Mai's p.o.v
*back at base*

"Miss Torri, I'll need you to tell me as much as you can prior to your sons disappearance. " Naru's cool voice rung across the room.

Miss Yoshino Torri was Shoji's mother and Naru was questioning her for as much detail about her son and her daughter's supposed disappearance.

" I'm not sure what else I can tell you Mr. Shibuya. We've been staying here over the summer but... I'm sorry I-I just need a second. "Torri said lowering her head more and sniffling.
"Here. It'll help calm your nerves. "I said handing her one of my 'famous' cup of teas.
"Thank you. "
"Don't worry Naru's never failed a case. You'll have your daughter and son back before you know it. I promise. "I tried to reassure her with a closed-eyed smile.
"Huh"she looked up surprised and smiled softly.

"Nell said you would be able to. She said you were the best." She lowered her head again and staired into her tea "If only... *sighs* It's not really fair is it. It's such a same..." She said looking down again with more sadness in her eyes.
"Hmm, What is? Miss Torri?"
"Miss Torri?" I repeated a little bit louder when she didn't respond.
"Oh, sorry. I guess I got a little lost in thought there. What were we talking about again dear?" She said looking at me a soft smile on her face, as if the last few hours had never passed.

"We were discussing your daughters disappearance earlier this week. "Naru calmly cut in saving me from answering in my stunned state.

"Oh, no. She ran away. Silly girl really. I can't think of any reason why she would have left honestly. She, didn't disappear, she just, ran away. And Shoji too, he went to visit his friends..." Everyone looked at her, her voice sounding overly cheerful and mechanical. Its sound seeming amplified in the quiet and damp room. Lit up only by the blue monitors and the setting sun that was filtering in from the windows on the west wall. Lending it an eery air.

"I see. Then we're done here for today. You may leave now miss Torri." Naru said dismissively closing his book and starting to stand.
"Of course. Thank you again for the tea. It was very refreshing. "She answered standing and facing me with that same cheerful expression and before anyone had regained their composure she walked out the door. As soon as she had left we all bombarded Naru with questions of our own.

"What was that about, it's like she was a hole different person."Ayako asked
"I know losing a kid is suppose to be harsh and all. But that bad?" Monk joined in
"It's as if she never saw the painting. Like she'd forgotten about it." John thought aloud
"To just write off someone running away like that." Yasu said.
"Enough. We have work to do. You all sitting around here isn't going to help us solve the case."Naru spoke up.
"I can only assume that miss Torris behaviour is somehow linked to the painting, but for now we should focus on-"
"It's like she was brainwashed. Like she couldn't remember anything. Didn't Nell say something similar earlier . "
All I could think about was what she said before she 'changed'... and the look in her eyes when she left.

They were blank, empty... like they held no emotion, like there was no life behind them at all... emotionless... almost like Nells... no Nells seems sad somehow... like she's lost, or she lost something...

"...It's not really fair is it."
" It's such a same..."

What did she mean by that...

" I believe she did." Naru said slightly anoid that he was interrupted. He kept his gaze locked on me for a while as if waiting for me to get to some point.
"We should start by interviewing the guests and workers here. Maybe set up a few cameras in the halls. "Naru started after a while
"But if we do that then won't Mr. Tatsuya find out why we're here?" Monk inquired
"Mr. Tatsuya is not of our concern. The only reason we're still on this case is because of how quickly our... ghost reacted to new people."
"So we're sure it's a ghost now? Not some curse having to do with the painting or something." Ayako asked taking a seat on one of the couches in the room.
"On the contrary, this has everything to do with the painting. Whether or not we are dealing with a spirit or another form of a ghost, depends on what Mai has to catch us up on." Naru said his eyes never leaving mine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So, you saw what happened to Shoji." Ayako stated
I gave a small nod in agreement, I had just relayed to them what had happened in my dream the previous night.

"This figure you saw emerging from the painting, could you make out any distinguishing features?" Naru asked
"No but it was definitely a girl. At least, I think it was."

"Interesting." He said narrowing his eyes.

What are you thinking Naru?

"What's so interesting about it?" Monk inquired as if reading my thoughts. "Everything. Lin-"
"There's been nothing of note on the monitors yet. All though the thermometers have been picking up low temperatures all over the place. Mostly near the painting and the staff housing." Lin answered still typing on his computer.

Naru looked back at us deep in thought. The room was quiet as everyone was thinking over all the events that had taken place in the short time we've been here.
Well almost everyone.

I haven't eaten at all today, I'm starving.

As if on que Natsumi entered the room.
"Heyya gang. Dinner's being served in the dining hall."
She spoke as usual in a quick and up beat tone. A cheeky smile on her face.
"Better scootch-on-over unless you want the cold-left-overs~" she sung half hanging on the door.

"We're coming." Monk said practically leaping out of his seat and flying to the door.
"Your ruled by your stomach, Monk" said Ayako coolly rising from her seat.
"Oh, like your not starving too Ayako."
"I am a bit peck-ish I guess"

"Hmm"Natsumi turned her head looking at the rooms occupants
"Is Nell not with you." Her cheerful expression dimmed slightly as her brown eyes kept searching the room
"No, we haven't seen her since this morning. Why did something happen?" I asked. She shook her head smiling again
"I was just wondering where she disappeared to that's all. We were supposed to help out setting the tables earlier, but she didn't show. Oh well she's probably out running errands with Shun again. Though it'a-been nice if she'd told me." She muttered the last part jumping off the door and into the hall.

"Comm'on we're going to miss all the good stuff!" She yelled already halfway down the hall.

~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So this is by far my fastest update ever.
Give me hand people it's quite the accomplishment for me.

Don't be afraid to leave me any comments on the story or tell me about interesting books you think I should check out.