A/N: Romance stories aren't my strongest suit. I feel like I dried it off from the whole Kataang Raid stories. But there's some love, whether it's romance or not. In Mashika's case, it's love everywhere.
Chapter 35: Ghost Town
Marina is asleep in bed, tossing and turning as she moans and mutters in her sleep.
In her sleep, Marina finds herself alone in the darkness. This time she's unbound and clothed. But the anxiety still overwhelms her. Marina knows something bad is about to happen.
Then she hears it. "Harder! More!" Her voice echoed in the empty air. Marina turns to the direction where the voice came from and is horrified by the sight. Countless Shadow Men surround the Dream Marina. Most of her body is covered by the shadows but it's clear to Marina what is happening, but what shocks her most is the expression on her dream copy's face. The expression of insane pleasure.
As Marina helplessly stares at her dark image, shadow figures with creepy faces appear and start moving towards her. Marina attempts to flee but she can't move. Her feet are immovable. The figures draw closer and closer, reaching their hands out to her as the helpless Marina screams.
"No!" Marina wakes up in shock. She breathes heavily as she sits up in bed trying to catch her glimpse of reality. As she sits to relax, she cannot calm herself and then decides to get out of bed.
Marina goes into the kitchen but is surprised to find the light inside is on. What's more, Mashika is standing in front of a kettle as it heats up. She turns to see Marina is there, and the two of them just stare at each other in silence.
After a while, they both sit on the couch as Mashika pours hot water into the mugs. "Nightmares?"
Marina shyly nods. "Yes. I've been having recurring nightmares about being violated and abused." Marina picks up one of the mugs. "It started off with being paralyzed and injected, and after that, I keep seeing myself as..." Marina shallows hard. "A frightening image. It's like I see myself but at the same time, I don't see me." Marina blows into her mug before taking a sip. "The scariest thing about it is that it all looks and feels so real."
"Hmm...I think I know what's going on." Mashika says. "You remember that you were infected with Lover's Poison?"
Marina nods. "I...try not to think about it. That drug sounds terrifying."
"That is it." Mashika crosses her legs. "As we told you, Elizabeth and I were once slaves to the agency. And that drug is what they use to keep us under control. Sometimes use them as punishment by injecting and leaving us untreated. After we were liberated and the agency fell, we use to have monthly to yearly meetings to see how we were adjusting to our new lives. And some of the women who had long-term as well as long-phased exposure to that poison are experiencing these similar nightmares."
"Are you saying it's a side effect from the drug?" Marina asks.
"To be honest, I don't know. I was once injected but I never had the same effects. Then again, Patrick had me cured before I was over the second phase." Mashika says. "But some of the women believed that the recurring nightmares are really memories. Events that happened while the drug was taking control of them."
"That would explain why it all seems so real." Marina says. "Are they gonna go away?"
"I'm not sure. At the last meeting, I heard they've been appearing less and less over time, but didn't hear anything ever since." Mashika gives Marina a gentle pat on the back. "But don't worry, you're safe with us, and everything's going to be okay."
Marina manages a small smile. "Thanks, Mashika. I wish I could be as strong as you and Patrick. You both make it seem easy to overcome."
"To be honest, Patrick is still having a hard time." Mashika explains to Marina why he behaves this way. As well as the times he acted out on hatred and vengeance during events related to pervert enemies, as well as Peter's stupidity. And then she tells Marina one important detail. "'As long as they're out there, as long as he lives, I'll never be free.' That's what he told me."
"That sounds...sad. And who is 'he'?" Marina asks.
"I believe he is referring to Rufus Zero, the Leader of the Agency. He hasn't been seen in years. Some people say he's dead, but Patrick refuses to believe it." Mashika asks. "I've tried to get him to understand to find a life and purpose aside from vengeance, but he just doesn't want to let it go. I'm worried about him." Mashika takes Marina's empty mug and stands up. "Why don't you try talking to him when you two are alone? He might offer you some advice or a sense of comfort for your condition."
Marina returns to bed to try and get a good night's sleep. The fear still takes hold of her, even though in the time she did get some sleep the nightmares didn't come.
The next morning, Marina gets up early. Her eyes were still heavy and bagged from lack of sleep. She wonders about the hallways of Beacon as she drinks her cup of coffee. Today is mission day once again and the Huntsmen and Huntresses are gathering their students. As Marina watches them get together, she starts to think. Then starts heading down the hallway.
Ozpin and Glynda are looking over the mission boards. "Are you sure about this, Professor Ozpin?"
"This is a dangerous mission, but I believe it'll be the perfect test to confirm our suspicions about our young protege." Ozpin says. "All we need is to assign the right-"
Ding! Ozpin and Glynda look at the Elevator to see Marina as the doors open. "Professor's Ozpin and Goodwitch. If I may ask, I wish to participate in the mission given to Team PASM."
Glynda is surprised to hear that. "Marina, are you sure about this? Given your history, are you really-"
"I am positive, ma'am. I know I'm not physically fit but I still carry the knowledge of a Huntress. I can help these students." Marina says.
There's silence in the room until Glynda breaks it. "Professor Ozpin?"
When Team PASM is ready for their mission, they leave the dorms and make their way to the courtyard. The girls wonder which 'Special' mission Huntsman Ozpin is going to have ready for them this time.
When they arrive at their destination, they are surprised by who their instructor is. "Professor Rishina?" Selena asks.
Marina greets her students. "Greetings, Team PASM."
"I'll...be honest, I did not see this coming." Marlene says.
"I agree. I thought you were too frail to be assigned with a mission." Akira says.
"Well, I know I'm unfit to be a warrior, but I was able to pull a few strings with Professor Ozpin and he allowed me to take the lead on this mission." Marina says. Hearing that only draws Patrick's suspicion. "Shall we go?" The girls are already on their way to the truck, Leaving Patrick and Marina alone.
"Mashika set this up, didn't she?" Patrick asks.
"No...Well, sort of." Marina says. Marina follows the girls while Patrick sighs.
"Why do I even bother?" He says before following his team and teacher. Marina and Team PASM ride off to their destination in a van. Marina drives while Team PASM is sitting in the back. "So, what's the mission, Professor?"
"We are heading to an unknown town on the other side of Sanus." Marina says.
"An unknown town? Is it like in ruins or something?" Selena asks.
"Nobody knows for certain." Marina says. "It has been said that long ago, a village once resided there. But then one day communications to that town were seized. Worried, Huntsman of Beacon and Vacco was sent there to investigate this mystery. But...none of them ever returned."
"That sounds pretty dangerous." Marlene says. "Is it really a good idea to send students and a non-warrior professor to it?"
"I know the risks are great, but Ozpin believes you guys have the capability to handle the situation. Whatever it is." Marina says.
"That's reassuring," Patrick says sarcastically.
The team spends most of the day driving toward their destination. When it was nightfall they decided to pull over and make camp. After dinner, it was time to turn on, with each of the students taking shifts to keep an eye out for any Grimm threats. Marina decided to sleep in the van, PASM asked how come and why not sleep in the outdoors, but Marina only answered with: "I-I just feel more comfortable indoors." This confuses the girls, but Patrick, on the other hand, feels suspicious.
By morning, everyone was awake, half-awake in Marina's case, then they continued to head out. No sooner had they arrived at the desert climate of the land. "We should be there in about half an hour." Marina tells her students.
Patrick is seated next to Marina. "I can tell what's going on." Patrick says. "I heard you've been tense lately, now you're working with us and you didn't want to sleep outside with us." Patrick gets a good look at Marina's face. "Not to mention you look like you haven't gotten any sleep."
"You really live up to Mashika's expectations," Marina says. "I've...been having nightmares lately. About them." Patrick doesn't say anything, only keeps his stern expression on. "I talked to Mashika about it the other night and she tells me it's memories of when I was under the drug's control. Mashika told me to talk to you for any advice."
Patrick sighs. "Honestly, I'm as lost as you and Mashika are. I just know about the poison and its effects. I have nothing to say about how to overcome the Nightmare Side Effect."
Marina is disappointed. "Yeah. I was afraid of that." Marina groans tiresome as she puts a hand on her head.
Patrick takes notice. "You doing okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just tired." Marina says.
Patrick gets off his seat and goes to the back and sits with his team. They discuss what the town might be like given how dangerous it is. Marlene worries about the story where even the most experienced Huntsman have never returned. They waited for the next half hour, and they started to get bored...and feel tired. Except for Patrick, he's just bored.
Marlene started to look out the window and saw something that surprised her. "Guys. You're gonna want to take a look at this." The rest of Team PASM looks out the window. There's nothing but sand in this desert, but once and a while, they pass by bodies. Dead bodies.
"Gods. What happened?" Selena asks.
"These must be the Huntsman that disappeared." Akira says.
As they drive they notice there are more and more bodies coming within view. "There are more as we are getting closer to the town." Selena says.
"This is freaking me out." Marlene moves away from the window and sits down. "I'm just gonna shut my eyes for a bit." She says tiresome.
Selena and Akira sit down. "Me too, I'm suddenly feeling tired." Selena says, and Akira agrees.
"Did any of you get any sleep last night?" Patrick asks. None of them answers, but Patrick sits down. "Honestly." After a while, the ride starts to feel bumpy. He looks outside to see the van is driving a little off-course on the sand road. "What the?" Patrick moves to the front. "Marina. What are you..." Patrick notices Marina is starting to fall asleep. Her expression is awake but the lights are off. "Marina?" And suddenly, Marina passes out. The van starts driving like crazy. In a panic, Patrick takes control of the wheel and drives back on course, then applies the Emergency Brake.
Once the van comes to a complete halt, Patrick tries waking up Marina. "Get up, Marina!" Marina doesn't awake. She's still completely out. He decides to leave Marina and check with his team. Much to his surprise, they're all zonked out. Selena's already out cold and Akira and Marlene are struggling to stay awake. One-by-one, Patrick attempts to wake them up. "Akira! Come on, wake up! Marlene! Open your eyes! Selena!"
Selena moans tiresomely and mutters something. Patrick leans to hear what it is she's saying, but can only hear a faint whisper from her. "A...Ap...Ap...A."
Patrick just watches his unconscious team. "This is getting out of hand." Patrick takes out his Scroll but is disappointed. "No Signal? Great!" Patrick sits back down sighing as he feels lost in thought. "What is going on?"
Eventually, Patrick decides to continue with the mission. He moves Marina to the passenger seat and takes the wheel. He follows the road until he spots a small town up ahead. Patrick slowly arrives on the road into town and comes to a stop in the center. He leaves the van and looks around. The town is undamaged but is filled with dead bodies. As he examines the buildings, he takes notice there aren't any signs of any Grimm Attacks.
"What happened here?" Patrick looks back in the van. He sees Marina dead asleep and looks in the back to see his team is under the same condition. If he doesn't do something quickly, they're about to end up just like everybody in this town.
Patrick starts his investigation at the Inn. He searches the Innkeeper's desk. "There must be some kind of journal log or something that'll explain what's happened here." As he searches, Patrick finds a book. He opens it to find pages filled with numbers, underneath some of them have names written in, and the pages are organized by date. Patrick flips through the pages, and once he gets to June 10th, the number of occupied rooms increases. Until it becomes completely filled to the 13th, and then becomes blink beyond the day after that.
Patrick closes the book and continues searching the desk until he finds a journal. Patrick opens it and just like the sign-in book, it's organized by date. He flips through the pages until he reaches June 10th.
'Things have settled ever since the incident last week. However, ever since the mines closed, something strange is happening. Lately, people are feeling tired. It started small but this strange effect started spreading. Today, I had more rooms filled than usual. Feels good for business, only I can't help but worry.' Patrick skips to the last page. 'The breakout has gotten worse. Even I'm struggling to keep awake. The Doctors at the clinic even have some of their patients moved into here as they try to figure out this unknown contamination. I pray to the Gods that th-' The journal ends here.
"Hmm...The Clinic." Patrick leaves the Inn to make his way to the clinic. Once inside, he sees all the medical beds packed with bodies, bodies of patients and doctors or nurses. Patrick wonders until he finds the office of the Head Doctor. Patrick moves the body out of the way, which causes the body to fall and collapse on the floor. "Whoops." Patrick notices an open Medical Log set for the last day it was written and writes it.
'We cannot make out what this strange illness is. I have already sent word to Vacco of the situation we are in, hopefully, we'll receive aid soon enough. There have been so many victims that we had to make room by sending some of them to the neighboring Inn across the street.' Patrick turns the page to find it's completely blinked.
"Even the Doctors can't make out of this." Patrick continues his search around town. Houses and stores are mostly empty of clues. He decides to go to the source and head for the village chef's office. Patrick searches the desk until he finds a journal. As usual, he reads the last page. It seems to be dated June 18th.
'This Pandemic is spreading like wildfire. Doctors of the clinic have already succumbed to the illness. We have yet to receive word from Vacco of any aid coming. I have sent the Huntsman to the Mines to investigate if the events of the incident is what's causing this, but they have never returned. I fear this unknown illness might consume us all. This might be my last entry log. If anyone is reading this: Run. Get as far away from this town as you can.'
Patrick can't make any sense of this. So he decides to go back several pages. He remembered the Inn log mentioned an incident a week before June 10th. He starts from there until he finds it on June 5th.
'We had believed to have struck a gold mine, but the tunnels in the mines became too unstable. The explosion caused most of the tunnels to collapse, and several men down there got sealed in. Unable to be rescued. To prevent this from happening again, I have ordered the mines to be closed off, and the Mining Guild has disbanded. Tonight, we mourn for those who lose their lives.'
Beyond that, it only writes about other daily events happening, mostly unrelated to the accident, until it eventually brings up the 'Unknown Illness'. With no other opinion, Patrick decides to search the mines. He heads for a building that was once the Mining Guild and searches all around until he finds an old map of the Mines.
Patrick drives the van towards the Mines. In 20 minutes, he had reached the sealed entrance to the mines on the mountain. Patrick stops the van and then exits. He approaches the sealed entrance, with signs that read 'Danger' 'Closed' 'Keep Off'. Activating his Dust Bracers with Combust Dust, Patrick gives the sealed entrance a hard kick and blows it open.
Patrick walks inside, the tunnel is dark. He finds a switch for the lights. He turns it on, but the lights flicker on and off, stay on, and then turn off. Patrick groans in annoyance and then decides to use his Night Vision. Patrick walks inside, slowly, with a Bowblade in hand. He walks for about thirty feet until he comes across a Mine Elevator.
After a bit of a struggle, Patrick manages to open the door to the elevator and enters. He activates it, only it powers down after the Going Down command is set. "Unbelievable." Patrick starts smashing on the command panel which results in it short-circuiting, and the elevator starts breaking out of its lock. "Uh oh."
Then the Elevator drops at great speed with Patrick screaming as he drops into the darkness.