The grass softly brushed against her bare legs, the wind blowing the light chestnut hair away from her face. She stared into the open blue sky, following the wandering white clouds. Why… What am I doing here? Chihiro thought, enjoying the warm breeze. She realized she was in a simple white dress, clutching a white anemone flower. Feeling something move under her feet, she stepped back to inspect. Realizing there was nothing, she blinked in confusion. Suddenly, her feet began to sink, the ground giving way. She struggled to lift her legs out, but only made her fall deeper into the dirt. Somebody… she pleaded, but her lips would not move. As her chin touched the ground, she began to lose feeling in her toes. Looking down, she noticed the anemone flower lying safely on the grass. Looking back up, there was an unknown object moving quickly through the sky. Squinting to catch a better look, she realized it was a silver and green spirit. Its shining sea green eyes stared back at Chihiro as it flew away. She tried to push her way out of the dirt, using her free hand to reach out to it. "Haku!" she yelled.
Once she disappeared in the darkness, she awoke, finding herself sweating in panic. Realizing the heavy covers was acting as the ground, she sighed, pushing the blanket away. As she wiped her forehead, she glanced at the sky. Haku… she thought, brushing her bed hair from her eyes. Where are you? Hearing footsteps close by, she turned to the door. Lin came in, holding a platter of food. "You alright, Chihiro?" she asked in a worried tone. "I heard you scream something just now." Shaking her head, she smiled in assurance. Lin frowned for a moment, wondering what the human was hiding from her. Instead of asking, she pushed the subject away and said with a delighted voice, "We have a nice breakfast today!" Chihiro nodded, eating as her friend chattered.
"Yubaba will probably have you work here as time passes," she went on, taking a bite of her bread. "Say, you might even be able to stay for the festival!" Chihiro's ears perked up, looking at her in interest. "Festival?" she asked with a mouthful of rice." Lin smiled excitedly. "Oh, it's so much fun! There are rides, food, games, and we get to wear yukatas! It lasts for two weeks, so there are so many surprises, you'll love it!" Lin giggled, muttering to herself on what to wear. Chihiro smiled, happy to see Lin back to herself. Yubaba suddenly burst in, demanding, "Let me see your wounds." As she rushed towards her, she lifted her bandaged arm to her. "I-I don't feel any pain," she said, hoping the markings on her arm were no danger to her life. The witch unraveled the bandages, freezing at the sight. Blinking in curiosity, Lin leaned over. Her eyes became wide, shocked at the wound. Frowning, she questioned, "What? What is it?" Yubaba took the last strands, revealing the markings to Chihiro.
All she could do was stare at it. There are more markings than last night, she noticed, observing the tiger like stripes surrounding her arm. "This is really bad," Lin squeaked, covering her mouth in horror. Chihiro herself tried not to panic. Holding her trembling hand, she asked Yubaba in a hopeful voice, "There's a way to stop it, right?" The bathhouse owner looked away, trying to think of a way. "Look at me," she chuckled to herself. "Helping a human…" Finally turning back towards the trembling human, she informed, "Go to my sister. See what she has to say about that curse." Her ears pounded at the word she had spoken. "Curse?" she swallowed. "It is said that the Dark Fear will overpower you if you were wounded by it," Lin croaked. "It only happened once, and we never heard of him again." Chihiro began to pace, hoping none of this was actually happening. Slapping her cheeks and pinching her arm, she shut her eyes tight. Wake up, wake up, wake up! she pleaded to herself, biting her lip.
"Calm down, Chihiro," Yubaba snapped. "You're not going anywhere." Her words tried to assure her, but only lifted the lightest weight off of her chest. "When do I leave?" she demanded, hiding her fear. "As soon as possible-" Yubaba was cut off by the door slamming open. "Madam, he's here!" Aogaeru exclaimed, panting from running. "What?" she frowned. "He was supposed to arrive next week." The frog shook his head. "I believe he came for the festival," Aniyaku breathed. Muttering to herself, Yubaba twiddled her thumbs. "Great, just great…" Standing up, Chihiro nearly forgot about her painful wounds. Slightly limping, she insisted, "Then I'll have to leave now!" Lin lightly pushed her down, arguing, "You can't leave in your state!" Without replying, she looked down at the covers. Nodding to Aogaeru and Aniyaku, Yubaba ordered, "Continue the preparations for the festival." Bowing, the two spirits immediately left. Turning to the girl, the owner said, "You'll leave during the festival in disguise."
"He'll probably recognize my scent," Chihiro objected. Yubaba finally noticed what she meant, but looked as if it was the other way around. Realizing the two spirits were staring at her in disbelief, she demanded, "What?" Lin gave a loud sniff. "You… Don't smell like a human…" she faltered. Chihiro looked at Yubaba who nodded in agreement. "It's possibly the effects of the Dark Fear," Yubaba concluded. Hearing the busy spirits rush around underneath their level, the witch rushed out of the room. "Lin, prepare the yukata and mask for tomorrow," she assigned. "Chihiro, stay here, and try not to make noise while the inspector is here. Watch over her, Lin." The stressed witch left the room, closing the door behind her. Silence divided the two girls, before Chihiro had the chance to say something. Lin stood up, taking the covers and throwing them onto Chihiro. "Get some rest," she said, taking the platter. Peeking out of the covers, the teenager called out, "Lin?" The spirit stopped, turning around and waiting for her to speak. "What will happen to me?" Chihiro bravely queried. Lin sighed, her brown eyes darkening. "I don't know," she admitted, leaving Chihiro with her panicking thoughts.