(Art credit Soso24) 

She remembered some of her dream in the morning but not all of it. She remembered seeing them but not what was said. The next day she had a surprise visit. She sat in the visiting area and a tall man came towards her. It took a moment for her to recognise him, the copper hair and freckles should have been a big give away; also he was unnaturally tall, (as westerners tend to be,) but her fogged brain was slow. It was not until he held a hand out in greeting that she placed him. 

"Scott," she gasped. She stood, wobbled and hugged him, she tried desperately not to cry but she was so happy to see a friendly face again she could not stop herself.

"Hey!" he said. "I expected you to be glad to see me, not cry all over me!" He helped her sit down; the white visiting room was virtually empty. Many preferred to forget the inmates here. Cameras constantly monitored the activity in the room. Chihiro squinted under the harsh strip lights. Scott noticed how tired and worn she looked, her face was thinner and there were large circles under her eyes. He shook his head.

"Och wee lassie, what have they done to youn?" He said slipping into broad Scottish brogue for a moment. He handed her a tissue and she dried her face. He chatted to her about university and how he had managed to get a family visitors pass.

"I called in a few favours from some med students. You'd be surprised by how many of them have family already in the medical profession."

"How did you know I was here?" he grinned, attractive dimples peeped at her from the corners of his mouth.

"I hacked the university database to get your address and then gave your mother a call." He frowned. "She is feeling really guilty about putting you here. Which leads me to the question..." he paused and held his head on one side; regarding her with his piercing blue eyes. "Why are you here? If you don't mind me saying so, you don't look mad."

Chihiro laughed.

"I'll take that as a compliment." She gave him a brief outline of her adventure at ten. Then went on, mentioning no names, to how she was lured back to the spirit world. Then told him how she had returned under Haku's advice. "He wanted me to make peace with my parents; he could not have known this would happen." She sighed and looked him square in the face, her eyes pleading for an understanding that she knew she was not likely to receive. "I know it sounds crazy but it exists, it really does and I want to go back there." She looked at his open freckled face and was surprised, she thought he would laugh or tell her not to be so stupid. Instead, he sat back and seemed to consider what she had told him, his face was thoughtful, not judgemental. Eventually, he said...

"It's far-fetched, but I don't think you are crazy." Chihiro made a small squeak of surprise. He smiled at her kindly.

"You believe me?" breathed Chihiro, then she frowned. "Why?"

"I'm Scottish Chihiro. We take in the fact that the world is not all it seems with our mother's milk. Also if you believe, then it is good enough for me. You're not crazy; you talk of your story rationally. If you say you have met spirits then it has happened. This is Japan, spirits are part of the culture and landscape. Most people don't actually think they exist even if they clap at shrines and light incense. They certainly don't talk to them. You do. That does not make you mad, just different. They will soon see that and let you go." 

Chihiro nearly burst into tears again, but then an idea came to her.

"I should not be in here Scott," she mumbled; he nodded in agreement. "I've got to get out of here." He swallowed and said nothing. "I need your help," she whispered, he lowered his own voice.

"I won't be much of a help to you I'm afraid. This place is locked down tight; I don't have any idea how to get you out." She smiled at his boyishly eager face.

"I don't need that sort of help. I'm sure my friends will take care of that. What I do need is transport, I need to get away from here quickly once I'm out. Over the next week, or for as long as you can, Will you wait for me in your car after dark?" He smiled at her.

"I'm not adverse to the idea of a few nights in my car, but after a few nights of waiting around someone is bound to notice me. I'll probably be escorted away from the premises by the police." Chihiro grinned at him, he was so sweet, why on earth had she never fallen for him? He was a gentleman and cute, he had always treated her like a princess. Now he was willing to break the law for her and help her escape. Yet she had never felt THAT way about him, she was a fool but she could not change how she felt, no matter how much she may wish to. She sighed.

"Just do what you can, don't get into trouble. I can do this on my own if needs be, you will just speed the process up."

"What if it all goes wrong?" He whispered, "What if you don't get out at all?"

"Then I will do it the hard way."

"And that is?" He asked.

"Fake my recovery."

"That could take months."

"I know," She gave him a sad smile. "I've done it before and I'm a great actress. I don't care how long it takes. I made a promise and I intend to keep it." Scott noticed Chihiro's eyes had taken on a dangerous sheen. It was a hungry look and for the first time, Scott really believed that the woman before him may actually succeed, through sheer force of will if nothing else. The bell rang for the end of visiting hours making them both jump. Scott stood reluctantly.

"I'll do what you ask; I hate to see you in here Chihiro. I really hope these friends of yours come through for you." She gave him a big grin.

"They will, I have faith in them."

She did not know why she believed they would help, but seeing them in the dream had given her hope. So she waited for something to happen. On the night of her third week in the hospital, she was rewarded.

That night she did something that should have been impossible; she woke an hour after receiving her sedative. She opened her eyes blearily, the drugs still tugging at her consciousness. She thought she heard a voice, she frowned and groaned.

"Chihiro," The barest of whispers tickled her ears. Her heart skipped a beat. She knew that low calm voice so well; soft and smooth with steel beneath.

"Haku." she breathed.

"Yes." Replied the whisper, "I'm here, turn your head." She looked to her left and there he stood, about a foot from the head of her bed. She drank him in; every detail was precious to her. Almond shaped emerald eyes peered at her from behind strands of glossy green-black hair, his pale fine-boned face appeared almost translucent in the moonlight pouring from her tiny window. Her eyes roved over broad shoulders and down his lithe frame to his bare feet. Something was wrong however, it took her hazy mind a moment to figure it out, then it hit her. He was transparent.

"Wel,l I'm sort of here." He smiled at her making her smile back. "Finished looking yet?" He teased gently.

"I just can't believe you are here." Her voice was throaty with sleep; she became aware that she must look terrible. "I think this is a dream." She whispered.

"No," he smiled again "I am here to help you." He glanced at her restraints and his face clouded with fury. Emerald eyes blazed with green fire.

"Did your parents put you in here? Who did this to you?" He bared his sharp teeth "I'll rip whoever's responsible to shreds," he snarled.

"Don't do that Haku," She sighed, "it will make an awful mess on these white floors." He stared at her and then grinned; his anger gone.

"Wel,l they have not removed your sense of humour yet. Pity, sarcasm does not suit you. You'd be better off without it." He put his head on one side and raised his eyebrows. "I should leave you here a little longer perhaps?" Chihiro shook her head vehemently.

"That's what I thought," he whispered. "Besides your sisters would murder me." Chihiro chuckled softly.

"I've missed them; I've missed all of you so much." She croaked, he nodded,

"We've missed you too, more than you'll ever know I think."

He came closer to the bed and her restraints opened without him lifting a finger. She struggled to sit; he watched her struggle, unable to aid her. Suddenly he was all business.

"I can tell you how to get out." He explained hurriedly, "but you are the one who has to do it." She nodded, mind un-fogging, all she wanted to do was collapse in his arms and sob her heart out. She knew without being told however that this was not him, merely a projection of him. He did not breathe she could feel no heat from his body, it was not fair! Why did she have to be so strong all the time? Heroines should faint, and wake twenty-four hours later in a big bed with her friends around her. Heroines did not have these sorts of adventures and have to escape from confinement on their own! They had men to do that stuff for them, usually ones on horseback with big swords. At that moment Chihiro hated the laws of magic.

The vent above her rattled and the grill floated to the floor.

"Linca's glue spell was never removed, you can use that to get up into the hole." His image was fading now. She felt her chest tighten.

"Don't go, I don't want to be on my own again!" Her voice wobbled and he winced.

"It will be alright Chihiro, I can't do any more, if I could I would believe me." He touched her face running his fingers over her cheek, she felt nothing. His eyes held hers,

"Take hold of your pendant." He whispered, his voice roughened with emotion. She did so, information flooded her mind and she struggled to take it all in.

"Your river!" she gasped, "You want me to come to your river?" The phantom Haku smiled.

"I am the river; in going there you are coming to me. I can do no more for you at the moment. You can do this Chihiro, I have faith in you, and you're the strongest person I've ever met. Hurry you don't have much time." His image faded away.

"Haku!" She called reaching out to where he had been, but he had vanished.