Chapter 50: A hint
Baru also understood that, judging by Norton's attitude, he was unlikely to get any more useful information.
So next, he acted as a survivor should.
He recalled that terrifying ordeal with genuine emotion.
"That night, I caught those two boys sneaking around. Right, I remember their names were Jack and Joseph. Yes, those were their names."
Of course, Norton knew Baru meant two of the survivors in the other rooms.
As Baru recalled and recounted what had happened, someone beside them switched on the audio and video recording equipment.
"At the time, I kept wondering about their reactions. They seemed terrified of something, and they were constantly on edge. I knew perfectly well that the M9 in my hand might make them shut up, but it couldn't scare them that badly."
"They kept repeating one thing: we had to leave. We had to get away from that mine shaft."
As he said this, Baru looked remorseful.
"But when I learned that they'd been there the night before, I was desperate to find out where the company's security guards had gone. If only I'd known, I would have listened to them!"
Then he gave a self-deprecating smile and stopped dwelling on his regrets.
"We soon understood why they were so panicked."
"There was singing... More accurately, it was just a melody, but somehow I could understand its meaning."
At this point, Baru looked conflicted, as though he wanted to explain but couldn't find the words.
"There weren't any lyrics, but I just knew what it meant. That allure... I-I don't know what came over me. All I wanted was to follow the singing, and I started feeling that everything except my own body was unclean..."
Norton and the others exchanged glances. Although they couldn't understand the peculiar