!TRIGGER WARNING! - This chapter contains physical and sexual violence.

She was so dazed, she didn't hear the footsteps behind her until she was hit over the head.

Chapter Six

Mai opened her eyes, still dazed. She was being carried. She tried to look around, but couldn't focus. Her bracelet fell out of her pocket, hitting the ground. Whoever was carrying her either didn't notice or didn't care. She spotted the painted doors on the third floor. She didn't even have the chance to feel confused before she passed out, again.

She hissed in pain as she woke, again, laying on her stomach. Opening her eyes to darkness. She attempted to roll over, only to become aware that something is binding her forearms together behind her back. Panic started to rise up, making her thrash. Something is over her mouth. Tape? What is happening?

She stiffened as she felt a cold hand on her back. Whoever it was shushed her. Unable to recognize the voice, she resumed thrashing.

A lamp in the room clicked on. Blinking rapidly, Mai tried to look over her shoulder. She looked up at the person's face, finding a man with shaggy brunette hair and dark, deep set eyes. He appeared to be in his thirties, perhaps a little older than Monk and Ayako.

He grabbed her shoulders and rolled her over, onto her back, before letting go.

"We finally meet, Mai." He smiled slightly. "I had hoped it would be under different circumstances."

Realization dawned on Mai. The panic returned in full. She fought against her restraints with all her might, trying her best to scream through the tape. It came out as little more than a whimper.

He shushed her, again. Mai didn't need to be told where she is. It's all becoming clearer. The room with the water motif. The one room in this massive house that remained locked to him. He's been here the whole time. Watching as they investigate, no doubt.

"You're even more lovely in person. So far, I've only caught glimpses of you. I swore I'd be patient. Wait until the opportune moment. Then, that idiot boss of yours left you alone in that car. I couldn't resist one attempt to take you. Alas, it matters not. I have you, now."

He looked her over. She shivered, her skin crawling. When he tried to run a hand up her leg, she started kicking. He'd neglected to bind her ankles. She froze again as a sharp volt of electricity hit her leg, traveling up the rest of her body. As soon as it stopped, she rolled onto her side, curling up. He waved a taser in front of her face. The very taser Naru had given her. She spotted her purse on the floor beside him.

"Let's behave ourselves, alright? I'll remove the tape, but you'd best not say a word unless I give you permission. Tasers can do a lot of damage."

Her eyes filled with tears. This is really happening...Worse, she's put herself in this situation. She separated from the group after she got emotional. She put herself in harm's way. Now, she's found herself caught in Kimoi's clutches.

He gave her a firm look as he reached for the tape. Mai nodded, silently promising to be good. Slowly, he peeled up the tape. Mai moved her mouth a bit as it was removed, her skin tender. Kimoi put a finger to his lips.

"I've been waiting so long for this moment, it seems." Kimoi smiled almost kindly. "To see you before me, looking at me. It feels right. We were always meant to know each other. We're so alike. We both are blessed with psychic abilities. To see what others cannot. To sense this whole other world that exists within our own. Can't you feel it?"

Mai blinked back the tears in her eyes. She has to keep him talking. Give everyone downstairs a chance to notice her missing and look. "I can. Psychics know when they've met another of their kind."

His face lit up with joy. He kept a firm lock on her eyes as he spoke. "I spent years feeling like an outsider. Meeting you was the first time I ever felt like I could belong. You've done that for me."

"Why did we have to meet like this?" She couldn't help but ask.

His expression dropped. "I had no choice. You made it impossible for it to be any other way. I tried meeting you for coffee. When you blocked me, I had to get creative. Why did you block me? I know I didn't say anything wrong. There's no harm in asking to meet."

"I..." How can she respond to that without angering him.

He scowled. "Don't answer that. I know why. It's because of your little boyfriend, isn't it?"

Mai dropped her eyes. "That doesn't mean we couldn't have been friends."

She gasped as he tapped her with the taser. She opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out. Stopping, he pushed her flat on her back. "Try not to patronize me. You never intended to be friends."

Tears poured down her face. This isn't working. He's just getting angrier. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have run away. I was just scared...I've lost friends in the past."

He gave her a meaningful look. "I've been abandoned all my life. I know how that feels. I'd never abandon you."

"I know that, now." She sniffed. "You did everything you could to show me that."

"You get it." He crawled forward. "You understand what I've been trying to tell you. What I've been trying to show you. That we must stick together. Be each other's support in this cruel world."

"That's what SPR has been for me. It's with the company that I've met my friends and support system. You could have that, too."

"I don't want them." He scowled. "I want you. Tell me you feel it...the connection between us. Since I first spoke to you, I've felt it. After I saw you at that art walk, it just got stronger."

Mai hesitated to lie to him. He doesn't like her trying to patronize him. He'll use the taser if he thinks she's lying. "That was you I bumped into at the art walk. Why didn't you stop to say hi?"

"You were with others." He looked away. "I don't do well in crowds. It didn't feel like the right time. But now...it doesn't matter. We have this moment."

She shuddered as he placed a hand on her knee. Leaning down, he got in her face, his hot breath hitting her cheek. She tried to lean away. "Kimoi, please..."

He shushed her, again. Cupping both sides of her face, he leaned in and kissed her. Her eyes shot wide open. She tried not to start hyperventilating as one hand lowered to grab her breast. He squeezed.

Pulling back to catch his breath, he smiled. "Our first kiss. Tell me you felt the spark."

Mai tried to lean away from his touch. He kept a firm hold on her. "Can't we take things slowly, Kimoi? I need to know you better. Please."

He shook his head. Reaching for the straps of her shirt, he pulled them down her shoulders, until her bra was visible. "I'm not an idiot, Mai. I know how little time we have. I have to make you see what you mean to me."

Realizing what he means to do, Mai swung herself into a sitting position, nearly hitting her head directly against his. She opened her mouth to scream, only for him to grab the tape. She scrambled away best she could. "No, wait! Please!'

He grabbed her ankle and pulled, sending her back down to the ground. Her head hit the floor with a thud. He put the tape back on her mouth. He looked annoyed as he resumed pulling her shirt down.

"It should be different. I want to show you I can be romantic. But, you're being difficult." He lifted her up by her shoulders and reached behind her with the other hand, unhooking her bra. Lowering her back down, he slowly pulled her bra down her forearms, until she was exposed. "Mai...You're stunning."

She shut her eyes, unable to look at his face as he stared at her. She cried, her tears loosening the adhesive on the tape. Opening her mouth as wide as he could, she fought to dislodge the tape. When it fell down to her chin, she sucked in a deep breath and screamed.

Her voice echoed through the room and out down the third floor hallway. Kimoi scrambled for the taser. He aimed it at her face. "Quiet!"

She froze again, shutting her mouth. The sound of heavy footsteps bounding up the stairs was like music to her ears. Kimoi looked away from her, startled. She took the opportunity to scoot herself away with her legs. Rolling onto her stomach, she scrambled to get to her knees. She knelt in the corner of the room, her wary eyes on Kimoi.

She screamed again. This led the others directly to her. The door flew open with a clack as whoever was out there broke the lock. Naru swung into the room, pausing just inside the doorway. He took a quick stock of the situation. His dark eyes narrowed as he looked at Mai's state of undress. He spun towards Kimoi as he stood and tackled him.

The two fought. Mai felt the air begin to charge as Naru's eyes glowed a bright blue. She stared in horror as he realized what he intended to do.

"Naru, don't!"

If Naru kills him, who knows what the police will do. Lin and Monk ran into the room and helped grab hold of Kimoi. Forcing him down to the ground, Monk held him down while Lin grabbed Naru.

"Noll, stop! Look at Taniyama! She needs you!"

Naru struggled for a minute. Looking over at Mai, he calmed down somewhat. His eyes turned back to their normal sapphire, the static charge faded. He took several deep breaths, looking warn out from the effort of suppressing his PK.

Lin let go of Naru and went to help Monk keep Kimoi down. Ayako was next to enter the room. She gasped and ran for Mai at the same time Naru did. Naru kept his eyes firmly locked on hers as Ayako helped to situate Mai's clothes. When she was covered up, Naru allowed himself to look her over.

"Are you hurt?" His voice came out strained.

"Don't you touch her, you bastard!" Kimoi shouted, glaring daggers at Naru. "She's mine!"

It seemed to take a great deal of effort for Naru not to turn around. Keeping his eyes on Mai, he pulled out his pocket knife and cut the binds on Mai, freeing her arms. The blood quickly rushed back to them. As soon as she could somewhat feel her arms, again, she threw them around Naru's neck and cried.

"Please...get me out of here." She begged him.

He hugged her back, standing with her. Picking her up, he carried her out of the room, ignoring Kimoi's angry shouts. Mai buried her face in Naru's shoulder, unable to bear to even look back at Kimoi.

"This isn't over!" Kimoi screamed at her.

"Yes, it is." Monk glared down at him. "Ayako, call the police."

"On it."

Mai sobbed. Clinging tightly to Naru, the two went down the stairs. Naru didn't even stop in the base. He went right outside and to his car. Fussing with the door handle, he sat down in the passenger seat with her. That's where they remained until the police finally arrived.

There's only so often you can deal with a situation before it completely drains you. That's how Mai felt for the next week after Kimoi's arrest. She laid in bed for most of it, under the influence of a sedative Ayako gave to her, daily. She had memories of being fed, but couldn't tell who was feeding her or how often. When she finally came out of her daze, it was the Monday of the following week.

Opening her eyes, Mai found herself in bed at the new apartment she shares with Ayako. She turned to look at Naru. He was sitting on the floor by her bed, looking about ready to fall asleep. She put a hand on his shoulder.

"Mai." He looked into her eyes, searching for something.

She gave him a small smile. "Naru."

He significantly relaxed. "How do you feel?"

"A little groggy." She yawned. "What time is it? When did we get back from the case?"

"It's been a week." Naru told her carefully.

She sat up abruptly. A wave of dizziness hit her, causing her to fall back onto her pillow. "A week?"

"You've been in shock. You needed the chance for your mind to rest." He took her hand. "Stay laying down for now. Don't overdo it."

"Kimoi..?"

"In jail. The cameras we had set up recorded him taking you. He's being charged for felony stalking, attempted abduction, abduction and..."

Naru trailed off. Mai looked away from him, her body getting cold at the mere thought of what happened in that room. What could have happened. "Tell me."

Naru tensed his jaw. "And sexual assault."

"He didn't..." She couldn't finish the sentence. It didn't matter what he didn't do. What he did was more than enough.

"He touched you." Naru glared at the floor. "As far as I'm concerned, that's a death sentence. I should have killed him."

"I'm glad you didn't." She squeezed his hand. "I don't want to know what the police would have done. If they had decided it wasn't sufficient enough to warrant self defense, you could have wound up in jail."

This didn't seem to comfort Naru at all. His glare was worsening by the second. Like extinguishing a flame, it suddenly vanished, being replaced with a tired sadness. "I'm sorry."

Mai looked up at him, surprised. Did Naru actually just apologize? "Why?"

"I should have gone after you when you first left the room. If I had, I could have prevented all of this."

"Please, don't blame yourself."

He tensed his jaw. "I've failed you."

Mai carefully sat up and slid out of the bed. Crawling into Naru's arms, she hugged him. "You saved me. Again and again. Whenever I needed you, you came. Do you understand? You cannot take accountability for what happened. For what..."

She couldn't finish that sentence. She couldn't say his name, again. She doesn't even want to think it. She relaxed as Naru's arms locked around her tightly. They stayed just like that for a long while, until Mai's stomach grumbled.

"You need to eat. You've been on a diet of soup and multivitamins for days."

Smiling sheepishly, Mai pulled back to look at him. "I think I'm in the mood for ribs."

He smirked. It was a welcome sight. "Then, we'll get you ribs."

Taking her hand, the two got off the floor and went into the other room. As soon as she saw her, Ayako rushed to hug Mai. Monk was next. Ordering Japanese ribs to the house, the four stayed in and ate.

Ayako waited until Mai had her fill before speaking. "I thought you might want to know a little more about Kimoi."

Mai nodded, keeping her eyes on her plate. "I would."

"Turns out, his name actually is Kimoi." Monk told her. "Kimoi Torappu. The Mister Torappu that supposedly hired us for this case is Kimoi's father, who died a few months ago. There's some speculation that Kimoi may have been responsible for that, too. After his father's death, he went off the deep end. You're not the first girl he's stalked, but you are the first he's kidnapped."

"My dream at the house...I'm sure Kimoi did kill his father." Mai swallowed heavily, trying not to let her stomach turn on her.

"If that's the case, hopefully the police manage to find evidence." Monk frowned. "The cops found...a lot of pictures of you on his computer. Turns out he's been following you even before the flowers started showing up. The police also found—."

"No. We're not talking about that." Ayako cut Monk off.

"Tell me...please." Mai looked up. "I want to know. It's worse not knowing."

Monk hesitated. "They found...a kill kit amongst his things. His intention, whatever he claimed, was always to kill you."

Her stomach rolled. Leaning over, she fought the nausea. Naru placed a gentle hand on her back. It didn't comfort her like usual. It just reminded her of waking in that dark room, Kimoi's hand on her back.

"Don't touch me!" She shouted. Naru retracted his hand quickly. Mai stared up at him, shocked. "I'm sorry...I don't know where that came from."

She could clearly see the guilt in Naru's eyes. "Don't apologize."

He held out his hand, giving her the option of taking it. She did, holding it tightly in both of hers.

"For whatever it's worth, the law seems to want to throw the book at him. If they have anything to say about it, Kimoi will be in jail for a long time." Monk tried reassuring Mai.

"Let's stop talking about him." Ayako pat Monk's knee.

Mai sat upright again. "So, it's really over?"

Her voice was soft as she asked. Naru squeezed her hand. "Yes, it's over."

Then, why does it feel like it's not?

The following Wednesday, Mai insisted on going back to work. Kimoi has taken enough of Mai's life, already. She's ready for things to get back to normal. Hugging Kuroda, Mai sat at her desk.

"The prosecution has asked me to speak against Kimoi at his trial." Mai told Kuroda.

"That sounds very stressful. I'm sorry."

"I'm going to do it. I want to know I did everything I can to get him convicted." Mai bit her lip nervously. "But...I don't want to have to see his face, again. It's going to be hard."

"We'll all be there for you."

"I know. If not for everyone, I don't think I'd be able to do it."

Opening his office door, Naru hooked his finger, urging Mai to come to him. She got up and followed him into his office. As soon as the door was shut, Naru took her hand.

"If you don't feel up to finishing out a full day, let me know. I'll take you home."

"I'll be fine." She reassured him. Carefully, she stepped forward to hug him. Both because she wanted to and to see how her mind reacts to the contact. She was relieved to not have her skin crawl. Naru rested his hands on Mai's waist, careful not to touch her back.

When he pulled back to look at her, Mai stood on her toes and kissed him. He kissed her back.

Naru broke the kiss first. "We won't be taking any cases for a while."

As sad as that news made her, she couldn't help but feel relieved. After this last case...she needs some time.

"Was the house ever haunted?"

"It doesn't seem to be. We couldn't sense anything for a reason. Which reminds me." Naru reached into his pocket and pulled out Mai's bracelet. "At the time of your abduction, everyone else was sure you'd left the house. I was able to prove my suspicion you were still in the house because I found your bracelet on the stairs."

Mai smiled at the sight of it. "You had it fixed?"

"I fixed it myself." He helped her put it on. Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed her wrist, just above the bracelet.

"Thank you."

"For whatever reason, this simple gift seems to mean a lot to you."

"It's because it came from you." Mai hugged him. "Now, should I make tea?"

"Yes." He smirked.

Smiling back, she left his office and went to make a big pot of tea.

It took a couple months for the prosecution to be ready to take things to trial. Mai did end up speaking. Having to recount her experiences for this room of strangers was painful. It felt even worse having to go into detail about it in front of her loved ones. When it was all said and done, all she could do was sit beside Naru and lay her head on his shoulder.

In the end, Kimoi got a combined total of ten years for the various charges. No one could ultimately prove he had anything to do with his father's death. While not a lot, it was enough for Mai to finally feel safe.

After the trial, everyone headed back to Ayako's apartment for dinner. Mai didn't feel much like eating.

"Ten years isn't enough." Monk scowled. "He should get a hundred."

"For once, I agree with you on something." Naru said between bites. He looked over at Mai. "Try having something. Even just a little."

"I'll try." Mai took a few calming breaths, then took a bite. She was relieved when it stayed down. She's been dealing with a delicate stomach all day.

"My bet is he'll try to appeal his sentence." Monk continued.

"Let's change the subject." Ayako glared at him.

Mai smiled at Ayako gratefully. With some effort, she was able to take several bites of food. After the meal, her phone rang. After everything with Kimoi, the simple task of answering a text or a call has become difficult. Taking a deep breath, she stepped away from the table and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is this Mai Taniyama?" Someone asked in English.

"Yes." She responded.

"This is Chairman George Porter from Granite Hills University in London, England. You've signed up for one of our programs."

Mai perked up. "I did, yes."

"I'm pleased to say you've been offered an interview with Professor Davis. As far as scheduling it, you can use the link in the email we've also sent you to choose a time slot."

She smiled wider than she has in months. "Thank you!"

"Have a lovely day, Miss Taniyama."

They hung up. The room had gone silent. Mai grinned. "The program Kuroda and I signed up for. I got an interview."

"Mai, that's amazing!" Ayako got up to hug her. The occupants of the room each took a turn to congratulate her.

"I wanted to say something, but I got my call the other day." Kuroda smiled sheepishly. "I didn't want to distract you right before the trial."

"Congratulations, Kuroda. I can't believe we both got in." Mai glanced at Naru. "You didn't...make this happen, did you?"

"You got in on your own merit, Mai." Naru sipped his tea, unperturbed by the accusation. "I don't call my father too often. If I did, it wouldn't be to undermine your efforts by shortlisting your application."

Mai hurried over and hugged Naru. "I really got an interview, then."

"Yes, you did." Ayako gave Mai another hug. "I am so proud of you. When do you think you'll want to schedule your interview? We can make a whole trip of it. Check out England, do some shopping."

Ayako went off on a tangent of everything they'd be doing in England. Mai had to sit down, a little overwhelmed. Naru took her hand and urged her to stand, walking her over to the sliding door leading to the apartment's balcony. They both stepped out on it and shut the door behind them.

"For whenever you schedule the interview, there will be something else to do. If you're willing, that is."

Mai looked up at him. "Oh? What?"

"Meet my parents." He stared out at the early evening light as it lit up the trees in the park across the street. Mai followed his gaze.

"Really?"

"It's been eleven months. As far as I'm aware, that's past the point of meeting the parents."

Mai blinked in surprise. "It's really been nearly a year?"

"Forgetting our anniversary?"

"No." She blushed. "Not at all. It's October twenty-eighth."

He smirked. "It will be interesting spending any part of October in England. They take Halloween very seriously. I know how much you like that holiday."

Mai's eyes lit up. "That will be amazing. Is there any particular date I should try to schedule the interview for?"

"No particular date. Just schedule and let me know."

He pulled her close, leaning down to kiss her. She smiled into the kiss. "I love you, Naru."

He gave her one of his rare smiles, reaching to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear as the wind caught it. "I love you."

Her heart hammered just like it does every time he says it. His smirk came back as he studied her face. She blushed.

"Will...your parents like me?"

"I imagine they will. My mother's been pushing for this meeting for months."

"You already told them about me?"

"Yes." He ran his fingers along her cheek. "You are my girlfriend. I can't very well hide you away forever."

Mai melted. "I love hearing you say that."

Hooking a finger under her chin, he pulled her in for another kiss.

THE END.

I CAN'T PROMISE ANOTHER SEQUEL BUT I WOULD ENJOY WRITING ONE.