Chapter 17

Aki's P.O.V

When I woke up again, I was in a deal of pain. It hurt more than before. What happened again? Oh yeah, Ichirou-san and Ishida-san were in my hospital room. They kidnapped me, didn't they? Where did they take me? I looked around in the dark room and noticed that every little sound echoed. As soon as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I noticed I was in the school gym. I also just happened to notice that I'm all tied up and inside one of those red circles that we found in the papers of Shichirou's. So he plans on sacrificing me to whatever's in this school? Great... I wish Shichirou were here, so he could've gone to Masako and told her where to find me. I hope they find me soon. I heard a hushed conversation going on but I couldn't hear what was being said because everything was echoing off the walls. Honestly, it was starting to give me a headache. I knew that it was Ichirou-san and Ishida-san talking. It sounded like Ishida-san was upset with Ichirou-san and Ichirou-san sounded frustrated. If Ishida-san keeps going like this, Ichirou-san might kill him too. I guess kidnapping me wasn't a part of the plan. I wonder what they're going to do now. It was obvious they were still going to sacrifice me, but what were they going to do after that? I guess they already have a plan of escape. Ichirou-san and Ishida-san came closer to where I was and I could suddenly hear their conversation very clearly. "Sir, this isn't a good idea. What if we get caught? We'll also be charged for kidnapping!" Ishida-san said clearly upset, like I guessed. Ichirou-san snarled at him.

"Ishida! Calm down! We are not going to get caught. Besides, I have a plan if someone tries to interrupt us again." Ichirou-san said with a nasty look on his face. I don't like the sound of that. Funny thing is that neither of them noticed that I was awake yet. After what seemed like ten minutes, Ichirou-san spoke again. "Enough of this, let's get started." Ishida-san nodded, reluctantly.

Back with the others

Back at the hospital, Masako, Yasu, and Mai had just arrived. After hearing the news, Mai and Masako went to tears and Yasu was feeling upset. The room was quiet except for the small sobs from the girls. "Where do you think they took her?" John asked. It was a question they all wanted to know the answer to.

"Well, we have four options: Ishida's house, Ichirou's house, the school, and the storage unit rented by Ishida." Detective Fujiwara said after a long silence. He felt horrible for letting this all happen without his noticing. The men guarding the back entrance were knocked out too. He'd been in the force for 14 years now and he let someone get kidnapped right under his nose. "I'll call in some back up and have them search their homes and the storage unit."

"Then Yasu, Masako, Ayako, and I will go check out the storage unit." Mai said determined. She wanted her friend back safe and unharmed. Naru wanted to object to it, but he knew it was no use.

"Alright, then John and I will go to the school." Monk said feeling a little better knowing he was doing something.

"Hang on, I'll come with you and bring a few men too." Detective Fujiwara said pulling out his phone. "Let's make sure you all have my number and then I'll call in the back up." Everyone nodded to this.

"And, Naru, we'll keep you and Lin updated." Mai said, knowing he'll want updates. Mai was happy to see Lin awake, but he looked really troubled. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but then she thought, he must be upset about Aki being kidnapped too. He seemed to have got pretty close to Aki and Mai noticed that Naru had too. Mai knew Aki didn't like Naru like that. She noticed that they way they acted towards each other, they were like siblings and she thought it was funny to see Naru react the way he does. She couldn't say the same thing for Masako though, but right now wasn't a good time to think about this. Naru nodded, distractedly.

After everyone had Detective Fujiwara's number, he called the back up and soon they were putting their plan in motion. "Now," the detective started. "If you should come across the two suspects, don't rush in immediately. Find yourself something to defend with." Mai grinned. She had secretly been learning self defense and was pretty good at it. So she was ready, unless they pulled out a gun. Then there was nothing she could do. "I'm going to give you all bullet proof vests in case they pull a gun on you and decide to shoot you. The best method would be to try and talk them down. If that doesn't work, then retreat and get to a place where you can safely call me or the other officers and wait there until they get there. Do you all understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes sir," The group of ghost hunters/exorcists answered. While the detective was busy coordinating with his men, Monk started talking to John.

"Have you figured out how to stop that spirit?"

"Yes, I have it copied down on several pieces of paper. All you have to do is say these words and then throw Holy Water at it. I brought a bottle for each of us."

"Would I be able to do it?" Yasu asked curiously.

"Yes and it's best to do it in groups if you're not spiritually strong." Monk thought that he and John had a better chance at getting rid of this thing better than the girls and Yasu, but he wasn't going to count them out just yet. He knew Mai had surprising talent and Ayako and Masako were not pushovers. He was a little worried for Yasu but he knew the girls wouldn't let anything happen to them. Plus they had the Shinto Charm to protect themselves as well. He was also worried they would run into Ishida-san and Ichirou-san. He hoped Yasu would be enough to at least get them out of there to get to safety and call for help.

"Right, everyone's ready, let's move." Detective Fujiwara announced. The group mentally prepared themselves for what they were about to do as they went their separate ways to look for Aki.

~With Mai's group~

Mai was nervous. She didn't know what they were going to see when they got into the storage space. She hoped they found Aki but she also hoped they didn't have to run into Ishida-san and Ichirou-san. They pulled up to the storage space and had to wait until the police cleared it before they could go in and investigate it. Aki was right. Ichirou-san and Ishida-san covered up what they were doing. "That was clever of them." Yasu said as the police began to dismantle the big wall of sheet metal that covered up the space.

"It's troublesome." Masako said frowning.

"Agreed," Ayako said crossing her arms. Mai had to agree with them, but she was sure Aki would have agreed with Yasu. After the sheet metal was pulled away, the group gasped. There were painted circles everywhere. There were also black candles, a few books about dark magic, and some bowls with what looked like blood, but Mai didn't want to think about that.

"I think I'm gonna be sick," Mai muttered before hiking it out of there.

"I'll go with her." Masako said taking off after her.

"I'll call Detective Fujiwara and let him know what's going on." Yasu said pulling out his phone.

"Then I'll call Naru." Ayako said pulling out her phone too.

~With Monk's group~

"I just got a call from Yasuhara-san and Haru-san isn't there." Detective Fujiwara announced as he, Monk, John, and a few officers made their way over to the school. They were speeding about 85 miles with the lights on. So hopefully they'll get there within an hour. Monk was disappointed.

"Then that means Aki is at the school." John said frowning.

"Right, I'll call the other back-ups to meet us at the school." While the detective did that, Monk got lost in worry. He hoped she would be okay by the time they got to her.

"We'll get her back safely." John told him encouragingly with a smile on his face. Monk smiled back.

"You're right. Thanks John,"

"No problem,"

"Okay, I've told everyone where to meet. We're going to speed up now. I hope you have your seatbelts on." The detective announced.

"Yes sir," The other two said making sure their seatbelts were secured.

Aki's P.O.V

As the chanting when on, I started to notice a black swirl and red eyes peering out at me. It was seriously freaking me out. I don't want to know what this thing looks like at full power. I hope the others hurry up and get here. I know they wouldn't just stand around and do nothing. I bet Naru is really worried. I wonder if Lin's woken up yet. I hope so. I'll have to visit him when the others get me out of here. I bet if he were awake now and knew what was going on, he'd be very worried too. I looked around the gym and noticed that the other trapped spirits were looking at the thing in front me with fear. So this is why they were hiding. Those poor spirits... I was starting to feel tired again. What's up with that anyways? I know my body is exhausted from the crash and from moving around when I went to visit Lin but that can't be enough to make me tired, can it? I closed my eyes and fell asleep again.

I ended up waking up again, only this time the black swirl and red eyes now looked like an apparition. This thing was so terrible looking and scary. It looked worse than a demon somehow and the power that was coming off of it scared me even more. I could feel myself literally shaking in fear and it liked that. I could see it on its face. It also sounded like Ichirou-san and Ishida-san were almost finished with their chanting too. I assume that if they finish it, then this thing is going to kill me. I heard something that sounded like doors being forced open. I looked around as much as I could but it was so dark, I couldn't see anything. I did hear someone yell, "Freeze! This is the police! Stop what you're doing and get down on your knees and put your hands behind your head!" It sounded like Detective Fujiwara. I would relax but that thing was still staring at me and it looked annoyed that Ichirou-san and Ishida-san was interrupted. Ichirou-san and Ishida-san however did not listen to the detective. I heard a gunshot and Ichirou-san yelled out in pain. Ha! That's what you get!

Then I heard John and Monk starting to chant something but instead of the thing getting stronger it was getting weaker and it was getting weak really fast. Ishida-san and Ichirou-san were caught quickly and handcuffed and the thing was finally gone. Monk untied me and pulled me into a hug and I just started crying again as I hugged him back. "I was so worried." He said hugging me tighter.

"M-Monk,"

"It's okay, it's over now." John said coming up to us and patting my head. I let go of Monk and hugged John too. He looked surprised but chuckled and hugged me back.

"We're glad you're okay," Monk said looking relieved. My ribs were killing me though.

"Um, I'd hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we need to get Miss Haru back to the hospital so she can get checked out." Detective Fujiwara said walking up to us. We nodded and Monk gave me a piggyback ride to the car. I noticed John pulling out his phone. I guess he was calling the others and letting them know that I was safe now. I'm safe now. I thought as I rested my head on Monk's shoulder in the backseat. I was tired.

One Month Later...

I'm finally out of the hospital and I start school tomorrow. Mai keeps fussing over me like I can't do anything by myself. I don't mind that she wants to help me but it's starting to get a little annoying. But I won't tell her that because I don't want to hurt her feelings. I go to the office during the day while Mai is at school and talk to Lin and sometimes Naru when he's not too busy. Michiru, Keiko, Mai, and I are going to be telling ghost stories again. And as promised, I messaged Yasu the time and place and he said he'd be there. I can't wait to go back to school. I honestly miss it. Plus I get to start my job tomorrow too. The doctor told me to get as much rest as I could for a whole week. So I stayed home from school and work. And boy was I bored. I still think about Shichirou and the hard life he lived and then I compared it to mine. He definitely had it harder than me. He didn't have anyone who liked him for who he was. If I had met him when he was still alive, we would've been great friends. I hope that if there is another person like me out in the world that I get to meet them before something bad happens to them.

FIN