Aokigahara

Arrival

Asama hadn't seen her mother since she left Japan to move to California with Hikaru. Well, technically she wasn't going back to her hometown to see just her mother, her and Hikaru wanted to go camping in the Ashiwadayama camping grounds as well. Hikaru was talking about this for weeks now, he was so excited to go back to Japan. We had met in a nearby community college and had been in love ever since. "I'm so eager to see your mother! I've never met her before." says Hikaru eagerly. "I'm warning you though, my mother is... very traditional. Strict." warns Asama. Her mother had not been happy when Asama told her she was leaving to California with her boyfriend.

"You aren't even living under the same roof. Not even married! Why, why? Why do you think this is a good idea?" her mother's voice was raised in its dangerous tone that she was too familiar with as a child. Asama didn't know how her mother was going to react to her and Hikaru coming by surprise. She had told her father she was coming many days earlier, but told him specifically not to tell. Would her mother be happy? or still furious from when she had left? This was on Asama's mind for almost the entire flight. The flight was almost done now, it had taken more than a day to get there. Asama and Hikaru were tired, but adrenaline had kept them awake.

"Everyone we will be landing in the Airport Zama Airfield in less than 10 minutes. Please make sure your seat belts are on and all of your carryon items are stowed away. Thank you." said the flight attendant over the speaker. Asama and Hikaru held hands until the plane landed. The plane had come to a complete and full stop, people started to get up. "Hello and welcome to Japan, today is October 17, 1985. The local time is 9:00 AM." said the voice. Asama and Hikaru grabbed their hiking bags and walked off the plane together, hand in hand. Distant memories came flooding back to Asama as they walked outside, the smell of Japan, the lukewarm morning temperature, the clear blue sky. Hikaru had gotten the same memories as well.

They went through the process of getting their rental car and taking a 36 mile drive to their hometown, Narusawa. When Hikaru drove down the all too familiar road to Asama's family's home. They stopped in front of a cute, two story house with a stooped roof and a lush green lawn with a sand and stone garden. Asama and Hikaru stepped out of the car and walked to the front door. Asama stood there for a moment, contemplating whether or not to really knock on that door. Hikaru knocked eagerly as if he didn't know how much Asama's mother was mad at her before she left. Asama's mother opened the door and when she saw her, her eyes widened and a soft smile came across her face.

"Asama?" she asked, her smile fading for a moment. "Surprise." I say smiling. A troubled look came into her eyes and her smile was completely gone by now. "You shouldn't have come Asama." says her mother in a grave tone. She was about to close the door before Hikaru put his hand and stopped it. Asama's mother jumped back in fear, "Excuse me! You will not treat your girlfriend's mother like that. Your mother would be ashamed." said Asama's mother angrily. "I'm sorry.. It's just, what is happening? Why shouldn't we have come?" asks Hikaru. "Come in I guess and I'll tell you. No use standing out here." says Asama's mother. Asama and Hikaru close the door behind them and follow the old woman. Fear and confusion bubbled in both of their chests.

"Mom, what is going on?" asks Asama worried. "Sit." she commands. Hikaru and Asama to sit on a nearby couch. She then pulls up a small stool and sits in front of them. The woman shakes her head, "Before I tell you, I would like to introduce myself. I don't think we ever had a formal meeting?" says Asama's mother looking at Hikaru. Hikaru shakes his head, "I guess not.." he admits. "I am Makiko. You are?" "Hikaru." "Nice to meet you." her voice was cold. A chill went down Asama's spine. "It all started a few weeks ago, your father had the first sighting of the thing. Your father saw a yūrei. It came in the form of a very tall woman with a white kimono. Her eyes were black and she had no mouth. Wet, black hair was covering her face."

"Your father had said that she was dragging rope behind her and with each step it sounded like rustling leaves. He had started to run away and then when he looked behind, she was gone." explains Makiko. "Yūrei, that is a vengeful spirit. Isn't it?" Hikaru asked. Makiko nods solemnly, "Yes. It is." "The woman could be representing a death that will come as well." Asama adds. "Where will you be going after this?" asks Makiko to Asama. "To the Ashiwadayama campgrounds on the other side of town. We are only going for two days." responds Asama. "Make sure you take the right turn, people have not been returning from Aokigahara. That was the woods that you used to play in, remember?" Asama nods, "What do you mean they aren't returning?"

"A local fisher, Kenji was his name. He went into the forest to go fishing and he never came out. Police had gathered up a search party but.. He was never found." says Makiko. Hikaru nods, "We will make sure. We should be on our way now, right Asama?" "Wait, mom. You said that father was the first sighting of the yūrei. Did you see her?" asks Asama, curious. "Yes. Only a few nights ago too. I was asleep in bed peacefully when I heard a creak. The creak was coming from the foot of the bed. I remember how fast my heart was beating, your father was out trying to fix the roof. A nasty rain storm had hit a month ago. But I look over at the foot of the bed and the yūrei was there. She was to your father's exact description as well."

"She just stood there for a moment and then held up the rope. The rope was in a noose, that was the only difference. The yūrei stood there with the noose and made a chocking sound. It sounded like someone losing air and struggling for breath. Like someone suffocating. I was in such a fright that I got up and ran for your father. As I ran down the halls the sound echoed until I got outside. When your father and I came back, she was gone. The only thing left was a water puddle at the foot of the bed." says Makiko. Her mother's description chilled her, what was the yūrei trying to say? "Thank you, mother." says Asama. Her mother doesn't flinch a smile, her face was flat and emotionless.

"Be careful out there, you can show yourselves out." says Asama's mother. Asama and Hikaru get up and show themselves out. "That story chilled me. It was very eerie." says Hikaru as they walk. Asama nods. When they open the front door and close it behind them, Asama's heart drops. Their rental car was gone. "Where is the car?!" asks Asama, panicked. "Car robbers." says Hikaru, "They were common in my side of town." Asama nods, "We can take a bus." "Sounds good to me." says Hikaru, "Where is the nearest one?" Asama gets a flashback to her walking to the bus stop everyday to go to school.