Just as Sayuri's insubstantial form shivered and blinked out of existence a repetitive thumping of footfalls echoed from the hall. As the door opened light shined into the darkened room and there stood Atsuko. "I think my abilities might do you some good on this case."

Atsuko had perceived some strange emotions over the phone line the night before when she was talking to Ayako. Ayako had been consulting Atsuko for the past month in regards to her relationship with Hosho, Atsuko wasn't completely comfortable with just calling him Monk despite the fact that everyone else did. Ayako basically acknowledged that if Atsuko could feel her emotions she might as well talk it out with her.

The conversation the night before had pretty much gone as normal. Hosho and Ayako were fighting again per normal. He did something. She said something. It all amounted to basically the same thing. Ayako was worried about their future together. Hosho never talked to Ayako about a possible future together. He never talked about settling down and having kids, and while Ayako assured herself that part of this was because he did just get out of a career in music where family life would take a backseat in most any musicians thoughts she still wanted some reassurances that their bond was strong.

But during the conversation Atsuko had overheard Mai talking to someone in the background and somehow she felt a significant amount of loneliness and despair coming through the phone lines. It wasn't something Atsuko had ever experienced and somehow she knew it hadn't come from Mai herself. She believed the rolling wave of emotions resonated from one of the possible spirits in the house.

So here she was standing in a room where the group had only moments ago performed a séance. The residual emotions from the spirit that recently vacated were still permeating around the room. To tap into a possibility of sensing that spirit's emotions she paused in mental contemplation. She found in the past if she mentally pushed out what was going on around her she could tap into lingering emotional static from someone or something that had previously been existing in immediate vicinity of where she would currently be standing.

Trying to experience a spirit's emotions were quite different then a human's. If a spirit would not visually show themselves the emotions tended to be stronger. If a spirit were visual the wattage of the emotions could vary on what the spirit was specifically feeling. If the spirit were not currently present most of the time the emotions were like a scent. It may smell like one thing but could be something else entirely.

A hand touched her shoulder and Atsuko flinched. "Drat, sorry I didn't mean to startle you. Mai said to leave you to your work but you've been standing here for nearly ten minutes." His voice had a slight hint of laughter in his words, and Atsuko couldn't help but smile at his generous nature.

She turned to look at Gene and smiled gently at him. He really was quite handsome. She hoped that the scar that ran down his face didn't scar his personality in some way.

Suddenly a chill ran up Atsuko's spine. She felt something dark and vicious cast in her heart and nearly choked when she looked at Gene again. "Atsuko? What is it?"

Atsuko didn't answer. Instead she fled. She catapulted up the stairs as if hell hounds were nipping at her heels. Gene didn't let her out of his sight. He chased after her.

It somehow didn't surprise Gene that they had ended up in the master bedroom again. He felt the menacing laughter more then heard it. The room should have had some afternoon sun shining in the windows but it was like the windows were covered in paint the color of the sky at midnight. The two of them whipped around at the sound of the door slamming shut behind them. The lock clicking in place echoed off the walls.

Gene turned to Atsuko to reassure her that everything would be fine. Unfortunately it that moment one of his greatest fears made itself known. His vision became hazy then shut down to complete darkness. His sporadic blindness chose that moment to plague him. "Gene?" He felt her the worry in her voice. He assumed she had felt his panic when his vision shut down.

"Don't worry, Atsuko. Noll will realize something is wrong. We are mentally linked, and he always knows when something happens to me."

"Well that's good I suppose. But, I don't understand why I can't see anything."

"The room is awfully dark."

"No, I know that. But everything is pitch black..." Atsuko bit her lower lip then felt Gene's concern wash over her. "Wait, what was that I just sensed? Gene you're a mixture of worried, concerned, and guilty. I understand the worry and concern. But why the guilt?"

Gene sighed. "Ever since the accident there are moments when I go blind. I think perhaps your empathy tapped into it and made you empathetically blind."

Atsuko didn't realize something were remotely possible. She wanted to reassure him that she didn't blame him. Plus she also needed to reassure herself. So she reached into the darkness and managed to grasp his hand. "Well then I'm glad your brother will know when you are in trouble."

In the back of his mind Gene had been hoping to ask Atsuko out sometime. It had been a long time since he had been out on a date. He hated that if he did have a blind episode that he would have to rely on his date. It somehow didn't seem as important with Atsuko when he considered asking her. He was somehow sure she wouldn't mind being his eyes for him when he needed them. Because of their current situation it was apparent that couldn't happen. No it would literally being the blind leading the blind. And how would that work out? It wouldn't. Gene became a mixture of annoyed and discouraged but didn't let go of the soft hand that firmly gripped his.

15 minutes before at base

The team worked in shifts. Most were coupled off taking new temperature measurements and recording possible EVPs (electronic voice phenomenon). Lin was taking a well deserved rest before he would take his shift at the computer at base overnight.

Mai took this opportunity to make some tea. She decided she would humor Naru and also make him a cup before he made a big stink about not also receiving a cup of tea. After Mai carried it to him she hovered behind him. She didn't expect a thank you. But she waited anyway because she still hoped the narcissist had learned some modicum of manners.

Noll stared at the depths of the cup, studying it and wondering how she could make such a perfect cup of tea. He knew she was hoping for him to thank her for her kindness. He admitted to himself he was considering doing just that. But if she was dating Yasu like he feared then he would be showing his hand a bit too early. So no he remained quiet. When she grumbled under her breath and took off in a huff she missed the smile that cross his face.

The smile quickly evaporated when all of the monitors in front of him went black. He grabbed one of the walkie talkies and attempted to see if he could get a verbal response from any of the teams during their patrols. As he feared all he received was static.

The door to base slammed shut and he cringed as the lock clicked in place. Mai came out of the side bathroom and frowned at the screens. That's when Oliver felt a sharp pain behind his eyes. He attempted to stifle his pain filled moan but didn't succeed. Mai was beside him in an instant worrying over him.

"Naru! What's wrong?!"

Noll made an attempt to answer when a wicked laugh echoed off the walls of the room. Apparently the two of them had unwelcome company.