Nado Camping Grounds were massive. Completely surrounded by forest; dense, dark and gnarled, the site screamed ‘danger.’ Mai stepped out of van as cautiously as she could, silence dominating the air as the team quietly took in the place they were going to investigate. The forest canopy seemed to repel the bright spring sunlight, the warmth of the day chilled by the shadowed surroundings.
It was as if even the light was afraid to tread within the camp.
“This is it?” Ayako asked, regretting her decision to accompany the others on the case. She closed the door to Monks car. “This place just screams ‘evil’. No wonder kids have gone missing.”
Her sarcasm was lost on them as the guys started unloading the van. They gathered what they could carry and started the short trek down the path to the main camp lodge. John and Masako walked ahead of the group to get a feel of the place and to try sense what caused the sightings of the ‘tall man.’
“It’s so... creepy.” Yasu whispered, nudging Mai with the box he carried. “What do you think Mai?”
“Mmm... The brunette mumbled, adjusting the bags in her arms, “I don’t know. It’s fuzzy.”
“Fuzzy? Is something wrong with your head Mai?” Monk chided, stepping up to the two young adults when he realised his joke had no effect.
“No. But that’s what it feels like. It’s as if something’s blocking me out. I don’t know... It’s hard to explain.”
“Maybe Masako can help?” Yasu mused, tilting his head up upon reaching to lodge.
A large, two storey western styled log building dominated the clearing; a place where the sunlight bounced off the rich green grass and perfectly aged wood causing the surrounding forest a wall of black against the golden white of the day. A weed covered path lead to the main stairs to the porch of the main lodge. Large double doors already open for the team. Even from outside, they could see the large old fashioned candle chandeliers that hung from the ceiling over the plush couches, mismatched armchairs and bean bags that circled a group of tables clumped together in the middle of the room. Large consoles and computers, along with radios and televisions littered the surface of the work space while police officers walked about the room. It was then that one of the officers noticed the team outside with their arms full of their own equipment and rushed out, a stern look on his face.
“Excuse me! This is a closed location. Please turn around and leave the premises.” He yelled. He was relatively young, with pale skin and coal like eyes that bore into Naru when the young boss refused to turn around.
“We are here to conduct our own investigation on site in accordance to Miss Nadoru’s request. She hired us to help deal with her problem. So if you’ll excuse us, I’d like to speak to my client.” Naru reprimanded before moving past the officer, ignoring the indignant look the young enforcer sent his way. It was only at Yumi’s arrival that the policeman was forced to refrain from grabbing Naru.
“Mr Shibuya! Thank goodness you’ve finally arrived!” She yelled, red faced from running, she didn’t catch Monks comment of it being Ayako’s fault the team was late, “Another childs gone missing!”
“Another?” John gasped, steadying a shocked Masako out of habit.
“Everything is under control ma’am.” The young officer grunted, puffing out his chest in a fake show of confidence, “You have no need of these people.”
“He’s right Ms Nadoru.” Another man said, walking up to the group from inside. He was relatively buff with his uniform on, his bald head shining in the light as he turned to Naru and the others, “Now be on your way.”
“Chief Dazo. I hired them. This is still my camp.” Yumi said, her fear and frustration helping her ignore the fact that he could arrest her, “So if you will, I’d appreciate if you would work with them. I want those children found just as much as you. And I’d like them found without others going missing in the future too!”
Silence greeted her defiance as Dazo grunted before stomping away, trying his best to show his authority despite his bruised ego.
“Thank you Miss Nadoru. Now, could you lead us to our base? We’d like to get started as soon as possible.”
“Oh yes! Please follow me.” The older brunette turned on her heel and marched up the stairs and into the building with the SPR team trailing right behind her, passing the indignant chief as they went.
The lobby was just as Yumi had described during the case briefing. Pillows and blankets were strewn across the floor and seats. Papers and empty cups littered the floor and table tops between movable walls and boards that were plastered with reports, bios and pictures of those that had gone missing and any links to their cases joined together.
Yumi led the team through the lobby and into what looked like a large study... Though it looked as though some rushed moving had taken place; large bookshelves were pushed against walls, deep drag marks linked them to their original positions on the floor, as proof of the poor care that had been taken with the moving. Large tables and shelves were haphazardly shifted and shoved along and around walls in a mismatched manner, a seating area set up in the middle of the room to allow beds to be placed by the last wall by a corner full of boxes that were shoved in the last corner of the room.
“I’m sorry for the mess. It was a rushed effort.” She apologised, bowing to them, “I’ll leave you alone to get to your work .The bathroom in by the lobby. The room right next to this.”
The second she turned her back, Naru started barking out orders. “Lin. Monk. Set up the monitors. Mai, sort through the equipment and then set up the kitchenette. Miss Matsuzaki, I want you to accompany John and Miss Hara on their walkthrough. Yasu. Go collect copies of the police reports. Get Madoka on the phone and get her to email us the history of the Camp and set up any research the both of you have found.”
“Sure thing boss!” Yasu cheered, strutting out of the room to harass innocent bystanders that had no ‘Yasu’ warning like Monk did.
“Why me? Dammit!” Ayako yelled, storming out after Masako and John.
“Well then! Let’s get to work!” Monk said, pulling his none existent sleeves up before her got to work. Ignoring the way Lin shook his head at his enthusiasm.
The team set about their tasks while Mai leant down by the corner of boxes in which the men had placed the equipment. It wasn’t hard to sort through the items they usually needed on the first day of an investigation, but she couldn’t help the feeling of being watched. And when she stood to look out the window, she saw something.
A dark silhouette half hidden by trees; an unnaturally tall figure that seemed to be a statue.
It was then that they heard the scream...
...The investigation had begun...
