A/N: Again I apologize for the mess before this re-update. This chapter discusses sucide which is a topic that may be triggering to some readers. Discretion is advised.
Mai's POV:
Another dream huh, I wonder if I am going through it alone this time. "Mai," I turned around and saw Gene Walking towards me. "Mai are you alright," Gene asked referring to my injury. "Yeah I'll be okay it doesn't hurt too bad now," I answered and suddenly the scenery changed to the forrest. This area is exactly where I heard Rei's voice I wonder what we are doing here. Just then I saw a girl walk out into the middle of the clearing.
She looked so sad and lonely, I had never seen anyone look so depressed before. "I can't take this anymore, I've had enough of this," the girl said. "Soon it will all be over they will regret the things they have done to me," she said brought out a long piece of rope. She climbed the tree in front of her and tied the rope to one of the branches. 'Oh no she is going to hang herself I have to stop her,' I thought as I started to move towards her. Just then I felt Gene grab my hand and I looked back to see him shaking his head. "But Gene I have to stop her she is making a mistake," I pleaded with him. "You know as well as I do Mai there is nothing we can do for her. We are only seeing visions of the past, we can't change what has already happened," he told me with sad eyes.
She placed the rope around her neck and took a moment to prepare herself. "I'm sorry mom, I'm sorry I couldn't stay strong. Don't worry though this won't be the last of me, I'll make sure they pay for everything," she said her final words. She leaned forward and fell off the end of the branch ending her pain in the physical world.
I sat up suddenly gasping and choking for air. Ayako ran over towards me patting my back trying to help me breathe. "Easy Mai take deep breaths," she instructed me. As I took deep breaths I got the feeling of a rope around my neck. Once I was no longer choking I took a minute to take in my surroundings.
I was in a bedroom probably one belonging to one of the kids. "When did I fall asleep in here," I asked Ayako. "You fell asleep on the couch downstair but we figured you would be more comfortable in a bed. Naru asked Monk to bring you up here and I stayed close by since Naru said we couldn't leave you on your own," Ayako explained. "I think I'm going to change now, there is something I want to tell you guys," I said getting up from the bed. "Was it another dream again," she asked me. I nodded my head as went to the bathroom that was connected to the room.
Once I had finished changing and freshening up Ayako and I made our way downstairs. I could still feel the effects the dream had on me. I still had the feeling of the rope around my neck and I could still feel all of Rei's emotions. I couldn't even imagine the pain she felt after she was betrayed. But didn't I go through that when Naru left to England? Wasn't I hurt and betrayed when he denied my feelings assuming what I felt was for his brother and not him? 'That's right he made you feel lonely and betrayed. Didn't it hurt when he just abandoned you without even a second thought? Don't you want to get revenge for what he did to you'. "NOO," I shouted suddenly. "What is it," Ayako asked me. "Oh nothing, let's just get to base," I told her.
We entered base and everyone turned around to look at us. "Hey Mai how are you feeling," John asked me. "I'm better now, it doesn't hurt as much anymore," I replied looking at the cut on my leg. "Mai what happened to you neck," Naru asked me. "What do you mean," I replied confused. "I didn't notice it before but you have a red mark going around your neck," Ayako told me. "Yeah that's what I was afraid of. You guys might want to sit down for this it's gonna be a bit of a long story," I said as I sighed. "Before you do that. Mai, tea," Naru demanded. "Yeah, yeah I know," I said not really in the mood to fight.
Naru's POV:
Once Mai returned with the tea everyone stopped what they were doing and paid attention to her. She sat herself down in a way where we were all directly in front of her. "Before I go into what happened with my neck I think it's fair that I go back a little bit and explain how we got here," she began. "Fair enough go on," I said wanting her to start.
"It began just a couple months after Naru and Lin left back to England. I was going through a lot then and was not exactly in the best state of mind. I think because of the mental state I was in and the amount of stress on my body I was able to discover I have telekinesis. Along with that came some additions to my astral projection, but before we get into that there is something else".
"My telekinesis isn't exactly fully under control. While I did do a lot of research and got teachings from Madoka I was able to get most of it under control. It only gets out of control when my emotions get out of control. So as long as I don't get too worked up then everything is fine. An example would be last night when I was in the kitchen with John. I got a little emotional while talking to the spirit and I caused the glasses to break. Although I'm not too sure if it was me or the spirit".
"But anyways getting back on track now, aside from the telekinesis like I said my astral projection changed a little too. Not only did I lose Gene as my spirit guide but something else happened. The dreams changed more like stopped all together. I stopped dreaming and instead would get tiny flashes of memory while I was awake. If I ever did dream it was only to see the cause of death if the spirit wanted me to. But with that came injuries, any injuries the person received at the time if death would be projected onto my body when I woke up. None of the injuries would kill me but some of them were pretty bad".
Now what does all that have to do with right now, you might ask. Well last night I had a dream it was about Rei, that much I'm sure of. This dream was about the night that she died out in the forrest. She was so depressed and betrayed that she couldn't go on anymore. As she was saying her final goodbyes to herself, she was mentioning how she would somehow come back and get her revenge on everyone. Then she ended her suffering, and because she hung herself that's why I have the mark around my neck. That's why Ayako found me this morning choking and gasping for air, because of these new developments in my abilities," she explained everything.
No one spoke when she finished her story everyone started at her in complete silence. Who knew she had changed so much in these last 2 years that we were gone. I mean it was only natural that her powers were going to develop. She really did develop a lot and quickly in a short amount of time. "I think it's safe to say that Mai has pretty much solved this entire case," I spoke finally.
"Wait what do you mean I solved the case," she asked me. "Based on the information you just gave us and other experiences you've had since we came here I would say yes you solved the case. However, since you don't seem to understand I'll explain it for you," I said unimpressed with her lack of intelligence.
"Based on the dreams you've been having Rei is set on getting revenge on those who have wronged her. However, in the history Yasu has given us all 3 girls who bullied her are either dead, or were seriously injured. So why would she continue seeking out revenge if she already got it," I told them. "Ah, its the physical descriptions," Monk said figuring out what I already knew. "Anyone who has similar traits to those 3 girls are being haunted by the spirit for revenge and in turn get possessed," John said.
"That's exactly right, fortunately for us we were able to figure it ou before anything happened to the eldest daughter. I say we come up with a plan and end this all tonight before anything does happen, can everyone agree," I said. Everyone nodded their heads not having any objections. "Sigh, I think I'm gonna make some tea for everyone I could use a cup right now," Mai said getting up from her spot doing something she had not been asked of. "I'm coming with you, just because we know what's going on doesn't mean nothing will happen," I said following her out of the room.
When she walked into the kitchen she immediately filled the kettle with water and placed it on the stove. "Alright Naru now I know you want to ask me questions so go ahead," Mai said facing towards me leaning on the counter. "What are you talking about," I asked her. "I can see it on your face. Ever since you heard about my abilities changing I could see that you wanted to know more. So go ahead ask me all the questions you want," she told me. Was I really that easy to read? I had always been good at hiding my emotions, I must have faltered for a second and that was my mistake.
"I wanted to see a demonstration of your powers if you don't mind," I spoke. She lifted up her arm and made a motion as if she were opening something. Just then one of the cabinets above her opened up. "I can move small objects or manipulate them with no problem and little energy. The bigger items require more energy and it doesn't always work for me," she said and closed the cabinet. "Why would you keep the development of your abilities a secret," I questioned. "I did not I told Madoka about it and she is the one who was tutoring me in my abilities," she said as she was getting the cups ready. "No I mean everyone else. I thought they meant something to you so why make it such a big secret," I asked further.
"You are the last person to lecture me about keeping secrets. Do you have any idea what it's like being lied to for months on end? Do you have idea how I felt when-," suddenly she stopped yelled. There was an eerie silence in the kitchen and just then the kitchen window cracked and the tea cups all broke. "Mai are you alright," I asked her. She hung her head so I couldn't look at her face. She stayed like that for a minute before she finally looked up at me. "I told them about my telekinesis but this is the first they heard about injuries being projected on me. I didn't want them to worry too much about me especially since it's not anything I can control," she said and got back to making tea.
The way she went on seemed off even for her. She picked her story in a completely different spot and kept going off as if she wasn't just angry with a me a moment ago. "Anyways if his royal highness would be kind enough to help me with the rest of the cups I would greatly appreciate it," she told me. I grabbed the remaining cups she left on a tray and followed her out of the kitchen. For some reason I get this feeling that something is different and we have to figure it out before it becomes a problem.
Normal POV:
Throughout the day everyone was discussing the plan as to how they were to proceed during the night. While everyone was talking Mai was sitting off on her own in base, but she was not her usual self. Unknown to everyone else Mai had been affected by the spirit out to seek it's revenge. She was sitting there zoned out, while the spirit used her body to listen in on the plan.
The plan was to go to 3 different locations within the house to try and exorcise the spirit. John would be upstairs in the eldest daughter's bedroom, while Ayako and Masako were to be in the kitchen, and finally Monk and Mai would be out in the forest. Since Mai had been the one with the most spirit interaction, they figured it would be best to have her with Monk to try and draw the spirit out. Once the spirit had all the information it needed it gave Mai full control of her body and laid dormant until the time was right.
Mai had no idea what was going on or that she had been possessed but she felt this strange feeling inside of her. She felt that if they went through with the exorcism something bad was going to happen. She kept this feeling to herself not wanting to worry the others and to allow them the chance to prepare for tonight.
~Night~
The sun had set and everyone was taking their final moments to mentally prepare themselves. Naru decided it was best to have the family leave the house for the night just in case things got out of hand. "Ms. Hara do you feel a change in energy since the family has left," Naru asked. "No the energy is the same. The spirit or spirits have not take note of the family leaving," she responded. The brown haired assistant breathed a sigh of relief knowing that they would at least be safe tonight.
It was agreed that they would begin the exorcism in the place with the least amount of activity since they have been there, which was the bedroom where John was at. "John whenever you are ready you may begin," Naru radioed him. John took a deep breath and then began with The Lord's Prayer. The aura in the room was intense, the air felt thick and heavy, and still John continued trying hard to not let it affect him. Then just as he finished the prayer the aura changed and the air no longer felt heavy. "Amen," and with that John was done.
"Good work John, now Ms. Matsuzaki and Ms. Hara you may begin," Naru spoke. As they were beginning on working on exorcising anything in the kitchen, Mai and the monk were awaiting their turn in the forest. Monk was standing in the clearing where he had found Mai days before. Mai stood behind him about 8 feet or so. Again she was in a dazed state just standing there and not making a sound. The spirit was in possession of her body again waiting for the perfect time to take action.
Mai slowly lifted her arm towards a tree behind her and whether is was her own power or that of the spirit a tree branch broke and came towards her open hand. Monk heard the sound of the branch snapping and turned towards Mai. "Hey Mai did you hear that," and just as he turned around and hit on the head with the branch. He was easily rendered unconscious and Mai stood over his body with an evil grin on her face. "Stupid Monk that's what you get for trying to get in my way. Now just stay there while I get on with my plan," Mai spoke but it wasn't her it was Rei's voice. Mai then walked out of the clearing but didn't head back towards the house instead, she went somewhere different that the group had not explored at all.
Back in the base Naru was watching the end of the exorcism in the kitchen. Once he deemed it a success he went on to direct the final exorcism. "Alright Monk, Mai begin. Mai try and see if you can communicate with the spirit to draw it out," he commanded. He was greeted with silence which annoyed him slightly. "Lin pull up the footage from the forest now," Naru told his dark haired assistant. Lin pulled up the footage of the forest on the main screen which showed Monk lying on the ground.
"Lin where is Mai, what happened," Naru asked somewhat panicked. Lin rewinded the footage to just before Mai knocked him out. "Lin turn up the audio," Naru commanded. As Naru listened he heard Mai's voice but another that overlapped hers. "So that's what happened the spirit has possessed her. Lin I need you and John to go help Monk, have the two girls go with Yasu to search the house and along the stream that leads to the river. I'm gonna search the forest, we need to move now," Naru spoke.
Even though his voice sounded calm he was actually panicking on the inside. Based on the amount of anger this spirit has it could do any number of things to Mai. "Noll, are you there," he heard a voice. "Gene where is Mai," he asked in a hurry. Naru was now climbing over the fence in order to get to the forest. "I'm not familiar with the area but I know for sure you guys never went through here," Gene responded.
"That's not good enough I need more," Naru was running through the forest trying to reach the clearing where the girl was last. "I'm trying here okay. There is a cliff and below it is the river, gonna drown her in the river," Gene yelled frantically. Naru had reached the middle of the clearing and was trying to figure out which way to run next. "Go left if you keep going straight you should reach the cliff," Gene told him. Naru ran like his life depended on it, he hoped he would be fast enough before it was too late.