08: Questions and No Answers

“You’re treating us today,” said Die.

He took the outermost seat of the table in the izakaya. The smells of sizzling meat drifted to the tables. Today’s special was the grilled pork set complete with a miso soup, your choice of stir fried greens and a bowl of fluffy rice. Toshiya wolfed down his enormous bowl of ramen. Kaoru sipped his glass of oolong tea. His ribs were healing slowly, but even a sudden movement like a swallow could provoke some pain. Die was already on his second bottle of Asahi. The waitress set before them a long plate of tempura selections, grilled onigri, the dinner specials, and a bowl of blanched edamame.

“Even for a small place, I didn’t expect them to have so many menu items,” said Die as he scarfed on an onigiri.

“You don’t always have to go fancy for good food,” said Toshiya. “Where did you find this place?”

“I stumbled upon it one time. It’s a shame not a lot of people know about it. But then again, I’m glad it’s relatively unknown so that we can hold more discreet meetings here,” said Kaoru taking a swig of his tea.

“I heard that they couldn’t identify the bones,” said Toshiya.

“They checked the missing persons database and there was no match. What’s surprising is that it belonged to some foreigner who died fifty years ago,” said Shinya.

“What about the gardeners? Any info on them?” asked Toshiya.

“What’s even weirder is that the company doesn’t even exist,” said Shinya.

They all looked at Shinya dumbfounded.

“What do you mean ‘doesn’t even exist’?” inquired Die.

“As in no such company, no such building, and no such employees,” sighed Shinya.

“Talk about shady,” said Die.

“We interrupt this broadcast with breaking news. Two weeks ago, an American passenger successfully evaded customs police at Narita Airport. The suspect has been identified as Stephen Mavros who is currently on the FBI’s wanted list for murder. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department are on the crackdown for this dangerous individual. Citizens are urged to report any suspicious persons ...”

A picture of a gaunt man with dark eyes appeared on the screen.

“Great. We got a serial killer on the loose,” said Die. He looked closer at the image. “That’s the same guy I saw on TV weeks ago when I got attacked.”

“We got more to worry about on our hands,” said Kaoru. “At least we know the serial killer’s face. We don’t know who’s attacking us.”

“Kyo seems to know, right?” Toshiya chimed in.

“He told Die and I that he’s a sorcerer of some sort. The kind that meddle in black magic,” said Kaoru.

“The creepy kind,” Die butted in.

“Yeah,” agreed Kaoru. “Kyo also mentioned that his face was always obscured so there is no way of identifying him. He’s been trying to locate him, but our enemy seems to have ways of blocking out connections.”

“Basically no GPS tracking on the ghost radar,” said Die.

“Spirits. Not ghosts,” corrected Kaoru.

“What else did Kyo say?” asked Shinya.

“Kyo said that a small portion of his soul is still attached to his flesh body so he can’t move on, but neither is he able to return to his body,” Kaoru said gravely.

“So he’s just wandering the earth,” said Toshiya sadly.

The four men each looked down at their plates. Only the puffing smoke from the steamer and the sounds of the hissing pot filled the restaurant.

“Kyo’s been a great help to us. He may not be able to appear whenever he wants to, but I’m sure he’s watching over us,” said Kaoru. “To Kyo.”

They all raised their glasses.

“How did he manage to get here? In Japan I mean,” asked Toshiya.

“Spirits for the most part can only venture as far as the places they’ve been to when they’ve been alive. They can also attach themselves to objects or people and travel,” explained Kaoru. “I think Kyo probably did the same.”

“There’s one thing I still don’t get. Why is this all happening now?” said Die. “Why is he appearing to us one year later instead of one year ago?”

“He never did quite explain that to us. I suspect that even he doesn’t know. Sometimes spirits don’t quite remember how they ended up that way,” said Kaoru.

“If he didn’t disappear so quickly, he could have told us. I have dozens of questions to ask,” said Die.

“Which one of us is next?” asked Shinya.

The million dollar question was released.

“I don’t see any pattern of attack. His methods of killing us is restricted to sorcery of both Eastern and Western tradition,” analyzed Kaoru.

“He sounds like an evil Neo-pagan,” said Die.

“A what?” said Toshiya and Shinya.

“You know, like those antagonists on paranormal TV dramas. I read it on Wikipedia,” said Die.

“I think we sould all start reading up on the occult,” said Kaoru. “Starting with Wikipedia.”

“You seem to be quite knowledgable in this area,” Die pressed on. “Like the salt ring.”

“I only know that because I’m Catholic,” said Kaoru frowning. “Holy water sometimes contains salt.”

“Shin-chan reads all the time. I don’t see you knowing a lot,” said Die.

“I read mystery novels, stupid,” said Shinya.

The plates of food were picked clean by the ravenous men. They shuffled out the izakaya. A waxing crescent hung in the dark sky. They each bid each other farewell and departed separate ways. Kaoru walked the lonely road home. The overhead light flickered and crackled. He turned to see Kyo walking beside him.

“Kyo,” greeted Kaoru.

Kyo’s footsteps made no sound as he walked. His semi-translucent body drifted with the scenery. Tonight he had on a dark coat, skinny jeans, and pointy boots.

“How are your abilities coming along?”

“I’ve been practicing. They’re getting stronger,” Kyo said.

He continued to look straight ahead ignoring Kaoru.

“Your appearance is lasting longer,” said Kaoru.

“That’s because only you can see me,” said Kyo.

Kaory looked confused at Kyo.

“You have a gift. Your ability to see spirits is stronger.”

“Then what about the others?”

“They only see me because I materialized. For that to happen, I need to draw upon energy like electricity or a really strong will. After all, we are just spheres of energy.”

“So that’s what happened,” chuckled Kaoru. “Toshiya wanted to see you really badly. Looks like his will wasn’t strong enough.”

“I can feel that you are safe for the time being, but keep an eye out on them for me. I’ll do my best of course,” said Kyo. “You are our core.”

“Thanks Kyo.”

“It’s nothin’.”

Kyo vanished leaving Kaoru alone at his door.

*****

BGM: Gaika, Chinmoku Ga Nemuru Koro by Dir en grey

A much shorter chapter this time. Up to this point, do you guys have a favorite character? Remember that these are only fictional representations of your favorite band. If you enjoyed reading this chapter, leave a comment below.

#thedarknesspreys