Chapter 14: Sadako Will Appear Tonight (2):

Hiroshi's POV:

I spoke with Dr. Domyoji. "I was once an arrogant person thought I would never be defeated," says Dr. Domyoji, "two days ago, I met Takayama, and he told me not to study the cells. Otherwise, the consequences would be disastrous. I'm at a loss when I can't use science to explain certain phenomena. What he said is right."

"Don't believe him," I said, "you've worked at the hospital for so long and should have many patients who cannot escape death. It is common for research projects to fail too. No need to feel down. Like with my Dad, a reporter, not getting a scoop is common. No matter how many times he fails, no one considers him useless. Think from another angle. Though the material has been stolen, it must be somewhere. Human beings can find remedies for all kinds of disasters. Takayama is right only when you think you're in the wrong and reproach yourself."

Mayako's POV:

I was home. We were having dinner. I was still thinking about the whole situation.

Hiroshi's POV:

"Thank you," says Dr. Domyoji.

"No need to thank me," I said.

Mayako's POV:

I saw him with that doctor. Like he says, she's too old for him, but I can't help but feel...

Hiroshi's POV:

Dr. Domyoji and I separated, and I went to see Sadako. My phone then rang. I then answered my phone. "Hello," I asked.

"I heard you were going to see Sadako," says Ryūji.

"Yeah, I'm on my way," I said.

"You have no idea what Sadako is like," says Ryūji, "if you become her stumbling block, she will kill you. Just like her mother. And that was an accident!"

I hung up and drove my car. "Do you have another solution? I don't want to do nothing."

...

I have set up what I need to summon Sadako. I was waiting for something to happen. Wow, I probably should've brought a book or something.

...

I waited for quite some time. "I don't think she's coming," I said. I was about to leave, but then I realized the TV was on, but it wasn't plugged in! Sadako then appears and tries to hit me with a wrench. "You don't want to do this," I said. She was coming closer. "Please, I just want to talk!" She was about to hit me, but... "I think I've fallen in love with you!" She then stops and looks at me. "It's not a trick! I promise! I know what you are and what you're trying to do, but... when I looked into your eyes and... I started feeling something! If you don't feel the same way, you can go ahead and kill me!" That was a stupid thing to say! Sadako looks at me and then leaves. "Well, at least she didn't kill me! Now, how am I going to explain how I survived this?" I then looked and the TV turns off. There's some writing on the screen. There is still one thing I'm wondering... "Will I die?"

...

I then met with Ryūji. "What a pity," I said, "I returned alive."

"You saw Sadako," asks Ryūji.

"Yeah," I said, "she tried to kill me."

He then walks up to me and grabs a piece of hair. "It really was her. But how did you get out alive?"

"That's not how the game works," I said.

"You seem to have your own secret," says Ryūji, "very well, but know this, she will kill you!"

"Tell you what," I said, "I'll tell you my secret if you tell me yours!"

"I guess we have nothing to say to each other," says Ryūji.

"But I can see you're afraid of death," I said.

"What's waiting for me is worse than death."

"It's obvious," I said, "one out of four is already dead."

"One out of four." He then chuckles. "The game hasn't ended."

"What," I asked.

"There is more to come," says Ryūji.

...

I was back home. Everyone was asleep. I then went into bed. The curse is working. I then thought about that message on the screen. 'Grievances accumulate.'

...

"Sub-conscious," I said.

"So, it's possible that you were so scared you only thought you saw her," says Dr. Domyoji, "now, what did you do to save yourself?"

I sighed. "I told her I was in love with her," I said.

There was a pause.

"Okay," says Dr. Domyoji, "well, it's common to fall for a girl you read about..."

"You don't understand," I said, "I've seen her before I even read about her!"

"And you think you're in love with a ghost," asks Dr. Domyoji, "so you're David and she's Elizabeth!"

"What," I asked.

"Just like Heaven," says Dr. Domyoji, "you kids today."

"Anyway, she's real and tried to kill me," I said.

"Well, I still say you were imagining it," says Dr. Domyoji, "but maybe learning there's someone that loves her will get her out of her killer instincts."

"What about the TV set," I asked.

"Generator," says Dr. Domyoji, "if there are electric generators, there will always be disturbances. And that's why the TV controls were beserk. I don't know the reason behind the strange happenings, but they can be explained logically."

"But what I saw..."

"If Sadako was there... She would have said something which only she would know."

"Something only Sadako would know," I asked.

Mayako's POV:

I had a call. "Hello," I asked.

"I'm Takayama."

Dr. Domyoji's POV:

I was in the lab when a young lady appeared. She had long black hair and a long white dress. I then closed my eyes, and she was gone. "Are you all, right?"

I didn't answer.

Mayako's POV:

I was walking through the halls.

...

I met with Ryūji. "What do you want to say," I asked.

"Have you contacted Hiroshi," asks Ryūji.

"No," I said.

"Sadako appeared before him last night," says Ryūji. He then handed me a piece of paper. "She left this message." I took it. "I now know the answer. We must do as follows."

"Like what," I asked.

"Isn't it written clearly," asks Ryūji.

I looked at the paper. "Those phrases again," I said.

"Think it over," says Ryūji, "their survival will depend on you."

I then grabbed him. "Why don't you just tell me," I asked, "time is running out!"

"I'll give you a hint," says Ryūji, "want it? You can think it over. 'The curse is coming'. That refers to the videotape. One out of four is dead and the world will be destroyed. One tape can make a quarter of the population die."

"Impossible," I said, "don't utter rubbish!"

"There is only one way to get rid of the curse," says Ryūji, "Sadako knows what it is. Put yourself in Sadako's shoes. What is she trying to tell us? 'Grievances beget more grievances'. 'A quarter of the population will die'. It's a simple mathematical question. Very easy. There is only one solution. However, knowing the solution will make you very miserable."

Hiroshi's POV:

"Didn't I saw we don't welcome you? I don't know anything about Sadako! She was unprofessional and her lover disappeared!"

"Stop pretending," someone said. We saw Sadako! "You know what you did! 32 years ago today, you killed a person! You used me to take another person's life!" Sadako then disappeared.

"Sadako?"

"What did you say," I asked, "Sadako?"

"It has nothing to do with you!"

"What happened 32 years ago," I asked.

"Please leave!" He then shoved me out.

Mayako's POV:

I was thinking about what Ryūji said. "It's a simple mathematical problem. When you find the answer, you'll be very miserable." I was getting frustrated!

Hiroshi's POV:

I was thinking about what Dr. Domyoji said. "If Sadako was really there, she would say something only she would know."

Then I thought about what Sadako said. "32 years ago, you used me to kill another person. You used me to take another person's life!" I then read something that happened 32 years ago.

"The piller fell for no reason," I read.

Ryūji's POV:

"What happens next will be scary," I said. I then walked over to Mai. "Don't worry. I will be by your side." We then hugged, but Mai started forcing me to back into...

Hiroshi's POV:

I drove home and found Mayako. "What's the matter," I asked.

"I know the answer," says Mayako.

"Answer," I asked, "you know how to lift the curse?" She then hugged me. "What happened?" She started crying.

To Be Continued

In the next chapter, Hiroshi learns something devastating.