"CARVED THE SLIT-MOUTHED WOMAN" "A boy in our neighboring school saw the slit-mouthed woman." "No kidding!" "Where?" "He was playing alone in a park near his school, when he saw..." "a strange woman standing in front of him." "Was she tall with long hair?" "Yes, and her mouth was covered with..." "a white mask and she wore a Iong coat." "And then what?" "But as the boy was about to run away..." "DATA BOOK:" "THE SLIT-MOUTHED WOMAN the woman suddenly asked him in a strange voice, "Am I pretty?"" "Then she took off the white mask and..." "revealed her mouth that was slit up to her ears!" "When you're caught, she takes you to her hideout..." "and cuts your mouth with scissors." "The sIit-mouthed woman has become merciless these days." "Stop talking about such things." "Does it remind you of the old days?" "When I was in high school..." "the same rumor spread all over Japan." "Did you know?" "The rumor first started right here in this town." " really?" " Yeah, really." "And now the sIit-mouthed woman is back in town." "Yuki, will you do some shopping for me?" "I don't want to." "They say the sIit-mouthed woman appears in the park at five." "well." " I'II go then." " Bye." "It's true." "Hey." "What if she really appears?" "We should run, I guess." "But you're slow." "She'II get you." "I wish the slit-mouthed woman would take you away from mel" "Why don't you say something?" "Cat got your tongue?" "Don't just stand there." "Say something." "Why are you so quiet?" "Open your lips." "Do you want me to slit your mouth?" " Do you think it'II hurt?" " It sure will." "Of course." "Come on kids, you'd better get back home." "Yes, Ms. Yamashita." " Good bye." " Bye." "No gossiping about the sIit-mouthed woman." " Mr. Matsuzaki." " hello." " How are you getting along?" " Okay." " It's tough starting in a new school." " I guess." "I'II go check the roof." "AMI P RETTY?" "What is it?" "Stay calm!" "Am I..." "pretty?" "Am I..." "pretty?" "Am I..." "pretty?" " Is it over?" " I think so." "That was a big one." "What time is it?" "It's already past five." "I see no sIit-mouthed woman." "Good morning." "Good morning." "Have you heard?" "The sIit-mouthed woman disappeared with a boy yesterday." " really?" " Yep." "But on TV, they said it's someone dressed like the sIit-mouthed woman." " Don't believe what they say." " He's right." "But that's what they said." "Masatoshi." "Have you gathered information on the sIit-mouthed woman?" "No, I haven't." "Look at her." "The sIit-mouthed woman!" "They say her next victim is someone from school." "Then I must be the one." "Mika, don't say such a thing." "But that would make someone happy." "Line up, the assembly is about to begin." "You're at the front." "Today, classes will end at noon and you will go home in groups." "About the incident that occurred at our neighboring school..." "it's only natural that you should be afraid." "However, we must keep calm." "And remember to follow the rules." "Never gossip about the sIit-mouthed woman." "Never talk to people you don't know." "Listen carefully to your parents at home." "And never go out without permission." "You look exactly like her." "You kidnapped that boy." "Can't talk with your mouth slit?" "Where are you hiding him?" "You did it, right?" "Cut it out!" "It's none of your business." "Mika, Iet's see your mouth." "You wouldn't mind, would you?" "Don't!" "Good morning." "Good morning." "What's going on?" "hello." "Hi, kids." "Thank you very much." "It's no trouble." "Good bye." "Bye, Natsuki." "Bye-bye." " Here you are." " You're back." "We'II break up from here." "Remember to be careful." "Good bye." " Bye." " Thank you." "You're welcome." "Bye." " Bye." " Good bye." " Thank you." " You're welcome." "Thank you." "Good bye." "Let's go." "What is it?" "Something wrong?" "Isn't that your mother?" "Ms. Yamashita." "I was meaning to go, but I got caught up at work." "It's okay." "We've just arrived." "Say good bye to your teacher." "Go on." "What's the matter?" "I'II come home later." "You can't stay out alone." "I'II be with her a little longer and make sure she gets home." "But" "No trouble at all." "We won't be long." "Right, Mika?" "That's all for today." "Thank you for your cooperation." " Thank you." " Thank you." "Thank you." " Bye." " Good bye." "Be careful." "Bye." " Thanks." " Thank you." "Am I..." "pretty?" "Am I..." "pretty?" "Did you quarrel with your mother, Mika?" "If so, I couId help you make up with her." " Ms. Yamashita." " Yes?" "Do mothers dislike their children?" "Some mothers might." "But I'm sure that's not the case with your mother." "Why?" "J ust now, when you didn't look at her she seemed truly sad." "That's because she loves you." "Did she do that?" "I won't let that happen to you, never again." "Mother does hate me." "No, she doesn't." "I know it." "She loves you, Mika." "Sometimes love can be so strong that people get carried away and..." "I hate my mother." "Don't say such a thing!" "Mika!" "Don't go." "please!" "So, she was wearing a mask like that, right?" "But her mouth" "would you come to the police station with us?" " Let go of mel" " Mrs. Sasakil" "Pull yourself together." "Calm down." "We should stay at home." "The kidnapper might call you." "Where is Mika?" "Is she safe?" "My Mika." "Mika" " Mrs. Sasaki!" " Mrs. Sasaki!" "Mrs. Sasaki." "Are you alright?" "An elephant." "A panda." "This is Ono." "It's me." "I know it's late." "It's you." "Something the matter?" "No, not really." "I just wanted to talk to Ai." "Is she already asleep?" "Yeah, she is." "I see." "Do you think she's still reluctant to see me?" "She says she doesn't want to see you." "I understand." "Sorry." "Bye." "is that so?" "You like Daddy more than Mommy, don't you, Ai?" "tell me the truth." "I Iike Daddy." "I hate Mommy because you hit me." "I'm sorry!" "I didn't mean to." "Come here." "Go talk to her." "I will." "Mrs. Sasaki." "You'd better rest." "We'II wake you if there's news." "But I can't sleep." "My heart keeps pounding." "HELP US FIND MIKA!" "Ever since I lost my husband in an accident..." "things changed between Mika and me." "If I had been good to her..." "Mika would have come straight home." "I n Kanagawa, Midoriyama City..." "a series of kidnapping has occurred." "A search is underway for the two missing children." "The Kanagawa Police..." "are putting more people on the team hoping for a quick recovery." "THE SUSPECT'S PROFILE" "This is Shizukawa East Park where Fumiaki Ogawa was kidnapped." "He was abducted by someone disguised as the slit-mouthed woman." "Yesterday, a woman who looked like her..." "was seen kidnapping Mika Sasaki." "What could be the reason for kidnapping children in a disguise?" "What's the matter?" "Did Mommy do it?" "I've caught a cold." "Are you okay?" " I'II go buy some medicine." " alright." " Bye." " Bye." "The park where Fumiaki was kidnapped was seldom used..." "and there were only two of his friends at the time." "The next day, Mika Sasaki was kidnapped." "She was abducted before the eyes of her teacher..." "who had" "I have some fliers of Mika." "And" " What's up--?" "Come on in." "They want to pass them out, too." "We'd Iike to help." "SCHOOL CLOSED FOR THE DAY" "I'm terribly sorry." "It's only a temporary suspension." "please try and stay quiet during this period." "I will." "Excuse me." "Ms. Yamashita." "Mr. Matsuzaki." "could I ... talkto youprivately?" "Then, you've seen the woman's face?" "That's right." "But what's that got to do with you?" "PIease" "Take a look at this picture." "She looks like her." "I thought so." "Who is she?" "What is this all about?" "tell me if you know something." "I want to help Mika." "Am I..." "pretty?" "What's the matter?" "Excuse me." "Mr. Matsuzaki!" "What are you doing?" "Who was that woman?" "please get off." "I won't." "Not unless you tell me." "She is the kidnapper." "We should notify the police." "That picture's 3 years old." "Whenever a child is kidnapped..." "I hear a woman's strange voice inside my head." "Can you believe that?" "I don't know what's going on." "But I've just heard it again." "I'm heading towards it." "This is Tsugawa Town, an hour's drive from Shizukawa Town." "The children here are terrorized by the rumor of the slit-mouthed woman." "A friend told me that she's immortal, that she can't be killed." "My friend said that..." "she saw the split-mouthed woman in a nearby park." "There's a house with a red roof somewhere." "That's her hideout." "There are rumors going around about her hideout." "Who is it?" "Masatoshil lt's Matsuzaki." "What is it, Mr. Matsuzaki?" "Open the doorl" "Don't!" "Am I ..." "pretty?" "Am I ..." "pretty?" "Masatoshi." "Are you alright?" "I'm okay." "Thank God." "What's wrong?" "Who is she?" "KAZUKO YOSHIDA" "Mommy's late." "I wonder what she's doing." "I wonder what." "You'II find the police station around the corner." "Okay." "Ms. Yamashita." "I'm going to the dead lady's house to look for Mika." "will you come?" "Mr. Matsuzaki." "Is the sIit-mouthed woman gone for good?" "I don't know." "Ms. Yamashita, this may come in handy." "Thanks." "Where could she be?" "Are you Mrs. Yoshida's--?" "Mommy's not home." "She'II be home soon." "please come back later." "They say their father will be back by evening." "I've killed their mother." "The younger girl was about the same age as my daughter." "My daughter's with my ex-husband." "I got divorced last year." "She likes him more, so" "I've never told anyone about this, but I want you to know." "I just saw her with my own eyes and I know for sure." "Her name is Taeko Matsuzaki." "She's..." "my mother." "When my brothers and I were small..." "we used to be severely beaten by our mother." "Everyday was a nightmare." "Before long, my brother and sister were gone." "So was my mother." "They all disappeared." "Soon after that, the sIit-mouthed woman's rumor started." "A tall woman with long hair, wearing a mask." "When I first heard this, I immediately thought of my mother." "By that time, I'd been sent to a foster home..." "but I was always afraid to go outside." "And after all these years, she's come back again." "The woman I saw just now was definitely..." "my mother." "That lady must've been possessed by her." "So there may be more victims?" "Am I..." "pretty?" "I have to go." "Take me with you." "people are afraid to play in the park." "Let's go find a crowd." "Okay." "Let's hurry." "Right." "Are you alright?" "It'II pass." "Are you sure the voice came from here?" "I thought so but..." "I can't hear it anymore." "Wait, I hear it distantly." "From where?" "I can't figure out which direction." "Let's see if we can find the place as we drive along." "Right." "Mika?" "please, don't hurt me!" "You're Mom, aren't you?" "Stop." "U ntie me!" "Off we go." " Did you enjoy playing with Grandpa?" " Yep." "I'm glad you did." " A little tired, huh?" " Yep." "Grandpa, what's that?" "Don't look!" "The body found was that of a boy, right?" "Mika is safe, isn't she?" "So far." "We're searching the area thoroughly." "I see." "Can I go outside to breath fresh air?" "Yes." "But don't go too far." "I won't." "Don't worry." "I'm sure Mika will come back." "But the boy died." "Don't say that." "Mika." "Where are you?" "Mika?" "Mika, come out." " Mika?" " Mika." " Mika?" "Where are you?" " Mika?" "No" "This can't be--!" "Natsuki!" "Natsuki!" "Why won't you talk?" "You know this is very important, don't you?" "Mika's life is in danger." "What did you see?" "Masatoshi, speak." "alright." "I'II tell you everything I know." "Searching the body of the missing boy, Fumiaki Ogawa..." "a 1 0-year-old girl, Natsuki Tamura was found in the same town..." "sitting in a park with a severe cut on her face." "She's in critical condition." "Isn't Natsuki a girl from your class?" "Police are looking for a connection between this incident..." "and the murder of the housewife" "This is bad." "INSPECTION" "Stay cool." " Good evening." " hello." "Your driver's license, please." " Thank you." " No problem." " Excuse me." " Yes?" "We teach at Shizukawa elementary." "How's the girl found in the park?" "Her condition is now stable." "Good." "Any new information on Mika Sasaki?" "There's nothing to tell at the moment." "It is gossipy and unreliable." "DATA BOOK:" "THE SLIT-MOUTHED WOMAN" ""She appears in the park near Higashi elementary." ""The next victim is a girl from Shizukawa." "It's impossible to kill the sIit-mouthed woman. "" "This is all true." "I know." "Is there anything that would lead us to Mika?" "How's this?" ""The sIit-mouthed woman hides children in a house with a red roof. "" "A red roof..." "That's hard to narrow down." "It could be" "The house I used to live in when I was a child." "Did it have a red roof?" "Mika is probably in the slit-mouthed woman's hideout." "You should listen to the rumors." "If we do this carefully, we might get more information on her whereabouts." "But there are thousands of houses with red roofs." "Is anybody home?" "hello?" "May I speak with you?" "please." "What do you want?" "could I have a word with you?" "I'm the mother of this missing child." "I was wondering if you knew something." "Yes." "would you please tell me anything you know?" "Any rumor of the sIit-mouthed woman?" "I know!" "I've heard about her hideout." " Hey!" " It's okay." "The sIit-mouthed woman's hideout, right?" "Yes, a deserted house with a red roof." "HIDEOUT, RED ROOF, DESERTED HOUSE" "Do you know where it is?" "On top of ChiIdbeck hill." " ChiIdbeck hill?" " Yep." "We go up from here?" "CHILDBECK HILL" "Mika." "Where are you?" "Mika." "Are you in here?" "Mika." "Mika?" "What's wrong?" "I remember now." "How my mother became..." "the sIit-mouthed woman." "Noboru" "I've done it again." "Noboru." "I didn't mean to." "Did it hurt?" "Forgive me." "please, Noboru." "It hurt, didn't it?" "I'm so sorry." "No... don't." "Mother" "please!" "Noboru." "Chop my head off with this." "Do it now." "Because the next time I go crazy..." "I'm sure I'II kill you." "Chop my head off, Noboru!" "Hurry up!" "Aim at my neck!" "If you don't-- hurry up" "Your brother." "Your sister." "You'II end up like them!" "Noboru." "What are you waiting for?" "Chop my head off." "If you don't, it'II come back to life and kill you!" "Aim" "Aim" "Aim at my neck." "Aim at my..." "neck" ""Aim at my neck. "" "That's what the voice in my mind kept saying." "If her head is chopped off..." "my mother may stop haunting people for good." "The sight of her was horrifying." "So I covered her with a coat and a mask..." "and hid her body inside." "What's that?" "You mean the hole?" "Don't you recognize it?" "Mika, are you in there?" "If you are, answer me." "Mikal" "Mika!" "Mika?" "Mika." "Are you alright?" "How are you feeling?" "It must have hurt." "Ms. Yamashita." "I'm so glad you're alright." "I didn't know about this cellar." "could they be--?" "probably." "My brother and sister." "Are you okay?" "Mr. Matsuzaki." "Let's take her to a hospital." "careful, Mika." "Aim..." "at my" "What is it?" "I can hear the voice." "It's near." "Aim..." "at my" "Aim..." "at my" "CHILDBECK HILL" "Mika!" "Mika!" "Are you in there?" "Mika!" "Mika?" "Answer me." "Ms. Yamashita!" "Are you alright?" "Mika's mother!" "Where's my Mika?" "Is she alright?" "Mika!" "Mika!" "Don't go in there!" "Mika!" "Taeko!" "Don't" "please stop." "I beg you." "Stop it!" "Mother." "Forgive me." "please." "Mother." "The knife." "To the hospital!" " Don't worry about me." " But" "PIease-- get Mika out of here." "Go!" "Run for your lives!" "Mr. Matsuzaki!" "Aim..." "at my neck" "Mother" "Come here." "Sorry to call you up like this." "What's it about?" "I have to talk to Ai alone." "I'II never ask you another favor." "please." "alright." "But make it short." "Yes." "Ai, I'm so sorry." "Forgive me." "Mommy" "Ai!" "Aim at my neckl"