Chapter 6
So Close…Yet Still So Far
Day 2
Case 1
I woke up to still find myself sleeping on the sofa in base. But my head was on a pillow and not on Naru's Chest. Reading the clock on the far wall, Seven-am. I only slept for another two hours. Looking around, I noticed that I was the only one occupying the room.
"That's odd, Naru or Lin should be in here" I got up and walked to the monitors to see if anyone would show up...Not a single one of my coworkers. Weird. Could I be dreaming? No, this isn't a dream. I'm sure Naru and Lin are walking the grounds, and the rest of them are still sleeping, we did have a really late night looking for the missing Tiana, I'm sure they aren't going to be awake for another few hours.
I walked back to the sofa to fold the blanket. Keeping hold of the folded blanket I grabbed the pillow and put them in the closet next to the base door. I closed the door and turned around and yelped. There standing before me was a girl. She had long black hair that reached her waist and crystal blue eyes. Her skin was pale, her cheeks and lips were a soft pink. She wore and long creamy pink gown that touched the floor. She smiled at me and opened her mouth to talk...but she closed it again. I noticed the room got a lot colder. I looked away from her to look around the room to find a ghost, then it hit me... I snapped my head back at her..
She's the ghost...
She stepped towards me and I stepped back to only be pressed against the closet door. She stepped closer and reached her hand out but stop short when the base room door opened.
"Mai" I looked at the opened door and looked back at her, to only find her not there.
"Mai" I looked up at the person who called me name...It was Naru, I could see Lin sitting back at the monitors
"Y-yes?"
"Tea. Now" Naru ordered.
"Where were you?" I asked
"Looking around" He walked to the monitors, and took a seat next to Lin, Opening a notebook he began to jot down.
"Oh. Did you find any clues about Tiana's disappearance? Especially now that its day light, it should be a lot easier" Mia followed. A moment later the base room door opened once again, allowing the rest of the company to walk in.
"No, it could be a possibility that Tiana ran off."
"Thats not true!" I shouted at him "There is no way that Tiana would do that. You saw how devastated Mrs. Mataki was when she told us, and what about Emi? They are really good friends from what we were told. I don't believe for one second that Tiana would just run away. In my heart I think that demon we are dealing with took her. That's the only lead we have"
"Mai, there isn't any evidence that shows she was taken."
"There wasn't any evidence that Masako was taken by Urado, but we believed it and went from there." Mai was trying to convince Naru of her gut feeling.
"You believe that?" He questioned.
I nodded "With my entire body."
"There is also one other possible suspect to look into as well" Yasu chimed. In his hand he held a folder.
"You have the information I asked you for" Naru asked
"Yes boss, it was a quick and easy job since the house only had one suspected family." Rummaging through the paper work he came across what he was looking for. He held up a photograph of a young maiden, with long black hair and piercing blue eyes "This is Zoe, a seventeen year old girl who use to live in this house."
"No" I whispered
"Do you know her Mai?" John asked
"N-no, well not personally. She was here, with me, in this room, right before Naru and Lin walked in"
"Why didn't you say anything" Naru stood up "What would have happened if she hurt you"
"She wasn't going to" I looked up to him "She had a kindness to her, I felt safe."
"I don't know Mai, we now have two spirits. One Mai claims to be kind and the other malicious" Monk said.
"Yasu, tell us everything you found" Naru urged. Nodding, Yasu stood up so everyone could see him properly. Pulling along the large rolling white board we bought a few cases ago to help aid Madoka and Yasu on their research.
"Twenty-Seven years ago, the Rosenberg family moved in. Head of the house was a Lithuanian writer named Derek Rosenberg, his wife Tabatha, and their then ten year old daughter Zoe" Yasu hung up each picture of the family, including two of Zoe, one when she was ten and the other at the age of seventeen.
"Mrs. Rosenberg worked as a special needs teacher and was offered to relocate to Japan to help open a school. And being a writer, Mr. Rosenberg was allowed to work from home. They lived a very normal life. Zoe went to school and immersed herself into the Japanese culture. She quickly became top of her class, and participated in school activities including sports and theater. She also volunteered at a local children's hospital. From what I gathered from reports and also talking to some of her former classmates, Zoe was very outgoing and loved to help."
"I told you I felt she was kind" Mai exclaimed
"Listen Mai" Naru flashed Mai a cold glance, making her let out a squeak
"Mrs. Rosenberg grew quite famous in these parts, the school she help build is actually named after her, Rosenberg Academy. Which is still open today, she also helped and funded a rebuilding of a hospital, also named after her. Rosenberg Hospital. She also started these annual fundraisers, known as the Charity Ball. The same ones Mrs. Mataki hosts."
"For real!" Monk was shocked
"Is there a connection Yasu?" Naru asked
"Yes there is, Mrs. Mataki's husband is the Vice President of Rosenberg Hospital. The President, decided eleven years ago, after the house has been abandon for nine years that it was only fitting to buy Mrs. Rosenberg's home and continue on the tradition of hosting the Charity Ball here. When Mr. Mataki was promoted to the Vice President position, his boss gave him the home, since him and his family had to relocate."
"That explains why she cant cancel the ball. It means a lot to the Hospital and the community." Ayako thought aloud.
"Continue with the Rosenberg's Yasu" said Naru
"Yes Boss, Because of the ever growing attention Mrs. Rosenberg received, her husband became secluded. It was said that he fell into a depression. He was once a famous author. Because of his depression, he picked up drinking. His wife and daughter tried to get him help but he refused. To uphold the Rosenberg repetition, she never mentioned his alcohol problem, and hardly brought him to functions. When I was talking to a few of Zoe's former classmates, they all had mentioned one fact that stood out to me, as the years went on, they noticed that Zoe was slowly depleting. And that she would have random bruises on her body. She always claimed that she had got them while playing with the children at the children's hospital."
"I'm sure she didn't get them from children." Monk stated.
"When Zoe was at the age of fifteen, her grandmother had fallen ill, and Mrs. Rosenberg had to travel back to Lithuania to take care of her. Zoe ended up taking monthly trips to visit her mother. During one of the visits, Zoe's mother had noticed her daughter was acting strange around older men. Upon farther inspection, she discovered wounds on her daughter. She had taken her daughter to a hospital, uncovering the truth, Zoe had been raped. In the hospital report, Zoe stated it was her father who had done it, he was drunk and believed her to be her mother."
"That's terrible" Mai, teared up "Having that done to you by your own father"
"Indeed" John joined "That poor girl"
"It only got worse, before Mrs. Mataki could take action against her husband in Japan, she was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. Because of the insentient and the condition Zoe's grandmother she had to return home to her abusive father. Zoe tried to tell people what was happening to her at home, but no one would believe that the well known Rosenberg family would ever be involved in the claims she made, said some sources I had contact with. Until one night, a little after Zoe had turned seventeen, a guest had visited, and saw first hand the abuse. This source also said that he believed that Mr. Rosenberg was worshiping demons and the devil. The source left the house to get help, but he was to late. When he came back the police had found Mr. Rosenberg in the room where he was accused of worshiping the devil dead, covered in blood. And Zoe no where to be found. The authorities believe Zoe reached her limit to her fathers abuse and took action, resulting in her fathers death. Others say that he had killed her that night and buried her body in the woods, then taking his own life. A few months ago, a grounds men at the cemetery noticed a dug up grave. The grave of Mr. Rosenberg. And his remains were missing."
"What!?" the group yelled
"You're telling me that we are dealing with a zombie!"
"No one said anything about a Zombie" Naru's cool voice broke through the chaos
"It is possible that if the claims are true, that if Mr. Rosenberg worshiped demons and the devil, he probably sold his body to them."
"And if that's the case, then the creature that attacked me and killed those three maids was Mr. Rosenberg" Mai said
"Coming back to get his revenge on his daughter Zoe" Ayako chimed
"He did keep moaning out the name Zoe. To me and to each of the maids"
"He's trying to find her" Naru explained.
"That's why the attacks have only happened on young girls." John joined in.
"But that just cant be!" Mai yelled "Zoe, I felt her spirit. Nothing that I felt was evil. It was pure, and light. She wouldn't hurt a soul. Zoe is the victim. Shes been through a lot, and when she was alive she lost the only hope she had of redemption. No one was in her corner and she had to suffer for two long years. I know in my heart that Zoe did not kill her father. Mr. Rosenberg's soul and body has been taken over by a demon, and we have to destroy him, so Zoe can move on in peace."
"I agree Mai" Naru said. Mai blushed and looked to him
"R-really?"
"Everyone back to work. No one leaves the base alone. Yasu, great work. Mai-" Naru looked at me. And I could tell
"Tea." I turned around and walked to the kitchen to make him his tea, with Lin following me at the request of Naru.
"Our main objective is finding Miss. Williams" Naru stated
"Ah- who is Miss. Williams?" Mai asked. Naru sighed
"Tiana, Mai. Miss. Williams is Tiana."
"Oh. I'm sorry"
"You should be" Masako said through the sleeve of her kimono
"Excuse me?" Mai was surprised at the statement from the porcelain doll
"You need to learn to pay attention, its a shame that Naru has to constantly keep stopping to explain things to your low IQ self. Its a pain to all of us that can keep up. Maybe its time for you to find a slower pace job"
"That's a little rude, Masako. And for your information, my IQ isn't low. I'm on of the top students in my class. I'm sorry I didn't know Tiana's last name, I don't remember it bringing brought up."
"Mai, Miss. Hara-" Naru was cut off
"Masako, please call me Masako Naru"
"Maybe he doesn't want to, have you ever thought about that?" Mai clapped back
"Well he should. In case you forgot Naru's family and I have known each other for a very long time."
"Congratulations. You must feel real special."
"That's because I am special. I am a famous and talented medium. I have a very successful television show. Plus, I have something you will never have"
"Please" Mai rolled her eyes "Enlighten me on what I'm never going to have that you do."
"Parents" The room grew cold, and the tension built, no one made a noise.
Mai raised her head, tears streaming down her face but she smiled through them "You're right. You have your parents while mine passed before their time. But that's okay. I've accepted the hard truth. But its gotten easier, because I have a new family now"
"We will never be your family Mai. These people are not related to you"
"Family doesn't end in blood, Masako. Remember that. But the only advice I have for you, is to cherish every moment with your parents. Cause one day you will lose them too." Mai whipped her tears "Please excuse me for a moment" once Mai opened the door Masako spoke once more
"I don't need advice from an orphan." All Mai did was nod and smile. Leaving the room without a word. Ayako and Monk turned to Masako.
"You took that too far Masako. Stop being so selfish. Mai is a very special girl who works harder then you ever will." Ayako said
"I'm going to catch up to her. I don't want her wondering around alone." Monk made his way to the door.
"Stay Takigawa." Naru said
"Naru, Mai needs somebody-" Monk was cut short has Naru opened and closed the base room door.
"He really needs to tell her that he loves her" Yasu said
"Oliver would never fall for a low class girl like that. If his family knew-"
"His family does not care who their son cares about. I believe they would be very pleased with Mai" Lin said, not even looking at the group, but keeping an eye on Mai who was walking to her room and Naru following her.
"Plus, I think you're out of the running Masako. Or should I say Miss. Hara" Yasu snickered.
Making my way down the hallway, I heard the base room door open and close behind me, with the soft footsteps echoing with mine. Why cant I ever get a moment alone with these people. I sighed. I shouldn't have thought that, these people are more then just strangers I pass on the streets. They are my family and they worry about me, like I worry about them. Approaching my guest room door, I stepped in, keeping it open to allow who ever was following me to enter.
Plopping down on my bed I looked up to see who was my escort. To my surprise it was the last person I was expecting "Naru?" he walked in and closed the door behind him.
"Expecting someone else?" he too a seat in the only arm chair in the room
"Well yeah, but then again I should have known it was you."
"How so"
"Easy, if it was either Monk or Ayako they wold have been screaming down the hallway. If it was Yasu, he'd be trying his hardest to make me laugh or crack a smile. And John is was to nice to want to interfere. So it had to be you, Lin's footsteps are heavier then yours"
"How do you know Lin's footsteps are heavier" he asked. Mai sighed, and looked up to the ceiling
"I pay attention. I also know that Ayako is a heavy breather, and when she thinks she plays with her right ear, and if she accidentally goes to the left, she quickly switches to the right. Yasu tends to lessen his blinking when hes giving case information, or any information in general. Masako never looks anyone in the eyes, and if you think she is, she isn't, she looks at another part of your face, closer to the eyes. John can't sit in a middle of a room, he tends to go more on the right. And Monk, when he goes to open a door, he twists the handle three times fast before opening."
"I didn't know you were so observant"
"There's a lot of things I'm sure you don't know about me. Now tell me why you followed me"
"You ran off, I specifically told everyone to stick together in this house and you broke the rule." Mai rolled her eyes
"The real reason"
"I'm not sure of the reason."
"The Great Oliver Davis doesn't know why he did something. Shocking." Mai laid down and turned her back away from Naru "I just want to be alone, please"
"Today is the anniversary of your mothers death." Mai went still. Her heart thumped against her chest. No one besides close friends know the date of her mothers demise. So how does Naru. "It was on your calendar at your condo. I saw it when I was over a few days ago"
A few tears escaped my eyes "Its been three years. And even though I've moved on and accepted the truth, I doesn't get easier. Especially around this time.
"I understand. Losing Gene is probably the worst thing that has happened to me. But it helps to know that hes okay. But unlike you, I had family and close friends to help get through the loss. You had no one for years. You did it all on your own." I sobbed. Hearing Naru acknowledge the pain and suffering I've gone through, being alone for all these years. Yes I had a family friend take me in for a short while and s few friends, but they never understood. They went on with their lives, as I sat in darkness. Naru came up to me, sitting up I wrapped my arms around his torso and cried
"You have every right to cry Mai" He placed a hand on my upper back and another one behind my head. I don't know how long we stayed there for, seconds, minutes, hours. All I know is I finally cried my pain away. I finally felt strong enough to cry and not be ashamed of crying. After mom died I had to be strong for myself cause I had no one to lean on. I didn't want to be a burden on anyone so I had to pick up the pieces. I went to school and worked hard to get to the top of my class. I had to uphold my promises to my mothers university. I worked long hour shifts to pay for food and bills. I wasn't the average teenager. I had to give up everything.
Once my tears dried up, Naru helped me to the bathroom. "Take a hot bath"
"W-what?"
"A hot bath will easy your body, you'll feel better afterwords."
"R-right. I will. Thanks"
"I'll wait in the room." with that Naru left me alone in the bathroom
"-No, nothing. And the cameras didn't show anything either-" Naru and Mai walked in the base room together. A little more than an hour had passed since they had left.
"Mai!" A pink hair women jumped from the sofa and wrapped the young in her arms
"Madoka?" Mai asked a little shocked to see the women she became so close to over the year and a half.
"Madoka what are you doing here" Naru asked as he sat at the monitors looking at the video Bou-san and Lin were looking at.
"I asked Madoka to come, I thought she could help Yasu look over the floor plans." Lin stated
"Plus I heard there's a ball!" Madoka exclaimed "I love dressing up! And its great practice for Lin and I!" Madoka hugged Lin from the back. Lin looked so embarrassed, I couldn't help but giggle at the scene
Ignoring the commotion around him Naru replayed the video that was on the main screen "What is this"
"Masako ended up feeling a strong presence in this hallway. We took her down to get a more accurate reading. Then she just started crying" Bou-san was explaining. Turning to Masako
"Miss. Hara, can you explain what you felt." Looking away from Naru and raising a kimono clad hand to her mouth.
"I've never felt a presence like this one. It was saddening. All I could do was cry. It felt like my body was was wrapped in darkness and I felt extreme despair. I couldn't stop crying, no matter how hard I tried."
"We figured Masako was feeling Zoe's spirit, or just a fragment." Bou-san mentioned.
"Indeed." Naru replayed the video, looking at it more closely "The cameras didn't pick up anything, and the temperature only went down a few degrees."
"What I find weird, is that on day one we had three deaths and one attack and now one missing person. Its day two and all we had was Mai encountering the spirit of Zoe. Isn't that odd. All this action on one day and none on the second" Ayako said, making room on the sofa for Mai to sit.
"It is a little weird, now that you mention it Ayako" Mai agreed. Mai spaced out thinking about the death of the three maids. Trying to remember each detail, to help find a clue.
"Wait!" Mai jumped up, all eyes on her except for Masako's "I remember something, from that dream I had, the one where I lived the deaths of the maids. I think this is an extension of my power, when I was each maid, I could see their memories and hear their thoughts as clearly as like they were my own. I didn't think anything of it at the time cause I was so shaken up, but in each of their memories, they all had one thing in common. They all saw the spirit of Zoe."
"They each saw Zoe?" Yasu asked
"Yes, I now this sounds odd, but they did. The first maid, she saw a photo of Zoe in the attic as she was cleaning it out. The second maid, actually saw Zoe in what I believe use to be her room, which is now Emi's"
"Which can explain why Emi has been getting the marks on her. He father could be abusing Emi, believing it to be Zoe" John said
"Maybe Zoe is also protecting her. I know this sounds far fetch, but three maids were brutally killed. But Emi has been getting most of the abuse for the past few months, and the weird 'birthday surprises' for the past three years. Could it be, because she has Zoe's old room, that Zoe is protecting her the best she can from her father?" Yasu explained.
"So each maid saw Zoe you say" Naru thought aloud. Looking up at Mai "Mai, you claimed you saw Zoe early this morning correct"
"Y-yes. I was putting away the pillow and blanket, she was right behind me. She disappeared as soon as you and Lin walked in."
"Could it be that Zoe shows herself in some form, like a warning to the girls" Jon thought
"I was just thinking that Father Brown. Mai, for now on you must stay within the base, and you will be escorted through out the house by either Lin or Takigawa"
"N-Naru is that really necessary?" she questioned
"Yes. If you say those maids saw Zoe in some form and then they were killed, you saw Zoe, that could mean you're the next target"
"Do you think Tiana saw Zoe?"
"And if Mai saw Zoe, hours after Tiana's disappearance, do you think-"
"No! That cant be!" Mai yelled
"Mai, its a big possibility that Tiana was killed." Monk explained
"Lets continue working, Father Brown, can you do an exorcism in Emi's room. I want to see if Mr. Rosenberg in connected to that room."
"Yes"
"Miss. Hara join him. If you pick up on any presence while in there, speak up." she nodded.
"Everyone else continue doing the daily tasks. Tomorrow is the Charity Ball. I want to make sure we have everything set up in the ball room and around it."
"Yes sir." the room sang together.
The night before went on like any other night. Zero activity. The exorcism John did failed. The cameras didn't pick up on anything, not even a slight temperature drop. Everything stayed the same. Not even Masako could pick up on a presence. But I did have another dream. And instead of seeing Zoe, I was Zoe. I lived her life, as a ten year old who moved form her home country Lithuania to Japan. I experienced her learning Japanese and making school friends, I grew with her. I saw the sports she did and the plays she was in, I even got to witness her volunteering at the children's hospital. But before I could live the pain she went through with her father I was woken up by Ayako.
"Morning Mai. Mrs. Mataki is here with the event planner. She also brought back the Chef. And there's a grand breakfast waiting for us in the dinning hall"
Making our way to the dinning hall, I saw Mrs. Mataki. "Good morning Mrs. Mataki!"
"Oh, good morning to you as well. I just finished talking with your boss and the tall fellow. Supposedly you haven't gotten any clues on Tiana's disappearance" tears started to form in her eyes.
"No Ma'am we haven't. But we are still looking. Hopefully we can use the Charity Ball to drag out the demon." Ayako comforted her.
"I don't even care about this ball. All I want is for my children to be safe. And for Tiana to be alive and home with me. Please, please I need you to find her."
"We will. I promise" Mai said. Leaving Mrs. Mataki, Ayako and I continued to the dinning hall.
"You shouldn't have made a promise like that Mai."
"I only made it cause I know Tiana is still alive. My gut tells me, and it hasn't been wrong before."
"Lets hope" Ayako and I entered the dinning hall to see all of SPR sitting and eating.
Hours later it was time to let in all the Charity Ball guests. Hundreds filled the halls and the ball room. Maids and butlers weaving in and out of the masses carrying trays of champagne and finger foods. The band playing softly in the Ball Room, and voices of conversation. Men and women dressed to the nines in black tuxedos and glittery full length ball gowns. The lights were dazzling as the twinkled and the sweet perfume of thousands of roses filled the noses of every individual.
"It's beautiful" Madoka said. Us four girls stood on the grand stair case watching the party below us. "I just wish Lin was here. I want to dance! I'm dressed in this amazing gown and he cant even see it" Madoka stomped her heeled foot and huffed. Ayako and I chuckled. Earlier this afternoon Mrs. Mataki had came into our base room at the request of Naru, she seemed like she been crying for hours, but she put on a fake smile. She brought along a few maids with dress bags, one for each of us, even Lin. Each bag contained either a black tuxedo or a ball gown.
"This isn't down time Madoka. We are here to work" Naru said, standing next to Masako, followed by Monk and John "Lin and Yasu are in base. Does everyone have their ear piece in" we all nodded. After getting dressed for the ball, Naru and Lin handed out an ear piece to everyone. If anything suspicious shows up on camera we will all be notified and the closes SPR member would head to the activity area.
"Good. Now keep your eyes out, and if anyone feels or see's anything that is off speak up. Keep out of trouble. Go" the group dispersed in their own directions. Naru is a little more on edge tonight, all through out the day we had high activity rates. But when one of us would go to the location, all the activity would suddenly disappear. Its been an extremely frustrating day for him. Especially when we are suppose to catch a plane to England in a few days. I over heard a phone call between Naru and his mother a few hours before. He's stressed, I can see it. He works harder, and zones out more then usual, and the dim light in his eyes, hardens. Plus he asks for tea twice as much, and hardly eats. I don't think anyone notices, maybe Madoka and Lin since they knew him longer. Just as Naru thought, the Charity Ball was the perfect bait to use. It has deeper meaning to the demon Mr. Rosenberg. I'm just hoping a sighting of him will happen, just not anywhere near all these civilians.
Without thinking I ended up following Naru to the ball room, as did Masako. The room was even more dazzling, it was enchanting to look at, taking my breath away. The chandeliers sparked like millions of yellow stars on the sky. Glitter and rhinestones glistened of the gowns of the women as they were spun around with their partners. The angelic voice of the singer melted my eardrums, and the orchestra behind him raised goosebumps, sending shivers across my body. I could feel the rhythm in my bones. Every aspect of this ball was magical. Straight from a fairytale. I couldn't keep my eyes on one thing at a time cause something new and beautiful would catch my eye a second later.
"Naru I was wondering if you'd like to dan-" Masako started
"Mai" I turned to Naru, he had his hand out stretched, palm up and elegant. If this was a fairytale he would be my prince. I thought Naru looked handsome in his normal everyday wear, but standing here now, dressed in a standard tuxedo, like almost every other guy. Words couldn't describe what I thought about him. I do admit to being a little…a lot...jealous when I saw other females looking at him like a piece of candy. Made my blood boil.
"Y-yes?" I looked into his eyes for the first time. Melting at the sudden warmth I saw in his outstanding sapphire blue eyes
"May I have this dance?" I could feel my cheeks burn hot, my heart thumped hard against my chest cavity. Did he just ask me to dance! I didn't even notice the band go quiet, I looked around and saw many couples entering or stay on the dance floor. I looked back at Naru, and seeing past her I noticed Masako a little red with anger. She wanted to dance with him….but he asked me….
"Yes, I'd love too" Placing my tiny hand on his, he guided the both of us to the dance floor. Right in the center. We stood close together, as close as a boss and employe was allowed. I placed my left hand on his right shoulder, and my right in his left hand. Suddenly his right snaked around my small waste and pulled me closer. I couldn't help but blush.
"N-Naru"
"The Waltz. Classic formal ball room dance. It seems it will be danced at the moment."
"I guess you'll be surprised that I actually know it." He looked at me with a question in his eyes. I giggled.
"My grandfather. He taught me all these dances. Told me one day they come in handy. I never really believed him, till now"
"You keep on surprising me Mai" The music began with the orchestra's piano, slow and steady. And the angelic singer began. Naru took a step forward and our dance began...
You're in my arms
And all the world is calm
The music playing on for only two
So close together
And when I'm with you
So close to feeling alive
"You look beautiful tonight Mai" Naru said to me, looking me in the eyes, I had to look away. Mrs. Mataki did loan me a stunning gown. It's a golden yellow a sweet heart cut ball gown. Its bodice was corseted to my chest that it could be another layer of skin. Covered in millions of dazzling gold beads. Pooling out onto the skirt of the dress that would make Cinderella jealous. The first layer of golden chiffon was cut so it covered the entire back of the skirt, but allowed the second layers of yellowish heavier tulle and chiffon to show. Both layers had imported off-white lace sewn in the bottom of each, and decorated with the same sparkly gold beads. What felt like hundred of white lacy petticoats filled out the skirt, making it the jewel of the ball.
I was the only one in yellow, and the only one with this big of a dress. My hair was pulled up into a curled bun. Madoka forced me to wear layers of heavy makeup, which to be honest I don't really mind. And Ayako let me borrow some diamond stud earrings, with a matching bracelet. That's she happens to carry around? And with the finishing touch, a single small dainty red rose hanging off a thing silver chain that Naru had given me the day he left to go England. A good by present. He knew I loved roses.
"Thank you, as do you...well handsome..." Naru nodded
A life goes by
Romantic dream will stop
So I bid mine goodbye and never knew
So close was waiting, waiting here with you
And now I forever know
All that I wanted to hold you
So close
"You're wearing the necklace" So he noticed. Why wouldn't he Mai. He notices if I move a pencil.
"Of course. I love the necklace" I looked up at him. I don't know if it was the music and the moment but I blurted out "It made me think of you when you weren't here"
"I'm sorry" Stunned. I was stunned. Naru never says sorry. Maybe like twice since I knew him
"W-what?"
"I shouldn't have left like the way I did. After finding Gene's body, the only thing on my mind was to get him home and to rest. Nothing else mattered. I said some things that I cant take back, things to hurt the others and you most of all" Where was all of this coming from?! Naru hardly talks this much and when he does, its something smart assed. Did he have anything to drink with alcohol? No, Naru would never. Wait! Could that mean, he meant 'You Love Gene' as the stupid thing he said? No...Mai get it together...
So close to reaching that famous happy ending
Almost believing this was not pretend
And now you're besides me and look how far we've come
So far we are so close
The orchestra picked up in tone and so did we. Naru and I skated across the ball room, not even realizing that we were the only two dancing, everyone else was gathered in a circle around us, watching the moment unfold. The petticoats of the dress fluttered out in the spins and the small lifts Naru made with each symbol clash the orchestra created. With the last clash Naru lifted me the highest with his right arm, creating a gasp of amazement from the gathered crowd of party goers
How could I face the faceless days
Naru slowly slid me down his side as we stared into each other eyes, neither one of us daring to brake the connection. Losing ourselves in the moment. Closer then we have ever been, captivated by each others embrace. Our breathing was synced.
If I should lose you now?
I touched the ground with just the tips of my heels when Naru whisked me away, circling the large ball room floor. My dress barley gracing the other guest legs and dresses. Twirling me with in his arms
We're so close
To reaching that famous happy end
And almost believing this was not pretend
Let's go on dreaming for all we know we are
Suddenly Naru pulled me against his chest and with the few last steps of the waltz...
So close
So close
The song was coming to an end, and with the last line, Naru dipped me, his forehead touching mine and we once again looked at each other, I felt my back pressed against his leg as he knelt, getting closer to the ground
And still so far
When the song was finished my yellow gown was a pool of gold around me, as I kept my right leg bent and under my outstretched left. My right hand holding on tight around Naru's neck and my left hanging loose, gracing the floor. Both Naru and I breathed a little heavier, especially after that dance. I light blush still imbedded across my cheeks. The crowd around us clapped and cheered at the romantic routine Naru and I showed. Even the singer and orchestra stood a clapped for us. But all was lost, because the only thing I could look at was Naru and, he me. He tilted his head, coming closer. My heart was about to break free. Was Naru going to kiss me!
"Mai I-" Naru began but was cut off. Snapping us out of our daze
"Naru, I believe I deserve the next dance" Masako stood above us, looking even more doll like with her purple gown with blossoms painted beautifully across the silk fabric. A lick of makeup and her hair still the same blunt bob. Naru stood, lifting me as he did. Once I regained my balance I looked at the girl,
"Miss. Hara-" I cut Naru off. The next song began
"Please, I'm going to find Ayako or Madoka. Maybe there's an update." I watched as Masako took Naru's hand and made their way through the crowd of dancers. Not even bothering to uphold my statement, I made my way to the ivy covered balcony. Thankfully I was alone. Sighing I leaned against the slightly cold stone railing. The night was clear and the stars shined brightly, as the moon illuminated the back gardens. You could hear the crickets mix their song with the song form the ball.
"You're so stupid Mai" I rested my chin in the palm of my left hand. "Thinking you and Naru had moment" staying out in the warm spring air for a few more minutes, I decided to actually go find one of my coworkers. But something caught my eye. Looking closer, a black mass was emerging from the rose bushes below. Still in the shadows I couldn't make out who or what it was, even with the bright moonlight. Following my gut, I let it go and started to make my way in as fast as I could. Then out of thin air I was shoved to the far left of the balcony, completely out of view from the ball room. Hitting the solid stone railing I let out a whimper. The moonlight was being blocked by the mass of blackness looming above me. Terror running through my veins.
"Zooooeeeee" No. No. No. Trying to pull out my mic to contact the others, I noticed that it wasn't on me. Neither was my ear piece! It must of fallen during our dance. I thought about screaming but with how loud the music was, it was no use. Not a single soul will hear me. I am going to die.
"Zoooooeee" The demon raised a clawed hand tore at my abdomen. I did let out a scream of pain. Trying to stand, it shoved my down, holding me by the neck, it tore at me again and again, ripping the bodice of the dress apart and the skin underneath. I could feel the hot touch of blood on my now cold skin. Then a light was casted over me.
"L-Lin?" I said meekly. Hoping it was his shiki. But the demon didn't disappear like last time. It was frozen, and as I began to lose my vision I saw a figure stand in front of me
"Zoooooeeeee" the demon said more demonic, was the last thing I heard before balking out.
"Naru!" Lin screamed over the ear piece "Mai went to the balcony. There is extremely high activity rates coming from the ball room!" tearing my body away from the clinging Miss. Hara I ran to the balcony, meeting up with the rest of the team, excluding Miss. Hara.
"Mai isn't here" Monk said. Jogging up to the railing and looking around
"Lin just said she was here!" Ayako yelled
"We don't have a camera out here, maybe he saw her go this way but she really didn't" Father brown said. I walked over to the left corner. A small red object shined dimly on the stone ground. Mai's necklace. Looking around the scene I knew she was here.
"Father. Find Mrs. Mataki and tell everyone to evacuate the property." I stood up and held Mai's rose necklace gently in my palm. Hearing fathers footsteps pound the stone as he left.
"Naru did you find something?" Takigawa and Ms. Matsuzaki came behind me
"Mai was here. She's now missing" I heard the gasps of Takigawa and the sobs of Ms. Matsuzaki. Covering the stone was scraps of Mai's golden gown and her blood…
Mai please be alive