her trembling form and emotional distress seem to arise from nowhere.
Her eyes were distant, but her body language spoke volumes as her head began to whip around madly as if looking for something. When their eyes met there was no sense of familiarity in them.
He knew she was possessed.
'Masako, you're already tired. You shouldn't have let this spirit possess you. I know you wanted to save them, but...' John steeled himself for resistance as he pulled out his rosary beads.
"Spirit. I know you are confused and scared, but you have already passed away. Step into the light and there you will find peace." John spoke softly and approached at a glacial pace.
"No! Please! Hide me! I cannot go back there! I WONT!" The specter began to scream and backed away from his advance.
"Do not fret spirit. If you step into the light nothing can harm you anymore and you will find peace. God is our help and our shield. God's love is unfailing. Go to the light and you will know no more suffering, no more fear, no more pain, only peace." John stood firm and smiled and reach out his hand to the spirit. It stopped Masako's body and looked at him pitifully and wept.
"I know that I died, but I don't know how to leave. Please help me. I don't want her to find me." The spirit called falling to Masako's knees. John walked forward and kneeled with the spirit and held them tightly.
"Fear not spirit. I will give you, my aid. Now, close your eyes. Relax and think of the most beautiful peace you can imagine. Let it warm and calm you. It's warm and bright, isn't it?" John spoke softly and the spirit nodded.
"Yes, I-I feel warm. Oh –oh no. It's pulling me in!" Masako voice replied in a panic voice.
"Do not fear. This peace will protect you and bring you the rest you've been searching for. Your loved ones are waiting for you there. Go to them." John remarked and could feel Masako's body fall into his slowly.
"Thank you." She whispered before she lost consciousness. John could no longer feel the presence in base with them and exhaled a breath of release.
'How did that spirit get into our base? There are charms all around the perimeter. Could Masako let it attach itself to her before we came into the base. That is so dangerous. She must truly be desperate to save these spirits.' John held Masako's limp form and rested her onto the couch as he heard footsteps entering base.
"Wow, she's out like a light already? You two just got back. I could have sworn I heard yelling." Monk spoke groggily with the priestess not too far behind.
"She just channeled another spirit, but I was able to perform a cleansing. Masako was also able to speak to two more of the former students not long ago to get them to pass on as well. That still leaves at least five more, but we've made progress. Masako is also obstinate that she doesn't want any of the children exorcised. So please try your best to cleanse them without any additional suffering." John insisted and his comrades nodded understanding completely.
"No worries, John. We all feel the same way." Monk yawned and stretched his body.
"John…" A weak voice called from behind the priest. He quickly walked back over to the couch where she was rested.
"John… she's back. Eto is back." Masako said weakly and the priest's eyes grew wide.
"God help us." John uttered.