CW/TW: This chapter contains scenes of gaslighting, emotional abuse, and solitary confinement. As mentioned, this story covers very dark themes.
Chapter 19: Dance With the Devil - Breaking Benjamin
Day 8: 07:47
Naru
"What's going on?" Naru asked.
Dr. Hiroa came in and sat down in his chair. He looked around just to make sure it was just the three of them. "Wake her up. This is important," he said.
"I'm already waking up," Mai said, as she began shifting. She sat up and looked groggily at the doctor.
Dr. Hiroa looked at Naru and then back at Mai. "Did…did you two…?"
He and Mai began to blush. Suddenly the atmosphere in the room shifted from a kidnapping situation and rescue attempt to teenagers being caught having sex in their room while the parents were away. "Is there a problem Doctor?" Naru asked, trying to change the subject.
"Listen, all I'm saying is as a doctor and as a parent, just use protection. And you know, maybe wait until you two are out of imminent danger?" He said.
"After what happened yesterday, I didn't really care," Mai said, rather annoyed at being questioned first thing in the morning.
"What happened yesterday?" Dr. Hiroa asked.
"They didn't tell you?" Mai asked.
"No, I haven't talked to anyone since I returned."
Mai looked down and held her arms around herself. Naru wrapped his left arm around her shoulders. "Alaina came down to test us personally. She ordered them to separate us and one of her men nearly raped Mai," Naru growled.
"They did what?!" Dr. Hiroa said, shocked and enraged. "Did they-"
Mai shivered and whimpered. "No," she whispered, "We…I…I killed…I-" She choked up. Naru gave her a reassuring squeeze.
"Let's just say, he became no longer compatible with life before he had a chance to do anything too bad," Naru explained.
"She wants assassins. This is how she'll get them," Dr. Hiroa pondered. "Listen you two, they might be onto us planning an escape."
"How so?" Naru asked.
"I went to the hospital yesterday to check on Aya's vitals. I had to travel to Tokyo to see her. When I got there to see her, she hadn't changed in condition since I last saw her. Her vitals were normal for her baseline. Someone lied to me. They called me away for a reason. I think they knew I'd object to everything yesterday, so they called me away in a way they knew would get me to leave," Dr. Hiroa explained.
'So he had to travel to Tokyo? And it took all day? We are so far away from home.' He thought.
"What can we do then? We have to get out of here!" Mai said, exasperated.
"Well here's the thing. I think your rescue is on the way already," He said.
"Who?" Naru asked impatiently.
"While I was leaving the hospital, I was stopped by a very odd group of people. Stopped is a massive understatement. I was tackled in the parking lot. A tall Chinese man and a long brown-haired man in a ponytail took me to the ground. They were with a red-haired lady, a girl in a kimono, a boy with glasses, and an Australian young man," he finished.
He and Mai gasped. Her hands flew to her mouth and she released a choked sob. "Our team! Lin is alive!" Mai cried.
"What happened then? What did they say?" Naru asked, trying to hold back his excitement.
"Well, at first they thought I was one of the kidnappers. The girl in the kimono said that I had," he raised his hands to do an air quote, "Mai's spiritual aura signature around me. I swear those two men holding me down pack quite a punch." He turned his face to show them the bruises on his face. Mai cringed and Naru smirked. "They took me to their van and I tried to explain who I was. Once they told me that they were searching for you two, I realized we were all on the same page. They wanted to bring me in to the police, but I said they'd never find you two again if they did that. Not to mention they'd get you two killed if I went missing. They agreed to let me go, but they are following my trail. I agreed to let them put a tracking device in my car and they are gathering forces right now."
Mai was sobbing at this point. He reached out through their bond and he felt her relief and excitement.
'Our team, our FAMILY, they're coming! We're going home soon.' Mai was thinking.
'Home. That sounds amazing right now.' He replied in thought.
"I told them how many forces there were at play here. That girl in the kimono was saying something about needing to amass an army of the dead. Do you two know anything about that? It made no sense to me," Dr. Hiroa implored.
Mai and Naru looked at each other. Confusion was evident on their faces. "I have no idea what Ms. Hara is planning. Why are they not going to the police with this?" Naru asked.
"They said that Ms. Hara, is it? She already went to the police. Said she was able to track Mai's spiritual aura and to go find you two that way. She was laughed out of the police station," Dr. Hiroa explained.
"Not surprised," Naru said. "She's a TV medium. They probably thought she was trying a publicity stunt for ratings."
"Funny enough, that's exactly what she said that they said. Oh! They also gave me this," he said, indicating one of the buttons on his shirt. It blended in perfectly on his shirt and sweater vest.
Naru's and Mai's eyes widened. "Is that what I think it is?" Mai asked.
"My camera!" Naru exclaimed. He reached out for it and held the familiar object in his hands. He used this camera specifically for when they needed a close-up perspective of the ghosts and entities but in a discreet way. He remembers the hours of work he put into modifying it to the specific ranges to get those readings.
"The tall guy wanted to make sure I was completely telling the truth. They also wanted to be able to get names to faces and use everything recorded as evidence. He said you would know what it was. And that I just needed to plug it into my computer and it would-"
"Automatically upload everything to our shared drive…" Naru interrupted, "Lin you genius!"
"So that means, it's recording now and they'll be able to see it, see us, when it's uploaded?" Mai asked.
"Yeah, our family is watching us now," Naru said.
Mai held her hand to her mouth and sobbed. Naru began to tear up as well. This was really happening!
"Any message you want to say to your family?" Dr. Hiroa asked hesitantly.
Mai let out a choked sob and quickly wiped her face before more tears streamed. "Umm…" she started shakily, "hi guys. Please come get us," she jerked forward and scrunched her eyes shut. "We want to go home now!" She choked up on her last word and she curled up on herself sobbing.
Naru's hand began to shake while holding the camera and tears began betraying him and fell down his cheeks. He tried to remain stoic, but he couldn't for long. "Thank you, Lin, for everything. When you guys get here, bring extra medical supplies. No offense to Dr. Hiroa, but we're in bad shape right now. And…maybe a thermos of hot tea…for Mai and I to drink." He choked up himself and handed the camera back to Dr. Hiroa. He held Mai as they cried through it. Their bond pulsed with love and a sense of familial ties.
Dr. Hiroa put the camera back in his shirt and positioned it properly. "Rest assured, your team is on their way. They won't stop at anything to rescue you two."
Naru looked at Mai and smiled. "We just need to be ready for the big rescue," he said, wiping the tears from her eyes. She leaned forward and kissed him.
The kicking in of the door interrupted their moment though. Five men came stomping in with Akio trailing behind them. He looked ecstatic.
"Good morning! I hope you two slept well," Akio said with a sinister drawl.
"Excuse me, leader Akio, I was doing my morning check-up," Dr. Hiroa protested.
"I know my dear Doctor, but unfortunately," he looked over at the two of them, "my dearest Ms. Alaina would like to have a word with you."
"I already "spoke" with her yesterday," Naru growled. "I have nothing more to say."
"Oh, we know. She wants to talk to her…alone" He pointed to Mai who shrank back.
Rage flashed through his eyes as he whipped himself out of bed and stood in front of Mai. "Absolutely not!"
"Oh, don't you worry Dr. Davis. So long as everyone cooperates here, she will come back safe and sound," Akio said, raising his hand as if to promise. "I'm here to personally escort her to Ms. Alaina. I will ensure no one lays a hand on her. But if you insist on doing this the hard way, we can and will take her by force."
"Naru, please, I don't want you to be hurt! I can keep our bond open. You can communicate through this or telepathy! I might be able to gather Intel through this." Mai spoke through the bond.
"No! Mai, it is too risky. I won't lose you again!" He pleaded.
"Please! I know I can do this! You have to trust me. You taught me well. Let me prove it." She countered.
"Well, what is your answer?" Akio asked.
Naru turned around to Mai. He looked at the determination in her eyes. God, he loved her so much. He leaned forward to kiss her forehead.
"You come back to me, you understand? And keep Gene's words in mind. Stay calm and focused. Do NOT give in to emotion. Stay logical. She thrives on altercations. Give her nothing," he said desperately.
"Ok. I love you, and I won't let you down. I'll make you proud," she said smiling.
"You already do, love." He touched her cheek tenderly and smiled.
"Give us a minute to get dressed. Alone," Mai said authoritatively.
"Of course. But only one," Akio said before leaving with the men.
After Mai got a pair of sweatpants on and buttoned Naru's shirt on her and he put his sweatshirt on, she took his hand until the men came in again.
Naru had a pang in his chest as she left the room. He immediately had a bad feeling about this whole thing. Her voice in his head shocked him out of his thoughts.
"Test one two, test one two, can you hear me, over?"
"I can Mai. Let me know when you get there OK? Tell me what you see."
-o-
Day 8: 0810
Mai
They walked through the halls as she was surrounded on all sides by the armed men. The floor was cold on her bare feet and a slight chill was in the air.
"I can't see much around me," she said through the bond. "They have me surrounded. It's like they're cramping me on purpose."
"Got it. Try looking down and counting the number of footsteps until you turn. Focus on orienting yourself based on the path."
"Got it."
She did exactly that and found that she was in a completely unfamiliar section of the building now. Naru and Dr. Hiroa were writing down her instructions on pathways based on what she said. Finally, she found herself in front of a door. Akio knocked and then let himself in.
"My dear Alaina, we have brought you the girl as you requested," Akio said.
"Excellent. Leave us. I wish to talk to her alone," Alaina said.
The men around Mai and Akio left and the door shut. Mai could see her sitting at a wooden desk eating various fruits and chocolates.
"Please have a seat," she said soothingly.
"She's eating fruits and chocolates at her desk. She's asked me to sit in a chair across from her." Mai reported.
"OK, go ahead and sit, but say nothing,"
"Would you like some?" She held the box of chocolates in front of her. "I had them imported. They just arrived today," she asked.
"She's asked if I want some chocolates."
"Don't take any. She's trying to soften you up to her. Say no," Naru directed.
"No thank you," Mai replied.
"Mmm suit yourself," Alaina said, eating some more. "Now, how did you sleep, my dear girl?"
Mai repeated verbatim what Alaina said in her head waiting for Naru's response. "Say fine."
"Fine," she said quietly.
"No nightmares, or such? You really are becoming a killer. No mercy, no compassion. You'll do well with my buyers," Alaina said smiling.
Mai once again repeated her words to Naru. "Say nothing. She's trying to goad you into an emotional outburst. Tell me what's around you and on her desk."
Mai remained quiet and looked around as if trying to look scared. Which wasn't far off. "Nothing is hanging on the walls, there are no windows, and only one door in the room. She has an incense burner burning…lavender? on her desk. A picture of her and a man in a red dragon frame."
"What does the man in the picture look like?" Naru asked.
"Young, about as old as her. Short, red hair, green eyes, freckles. Wearing a plaid short-sleeved shirt. Nothing really significant."
"How are they pictured together?" Naru asked.
"They're smiling at the camera, they have their backs to each other and they're leaning against each other," Mai replied.
"Might be family. Could be brother or cousin."
"What? Cat got ya' tongue missie?" Alaina asked.
"Ask why she wanted to speak to you." Naru directed.
"What did you want to talk about?" Mai asked aloud.
"What? We can't have a little girl time togetha? A little… ladies' day away from the men?" Alaina said smiling.
"She's trying to wedge herself in as a friend. Ask her again what she wanted to talk about."
"What did you want to talk about?" Mai asked again.
Alaina shifted back in her chair and put her feet on the desk. "I wanted to ask ya' a few things about your…boss. Dr. Davis. How long have ya' been working for him?"
"Just say a while."
"A while," she whispered.
"I see. 'N how long have you started having these latent powers o' yours?"
"Tell her for about as long."
"Also a while," Mai replied.
"I've been reading up on ya' actually. I see that you're an orphan. Ya' father died when you were…three? And ya' mother died when you were eleven. Must have been hard."
"How do you know this?" She instinctively asked.
"Mai, calm down," Naru warned.
"We know everything about ya'. Ya' live on your own and often miss school to work wit' him. Tell me, did 'e hire ya' out of pity? One orphan to another?" She asked, smiling.
"No. Admittedly that was my logical reasoning, but it quickly became more than that," Naru said.
"No," she replied.
"Tell me something, how long has he been lyin' to ya about who he really is?" Alaina asked.
"Say nothing. She's trying to goad you again," Naru replied.
"This is getting hard not to say anything," she said through the bond.
"I know, but think of it like a dance. You are each dancing for information right now."
"C'mon, it must'a been a shock to realize that yer boss was the esteemed Dr. Oliver Davis huh? Have you read any of his works yourself?" Alaina asked, smiling.
"Say nothing."
"You see, I have. I have read a lot of them. I have read them many times over. That's how I know a few things about his powers. That's how I know he's capable of such great power," she said. "But…even great power comes with setbacks. For example, did you know that when he or his partner were in a metal enclosure, their powers were diminished?"
"No…no no no no…" she heard Naru mutter through the bond. She felt on edge now.
"He said that he felt disconnected and uncomfortable. At worst he felt nauseous and unable to move. I wanted to know if that theory could be tested with you two," she said with a sinister smile.
"Mai, you need to get out of there, she's going to try to disconnect our bond!"
Mai took a deep breath and said, "I am quite done with your tests as they were. After yesterday I think it's best if I return to our room."
She got up from her chair and went towards the door. When she opened it however she saw the men there holding their rifles towards her.
"Naru…Forgive me…I can't get myself out of this…" she said.
"Mai? Mai! What's happening, talk to me!"
"I'm afraid testing begins now. I was hoping you'd be able to give me some more information. I'm sad to say you're just as stubborn as he is. Maybe a few hours away will do you some good. Make you a little more…compliant." She was grabbed and then dragged towards a nearby door. It was heavy and metal.
"Naru, I'm scared! What happened when you were in a metal room?" She asked through the bond.
"Mai, it's going to be ok! It won't feel like it, but I'll still be here! I'm going to get you! Don't give up! Please, Mai, come back to me!" Naru pleaded.
"Throw her in! Let's see what happens now," Alaina yelled. Mai was thrown in and she whipped around right before the door shut and sealed.
"Naru!" She screamed.
Nothing. Empty. It felt like part of her soul had been ripped away from her. She felt hollow and cold. She tried to reach out through the bond and felt nothing. She started to breathe heavily. Tears formed in her eyes as she tried to stay calm. That battle was quickly lost as she felt the warmth begin to leave her body. The pain in her chest from the burns began to come back. She couldn't reach out to her spiritual aura. She was burning, burning, burning, BURNING!
She ran to the door and started banging her fist against it. "LET ME OUT OF HERE! PLEASE! I CAN'T STAY HERE! I'M BURNING! IT HURTS!" she screamed.
Nothing. No response. She collapsed to the ground clutching her chest. Her hands were burning too. She was burning everywhere. But at the same time, she was so very cold.
"Naru! Help me! Please! I'm sorry!" She sobbed onto the floor.
-o-
Day 8: 0830
Naru
"MAI!" He cried out. He fell to the ground clutching his head. It was pulsing in pain, a never-ending pain! He was gripping his hair tightly as nausea and pain wracked his whole body. "AAAAAGGGGHHH!"
It felt like when he watched Gene die and his connection to his brother was severed. But this time it was worse. This bond was even deeper and that meant the severing was even more severe. His breathing was shallow as sweat and tears poured from his face. He felt cold. Alone. Like no light existed anymore. A high-pitched ringing assaulted his ears. He rolled to his back screaming and arched in pain as the pain radiated and stabbed its way from his head, down his spine, and into all the parts of his body.
"MAI! PLEASE COME BACK! Please! Pleeeease!" He begged.
Was his heart pumping? Was he still alive? It felt like his golden light was shut away forever. Dread set in.
"Not again! I can't do this again! This hurts! I need her back! Please! Someone! Anyone! Help!"
