The Girl from the Well

I officially admit it: something is wrong with me. I keep falling asleep all the time, and I constantly have this feeling like I might not wake up again when I do. No more wandering around Shibuya for me, at least until I get better.

Had the weirdest dream last night. I saw some guy all dressed up like a samurai, throwing Okiku down a well. In my dream, Okiku wasn’t the frighteningly dead specter in white we both know and love. She had on that kimono you described for me, the one with the paper lanterns, except it had glowing fireflies on it instead of butterflies. She looked really torn up. Bruises and cuts and worse, and I knew the guy did all those things before he pushed her inside. I remember being so mad at what he’d done to her, like I wanted to tear the guy to pieces with my bare hands, but I couldn’t move or speak. And when the jerk looked my way, he suddenly transformed into the masked woman in black which, as you can imagine, freaked the absolute shit out of me. Thankfully, I woke up before I could wet the bed.

And you know something else that’s odd? I slept twelve hours today, have been up for only about five minutes—and I’m already sleepy. Been hibernating close to fifteen hours a day now, and while I enjoy being unconscious as much as the next lazy bum, I gotta admit that this isn’t natural. Got another doctor’s appointment tomorrow for that. Woo-hoo.

Dad says next week should be okay to visit, if you can get away by then.


P.S. Managed a decent conversation with the apartment guard earlier today. I think something might have been lost in the translation, because he’s claiming there’s no little boy living in the apartment next door. There WAS some kid matching the description I gave who died several years ago, though.

PLEASE, for the love of molasses, get here soon.

? ? ?

A day before the rest of Callie’s companions leave Japan to return to their respective countries, Tarquin’s father sends her a letter.


Callie—Tarquin has told me about your plans to visit us in Tokyo, and I apologize for the delay in emailing you. Tark’s been feeling a little under the weather all week—he’s thinner and paler, and I’m worried that the strain of the past few months has finally caught up to him. I’ve taken him to several doctors, and they’re currently running some tests.

I had initially planned to make the trip to Yagen Valley earlier this month, but Tark’s illness kept forcing me to postpone. If the tests on Tark come back negative, we’ll be heading to Yagen Valley with Yoko’s ashes. I think the fresh air might do him a bit of good. We all could use a little rest.

As your exchange program will be ending tomorrow, will you be available to fly out by then? Tark and I can meet you at either the airport or the train station, whichever form of travel you prefer. I have booked two rooms for the three of us at a nearby hotel. (I insist on paying for any expenses for Yagen Valley as well. It’s the least I can do, given everything that has happened. I feel that at this point you’ll be much better for Tark’s health than the doctors or I ever could be.)

Let me know when would be the most convenient time for you. All our love.

? ? ?

Callie’s reply is both swift and brief.


Thank you for being so generous! Yes, I’ll be available by next week. I’ll be arriving at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow at Narita International Airport. Lots of love to you both.





CHAPTER FIFTEEN


    Boys


The boys do not yet know that they are about to die.