MISPER
In a Box
Mikan woke up with a massive headache. She groaned to herself and reached with her hand to her front head. She massaged the place, but it did not really help. Her mouth was dry and she felt like she could hardly breathe. Like there was sand in the air. She tried to open her eyes, but they burned, so she let them closed for some time. The air around her was bad, and she felt something like sand under her fingers.
She relaxed a little and only then did she start to think. She was not lying on her bed. It was far from soft and comfortable. It felt like she lied on a wooden floor. Once the realisation hit her, she opened her eyes in panic and sat up, only to hit something above and fall back down. She cried in pain, holding the hit place, already feeling the growing bump.
Panic arose in her chest, but she tried to calm herself down. Her breathing became erratic and she felt around, crawling on her knees. Dread and horror made her breathing come up in panicked huffs and cries as she realized she was trapped in a large wooden box not bigger than 2m3.
''Help! Heeellp!'' she screamed as her tears run down her cheeks and she hit against the wooden walls with her fists. Her round belly made it a little harder to move, but she managed. In her panic she kicked and shouted, and let the agony of pure natural fear take over her.
She was trapped.
She was trapped in a box Kami-sama knew where and no one was near to hear her.
''So we know now he knew who she was. He might have stalked her for some time now.'' Jinno started, looking at the many people at the conference room. ''We also found a few other pictures in her flat that are a little blurred but show Persona at different places. It seems he had a routine of walking around the city. Miss Sakura realized that and had followed him those months ago. He always started here-'' Jinno showed the map of the city, traveling over it with his finger.
''-by the bridge. Then moved on to the cafe Noir, Tokyo Tower, Sensoi-Temple, Meiji Shrine, Nakamise and several parks. Because we found Miss Sakura's shoe on a parking, we think he might have had a car. We're already checking the papers and then we'll look where he might be gassing up. This might show us the right direction.''
''So we know where he kidnaps them, and we know where he buries them. But where is it that he holds them captive?'' someone asked. ''It certainly isn't in the city.''
''Right. It's most probably at a camping place or somewhere where people have picnics. According to Yuka Sakura's statement, it must be a remote place. We don't know if there is another person involved, but current evidence indicate that there is no one else.''
He looked around. ''We'll scratch every single remote place around Tokyo. We'll be making shifts, but there won't be any free hours. We must prevent another girl's death. It's not just because the media is going crazy. It's because the girl was a great help to us by providing us with evidence. She put herself in danger and now it is on us to bring her and her baby back alive. Understood?''
They all nodded.
''Now, get to work. I want new information as soon as possible.''
''Inspector Natsume. Team F is searching at the B area. We asked for dogs and they will soon arrive.'' One of Natsume's subordinate reported on the phone and Natsume thanked him, then ended the call. He looked around. The whole police station was in a buzz. Phones were ringing, people were running around with papers, and not a single soul was sitting.
Misaki and Tsubasa had each one team, discussing area plans and possible places, and talking about the Persona's psychology to learn what he would do next. They were all rushing and yelling and making phone calls, while he was standing in the middle, controlling everything.
His team planned to search around the city among Jakuzza members who they had an agreement with, and find out more about Persona's connections.
Fear and shock already disappeared from him, what he felt was pure rage and anger, forces that pushed him on like a maniac to find the girl and prevent her murder. He knew Persona would not kill her right away. The baby needed a few more weeks. But where would he hide her?
Where would he hide a pregnant woman?
''Hyuuga-san! Team E and G are ready!'' someone told him and Natsume nodded. ''Let's go. If you learn something new, call me.''
The teams of police officers started with the search. They looked at each corner of the city, talked with all their connections, and asked people around. No success. Until the evening, it was all over the news. Another girl went missing. The police is going crazy.
Natsume just hopped they had enough time to find her.