Her breath came in short gasps as she started up the steps, taking them three at a time. She was nearly at the top when she felt a sharp pain on her trailing ankle; pushing down with all her strength, she threw herself through the torii, stumbling on the path and falling to her hands and knees as her leg, all its strength gone, collapsed under her. She looked back, at the thing climbing the steps, and screamed.

It sprang up the last few steps.

And, as it reached the torii, disintegrated into a cloud of grey dust, dust caught by a sudden gust of wind blowing straight out from the shrine and scattered into the air.

Akiko was still breathing hard, and her left leg was numb and weak. The wound on her ankle was more of a scratch than she had thought, although some of the dust had got into it, making it sting.

“Are you all right? Ms Tanahata?â€ Akiko looked up to see Shiraishi running across from the house towards her. “You screamed…â€ The priest’s voice trailed off.

“Something was chasing me.â€ Shiraishi looked startled, and glanced around. Akiko shook her head. “It vanished when it tried to go through the torii. Nothing but dust left now.â€

Shiraishi turned to look down at Akiko, and Akiko dropped her eyes to the ground. She could tell that the priest was still looking at her, and had crouched down beside her. She didn’t want to look at Shiraishi’s face and find out what the priest was thinking. The silence stretched out, and Akiko started trying to brush some of the dust from her clothes.

The dust. She was still covered in dust. She could see it, and feel it against her skin. Her skin started to crawl under it as she realised just how dirty she was, but there was also a sense of exultation. Real dust! She looked up, looking Shiraishi straight in the eye.

“Do you see the dust? All over me?â€ The priest’s eyes were more concerned than anything, and for a moment she didn’t respond. Akiko suddenly wondered whether anyone else could see the dust, but then Shiraishi nodded slowly. “The dust came from the thing that was chasing me. It was like a two-headed dog made out of old concrete. And I saw something by the love hotels two days ago, and there were things by my flat. And something similar on the building site. Only I don’t think anyone else sees them, just like no-one else sees the snake.â€ She paused. “I haven’t seen the snake for a few days, either.â€ She realised she was babbling, then, and took a deep breath to calm herself. Dust caught in her throat, provoking a fit of coughing.

“What’s going on?â€ Akiko hadn’t meant to sound so pleading, but Shiraishi still hadn’t moved, or said anything. She looked at the priest again, but couldn’t hold her gaze, soon looking back down at the floor.

“You…â€ Shiraishi began, then stopped, cleared her throat, and started again. “You should come inside and have a shower, first. You’re filthy.â€ Akiko nodded; she was feeling dirtier by the second, and definitely wanted to wash. She tried to stand, but her left leg was still weak, and she staggered. Shiraishi held out an arm to support her, and then guided her into the house, and back to the bathroom, leaving her in the anteroom.

By the time Akiko came out of the bathroom, wearing a yukata again, she felt much better. Clean, for a start, and her leg was back to normal, the scratch much smaller than she would have believed possible. She was actually feeling quite cheerful.

Shiraishi was waiting for her, sitting by the table, with tea and Japanese sweets set out. The priest was kneeling rigidly, her hands clasped on the table in front of her, and she looked up as Akiko came in.

“Ms Tanahata, please sit down and have some tea.â€ She sounded very formal, and Akiko found herself getting nervous as she did as she was asked. Shiraishi poured her a cup of green tea, and passed her a sweet. Akiko took a sip of the tea, which was good, while the priest looked at the table, and then back up at her.

“Please tell me what’s been happening to you.â€ Akiko was surprised, and didn’t know how to answer at first. Shiraishi seemed to take her silence for reluctance, and hurried on. “I promise not to make any wild accusations this time. I’ll just listen, at least until you finish.â€ The priest was blushing slightly as she said that, apparently a little embarrassed. Akiko could feel her face heating up; now it came down to actually saying what had happened, it all seemed ridiculous to her. How was anyone going to believe her? “Could you start with seeing the kami?â€ Shiraishi continued. Akiko took a deep breath, and nodded.

She started from the first storm, and told the priest everything. Once she had started talking, it got easier, especially as Shiraishi made no comment, just nodding and indicating that she was still listening. Akiko described the dreams and visions, and the problems at work, and the snake appearing in the night club. She talked about the vision in the love hotel, and the creatures that she had seen, at the building site, near her flat, near the love hotel, and in the laundrette. She put particular emphasis on the fact that her flat had been wet after the internal rainstorm, and the dust that had covered her earlier, but Shiraishi still said nothing.

When she had finished, the priest just sat there, saying nothing, but nodding slightly. Akiko waited, but there was still no response.

“Well?â€

“I…â€ Shiraishi began, and then broke off. “I don’t know.â€

“Do you believe me?â€

“I don’t think you’re lying to me.â€

“You saw the dust!â€ Did the priest think she was mad?

“I did. Yes, I saw the dust.â€ The priest looked up again, meeting Akiko’s eyes.

“I really don’t know. I have to think about this.â€

“Weren’t you trained for this?â€ Shiraishi laughed, briefly.

“No, I’m afraid the standard training for a Shinto priest does not cover what to do when the kami starts appearing.â€ By the time she finished the sentence, she was very serious again. “I have to think.â€

Akiko nodded.

“If you have time, come back tomorrow, and we’ll talk again.â€ Akiko felt a surge of hope,

“You don’t disbelieve me, then?â€

“I…â€ Again a pause. “No. I’m not sure what to think, but I don’t think you’re lying, or simply mad.â€

“But then…â€ Shiraishi raised a hand to stop her.

“Like I said, I need to think. Come back when you have time.â€ Akiko nodded.

“Can I finish my tea?â€ Shiraishi smiled again.

“Of course.â€