Chapter 57

She was in a room covered in white walls, with a single chair in the middle. For some reason this entirely blank room made her feel terrified. Like something bad was about to happen.

No.

Something terrible had already happened here.

And it kept happening when she was in this room.

"Marie. Assume the position." A booming voice sailed in over the loud speaker. She stayed in place. Far away from the center of the room. She wanted today to be different. She didn't want to feel pain anymore.

"Do not doddle child. Now!" A different voice called this time which was several decibels louder than the opposite.

That was her father.

Marie weighed her options. Would she delay the pain? Either way there would be pain.

"Marie!" He called again, but this time she knew this was her last warning.

She sighed.

Marie knew that she would choose the familiar pain over the unimaginable plotting of her father. He was a researcher with the goal of having a child with paranormal abilities. However, despite her late mother being an enormously talented psychic, she had no talents to speak of.

This displeased her father very very much.

So after her tenth birthday, he began to…experiment. It was slow at first. Deep meditations for long hours in strange smelling smoky rooms. Then there were the hallucinogens that gave her terrible nightmares. Now, there was this terrible terrible room.

A nurse jacked her up to a few machines to monitor her vitals and strapped her down. Marie was silent as she waited begrudgingly. The nurse's heels clicked out the door and turned the lock.

"We will now begin." The other voice who wasn't her father called over the speaker in a strange monotone.

Then the temperature of the room dropped.

Father explained to her that he was using the gentlest method of creating a near death experience. To make her body cold enough to slow her heart rate, but not cold enough for a complete heart failure or a pulmonary edema.

First it was the shivering and the rapid heart rate increase. Her limbs shivered so harshly, she thought she may be seizing. Marie felt like she couldn't breathe and her thoughts were sporadic. It felt like she was shaking for hours until her body started to burn from the exertion.

Her fingers and toes grew paler and dryer.

Then her eyes grew heavier.

"Father, please." Marie begged silently.

"Marie we will be raising t-" The other scientist called only to be stopped.

"No, you ingrate! Do not stop until she passes out completely!" Her father roared.

A loud cracking rang out and dust and debris started falling onto her from the ceiling.

Still she could not move.

Marie could hear them arguing, but she didn't have the energy to protest. Part of her prayed to fall asleep and never wake up. So she gave in and closed her eyes.

"Mon Cherie. Darling…" A woman called and Marie opened her eyes. A woman with beautiful deep brown skin and green eyes smiled over her.

"M-mommy." She whispered and the woman nodded and smiled.

"Please, take me with you. I don't want to be here anymore. I miss you." Marie whispered soft and slow.

"Not yet. I've come to give you a gift, but remember it belongs to you. You are not a tool my sweet child. You must wield this power for yourself or it will overwhelm you. Heed my warning and be safe." Marie's mother said, her voice holding an angelic dream like quality.

Marie nodded and everything faded to black.

Mai woke up shivering.

Her bones felt like they were rattling together, but she knew it was most likely residual energy from her dream.

Luckily, it was morning all over again.

According to the weather report it would be a sunny warm day. Knowing her cure, Mai headed into the bathroom for a hot shower. The water cleared the fog and helped her to recollect each part of her dream.

'Marie. That cold I felt coming off of you in the showers. Was that residual from your trauma or part of your abilities?' Mai silently wondered, but then an even more troubled train of thought passed through.

Marie was clearly a very young girl in her dreams going through tests in what Mai could only imagine was an SPR lab. How could her father get away with something so heinous? With Masako's words still present in her mind; Mai could only imagine how many palms were greased to encourage all forms of government oversight to look the other way.

'Am I safe here?' Mai shook her last thought from her head and began getting ready for the rest of her day. Mai had only just finished drying her hair when a knock came from her door. It revealed her neighbor from across the hall.

"Let me guess, is it bathing suit or gym clothes today?" Mai sighed and Naru smirked.

"Neither. You'll be meeting some other psychics today, so office appropriate will be fine." Naru relayed and Mai smiled relieved. Mai let her eyes meet his for the first time since he entered the room and his face looked… more relaxed.

It was a nice expression he rarely wore, so she couldn't help but wonder…

"Mai, I know I'm handsome, but openly staring is considered rude." Naru teased and Mai immediately rolled her eyes.

"Haha, so funny Naru. I was going to tell you about my dream, but you looked so blissful, it made me think twice. What's got you in such a good mood today?" Mai asked as she walked over toward the wall mounted mirror. She adjusted her brown circle skirt and tucked in her pink blouse. While she worked, Naru appeared behind her in the mirror.

His sunny disposition suddenly turned into a frown.

"So you're just going to ignore my question and frown at me?" Mai complained as Naru stepped around her blocking her view. It was Mai's turn to start frowning when she felt a tug on her shirt.

"Why are your buttons so low in the front ? Not to mention you aren't even wearing a camisole, I can see your black bra." Naru complained and Mai flushed immediately placing her hands over her chest.

"Now who's gawking you pervert?" Mai cried out and stumbled back only to trip backwards onto her bed. Naru could only smirk at the hapless woman, admittedly enjoying the sight of her disheveled on the mattress. Mai quickly tried to right herself upwards sliding back toward the edge of the bed, but her skirt simultaneously rode up her legs.

Noll couldn't decide if he wanted her to change or not.

His legs started approaching her without asking his mind permission. Naru placed two fingers under her chin and leaned in to capture her mouth. Mai let out a small squeak of surprise before relaxing against him.

Kissing Naru always gave Mai a peek into his mood.

If he was remorseful, he would kiss her soft and slow. If she vexed him, he would tease her endlessly before completely dominating her lips with his. This morning she couldn't tell if he was truly annoyed about her state of dress or if something else had gotten into him. His hands wandered down to her hips and squeezed her side softly.

Mai felt excitement building in her core and she wanted more of it.

Mai brought her hands up to his shirt's lapels and pulled him over her. It was so easy to get lost in him, especially when he touched her like this. Naru wordlessly complied towering over her, eyelids low as he wore a mischievous expression.

It made her shiver.

"Is this why you didn't button your shirt?" Naru mumbled near her ear. Mai was about to scold him but he was kissing her all over again. She was getting dizzy and flush, but she only pulled him closer. Finally, she had to pull away just to breathe, but he continued his musings. Kissing her cheek, her nose, then her neck.

Feeling brave she whispered into his ear.

"Is this why you barged into my room to harassed me about my shirt?" Mai mocked laughter bubbled from her mouth. Naru pulled back just far enough so he could raise an eyebrow at her.

He was about to comment when a knock rapped onto her door, and opened…

"Mai dearest, have you seen N-" Luella began but immediately stopped at the scene in front of her. Mai still lay underneath Noll growing red as a tomato. While her son didn't even have the decency to blush, only drawing his face into a scowl at her disturbance.

"Oh my goodness. Sorry to interrupt. I'll see you both down at breakfast." Luella chirped skirting her way out of the room with a knowing smile and a carefree laugh. As soon as the door closed Mai pounded on Naru's chest and pushed him off of her.

"Please just kill me! Your mother just saw us ! And y-you ! YOU!" Mai stammered leaping from the bed to straighten herself in the mirror all over again. Naru hmphed joining her in the mirror once again, straightening his appearance as well.

"Me? As if I'm anymore guilty than you?" Naru scoffed with a condescending expression.

"Yes, you! You could have at least moved ! Y-you just stayed right over me like you were going to keep going as soon as she closed the door!" Mai fretted walking over the window to get fresh air.

"I might have if you didn't react so violently. Besides I thought you could sense auras. Should've felt her coming dumby." He mumbled loud enough for her to hear and Mai growled.

"Get out!" Mai yelled and threw the nearest pillow at him. He caught it easily and tossed it onto the mattress.

"Don't take all day. Remember, dress professional." Naru called behind him as he dismissed himself.

Mai threw another pillow at the door as he left.

Madoka eyed the trio seated in her lobby warily. Lin had abandoned her to work in an unoccupied office, but she knew he was likely using a shikigami to make sure she was alright. After all, they had company this morning.

"Where is Dr. Davis? I don't have all day." A blonde gentleman griped into his coffee mug.

Some of the company was impolite.

"Now now Reggie. It's only been a minute at most. Besides, I know I'd wait all day to get the chance to work with Oliver. Right Rowan?" The Nigerian boy responded cheerfully folding both hands behind his head grinning.

"I definitely agree Tayo. I'm sure that Reggie is a bit nervous to meet him. I know I am." Rowan admitted pulling his hand through his bright red hair.

"I am not nervous to meet Dr. Davis !" Reggie yelled slamming his cup down.

"Well, I'm glad to hear it. But perhaps you should withhold your judgement until after the day is done." Naru said smoothly entering the room with Mai in tow. Reggie went beet red in the face while Tayo burst out into a fit a laughter.

"Good Morning, Dr. Davis. We're all a part of Madoka's latest work study class. The three of us are absolutely honored to be chosen for your latest research project. Thank you for taking us under your wing. We promise to assist with the best of our individual abilities. Gentleman, let us introduce ourselves." Rowan the red head stood politely moving forward to shake the professor's hand.

"My name is Rowan McCarthy and I am a pyrokinetic. I'm currently studying demonology." Rowan introduced charmingly.

"Hey! Name's Tayo Bello. I'm a spiritual healer. I'm studying chakras, deep meditation, and curses." Mr. Bello had equal amounts of charm and a very sunny disposition.

"Good morning, Dr. Davis. I'm Reginald Smith. I'm a physical medium, but I rely much more on my deductive skills. Discernment, pattern recognition, and a natural curiosity towards all things paranormal are my usual tools. I'm currently working on my thesis regarding possession and spiritual cords." Reggie responded, much more serious than his counterparts.

"Gentleman, take your seats. I take it you have all reviewed and signed the non-disclosure agreement, otherwise you wouldn't have made it into this room." Naru queried and they all communicated various affirmations.

"Good. I'd would like to reiterate, should you decide to break that legally binding contract; I will make it my personal mission to sue you into oblivion and end your career. Are we clear ?" Noll warned with a viciously calm demeanor.

Mai could feel the chill of his PK fill the room and she rolled her eyes.

'Show off.' Mai thought as she made herself scarce by the tea station.

The three men agreed once more with serious expressions.

"Excellent, we are in agreement. Mai?" Naru called and the brunette pranced over carefully balancing the steaming cup.

"Yes?" Mai asked placing a cup gingerly in front of her boss.

"Introduce yourself in brief fashion." Naru ordered and Mai scoffed at his tone.

"Good morning gentleman. My name is Mai. I'm not sure if I can tell you anything else, but I'm sure if we will be working together my abilities will speak for themselves. Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to working with each of you." Mai introduced bowing before a full blush covered her face.

"Oh dear, I keep forgetting you don't bow here." Mai admitted chuckling. Tayo and Rowan seemed warmed by her apparent bashfulness.

"That is a sufficient introduction for now, Mai. There are a few experiments we will be conducting with Mai this week. Based on skills she has demonstrated on numerous investigations; we shall recreate each environment in order to study and diagnose each psychic phenomenon. While research is a part of this investigation; it is not the main goal. Mai needs to understand her abilities to gain control. Her wellbeing and ability to maneuver her skills safely is the top priority." Oliver explained and the trio nodded along.

Mai noticed Reggie pulled out a notepad from his pants and started taking furious notes.

"Mr. Smith. Please refrain from taking notes. Such things can be used to compromise our investigation and reveal Mai's identity." Madoka called over and Reggie looked over in surprise. Sighing, he ripped out the paper and handed it over to the pink hair woman.

"I've already set up several experiments for the next couple of days to get us started. Next week the three of you will be able to design your own experiment for Mai based on your deductions. Naturally, these procedures will be reviewed by doctoral staff and myself prior to approval. So try not to be disappointing." Noll advised.

"And please… no more water." Mai mumbled to herself.

"Ugh… please tell me I'm done." Mai whined throwing her head in her chair. Similar to when Naru first examined Mai; she was placed in front of a rudimentary guessing machine. Much to her surprise she repeated her performance of 100 wrong answers, ten times in a row.

"Yes, Mai that was one thousand entries. Now, gentleman what have you observed ?" Naru put forth to his pupils.

"Amazing. It's ironically the opposite intent of this particular test, but she never got a single answer correct out of 1000. I'm not sure how to put that into a math problem." Tayo stated in awe.

"Is avoiding a psychic ability? It was almost like she was dodging the right answers." Rowan questioned raising both brows.

"I'd call that self-preservation. A skill all humans possess to some extent, but this is certainly a heightened version of that phenomenon. I wonder if this is only applicable to inanimate object or if biological dangers are applicable. Mai, can you sense human intent ?" Reggie inquired and Mai looked at Naru. He nodded as if to say that should could respond as she liked.

"Yes, but only if it's something bad. In my experience the worse the intention, the stronger my reaction. I don't think I can sense anything harmless though, like your intent to eat soup for lunch." Mai shared getting a laugh from Rowan and Tayo.

"Fascinating. Does this have the same proficiency in the real world as with this test ?" Reggie examined further.

"No. A machine is binary. Human intent is much more complicated. I've experienced a few instances where I was unable to perceive a threat until it was too late. But I am getting sharper." Mai responded cryptically. Naru's eyes softened at the admission, but felt they were entering more personal territory.

"Too late? What do you mean ?" Tayo looked toward her, eyes brimming with concern.

"Someone gets hurt or worse." Mai communicated her eyes floating from Tayo's toward the ground.

Tayo kneeled downward in front of Mai with a pleading expression.

"Mai, if I may be so forward as to share something with you. As I said this morning, I'm a healer. I once had a terminal patient who was a young girl. She suffered daily and the best I could do for her was make tonics and alleviate the pain. When she finally passed, I was so very heartbroken. I'd grown attached to her in our short time together. That was the first time that had ever happened with one of my patients. Afterwards, I lost my grip on my abilities and was unable to heal for a long time. That was when my teacher taught me that I cannot heal everyone and everything. Spread your abilities too thin and they can become useless. Doubt yourself, and your abilities will become weak or abandon you all together. Your words and something I feel from your energy tell me that you have experienced trauma from this life. Maybe much more than what I sense now. I had to turn my healing inwards and forgive myself. If you cannot do this you will never be able to grow in your spiritual journey." Tayo implored.

Mai's face slackened with sheer shock at first, but then warmed more and more at his words. Before she could help it tears started to swim from her eyes, practically uncontrollably.

"Oh no! Oh no! Mai it's alright. S-sorry, Dr. Davis we didn't mean to make her cry." Rowan panicked and started fluttering around her like a flightless bird.

"Way to go Tayo. Didn't need to go all guru on her. Look what you did." Reggie berated crossing his arms over his chest.

"Nonsense. Tears are not always bad. They can be a release of negative energy. Mai, how are you feeling?" Tayo inquired standing up once more.

"Honestly, a bit embarrassed. I just met the three of you and I'm already being so emotional." Mai admitted wiping her eyes gingerly.

"And beyond the embarrassment, is there any relief?" Tayo inclined further.

Mai took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment.

"Yes, I've relieved a bit of tension. Thank you for the wise words, Tayo." Mai appeased and Rowan sighed in relief. Mai stood and hugged Tayo tightly around his center surprising the tall boy.

"N-no need Mai. It's my job to heal others." Tayo stammered and his counterparts glared at him. Tayo also felt the temperature in the room drop a few degrees.

"That's enough Mai. Don't be too friendly with the staff. It's time for lunch." Naru scolded and Mai moved away from a self-conscious Tayo back towards her boyfriend.

'Hmm… he doesn't look too pleased with me right now. Maybe I said too much earlier.' Mai wondered completely oblivious to her own overly generous affections.

Lunch and the further afternoon were similar to the morning. Naru arranged for Mai to work with alternate styles of probability machines to assess her abilities of self-preservation in a measurable fashion. Reggie, Rowan, and Tayo communicated their findings and called it a day.

Mai couldn't believe it was already Wednesday and that she was more than halfway through her first week at SPR and Naru bid Lin and Madoka goodbye and made their way down to the parking garage.

"What do you think is for dinner today? English cuisine is so interesting and exciting." Mai cheered as she speculated aloud different dishes she'd seen in movies.

"Steak or Fish and Chips or even though round balls of ground beef. " Mai hummed.

Suddenly Naru stopped and Mai ran right into his back, successfully squashing her nose.

"Oww… Naru what was that fo-" Mai yelled acidly only to peer around to see a familiar head of brown curls leaned against his vehicle.

"Good evening." Marie chirped sweetly moving her weight back onto her feet.

"I'm pretty sure this counts as stalking." Mai barked narrowing her eyes at the woman.

"How can I help you Ms. Williams." Naru stated sharply sticking his hand out in front of Mai so she didn't proceed past him.

"You know Davis. We aren't so different, you and I. We both like to take the most direct route to the right answers." Marie admitted shrugging her arms in an attempt to appear harmless.

"We are nothing alike because I am a genius and you are well… boorishly simple minded." Naru cut. If Mai wasn't so sure this encounter wasn't leaning in a dangerous direction, she would have scolded him.

"Ouch professor. And to think I'd once looked forward to your lectures. Keep talking like that and you'll lose a fan." Marie whined, pretending to be wounded by his words.

"Don't make me repeat myself." Naru berated, but never lost his cool demeanor.

"I just wanted to warn you Dr. Davis. You might be going home to some shocking news. I figured out of the kindness of my heart I would warn you since you've been holed up playing doctor with Ms. Taniyama all day. Your little experiment is about to go public." Marie announced enigmatically.

Naru didn't want to let an ounce of his curiosity show, unfortunately Mai did her part in bulldozing his intentions.

"What a hypocrite. She says she likes being blunt while feeding us breadcrumbs. Get to the point." Mai chomped out.

"Oh my. Chain your hound Dr. Davis. Anyways, don't ask me. Your father is on the board of directors, so ask him yourself. Seems like you won't be able to trust your Daddy dearest for help after all." Marie teased before finally moving back towards the way the duo arrived from.

Mai's mouth moved before she could stop herself.

"Says the girl whose father sticks her into the freezer for fun." Mai growled out stopping Marie in her tracks.

Marie's eyes went wide clearly caught off guard.

Then the temperature in the parking garage plummeted. Marie's eyes turned toward Mai's still wide with disbelief. Naru stood between the two and pushed Mai further behind him.

"Ms. Williams. I believe you should leave before the two of us turn this facility into rubble. Don't you think ?" Naru suggested as Mai felt the pressure of his PK spiking upwards. Marie's eyes then leveled in to deadly slits before moving from Mai up toward Naru.

"I think you'd better not let her out of your sight from here on out. Or you'll be planning another funeral." Marie seethed quietly before walking back out of the parking garage into the building.

The pair stood there for several more beats before going back into the car. Naru pulled out of the garage and drove in complete silence.

"Mai. How did you know that?" He finally asked bringing Mai's gaze from the passing traffic.

"You already know the answer. The same way I figure out everything." Mai replied boredly.

"Why didn't you tell me about your dream?" Naru responded his tone skating between concern and annoyance.

"We were a bit preoccupied this morning." Mai laughed humorlessly, but wasn't bold enough to look at his reaction.

"Tell me now then." Naru requested and Mai relayed each detail as they drove. When she was done Mai cast her gaze toward him.

"Naru, why did SPR let him do those experiments? I'm clearly not of fan of Marie's and honestly, I shouldn't have said those things to her. What she went through was horrific. No wonder she is the way she is." Mai shared regretfully.

"SPR is many things, but it is not a peer reviewed torture chamber. Yes, it is possible for test to go terribly wrong and for people to get injured or even worse. However, psychics and advisors choose and recommend the safest routes we can. Dr. Williams came to us with his daughter from the private sector as paranormal industry refugees. There is no evidence corroborating this, but people have said it was Marie herself who flattened their last facility. Very little is known about her powers. Only that she is a force of sheer destruction. The things you shared from your dream were likely from her previous private sector experiments." Naru relayed grimly.

"I think that was the day she gained her powers. I get the feeling she may have destroyed that place the very same day." Mai speculated her eyes distant as she mentally replayed the horror of her vision in her mind.

"Mai. Do not provoke her. Its already bad enough she is seeking you out." Naru scolded and Mai sighed nodding. She looked out the window and noted that they weren't taking their usual route back to the Davis manor.

"Um… Naru. Where are we?" Mai asked as he pulled into a parking lot.

"Get out and see for yourself." Naru replied not waiting and stepping out himself.

Thank you so much for the reviews, follows, and favorites. To you it may seem simple but hearing your kind words keeps me all fired up about this story! So keep them coming and I'll do my job too ;)

Until next time !