Yubaba folded her hands, sitting in the fancy velvet chair. She listened to Lin's story with eyes filled with concern. As Lin wrapped the bandages around Chihiro's wounds, she spoke with a grave voice. "I was very little back then," she started. "We were playing out in the forest, splashing in the water. The current was moving unusually quicker, and Izumi was stranded on a rock." She finished the wrap, tightening with a small knot. "Sora tried swimming to her, but something cut him off." She stopped for a moment, her trembling hand dabbing Chihiro's arm in the air. The teenager looked up, tense as to what would happen next. Lin continued, "Something pulled him down, and we never saw him again. We were trying to look for him when something burst out of the water."
"We managed to catch Izumi, but two of us blacked out as the creature hit us. I ran with Izumi, screaming to the village. Behind us, there was a cry of a dragon. I pushed Izumi away after hearing it crash through the close trees." She turned to the bathhouse owner, her eyes dull in the crackling fire. "I woke here, my arm in a sling. I couldn't find any of my friends, and tried to return to my village. Yubaba allowed me to travel back with Haku, but I was too late." When she mentioned Haku, Chihiro's heart leaped. She had forgotten about the young spirit, hoping he was still around the bathhouse. "What happened?" the human asked with a tense and grieving tone. Lin gave out a sigh. She finished the last bandage, wiping her hands. "Every house was destroyed, puddles of water and ice covering the village. I saw a couple of my friends, and…" She tried to keep her voice steady.
She hid her face, murmuring, "Izumi… Sora…" Chihiro reached out to pat her, even though her bandaged arm was stiff and painful. "It wasn't your fault, Lin," Yubaba said with a patient tone. A moment of silence divided them until Chihiro finally asked, "So what does the Dark Fear want?" The witch walked towards the balcony, laying her hand against the cold clear door. Her sandy gray hair shined in the moonlight, replying, "It's not clear what it wants. However, there is a small piece of evidence we caught from witnesses." Turning around, she stared at Chihiro. "They always found the scent of humans," she said. The teenager slowly swallowed. She glanced at Lin, who was still grieving of her past. "But Akira and I always went to the river! Why show up now?" Chihiro frowned.
The woman shrugged. "We need to find out as time passes. For now, you must remain here at all costs." Snapping her fingers, the door opened. "There is a room open for you. Rest, and we will begin our training tomorrow." Before she left, Chihiro protested, "Wait, what training? And what about my aunt and my brother?" Yubaba turned to her. "We will worry about that later. Your family will have no recollection of your disappearance. You will return as if you'd never been gone." If I ever return, the girl thought. She silently nodded, leaving Lin and Yubaba. As soon as the door shut, Lin looked up from her hands. "You still haven't told her the time limit." The witch did not reply for a moment. Sighing, she answered, "When the time comes, she will have to know her unchangeable fate."
Walking through the quiet halls, Chihiro was lost in the maze of the level. The red carpet and decorative walls seemed endless until a creaking and thump were heard. Following the sound, it was a door hitting the wall, catching her attention. Wondering if it was the room Yubaba spoke of, she asked, "Is this my room?" The door stopped moving, and fully opened for her. The lights turned on, revealing a room.
Although it was small, it was enough for Chihiro. There was a pile of blankets on the ground, sitting on top of a mat for her to sleep on. The closet nearby was slightly opened, revealing colorful clothes. Chihiro softly chuckled, silently thanking Yubaba's hospitality. Her eyes lit up as she caught the sight of the moon. Opening the door to the balcony, she recognized the scent of salt and the sound of waves crashing to the shore. She smiled as the underwater train passed by. Chihiro stood up after relaxing and reuniting with the spirit world. As she took her sweater off, she realized once of her wraps were loose. Better tell Lin about this, she noted as she unwrapped it.
However, she frowned at the revealed wound. Dropping the stained bandages, she examined the strange markings that covered her wounds. "Her time limit," Yubaba said, meanwhile back at the office. "Is the curse that's on her arm." Chihiro carefully looked at the markings, wondering what it was, and how it got there.