---

---

The previous chapter may be worth reading first if you have not already done so. To access the previous chapter, click the button below.

---

Chapter 10

Chino’s Story

“Intriguing Revelations: The Blue Ash Crisis Uncovered”

This captivating entry has piqued our interest here at Eerie Truths Monthly. As a publication that receives a plethora of letters from individuals seeking to share their hidden knowledge, we typically cover a diverse array of subjects, ranging from extraterrestrial encounters and cryptids to shadowy government conspiracies. Recently, we received a particularly compelling letter from Chino Tokuma, who claims to have played a role in a clandestine project that precipitated the enigmatic Blue Ash Crisis.

As Apricot skimmed the article, she quickly realized that it primarily contained the author’s opinions. Chino Tokuma’s letter touched on numerous sensitive topics, but even Eerie Truths seemed to tread cautiously around them. Her curiosity piqued, Apricot brushed the magazine off her lap and headed to the hallway to retrieve a directory. After a brief search, she located Tokuma’s address. Muttering to herself, she wondered, “What were you hinting at, Shiori?” She jotted the address down on a legal pad, her heart pounding with anticipation as she prepared to delve deeper into the mystery.

A few children played in the alleyway next to Apricot, their laughter filling the air. Yhanjo proved to be a quiet and enjoyable urban neighborhood. She had always considered the inner city to be devoid of nature, so the sight of potted plants adorning the fronts of several houses came as a welcome surprise. There was so much concrete and so little green space in cities like this. However, this area was stunning. Foliage surrounded the brick apartments so abundantly that it seemed to grow naturally from the walls.

From the other side of the road, the faint sound of a stream echoed. Apricot’s lips curled into a smirk as she spotted 1514 Dujho Street’s black cast-iron fence. The address was a few years old, but she hoped it remained as Chino’s current residence. Climbing the concrete stoop, she knocked on Chino’s forest green door. A few moments later, it opened to reveal a mature Uchellan woman. Apricot couldn’t quite place her age, even though the woman’s graying hair and crow’s feet hinted at it. Dressed in a blue button-up shirt and blond slacks, the woman appeared cheerful. “Hello, dear. Is there anything I can help you with?”

Apricot bowed her head. “My name is Apricot Signa. I’m a student journalist, and your story about what happened during the crisis fascinated me.” She tried her best to sound professional. “I was wondering if you’d mind doing a follow-up with me.”

Chino offered a half-hearted smile. “Come in.” As Apricot stepped onto Chino’s finely polished hardwood floors, she couldn’t help but notice the older woman’s Uchellan heritage on full display. Low black furniture, soft lighting, and attractive tray planters were all hallmarks of traditional Uchellan décor. Apricot followed Chino through a narrow hallway to sit at a small table in a much larger living room. “I’ll make us some tea,” Chino said.

“Thank you, I would much appreciate that,” Apricot replied as Chino disappeared down the narrow hall. The prospect of drinking tea with an elderly Uchellan filled her with anxiety. Though she tried to recall the proper etiquette for tea-drinking, she found she couldn’t remember any of it. As a foreigner, Uchella’s mannerisms were lost on her. She worried that Tokuma would perceive her as a “galijoh,” a derogatory Uchellan term for a careless overstayer.

Apricot pressed her knees together as Chino returned with a tray of hot tea. She positioned herself so that her rear barely touched her feet, and while bowing, she tried to hide her unfamiliarity with the local tea-drinking customs, which were quite important to the culture. Chino chuckled. “My dear, you are an immigrant, aren’t you?” Apricot blushed sheepishly. The older woman continued, “With a name like Signa, I could expect nothing less. My own children don’t even seem to have learned the old ways. I appreciate your effort, though. Now, sit down like a modern lady.”

Though her body initially felt tense, Apricot soon relaxed, her mind nagging her that her previous posture might have been disrespectful. “Your home is so beautifully decorated, Miss Tokuma.”

“Flattery won’t get you anywhere, young lady,” Chino said with a knowing smile. “You develop a bit of intuition when you’ve been around as long as I have. So, it’s only natural that you’d want to hear what I have to say. I won’t waste your time with pleasantries.” Taking a sip of her tea, Chino added, “I understand you young people are always so busy.” Apricot smiled, appreciating the thoughtfulness. “Before we begin, I would like to know why you want to interview me,” Chino continued.

“Well,” Apricot began.

In response to Apricot’s words, Chino raised her hand, prompting her to pause. The older woman lowered her gaze, revealing a perceptive expression. “I want the truth. Not a slippery way of saying things.”

Apricot chuckled, enjoying the old woman’s demeanor. “I don’t know why, myself,” she admitted. “Maybe it’s just that I’m curious. I might find an answer to a question I have if I understand the question, to begin with.”

“What question is troubling you?” Chino placed her teacup on the table and rested her chin on her hands.

Apricot hesitated. “No, my answer will sound crazy.”

Chino stroked her chin ever so delicately. “As a young girl like you, I would also have thought the same thing. I won’t force the matter. If it is the Crisis, I imagine it would be a difficult subject. It is unusual for a foreigner to be interested in such a serious issue. You could never write a credible article about it.”

“It’s something I already know. I’m not writing a report. I lied about my intentions. It was more of a personal interest.” Apricot wondered if Chino already knew. Considering her claimed experience, she imagined that this elderly woman had gained a lot of wisdom over the years. She had become an oracle or something like one. Apricot dismissed it as dreaming. “Did you hear about the Ichigari Grocery attack?”

“How could anyone have missed that?” Chino said. “The news covered it for days.”

“I was there. I saw it. Can you believe what they are telling you?” Apricot asked.

Chino leaned over to pick up her tea. “I suppose I shouldn’t.” She took a sip.

“If I told you there was a monster, would you believe me?” When she finished speaking, Apricot fell silent.

A slow, uneasy smile crept across Chino’s face as she answered the question. “If you mean, if I suspect you to be crazy, then no,” she said. “I’ve seen some strange things myself,” she added. “I am now an old woman, and I can no longer continue. That strange man who runs that rag of a magazine listened to my story. But he didn’t publish it.”

“What is your story?” Apricot asked.

“Well, I grew up as a farmer’s daughter in Yoshima. My family has been farming there for generations. As a child, my parents noticed I had a knack for studying. At ten, I became fascinated with electricity, and by the time I was twelve, I had designed a water-powered electric generator. This caught the attention of the state, and they recruited me to work on the Blue Ash project. Blue Ash was a small, rural mining and fishing community, and my first task was to help set up power lines with city planners.”

“Within a few years, we transformed Blue Ash from a sleepy little town into a bustling metropolis. Meanwhile, a drilling expedition was underway,” Chino said, finishing her last cup of tea. “It served as a cover for what we were really doing.” She lifted a silver pitcher from the table and asked, “Would you like me to top off your drink?”

Apricot, captivated by the story, declined. “No thanks, but please keep going.”

Chino poured herself another cup of tea and continued. “Beneath the city, we built an elaborate machine designed to facilitate teleportation. We were quite proud of our work. Initial tests showed we could transport matter from one end of the base to the other in mere seconds. However, our first manned test changed everything—it revealed that our assumptions were incorrect. There was a black void, like the vacuum of outer space, surrounding the gate. We called it the between plane.” Chino smirked, “This is where things get strange.”

“The Okabe family and an individual named Urias Hilderic led the project. Urias was an eccentric man with a singular focus on his work. I later discovered why, but at the time, he appeared completely absorbed in his tasks,” Chino recalled. “In the main corridor, Urias would mumble to himself while taking notes. The plans and schematics he created were far superior to anything anyone had ever seen before. He demanded that the gate be built to look into hyperspaces and insisted on specific coordinates.”

“We constructed a satellite to serve as our observer. The process went smoothly, and we used the satellite’s transmissions to observe hyperspace. But what we found was unexpected. There were orbs of energy, like trapped ball lightning, suspended in the void.”

“Urias designed a second satellite to harness the energy. On the day we sent a technician to the void with it, I was in charge of managing the electric output. It was crucial to keep the power on for those above the gate while ensuring our technician wouldn’t get trapped. Urias was nowhere to be found, which only added to my unease. Then, I noticed something massive in the distance. It tore through everything it touched, emitting a deafening sound that damaged our radio speakers. Some fragments fell on me, burning my skin.”

“Panic ensued as everything went black. When we emerged from the control room, we found Urias in the main corridor, surrounded by those orbs. He had brutally killed two workers and was devouring them, mumbling about a new world. Orbs of light continued to fly out of the gate, whispering around the room as if alive. The Okabe clan intervened, destroying the gate and arresting us all. My charges were eventually dropped, but I was warned never to speak of it.”

Apricot furrowed her brow with concern. “That sounds horrifying.”

“I’m not done yet,” Chino said. “The city had been built according to a specific plan, and sigils—magical symbols used to enhance the power of spells—were incorporated throughout. Everything was part of a ritual. The city’s residents were spirited away, and although I can only imagine their fate, the city itself remained intact
, without any explosions. The sun turned black for a few days, but it wasn’t due to smoke. I never discovered the true nature of those blue orbs or where they went. All I know is that I stayed, and I did nothing. Urias’s fate remains a mystery, but he wasn’t alone.”

“In our minds, he constantly talked to himself, as if that was his way of thinking. It seemed as though he took orders from an unseen source. But it wasn’t just him—the device didn’t come solely from his mind. That’s my story,” Chino concluded.

“Who designed the sigils?” Apricot asked, eager to know more.

Chino frowned, her gaze falling to the table. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “Something or someone had a hold on Urias. Maybe he was just unstable enough to listen.”

As Chino’s words hung in the air, Apricot couldn’t help but feel a shiver of fear running down her spine. The chilling story of Blue Ash and its mysterious fate was a haunting reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows.

“Thank you, Miss Tokuma,” Apricot said. “I’m grateful for all the information you’ve given me. I understand better now.”

“I am delighted to hear that, dear. With my story living on beyond me, I can now rest easy.” Chino said. “The nights are getting longer lately, aren’t they?” she said. “Now, get on with your day. I did my good deed for the day.” Chino led Apricot to the front door. She couldn’t help but wonder if Chino hadn’t told her everything, and as she left, Apricot feared that those blue orbs could be phantoms that escaped the reaper.

With a mixture of apprehension and gratitude, Apricot waved goodbye to Chino and stepped out into the brisk afternoon air. As she walked away from the house, the conversation they’d shared echoed in her mind. She felt an intense responsibility to find the answers to the questions that remained, but she also realized that uncovering the truth might be more dangerous than she’d initially anticipated.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the quiet streets of Yhanjo, Apricot couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched. A chill ran down her spine, and she quickened her pace, her heart pounding in her chest. The vivid imagery of Chino’s story haunted her thoughts, causing her to question the reality around her.

After leaving Chino’s home, Apricot boarded a train. She traveled over several lines before reaching the public records library. If Chino was telling the truth, it should be easy to prove it with a few key pieces of information. The baroque wooden front desk was manned by a young Uchellan girl who seemed to be only a couple of years older than Apricot. Standing in front of a flat-screen, she used a scanner to check in documents. Apricot cleared her throat. “Excuse me.”

The young woman glanced up from her pile of documents and sighed. “Yes?” she replied, her voice conveying a hint of annoyance.

“Hi, I’m looking for microfilm of the city’s original zoning plans. I’m hoping you have them. I know this was before the crisis, but I can’t seem to find anything else on it.” The woman tapped her fingers rapidly on the table, her eyes distant. Upon closer inspection, Apricot noticed a faint light emanating from a holographic keyboard. “That’s an interesting keyboard,” she remarked, trying to make conversation.

“Given how much we use our keyboards, the department thought this would be better,” the librarian replied flatly, her voice still devoid of any inflection. She glanced over at Apricot and added, “I liked the old ones, but you know how it is with the government.”

Apricot gave a nod of agreement, despite having no clue what she meant. “Well, computers, you know?”

The librarian blew a puff of air out of her mouth, as if blowing bubblegum, and replied, “I’m afraid I cannot provide you with that information without the necessary clearance. It’s not a public record.” Apricot pulled her badge from her wallet and placed it on the counter. The woman nodded as she inspected it. “It appears you’re a state journalist. Dressed as you are, I wouldn’t have guessed you were one. It’s a stereotype that state journalists are all rich men, you know?” Apricot resisted rolling her eyes. “Let me see if you have access.” The young woman placed the badge on the counter, typing the numbers into it. “You’re in luck,” she said. “Your clearance has been granted. I will gather up the viewing room key for you and grab the film you’re looking for.”

“Thank you,” Apricot said to the librarian as she returned the card. With a smile on her face, she rested her back on the counter and looked at the library’s entrance doors, her curiosity piqued by the prospect of uncovering the truth.

“What are you doing here?” a male voice asked to her left.

When Apricot saw Sato approaching, her eyes lit up. “I’m just getting some info for an article I’m writing. So, what are you up to?”

As Sato shook his head, he looked down. “I had to register again.”

“The review’s a pain! How did you earn that?” Apricot asked sympathetically.

“My photo caught a state official breaking the law. Instead of chasing after him, they took it out on me instead.” Sato smirked ruefully. “I had to pay back my earnings and make restitution to the state. That’s how it works.”

“Yeah,” Apricot replied, unsure of what to say. As a foreigner, there are advantages and disadvantages. She was untrusted by the government, and as a result, what she did as an Uchellan citizen was never taken seriously. Misgivings by natives are harshly punished. In most cases, what she did at the bank would have prevented her from becoming a journalist or even caused her to serve a long jail term. In other words, a foreigner working for the Uchellan government was a sign of progress for the societal position of the Uchellan in the world.

“I’ve got something to show you, Apricot. Would you mind dropping by my house later?” Sato asked, his voice tinged with excitement.

“What is it?” Apricot inquired, her interest piqued.

“It’s your pics. Heh, but I can’t explain it right now.” The prospect of having to explain a picture she took intrigued her.

“Sure, Sato,” she agreed, curious to see what he had discovered.

“Great. I’ll see you later. I hate to leave, but I’ve got to go. Machi needs a ride home from work, and I’m running late.”

Apricot smirked, a playful glint in her eyes. “Go get her. I know how sensitive she can be when waiting.” Sato chuckled and waved to Apricot as he hurried off.

The librarian returned at last, clutching a small rod and a key. “Ma’am, follow me,” she said, her expression unreadable.

As they walked down the dimly lit corridor towards the viewing room, Apricot’s heart raced with anticipation. The heavy scent of old books and dust filled the air, and the soft hum of fluorescent lights echoed faintly. As the librarian unlocked the door, Apricot couldn’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and trepidation, knowing that the information she was about to uncover could either confirm or shatter everything she believed.

The mechanical squeals and hums of the viewing machine filled the darkened room, providing an eerie soundtrack to Apricot’s search. She pressed her face against the viewfinder, methodically turning the knob to browse through photos and zoning information. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mixture of anticipation and anxiety coursing through her veins.

Half an hour later, she finally found what she was looking for—a map of the city’s oldest streets. She traced the paths with her fingertip, noting the approximate sizes on the paper. Just as Chino had claimed, the roads converged in a pattern of Vs and Xs, with the last road looping around everything in a complete circle. “It’s true,” she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible in the quiet room. “They built the city around some kind of massive sigil.”

As she pulled away from the machine, the weight of the revelation settled on her shoulders. She sank back into her chair, her mind racing with the implications of her discovery. The air felt heavy and oppressive, and she found herself taking a deep breath, as if trying to draw in some sense of clarity amidst the confusion.

Feelings of shock and disbelief warred within her, but at the same time, a sense of validation began to grow. Chino had been right all along, and she had uncovered evidence that could change everything. The thought both exhilarated and frightened her, and she struggled to process the enormity of what she had just learned.

Sato’s apartment was nestled within a large office building, its rooms meant to be rented as office space. Yet, Sato had cleverly converted his into a dwelling. Apricot knew that if the wrong people discovered this arrangement, they’d force him to move. She approached the gray door situated along a bustling hallway where people dressed in their customary business attire—suits, ties, dresses—hurried to their destinations.

As the door opened, she was greeted by the sight of photos strung across every corner of the room, the walls a living collage of memories and events preserved in gelatin resin. “Welcome,” Sato said, ushering her inside.

Hesitantly, Apricot stepped into the eclectic space. “Sato, I’ve never seen your apartment before, but your decor reminds me of a serial killer’s lair.” She laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement, and he joined in.

He closed the door behind her, smirking. “I started with just a few photos, but I have so many good ones that it grew into what you see now. I can’t bear to part with them.”

Apricot smirked in return. “How was Machi?”

Sato shook his head, his lips curling into a wry smile. “Machi was, well, Machi.”

“A little upset about being late?” Apricot asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Just a little bit.” Sato walked over to his desk and picked up a pair of photos. “I have to ask,” he said, turning the images toward Apricot, “where were those things when you took these?”

At the center of the photos, a figure seemed to be disappearing into smoke. The blurred, pitch-black silhouette caught Apricot off guard. Her jaw dropped as she shook her head in disbelief. “Nope, but I dropped the camera, so the negatives must have gotten damaged.” She tried to play it off as best she could.

Astonished, Sato turned back to the photos and remarked, “I’ve never seen anything like this before. I thought the same thing, but these are the only two like this. Other photos are fine before and after. What’s even scarier is that there are a couple of images between them.”

Apricot laughed nervously, her heart thumping in her chest. “They weren’t there when I took them.” Sato nodded his head. “Maybe something went wrong with the roll since it arrived from the factory,” she speculated.

He chuckled, a hint of unease in his voice. “Anyway, they freak me out.”

“Likewise,” Apricot thought to herself, a shiver running down her spine. “Likewise, Sato.”

---

The next chapter is waiting for you, why not read it? Just click the button below to go to the next chapter.

---

If you enjoyed the story, please like it and subscribe to my page to get notified as soon as I post anything new.

Do you have a comment about my work? Share it with me below.