I do Not own the Anime/Manga Ghost Hunt, or its characters.

Set before the team learns about Naru's PK.

I followed a step behind her as she walked through the long, deserted corridors. Classroom doors were propped open and it was dark, save for the dim glow of the occasional light. Tamari had said she could only leave a few lights on per floor, and there was a few moments of utter darkness between them and around the bends of corners. I kept quiet, my bible and holy water at the ready should she need it. My wrist was bothering me, but not enough to voice the complaint.

Come morning, it'd be ten times worse.

She stopped suddenly, sleeve once again pressed to her mouth. I went and stood beside her, looking around in vain; I couldn't see whatever it was she was staring at. I stayed close and whispered ,"What do you see?"

"A girl." She said hoarsely, eyes filling with tears. "She's-She's screaming. I can hear her...screaming, begging for him to stop, that she won't say a word to anyone ever if he'd just let her go. She's-She's so scared. He might kill her. She's crying, begging...Please. Please stop! Please stop! Don't-Don't touch me! Stop it! Please!"

I just barely caught her as she swayed dangerously. She was shaking violently, clutching onto the purple scarf that I had on. My stomach had dropped when she started speaking in her not-her voice. The one she used when spirits were being too much, when they were trying to make everyone listen. Nausea rolled in my gut as I thought about her words, about what they could mean. I didn't dare ask now, though.

Eventually, her crying slowed. But she was still quivering. "She's angry. Angry at what he did to her. Angry that no one believed her. Angry because she's now dead."

I swallowed thickly, heart beginning to hammer. "What-What did he do? If she's still here, maybe you can tell her we're here to help and-"

HELP?! NO ONE CAN HELP! I'M DEAD AND HE'S NOT! I'M STILL HERE AND THERE IS NO HELP! NONE FOR ME! NONE FOR YOU!

The screeching took my total surprise. We stared into the darkness, the temperature dropping rapidly. I strained to see, strained make out anything in the gloom, when there was a vicious growl from behind. We whipped around, seeing nothing in the darkness. And then, whatever it was, launched at me. I was thrown to the ground, feeling the weight of something pinning me down; it felt like paws.

Dogs. Dogs. Dogs. Men and bitches. Dogs. One in the same. They didn't believe me. They laughed and spat and hated me for what he did! Dogs. You'll be eaten by dogs. You are a dog. Its a dog eat dog world.

Suddenly, it took form. It was large, wolf-like form made of shadows. Its claws extended, ripping into my shoulders as Masako screaming, stumbling away from it. Its eyes glowed red, its teeth silver in the gloom. It dragged its lips back and it howled. The noise tore right through me being, shaking me to my very core. Its eyes spoke of my death, of the blood it'd drink and the flesh it'd eat after I left this world.

Petrified, I recited the first prayer that came to mind, in English. The reaction was almost immediate. It twisted and withered, snarling in pain and fear and hate. He jumped off me, darting off into the darkness. I rolled onto my stomach, cheat heaving and feeling like I might be sick. I stumbled to my feet, grabbed Masako by the hand and half dragged her down to Base.

-X-

We burst through the library doors to find Monk and Ayako and Mai sipping tea.

Masako pressed herself against the wall, hands balled in front of her face and wheezing. I dropped to my knees, relief of being safe making me almost dizzy. I could feel warm blood trickling from the gashes on my shoulders - but they weren't deep enough to need stitches.

Monk launched himself from his seat as the girls rushed over, "What happened? John?"

"Masako! Your so pale. What happened?" Mai asked, eyes wide as Ayako led her to a chair. Masako shook her head miserably, once more dissolving into near-silent tears.

"John?" Monk bent down and I heard his gasp as he saw my shoulders. "Mai! The first aid kit!"

She grabbed it and dropped down next to us, "John, what happened?"

"Dog." I gasped as she dabbed the wound with a cotton ball soaked in peroxide. "Big, big dog. It...I think it might have been a hell hound."

"A what?" Ayako asked, eyes wide and eyebrows high, from where she was crouched in front of Masako.

"A hell hound," I repeated, as I pulled the shirt off over my head. "Its a dog-like creature that comes from Hell. Its used to end a demon's deal or as an ender of life. Either way, its only mission is to kill."

"A demon's deal?"

"A ten year contract that a person - living or otherwise - can make with a demon, and it lasts for ten years. Once that time is up, the person's soul gets dragged to Hell for all eternity." Monk put bandages on the cuts and I wished my outfit hadn't been damaged. Well, I guess it was time for a new one. "Did we catch it on camera?"

Mai went over to the computer and rewound the footage, "Okay, there's you and Masako walking - no. You were just past the camera's visual."

We could hear Masako talking, and me asking my question - I never got over how jarring it was to hear my voice on a recording - and then the screaming.

-X-

Naru was disappointed that we hadn't caught it on tape, and Lin asked Masako if she wanted to leave.

Lin called a cab the moment she had said yes; I was glad she was leaving - not because I didn't like her, but because I hated to see her cry. In fact, I thought she was absolutely amazing...I shook my head and tried to re-focus; I couldn't let my imagination wonder at a time like this. No matter how pretty her eyes...or how musical her laugh...

I carried her bag for her, to the cab. I put it in the trunk, and drew he into a quick, firm hug. I didn't like the idea of sending her away on her own, but each of us were needed now more than ever. She nodded thanks, and turned to get in -

only to scream in horror and faint dead away.

I was barely able to save her from clipping her head off the car door. I twisted around, to try and find what had frightened her -

and found myself staring at Tamari's lifeless eyes, as she hung from one of the balconies, twisting in the faint breeze.

"Dear God."

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