I. DIG UP HER BONES.

"You've just been acting weird, Megumi."

Fashionably tousled brown hair lay just above thick lashes as honey brown eyes glanced to the side, outside the café window.

It was a large coffee shop with businessmen on their lunches and saleswomen in line for their obligatory one P.M. caffeine shot. At the small, square table next to the entrance in front of the bow window sat two young adults.

"You're not the same and it's kind of worrying." He glanced to the ebony haired girl who had yet to look up at him.

Her hands lay in her lap and she took more interest in the creamy coffee that sat in front of her. She tried listening to anything else, paying attention to anything else. She didn't want to look up at him. She knew she wouldn't like what she'd see.

She knew what was happening.

She focused on the little design the barista made in her coffee with the creamer, the pattern of a leaf's veins and its shape. She forced herself to examine the colors, noting the coffee beneath the vanilla creamer reminded her of her eye color.

"And you're tense all the time and paranoid," he continued. "You're restless at night when you're not having nightmares and you won't even look at me when we're…" He slowed to a stop and then drew a deep breath. "Yeah, I guess I'm dragging this out, huh?"

She didn't respond.

"I guess it just hasn't been the same since we all got back from the camping trip. And it's been a while and… I'm worried about you."

She didn't respond.

"I guess… just know I still care about you. We've been together for so long. You've been a good part of my life, you know?"

He hoped she would respond this time. She didn't.

"I've tried everything I could to be supportive but you don't want help," he said. "You don't even look at me anymore. Your eyes are always on the ground around me. It hurts."

He didn't expect any response at this point; he knew he wouldn't receive one.

"I don't know what I did to make you change your feelings about me, but I'm sorry."

She felt a twinge of guilt twist the cords in her heart but she still did not open her mouth to speak.

"Maybe in the future one day, you know? When things are sorted out… when you sort things out, we can give it another try."

She held back the stinging in her eyes, the burning in the bridge of her nose. He was just being courteous.

"So… I guess this is it?" he chuckled pathetically and stood up, placing some money on the table, including the tip. "I'll… see you around, Megu."

He walked past her slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. He hoped he'd hear her utter something—anything. Just to get closure so he could feel better about this. He was already done; he just wanted to make sure she was too.

When he stepped through the door, he hoped it wasn't his mind playing tricks on him, because he could have sworn he heard a faint whisper of the familiar, sweet voice he knew.

"Bye, Yamato."

He glanced back at her, finding she hadn't moved an inch. Her head still shifted towards her cup, black curls lying over her shoulder.

He stepped out of the café and didn't bother looking back.

When she heard the jingle of the bell from the closing door, she blinked away the tears and gathered the courage to look up from her coffee. And there one stood, a new one: pellucid and bright green. Scrawny limbs attached to a slouchy, fat body.

The monsters that plagued her since the camping trip. The ghoul, about as big as the menu a worker had taken from her table about fifteen minutes ago, grinned widely at her with sharp teeth and taunted her with its disgusting laughter.

She glanced around the café, noting nobody was close by to her. She glared down at the monster and then out the window, watching Yamato walk away. He was followed by the same kind of translucent beings that haunted her.

Grotesque, large bugs; devilish, creepy imps; and morbid ghouls… he didn't have the slightest clue he was being followed. None of them did apparently… except for her. She could have sworn they were all in denial as she tried telling them before.

She turned her glare back onto the monster, who was snickering now.

"Leave me alone," she hissed. "Be gone."

"You wanted to play with the other realms," the ghoul cackled.

Megumi glanced around the café to see if anyone else could hear. Nobody could.

"One day you may find a way to get rid of us but you played where you shouldn't. More of us will just come around. You've angered the wrong being."

It vanished, dispersed—practically 'poofed'—into thin air, and she quickly gathered her belongings and left the café. She cautiously looked around her, hoping to not see the one being she feared most. She briskly walked to the only place they seemed to leave her alone—why, she wasn't sure. But since it all began, it was her safe haven.

She stepped foot inside her work, welcoming the smell of hair products and perfumes, and glanced behind her to see the ghouls and monsters were gone. Heaving a sigh of relief, Megumi walked to her station and glanced at the time on the wall. Her lunch was over but her next client wouldn't be here for another half-hour.

The salon was trendy chic, totally modern for the nineties and brimming with style of the youth and young adults in the fashion world. On the walls were professional photographs of models sporting hairstyles from grunge to red carpet acceptable. The newest pop hits played softly from the ceiling speakers but sometimes the radio host would bless them with the golden oldies of their nation. The stations were personalized with the stylist's materials, ranging from frilly pink to plain and clean to street punk dirty.

Her own station fell into the category of "clean and boring," mainly because she didn't like her work space cluttered... and because she wasn't a hair stylist and therefore didn't get much work space.

She sat in her chair and began looking through her nail polish collection, remembering which ones were becoming more popular and which were falling behind in the season's trends. She began rearranging them in order of most popular to least as a heavy trance beat vibrated through the air.

She was noticeably upset because Mom's advice wasn't working.

"If you're ever bothered by a spirit, you tell them to leave you alone," she said simply one day when Megumi was sixteen. Her slender mother stood in front of the bathroom mirror tying her black hair into a tight bun. "Harmless spirits will listen."

"And what if they're not harmless?" Megumi asked at the doorway.

Her mother shrugged. "Sometimes you wait it out and see if they leave. If things become dangerous then you need to seek help from Grandmama or Grandpa."

Megumi didn't want to say the words but she knew she had to ask. The couple were far in their golden years after all. "And… what if they've passed on when I need help?"

Her mother sighed sadly. "You'll need to find help from someone else. You know Grandmama only told us the basics because we said we didn't want to lead a spiritual life like her."

Where was she going to get help?

Yamato didn't believe her and neither did Michiru or Kenji. They were in denial of anything being strange let alone wrong. None of them were spiritual, Grandmama died last year, Grandpa had been dead for years now, Mom wasn't that gifted, Dad wasn't gifted at all, and she didn't know anyone else who could help.

Where could she go?

She'd only ever dealt with ghosts and even then she just told them to leave her alone, and like her mother said, they did. She'd never had a problem until the camping trip. She knew it was a bad idea…

Mom wasn't that great a help with her limited knowledge so she didn't bother burdening the aging woman. Megumi knew she had to find someone who knew what they were doing—someone who was truly spiritual—because she already tried the local shrine and they were a crock of shit.

She wished she took up her grandmother's offer to lead a spiritual life…

Where could she find someone who knew how to rid evil spirits?

"Something wrong, Ijiri?"

Megumi glanced up to her coworker, watching the brunette pass by.

"You're looking kind of glum."

"Oh…" Megumi forced a smile but it faded quickly. "Uh… Yamato and I just ended our relationship."

Her coworker gave a sympathetic frown. "How are you holding up?"

"Well, I saw it coming." Megumi shrugged, glancing out the shop window to see if her ghouls were still lingering. The same green monster from earlier snickered and waved at her before disappearing. Megumi frowned. "It hurts, but I guess since I saw it coming it doesn't hurt as bad as it should."

Her coworker glanced out the window and then back at Megumi.

"A couple of my friends and I are getting together tonight," she said. "Typical girls' night. Wine, liquor, food, and cheesy videos. You're welcome to join if you want."

Megumi gave an appreciative smile before glancing out the window again, remembering her predicament.

"Well, actually… I really appreciate it, Kuwabara, but I'd hate to impose—"

"Well, actually, I changed my mind. It's not an invitation; it's nonnegotiable." She shrugged nonchalantly before heading to her station. "You're coming and you're going to forget Yamato for the night."

Megumi sighed despite the smile creeping up on her lips. Maybe it would be a good idea… maybe the ghouls would leave her alone if she pretended to not notice them for the night. One of the best ways to make someone stop bullying you, aside from getting help from an authority figure, was to act like you weren't fazed by their antics…

"Sure!" Megumi thanked her coworker.

As she began her next customer's manicure, she was rightfully excited to take her mind off her troubles—maybe this would actually work out! Her mood dipped a bit as she remembered that if she had just pushed a bit harder for everyone to stop, then maybe she wouldn't be in this mess…

THE CAMPING NIGHT

With the moon peeking a little over the horizon in the night, a white Toyota sedan headed down a dirt road of the quiet outskirts of Mushiyori. Michiru, in the back seat, rolled down her window to smell the crisp spring air. They were coming up to the mountains and would be in the woods soon, and all but one in their group was excited.

"Yuzuha said she saw a kappa when she went up here!" Michiru said excitedly, practically leaning out of the window. "In the cave's river!"

Megumi smirked, rolled her eyes, and sent a glance to Yamato, who was driving. She then looked over her shoulder to her friend. "Kappa's are just a myth."

"So are tsuchigumos!" Yamato argued, rolling to a stop in front of the large wood sign that read 'Makihara Nature Conservation Area'. "But people have been saying they've seen some wandering around!"

"Uh-huh. And just how are we supposed to find them?" Megumi asked as everyone began exiting the sedan.

Yamato popped the trunk as Megumi got out of the car and hiked her backpack over her shoulder. The group began pulling out their camping belongings as Yamato appeared from behind the car to show her something that made her skin crawl.

A Ouija board.

"No!" Megumi yelped, stepping away from them. "No, we don't mess with the dead, you guys!"

"It's just a myth, remember?" Michiru snickered, pinning her long brown hair to her head with a clip.

"No, we don't disturb the dead—"

"This place is crawling with the supernatural, Megu." Yamato inched to her, trying to wrap his arms around his girlfriend.

"No, you're touching that! Don't touch me when you're touching that," she squealed, practically running to the other side of the car and stopping in front of the hood. "Get rid of that!"

"You're superstitious about ghosts but can't believe that people have been seeing youkai?" Kenji asked.

"I've seen ghosts," Megumi replied promptly, earning smirks and eye rolls from Michiru and Kenji. "I know not to disturb them, especially not over something as trivial and fake as urban legends aboutyoukai."

Kenji turned on a flashlight. "You can stay in the car if you want but I know I'm headed into the woods. This is the perfect place to talk to the dead."

"I'm going too," Michiru said, following after her boyfriend. "This place just screams 'creepy'."

"Perfect place?" Megumi asked, watching her friends and boyfriend start towards the forestry.

"Remember that weird pillar of light that shot out the ground like three years ago?" Michiru asked. "It's said to have led to the cave in these mountains."

"A lot of people in the city also experienced some weird things around the same time. And it wasn't from ghosts," Yamato added.

"Plus, this is the best place to get info about it all because there's Irima's cave."

Megumi paled. "No—no we're not going to disturb people there!"

"Come on, they're suicide victims." Michiru grabbed Megumi's hand. "They'll take any attention they can get!"

Michiru dragged Megumi into the woods with them, reassuring her it wasn't that big a deal and confiding in her that she didn't believe in much of the stuff Yamato and Kenji were into. She was just in it for the thrill and fun, to have a night of adventure.

Megumi was uncomfortable as they reached the entrance to Irima's cave, nervous about seeing someone's soul wandering about.

"It's a clear night, let's set up camp in the open so we can see the stars," Yamato offered and everyone but Megumi quickly agreed.

"Full moon," Kenji taunted, handing her a bunch of large candles. "The crazies, spirits, and youkai are out tonight."

"Shut up." Megumi rolled her eyes and refused to help them set up the camp by setting the candles on the ground in silent protest. She taunted back with faux enthusiasm. "Oooh, full moon! Bet we'll find some werewolves too, huh? Kenji?"

Her taunt only backfired because Kenji's eyes lit up. "Maybe."

Megumi groaned and eyed the area, feeling uneasy about her surroundings. She remembered her grandmother's words to never disturb the dead—if they wanted to talk to you they would try on their own first.

After they set up camp and started a little fire pit in a circle of rocks, Megumi eased into her group of friends as they focused more on getting drunk and playing board and card games. Her ease was squashed the moment Kenji checked his watch for the fifth time that night.

"It's almost one in the morning, guys," he said, reaching for the Ouija board. "Let's get everything set up."

Megumi tensed and Yamato pulled her close, resting his chin atop her head. "Don't worry! We're not going to be mean; we just want to talk to them! That won't make them angry. Right, Megu?"

"We just shouldn't disturb the dead," Megumi grumbled, tucking a curled lock of black hair behind her ear.

"I think they'll like the company, we can ask questions about them!" Michiru encouraged. "Maybe they're friendly."

"Friendly ghosts can get angry…" Megumi side-glanced to the cave's entrance, feeling a soft rumble of unease in her stomach.

Yamato poured a bottle of water on the fire, putting it out.

"Come on, we won't be mean!" Kenji said, setting up the board as Michiru began lighting candles and setting them up around the group. "Hear that, ghosts? We want to get to know you!"

"Shhhh!" Megumi hissed, smacking Kenji in the arm.

He jumped slightly, laughing childishly as he set the board where the little fire pit just was, resting the evil toy on the little circle of rocks.

The four sat in a small circle around the board. Megumi watched as everything was set up, and reluctantly, slowly, placed one hand in Yamato's and the other in Kenji's. They were silent for a few moments, patiently waiting for one of them to begin. Everyone jumped in fright as Kenji let out a howl, like a wolf crying for the moon. Megumi nearly jumped out of her skin, squealing in fright.

Kenji chuckled at her reaction and Megumi punched him in the arm, growling. "You're really getting on my nerves, Kenji."

Kenji leaned in towards Megumi, a devious smile on his face. "It's a full moon. Who knows what we'll get tonight."

Megumi bristled, scowl deepening. She could feel something wrong in the pit of her stomach because of his stupid howl. "This is asinine and you are too."

"It's just a game, Megu," Yamato said, placing a quick kiss on her temple. "Come on, lighten up."

She slowly placed her hands in theirs again. She stared down at the Ouija board, watching what little smoke was left behind from the fire pit snake out from underneath the board and curl around it before crawling to the sky. The candle lights flickered ominously to Megumi, casting a surreal glaze of orange light over the board and her friend's faces.

"Oh, kind spirits of the park," Kenji started, and Michiru repressed a snicker. "We call upon you all to talk to us, share your stories and knowledge of the unknown in this vast land."

Megumi glanced to her friends; all of them had their eyes closed… Scared, she looked at her surroundings, feeling something stirring in the air.

Her eyes landed on the forestry yards away, finding a young woman at the edge of the woods. Megumi knew in her gut they had all messed up—they were in for it—that woman didn't seem happy and she sure as hell didn't seem alive. She couldn't see the woman's face as her dark hair seemed to shadow her features.

The group opened their eyes. Everyone put their fingertips on the planchette and Megumi slowly followed suit, watching the woman at the edge of the woods with fearful eyes.

"Oh, spirits. If you're here, please give us a sign," Yamato called.

Megumi watched as a translucent hand came into her view of the Ouija board. A thin, broken-nailed index finger touched the planchette and began nudging it around.

Everyone watched with wide eyes as the planchette began spelling out the reply.

"…Leave?" Michiru asked in disbelief and sent her irritated gaze immediately to Megumi. "Megumi, stop being a party-shitter."

"I didn't do that!" Megumi squeaked in fright. "I swear… We should really leave, you guys! Let's stop this."

"What's your name, spirit?" Yamato asked.

Megumi glanced to the woman who was now squatting beside Michiru. Megumi took in the woman's dirty, bloody, and torn, white business blouse and pencil skirt. She was barefoot and her nylons had runs. Her black hair was matted against her face, preventing Megumi from seeing any facial features.

They watched as the planchette moved again.

"Yayoi. Leave," Kenji read. "Hm… one more question, miss."

Megumi looked to the ghost pleadingly and mouthed: "I'm so sorry… Please don't be angry…"

The planchette moved again.

"Leave or truly be sorry," Michiru read.

"How did you die?" Kenji asked.

Megumi watched the woman turn her head to Kenji. Nobody seemed to actually see her and Megumi wasn't surprised at the fact.

"Leave her alone, Kenji," Megumi whispered. "She doesn't want to talk to us."

"Then why does she keep replying?" Yamato whispered to her.

Megumi glanced to the woman. The planchette was moving on its own as the woman gently tilted her head to the side, letting her hair fall out the way of her face. As her head moved, her skin inched with her, splitting open and… showing the deep, horizontal, crimson slit.

"…Murder?!" Michiru gasped as Megumi noted the woman's eyes were gone—gouged out. "But Irima's Cave is supposed to be a suicide spot!"

Dried, caked blood around the orifices where her eyes used to be were darker than the night. Deep gashes and scratches littered her face: the apples of her sharp cheekbones, her lips, chin, bridge of her nose, arches of her brows…

"Who killed you, Yayoi?" Kenji asked.

"Stop, Kenji," Megumi breathed, eyes fixated on the translucent, torn skin.

"Who killed you?" he asked again a bit more forceful, desperate.

Megumi's jaw dropped open in horror as the woman leaned towards her, stretching her jaw wide open. It stretched inhumanly large enough to convince Megumi her head was soon going to be inside that dark hole and her body would be on the ground, spurting blood from an open neck.

Petrified, she stared inside the mouth's darkness, watching the once human teeth morph into fangs—like something from a shark—until the shrill screech of a banshee came out of the morbid darkness. Megumi screamed in fright and closed her eyes, slapping her hands over her ears.

The screaming stopped abruptly and the candles flickered out. The spirit was gone.

Smoke snaked in the air around the group as they sat in silence, stunned. The darkness returned around them, their only light the moon above in the clear night sky.

"What's wrong, Megu?!" Yamato asked, quickly wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close.

None of them heard the scream…

"There's no wind…" Michiru's voice shook. "There was no wind to blow out all the candles!"

Kenji stared down at the board in shock. "What did you hear, Megumi?"

Megumi glanced to the woods and then over her shoulder to the entrance of the cave in hopes of finding the woman, but she was gone.

"She's… she's really angry…" Megumi trembled in Yamato's embrace, eyes glued to the dark entrance behind her.

A heavy atmosphere settled upon the group, all of them looking at the cave's entrance.

THE SALON

"Ready, Ijiri?" Shizuru asked as Megumi put on her thin, black jacket.

"Are you sure you don't mind me coming, Kuwabara?" she asked for the third time since Shizuru's last customer left.

The two of them have been coworkers for years now, ever since Megumi moved up here to live with her grandmother. Megumi was the manicurist of the salon and she enjoyed watching Shizuru do her client's hair. The brunette was simply talented with a pair of scissors.

Never before had she heard a complaint from any customer about Shizuru. She even had Shizuru trim her hair and anyone who knew Megumi knew she treasured her easy-to-curl, soft hair.

They talked on breaks and before work started, but never before had Shizuru actually invited Megumi anywhere with her. They were "friends," but mainly because they were coworkers. Coworkers first and foremost, and because of that, Megumi wondered if she would be able to hold a conversation outside of work with her.

"Yes," Shizuru replied tiredly. "I wouldn't invite someone I didn't want to be around."

Megumi smiled and grabbed her purse. "Alright, let's go!"

Shizuru walked ahead of Megumi, who glanced around out of habit the moment she stepped outside the salon… And there she stood in all her translucent glory.

Megumi's breath caught in her throat and her body went cold as she noticed the ghost woman's mutilated face in the crowded street. Bustling people walked past her, in front of her, but each time they moved on, she was still there.

"You okay?" Shizuru asked as she locked up the salon.

Megumi tore her eyes away from the woman and gave a weak smile to her coworker.

She tried her hardest to keep her voice from trembling. "Yeah, let's go!"

Megumi turned to walk with Shizuru and sent one last glance over her shoulder to see the woman.

She was gone.