Ghost Hunt: The Return

The Down Under II

OKAY GUYS IT'S BEEN A WHILE, BUT LISTEN. So instead of updating a new chapter these past few months, I've heavily edited all of the other ones, which was actually a lot of work. They convey almost a completely different message, and you'll need to have read the edited versions to prevent getting lost further ahead. If you're a new reader who probably already read the updated ones, skip this. If not, I heavily recommend rereading the chapters! And now, after lots of thinking and a bit of editing, here's the next chapter :')

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Don't Blink

June 6th
5

:52am

The once quiet and peaceful hotel was now overcome with something akin to a strange darkness, and the few inhabitants left were ailed with apprehension.

After calming Mai down with a heavy blanket and some decently-brewn tea, a blue-eyed scientist listened to her recount what happened with the ghost as he bandaged the burn on her neck.

"You're telling me that the spirit has some form of 'freezing ability?'" he asked doubtfully.

"That's what it seemed like," she responded slowly, rubbing her arms and resting them on the table they were seated upon. It was as if his cold gaze reminded her of the feeling. Subconsciously, Mai shivered for what felt like the thousandth time. "Everything was cold. My whole body was freezing, and I couldn't move. Not to mention the fact that I could see my breath in the air... That was what convinced me I wasn't imagining it."

Naru finished spreading ointment over the wound and reached towards the first aid kit to get some bandaging for the bright red sores on her neck.

And then he spoke. "The presence of an apparition is usually indicated by a slight to moderate decrease in temperature, but in this case, it's immediately noticeable. Ghosts have an automatic ability that allows them to take in an abnormable amount of heat from its surroundings, reducing the air temperature at different rates; depending on the size, will, and type of spirit..."

He took a pause to allow her to digest the information, before continuing. "In this case, the spirit seems to be considerably stronger than most when it comes to this. It has the presence of something that's been around for a long time, and reinforces my hunch that this is not the first attack at this hotel."

His monologue was halted by Mai as she let out a small gasp, pausing Noll's movements.

"What is it?" he asked as he closed the first aid kit and opened up the roll of bandaging paper.

"I had a dream, I'm just... trying to remember about what..."

"Was Gene present in it?"

Mai supposed the question should've shocked her; the unspoken name that had never been uttered in her presence, had been spoken. Strangely though, she felt oddly comforted by the way Naru's familiar, icy voice said the word. It felt... right. Like he'd accepted it.

Perhaps he had.

"Yes, he was. He told me that there have been many incidents here, and that Akihime-san was indirectly at fault for all of them," Mai murmured, crossing her arms. "I don't know what he meant by that, but he said we should research more about this hotel. Something very suspicious is going on."

Naru finished wrapping the bandage around her neck, his hand lingering near her jaw absently...

Quickly, he pressed the tape down and secured the end in place firmly, making Mai wince a little.