The black dog

Chapter 11

The rest of the team that was left looked at each other in surprise and fear. This was no ordinary room. Watching and listening to the recordings was already no longer necessary. The disappearance of Eijiro was their proof enough. Stunned, they could no longer make a single move. Now an additional problem had been added. Helping the trapped souls in this institute, figuring out how Mizore could ever be injured by someone who had already died, and also finding Eijiro who had inexplicably disappeared into a room. Souta was the first one back with his mind on the matter at hand.

'Let's go outside.' With his gaze still fixed on the door, he broke the silence that had been there for a long time.

'Good idea.' Nanami agreed, also with her gaze still staring at the door. Only Mizore could not utter a word. She knew what fate awaited Eijiro if they didn't find him soon. Without thinking, Souta lifted Mizore and brought her outside with Nanami at his side. Once outside, they got rid of the shock and fear.

'If we don't do something soon, we'll never see Eijiro again.' Mizore looked at the ground beneath her, not daring to mention the green eyes she saw with Eijiro. The sand seemed to turn from normal sand-brown to completely black. In her mind, the sand formed the nasty, mean face that might be hiding behind that room.

'Mizore, we'll find a way.' Souta tried all sorts of things to keep Mizore calm. He knew she was scared and totally clueless about the situation.

'Souta, don't tell her any lies. We don't know if we can handle this.'

'Nanami. Souta is not lying. You told Eijiro that I don't lie. Why would Souta lie to me. I know we will get Eijiro back. The only question is how.'

'Maybe it's an idea to go to the library and look something up about this building. I mean all we know is that it was once an institution for the mentally insane.'

Souta hoped this would help the grief subside a bit and find a way to solve the problems. 'I think we both have to admit that it's a good idea to pick up more information. What do you think Nanami.'

'You like everything Souta says anyway. But, yes, it's a good idea. But why not use the internet.'

'I don't have a computer at home and you learn more from books than a text on the internet. You'd better search if you ask me.'

While talking, he was already leading the way with Mizore in his arms on the way to the library.

'You are very old-fashioned.' Nanami said, shrugged her shoulders and walked behind him.

'Souta. I can walk normally now.' Mizore gave him a smile and started to get heavy.

'I notice. Just take it easy okay?'

Souta lowered her and put her feet on the ground.

'Since when are you so caring?' Mizore asked with a sneaky smile.

'Has there ever been a time that I wasn't?' Unlike Mizore, he clearly showed that he was smiling at her. Nanami couldn't stand being more or less forgotten.

'Ow, brother.' And she rolled her eyes. Mizore turned her gaze to Nanami and gave her a smile as well.

'You're welcome to come walk beside us, though. You belong with us too.'

Surprised at herself for being so kind, she kept up her smile. She didn't turn down Mizore's offer, even though there was no response from Souta. Nanami gave a short sprint and completed the line, as far as it was complete now. Fortunately, the library wasn't too far from the building, though the walk back was far for Souta and Mizore and especially for Nanami. The hope of finding some was very high for all of them. With the will to solve the mystery of the old institute or without, Eijiro could not be left to his own devices there. For a long time there was silence. Everyone was absorbed in their thoughts.

'How strange it is. Every member of the team has something going on with them in their minds.' Came suddenly to Mizore's mind. She looked at the two lost in thought individuals walking beside her. Perhaps the consistency of their thoughts and mannerisms was the reason they had found each other. Only of Eijiro she didn't know if he was the same way. He was different case anyway. She still didn't know why he was so stubborn. It seemed like a reproach that she supposedly didn't know there was no equipment of his there. Her worried look was disturbed by Souta asking for her thoughts.

'Mizore? Is everything okay?'

'Ow, um, yeah, nothing to worry about. Or at least you know what I mean by nothing wrong.' Mizore didn't understand why she was giving a whole explanation to a question she could just answer with yes or no.

'You seemed so absent-minded. If there's anything you want to share with us, you're welcome to.'

His friendliness made him wonder where that came from so suddenly. He had never been that friendly before. Only hard, controlled and manipulative.

'No, no it's fine. Let's see if we can find any information.' Hasty as she was with her answer she began to walk briskly.

'Mizore, take it easy or that wound will open up again.'

'Ow, please. Souta, she can take care of herself just fine.' Nanami was clearly irritated by the conversations between Mizore and Souta.

'Nanami, what's bothering you. You've been picking on Mizore and me all along.'

'Nothing never mind.' She snarled.

'Just say what's wrong. If you don't say anything we can't do anything with it either.' Souta really pushed her until she spewed out of her mouth what was bothering her.

'It's just that you guys are making it too obvious that you like each other.'

Souta and Mizore looked at each other.

'What do you mean.' Came at the same time.

'Yes, exactly that. It's nice that you guys like each other, but please try to show it a little less. It just makes me sick.'

Again, Mizore and Souta looked at each other.

'Um, okay? We'll let it show less?' Big as his eyes and red as his cheeks could get, he shrugged with an after sign that it still wasn't entirely crystal clear to him what Nanami meant. Him, liking someone. That seemed impossible. He looked at Mizore's equally red face. 'Haha, it's that your red heads and big eyes make me laugh again, otherwise we'd be arguing now.' Nanami held her hand in front of her mouth to keep from laughing too hard. By now arriving at the library, the group dispersed. Leading as always, Souta indicated what his intention was.

'Okay, we're going to search through different times to see what can be found about that old building. As far as I know the building opened in 1920 and closed last in 1975. I think we'll find out quite a bit. Let's search and see what we can find.' 

'And once again leading as always. You're lucky I'm a follower in that respect. Anyway, see you guys later.'

Nonchalantly, Nanami walked over to the bookcase that had the dates 1920 - 1950 on it. Mizore and Souta both went their separate ways as well. All three with their noses in the books and non attentive to their surroundings, they were fiercely searching for answers. To make sure that information did get exchanged, they all sat at a large table, each with about five books in front of them. After a little while  Souta popped his head up for a moment above the book he held in his hands.

'Nanami, found anything yet?' He asked.

'Not much, just that it has always been something of a hospital. It started out as a children's hospital and there was a lot of rebellion when that hospital was built. Opponents claimed it was built in an old cemetery, where there had also been an exorcism before. Sounds a bit cliché to me for counter arguments.' 

'Souta, what is an exorcism.' Convinced of her ignorance on this, she looked at Souta with the expectation of an answer.

'In an exorcism, it is claimed that demons are chased out of people, animals, or places.'

Her head fell tilted from his answer. Was she really supposed to believe this? Demons? His gaze was serious, this gave Mizore assurance that he was not joking. Besides if she could see souls, that was her proof that they really existed, what would make demons less real.

'Mizore. Mizore. Mizore!'

'Huh? What? ' She gave as a blurry reply.

'I asked what you found. Where are you with your thoughts anyway.' Souta asked and he looked at her questioningly.

'I was just thinking a bit about what Souta just explained to me about exorcisms. What I found is that it was indeed children's hospital that was closed because children were disappearing or dying inexplicably. Also, some doctors claimed to hear screams during their night shift. Opponents of the construction stated that the screaming was from the children who were taken by the souls from the graves. And after a few years, the building was reopened as a kind of hospital where people were supposedly cured if they were mentally unwell. Yet none of the patients came out of the building once they went there, it says here. So did you find anything Souta?' Mizore concluded her explaination with the same question to Souta.

'I really found very little to be honest. Except that there was a room in the building where patients also didn't come out when they went in. Rumors say they were murdered there, either by the doctors or by the souls left behind.' They looked at each other.

'Do you think that room Eijiro disappeared into is the one described in that book?' Mizore's reasoning about the room would explain many things.

'It would explain why that specific room was the one taking Eijiro.' Nanami gave as one of the explanations Mizore had in her head.

'Great to have some answers, but what are we going to do about this.' Souta's question brought silence. It wasn't easy to think of a solution either. He couldn't believe that Mizore had learned to connect things so quickly. He knew his thoughts were supposed to be with a solution, but he liked the distraction. Maybe it would give him a solution. It took a moment, but the solution popped into his mind out of nowhere.

'That little boy from your dream and the skeleton we saw in that building. That's the solution. I'm sure he's the cause. Just think, it's because of that kid that we started investigating the place in the first place.'

For a moment there was silence.

'You know, that doesn't sound so crazy. In fact, it sounds very logical.' Mizore said.

Nanami was dubious about it, but did show her respect for finding the beginnings of a solution so quickly.

'But what should we start doing? Make contact with him?' Mizore suggested and looked at them to see if they would agree with her.

Neither of them had thought about that yet.

'Mizore, that's a really good idea.' Souta said and both Nanami and Souta gave her a smile.

'We do have to watch out though. You never know what kind of spirit you're contacting.' It sounded like Nanami had experience with this herself. Her worried look betrayed her in that.

'Don't worry, I'm sure Mizore and I can make out really quick what the intension of the spirit is.' Souta said full convidence.

'If that's the best way, we don't have much choice and maybe also convenient if we pick up the rest of Eijiro's equipment. We totally forgot about those.' Nanami said worried as she stood up, picked up the books in front of her and began putting them back in their places. After her, Mizore and Souta followed to leave their place neatly as well. They came back together, looked at each other for a moment, gave a nod and went on their way.

'Back to the horror palace. Olé.'

'Don't be so sarcastic Nanami, we just have to do it, we have no choice left and you know it.' Mizore was annoyed by Nanami's sarcasm and she showed it.

'Souta, do those exorcisms always work?'

'No, they don't always work. How so?'

'It occurred to me, that with that room, maybe that exorcism Nanami mentioned never worked and that demon is still there.'

'Or if the little boy is behind this that the demon is possessing him.' Replied Nanami to her. They all remained standing.

'If that's really the case, then it's going to be find Eijiro and be gone and not come back. Then it's way beyond us. I don't know about you guys, but I'm not going to get involved with demons. That's none of my business. I'll shut myself off from that.' It came out almost with fear. Actually, it was fear too. Souta knew what a demon could cause. Without saying a word, they all agreed with Souta's words. Demons are none of their business. That's going way too far. All the way back to the old institute, from which they found only the most salient information, they were silent. There was no talking. No one wanted to speak a word. Every time someone opened their mouth, just as quickly they closed it again. In a nice row of three, they stared at the ground. The whole collaboration so far had only two sides. Sometimes things went well, then the cooperation was there, but there were plenty of times when the cooperation was against them and there was nothing but discussions. Souta remained standing and looked ahead.

'A name.' He suddenly said.

Mizore and Nanami stopped and turned to him.

'A name?' they said simultaneously.

'Yes, a name, yes. We are a team. Our team needs a name.'

'What were you thinking of.' Again, sound came at the same time. For a moment Nanami and Mizore looked at each other with an angry expression. Saying everything at once frustrated them.

'What are we doing now.'

Souta wanted to make something clear to them, but what was still a mystery to them.

'Um, we are investigating a building that is said to be haunted and which I believe we all believe to be true?' Nanami made a questioning face at Souta, which was supposed to soften her demand for clarity after he had answered.

'Exactly. We investigate paranormal cases. I was thinking Special Paranormal Agency.'

'Spa?' Nanami started to laugh a little. 

'I don't hear you coming up with anything better,' he said and turned away. Souta was offended at Nanami's laughter.

'Guys we can talk about names later. Right now it's important that we go help Eijiro.'

To avoid an argument, Mizore wanted to get in between the conversation to get back to what was more important at the moment.

'Do any of you remember where that room actually is? And by that I mean the one with the little skeleton in it.'

Mizore reflected that she hadn't paid attention to where the room was and she was far too busy doing other things at the time.

'Eh....' Came out of both mouths.

'So no one has been paying attention? Then it's going to be another search.' Mizore said with a sigh.

'Yes, but, Mizore, I wonder. How did you find us.' Souta asked.

'I followed a small point of light.'

For a moment Souta was startled backwards. The story Mizore had told him about the wound on her body was still fresh in his mind. Making that link he couldn't help, it was just there.

'No worries, this felt different. Not so oppressive and hypnotic. Rather just helpful.'

Souta took a relieved breath.

'Phew. I really don't want anything like this to happen again.'

'Something like that? What do you mean something like that?'

Souta had completely forgotten to inform Nanami about Mizore's wound.

'Mizore has a wound on her body, but I don't think it's a good idea to talk about that now. It's quite intense, especially for Mizore.'

It almost seemed as if he was losing his controlled, manipulative ability in talking and was gaining social and friendly ability in return. But Nanami's reaction broke up this whole possibility.

'Why am I not allowed to know. Surely Mizore can tell herself whether or not she wants it to be told?' 

'That almost makes you sound jealous.' Mizore jumped in. Mizore couldn't have worded it better for her.

'That's because maybe that's what it is. I don't know okay? I'm not comfortable with it. That's all.'

Souta and Mizore felt for her, but they couldn't help it. Their behavior was just changing, they themselves didn't even know why. The rest of the way there was no more talking. Mizore and Souta were upset by what Nanami had told them. Souta decided to talk to Mizore once they were alone and focus on the case now. The same line was taken with Mizore. She too wanted to start focusing more on finding a solution. Time did not seem to exist. All three were determined to bring the case to an end, yet the silence lingered. No one gave a sound either. They were back at the beginning of their walk. No talking, no arguing, no discussion, just the sound of footsteps on the ground. The sound of footsteps had a distracting effect. Except for Mizore, they didn't notice where they were walking. While Mizore remained standing, Souta and Nanami walked on.

'Um, where are you guys going? It's right here.'

Nanami and Souta turned and walked, at ease, in Mizore's direction. The gait did not change, it remained quiet and at ease. The silence of such a long time was unprecedented among the team. Where everyone was with their thoughts was a mystery. Once inside, eyes were no longer fixed on the ground. Eager as they were, they searched for the room with the red light and the hooks with the little skeleton attached. They didn't even know where to look in the building. Every path they walked seemed new. After a long time of searching, the room was finally found.

'Now hope we get an answer.' Nanami said and walked ahead of them into the room.

'You do realize that we really need to start working together now? We need each other.' As Souta asked that question, he looked at Nanami who was examining the whole skeleton of the little boy.

'Yes, yes, I know.'

She didn't avert her gaze she kept looking as if she was looking for something.

'Um, shall we start with that now then?' Suggested Souta.

Still no look came from Nanami only some answers to Souta's questions.

'Yes, he is here. I can feel that.'

'Souta, she is right. I see him.' Mizore was filled with fear until she got used to the sight, but even then she kept feeling uneasy by seeing that little boy.

'Then it's my turn now. Hey, kid, what's going on here, is it your fault?' The normal way of talking for Souta was back and recognizable. Though his normal way of talking was not the way to get answers they had hoped for. A gust of wind picked up.

'I think you should be a little more friendly Souta.'

Mizore saw that the little boy was not happy to be addressed in such a tone. 

'All right, all right, at least tell us what's going on here. Why did Eijiro disappear.'

The gust of wind stopped and Nanami and Mizore looked at each other. Nanami hadn't yet put the whole thing between Mizore and Souta aside so her gaze was quickly turned away from Mizore again. Mizore decided not to pay any attention to it and turned her gaze back to the little boy who had calmed down by listening to Souta. She saw him crying, the little boy was in pain she knew. To many of Souta's questions he gave a small nod and Mizore watched his lips move. She was almost sorry she couldn't hear what it was saying. Souta seemed to understand and talked back.

'I understand your problem, but this can't go on, help us find Eijiro and we'll leave you alone or we'll help you move on if you want.' Souta had regained his friendly ability. Both the girls were curious about what the little boy would say and tell Souta. Mizore could only pay attention to the reactions and Nanami could feel nothing but the energy that hung there.

'Tell your story.' Souta suddenly began. He even sat up. His full attention was focused on the voice whose owner he did not see. Mizore noticed that the little boy looked a little more cheerful.

'The energy is changing.' Nanami looked around in wonder.

'I think he just wanted to be heard by someone. He's had to go through a lot.'

Mizore didn't turn her gaze away from Souta to keep an eye on everything. Souta was completely absorbed in his conversation. He had forgotten the whole situation and was listening with complete attention. Nothing could keep him from that. 'How did you end up here?' He asked.

'Papa and Mama brought me here when they thought I was naughty.'

That it came from the mouth of a six-year-old was unheard of. Souta was not bothered by this. He had more important things to do than to start worrying about a childish voice.

'What did they do to you here. I mean you don't come here for no reason?'

'Mean things. They hurt me.'

'Who hurt you?'

'Those men in big, white coats.'

'You mean doctors?'

'Yes.' Answered the soul, wanting to help them.

'What exactly did they do to you?'

'I don't remember. I went to sleep and when I opened my eyes they were gone.'

'I'm going to find out for you what happened to you, but then you have to help me too. One of the rooms here took someone I know and didn't give it back. Can you tell me why?'

'You mean the room of the beast?' The little boy looked anxiously at Souta. He knew that room very well and had a healthy fear of it.

'The beast? Souta frowned his eyebrows. The story was beginning to blur his mind. He had no choice but to ask further.

'What do you mean by the beast?'

'That's in that room, I'm not going there. Neither should you is dangerous.'

'Okay, but what kind of beast is it. What does it look like?'

'Big black dog with green light. Don't get close.' The childish gibberish began to confuse Souta as to what he should do.

'Can we scare that dog away from going into that room?'

'Yes.' Got Souta as a simple answer to his question.

'How? Continued Souta.

'With light. Lots of light. The beast doesn't like light.'

'Lots of light? Where are we supposed to get that light?' Souta's question was not answered. The little boy disappeared and the team was left alone in the room where the little boy was found dead.

'And now? What did he say. Full of anticipation, Nanami looked at Souta.

'You're not going to like this, but we need to get our noses back into the books before we can move on. The kid told me that in the room, where Eijiro disappeared into, there's a beast. A big dog with a green light or something along those lines. No idea what he meant by that.' In a few sentences, Souta had managed to explain his entire conversation with the soul.

'A big dog with a green light? Nice and clear.' After so long, Mizore's sarcasm had returned.

'What do you expect from a child of six.' Mizore didn't answer that question.

'It seems wise for now if we all go home. Then we will be at ease and can search in peace for information about the beast in the room and about the past of our lost soul in the room I dreamed about.' Souta said.

Everyone agreed to that proposal, though Nanami thought the explanation was a little too long. 

'Let's just call them the possessed room and the red room. Is simple and everyone knows what the other is talking about.' She suggested.

Souta and Mizore nodded in agreement and together they walked out of the building again. Souta found it quite a hassle. In and out again. At least it gave him some adventure in his life. Actually, he wanted Mizore to stay with him. He liked the whole team. Perhaps it was a pity, that he didn't get to see Eijiro's equipment in action. He hoped that there would be another case that the four of them would work on and then Eijiro wouldn't disappear. Then he could show him if all that stuff really worked. Souta felt strange. Much warmer than he was used to. Once outside, their paths spread. Nanami one way and Souta and Mizore the other. Heading for the old, but fine sitting couch they were now beginning to feel the need for. Side by side they walked back to Souta's house. Mizore realized that she was beginning to consider his house her home. She knew that Souta was her everything now, along with her new friends.

'Souta?' She began.

'Yes?' said Souta, looking at her.

'I don't want to go home. Please don't take me home.'

Mizore stopped walking. She looked at the hard ground beneath her feet. Souta turned to her.

'Fine, I won't take you home. You will stay with me until you find a place of your own.'

This went completely against Mizore's expectations, even worse when he put his arm around her shoulder. He seemed to have no control over it. He was just doing it. A few blocks away they stood in front of the opening that was closed by a door and to which only Souta had the key. At last they were back home.

'Go and sit on the sofa. I'll get the books we need.'

'Why? Because of my shoulder and chest?'

'No. You don't know what books we need, besides I'm taller than you.'

The romantic moment Mizore was hoping for didn't come. She just couldn't get with this volatility of his. One moment he could be so romantic and caring and the next moment totally carefree and cold. He didn't want to say anything about his past either. As if just the thought of it was enough to cause an eternity of pain. Mizore decided to do as Souta said and sat down on the couch.

'Would you like a drink too?' Sounded from the kitchen.

'Yes, but I thought you were going to look for your books?'

'I am going too. But first a cup of coffee.'

While he was making the coffee, he searched other rooms looking for the books. All Mizore heard was a lot of rumbling and falling of things. When Souta returned, he had three large books in his hand.

'In these there must be something to find about that beast.'

He dropped the books on the table in front of Mizore's nose. The slap the books caused gave Mizore a small fright.

'Do we have to read all that?' She stood open-mouthed and wide-eyed looking at the thick books.

'No, not all of it. Just the parts that are important. Though that's at your own discretion.'

As Mizore picked up one of the books to look into it she noticed that the books carried quite a weight as well. She flipped open the book and began to read. Souta continued to look at her for a moment and then walked to the kitchen to get his coffee. He walked to the kitchen, poured the cups full with coffee. He picked up both cups and walked back to the living room. Even before he entered, Mizore had already read quite a bit of the book. She wasn't normally much of a reader, but this was interesting. She stumbled upon what they were looking for.

'Um, Souta?'

Souta put the cups on the table and indicated that he wanted to listen to what Mizore had to say.

'I think I found our big dog with a green light.' Said she in wonder.