I'm bored looking for a TV show, trying to relax after the past events, but I give up, after going through the same stations for the third time without finding anything interesting. I stand on my own two feet and look at the library, thinking of reading something. as soon as I get a book, I get comfortable again and as soon as I read the first paragraphs, I find that I have read it again. I toss the book nervously on the table by the couch and look at the ceiling, hoping I'll find something to do.
- What did you do hunting yesterday? Sam says, stepping in the door with Ella.
- Well, it was more complicated to figure out where to start, but we did it.
"And what will you do today?"
- I do not even know . Any news on mom?
- Not yet .
- Super .
"You could go on a hunt to train Edward."
"You're right, I'm looking for myself, because I'm dying of boredom."
I go to my room and sit on the bed, after which Edward enters immediately after me without beating or making any other small noise, making my heart jump from my chest as soon as I saw him in front of me.
- God, brother, you scared me!
- Sorry, I wanted to tell you we found a "hunt." He says in quotation marks, and I keep looking at him curiously, leaving the laptop I was trying to find something to do until Edward shows up somewhere in bed.
- It is a 19th century painting that has been put up for auction because its owners were found dead in the same way for three years in a row.
- And now...
- The painting will be auctioned tomorrow between 9-11 pm in Ottawa.
- Perfect, we go today, we stay somewhere, and tomorrow we go to the auction, to arrive early.
"I don't think we can afford that painting, given its age."
- But we don't buy it.
- And then ?
- We see who is so stupid to buy something like that, and then we take it when he doesn't look. I smile and look back at my laptop, but I can hear Edward's nervous breathing, who at the same time frowns at me with his hands folded across his chest.
- This is called theft.
- And ?
"Well, whoever is so rich as to buy this nonsense, I think he has enough money to sue you or put you in jail."
- Okay, we're waiting for him to die and then we'll take his picture, right? I say ironically, continuing to be serious.
- What the ? Not ! we must save them, not let them die!
- I know that, but now tell me, what should I do with these options? I have more experience in the field, brother. Don't soften!
- I don't know brother, but in the end what's the matter with the painting and why do we have to take it?
"Do you know about Emma's grandmother?"
- Yes ?
"Just as we had to burn his necklace, we'll have to burn the painting."
"Do you think a soul is connected to him?"
"Until I see him and know his story, I can't give my opinion."
- Okay, grumpy, then let's go and not waste any more time!
The next day*
We enter a luxurious building, where as far as I can see, apart from me and Edward, there are only rich people, who certainly can afford that picture and more. I sit comfortably in one of the chairs and wait for this auction to begin once, before I die of boredom.
Finally there is silence in the hall and I notice how all the people start to pile up on the chairs, many of them having no place, making me put on a small awkward smile.
- Okay, people, the auction is starting now. For the first time I will present you a painting from the 19th century that belonged to a queen of England. We'll start at a thousand dollars.
-I don't know what's sadder, that I wouldn't even afford that painting from the first offer, or that these people pay big bucks just to be killed later? I whisper to Edward, and he starts laughing.
- All you have to do is find out some information about the painting.
- Seriously ? I didn't find out anything. I don't believe a word of what they say. Surely that picture went through much more unhappy houses, since people die through his own fault.
"And do you think it's a soul or have you changed your mind?" I don't answer, but I nod and keep looking at the auction.
"Five hundred thousand, congratulations, ma'am!"
Edward and I look at each other and immediately get up and signal to go outside.
- Okay, so someone even bought it.
- Yeah ... I'm sorry about her ...
- Why, I mean ... we can save her.
-I hope, I mean ... it's going to be a long day!
I waited for the auction to end and immediately after, I went to the gentleman who represented things, waiting for him to notice me, after he finished counting the money. I roll my eyes and straighten my voice to get his attention, and he looks at me in surprise, with a forced smile.
"Hello, I'm Benny Mossman, Sheriff. I wanted you to tell me more about this painting." Calm down, nothing happened, I was just curious.
- Well ... like I said ...
- Yes, yes, I understand that, but now I want the real side of things.
- Sorry, Sheriff, so ... I don't know much, honestly, but all I know is that it belonged to some peasants.
- Okay, I understand that most of the people who bought this painting are dead, do you have any idea about that?
"It was a stupid little legend, but no one believes in this nonsense."
"Any information is welcome, sir."
- Okay, if you think it helps! a peasant's daughter made the picture, as far as I understand it took her some time, and her younger sister tried to ruin it out of jealousy, so when she saw what her sister did to her, she cast a curse on her and some time after, he died, a few inches from the picture. but I told you, they're just legends.
- Yes, I understand, thank you. Have a nice day !
I retire and go to the car, Edward, already there, listening to music almost at a minimum, making me look at him strangely since he was free to listen at a higher volume.
- You found something ?
-I've learned enough. Do you have any idea if the lady who bought the painting left?
"I didn't see her leave."
- Okay, when she leaves we'll follow her home and I'll tell you what I found out on the way.
- She is ! Edward says, pointing to this.
- Let's go!
I stop a few meters away and continue to watch the movements of the lady with the painting. As soon as she's out of my sight, I turn on the music and make myself comfortable until Edward stops her. I turn on the music again, frowning at him, and keep looking at him, just intending to see if he has the courage to stop it. We've been waiting for three hours to see if anything happens, and nothing. I sigh, nervous, and get out of the car, Edward doing the same.
- What exactly are we waiting for?
"I don't even know if the lights start flashing or if there are screams in the house, anything suspicious."
- Yeah ...
"Anyway, we haven't talked much about you since we met again, so ... I don't know ... what are your plans?"
"You want to know about my life." he says amusedly, and I approve and shrug. "Well, I was thinking that now that I've finished high school I should go to IT college and create a better future, but ... of course, not before we find my mother. I mean, I think we'll find her in two. months .
- Why in two months?
- Well, after the summer is over, I plan to leave.
- Have you already been accepted?
- Yes, a few days ago.
"And I didn't know?"
"Sam doesn't know either, I wanted to surprise him."
- Yes ... I'm really glad for you! I say through my teeth and lower my head.
- But you ? what are your plans after all this is over, I mean, I think you can still go to college ...
"For me, this stuff will never end."
- How? Why ?
"Once I get into this, I won't be able to detach so easily, plus there are so many angry, living monsters."
- Is not correct !
I retreat to this house without saying anything to Edward, who stood in the back looking at me curiously. I knock on the door and someone answers me, who is supposed to be the housekeeper.
- Hello, I'm ... Jay Jeffrey and I wanted to make you an offer if you're interested.
- An offer for what?
- Well ... someone who lives here went to an auction of mine today and ... I will organize another more interesting auction next week and as it was among the winners I was thinking of making a reduction of the next auction.
- Yes, I think you're talking about my boss, you can come in and wait inside until I go to call her to talk to her. I signal to Edward that everything is okay and start looking around in case the picture might be here. a sharp scream coming from upstairs catches my attention and I quickly climb the stairs to see what happened.
- Everything is in ... I stop talking immediately, what I see the woman who bought the painting, unconscious. I approach her to check her pulse and to my surprise, she is still alive. "It's okay, I'll tell my colleague to take her to the hospital quickly.
As soon as Edward picked up the situation, I stayed around for a few minutes and walked around the house, then quickly entered, looking for the picture. I entered the woman's room, sure that I had seen him there, but as soon as I opened the door, I found that the picture was no longer here. I keep looking for him in the rest of the house and in the end, I find him on the ground floor, in the place where the housekeeper made me wait. I take it and look around, easily noticing the fireplace. I throw the painting in the fireplace and try to light it as fast as I can. I smile briefly as soon as I manage to burn the painting, and retreat outside.
*
"What took you so long?"
- Well, she recovered after a few interventions, and the housekeeper paid me to take them back home, plus I went to get some food. Did you manage to do anything with that painting?
- Yes . I realized the picture was cursed. I didn't feel any presence, and the place didn't cool down, plus after that, after you left, the painting changed its position in the woman's room, which was upstairs, right on the ground floor, the most logical to be closer to her, to finish what she started. most likely if I didn't burn it he would have followed you to the hospital.
- Walking paintings? What a thing!
- Yeah ... we're leaving tomorrow, we'll have to drive, so I'm going to sleep.
I fall asleep instantly, not realizing how tired I really was.
- Daniel! Daniel! he shouted, Edward, trying to wake me.
"Give me five more minutes!"
-Mrs. Leea Adams, meaning the woman I was supposed to have rescued yesterday, was found dead this morning, doctors say it was a stroke.
- Here you go ? I destroyed the painting!
- You didn't destroy him enough.
- No, impossible ...
"And if it's really a spirit."
"It's not spirit, I told you!" I get out of bed and pick up a book, which most likely might have the answer.
- What are you looking for ?
- I found ! Look ! the painting came back after I burned it because it was tied with a symbol.
- Symbol ? And how does that have to do ...
- The symbol indicates death, and as the woman was attacked yesterday and did not die, the painting did not disappear until she died.
- It's like a spirit. I roll my eyes and keep looking at the book.
-Did you see this sign on the picture?
- I don't know ... I think ... Anyway, if the painting didn't disappear when you burned it, how are we going to make it disappear now?
- Here it says that the sign must be touched with holy fire.
- How do we make a holy fire?
- It's like having holy water, it's a flower in your ear. Finally ... let's finish our work so we can go to the city beyond! I say amused and go into the bathroom to take a small shower.
We walk back to the deceased's house, while Edward still keeps his eyes on the book. I knock on the door, and the housekeeper answers me again, this time with less zest for life, given the situation.
- Hello, I heard about what happened, after all the madness last night ... and now that.
- Did you come for the funeral?
- Um ... I wanted to see her, because I felt bad hearing all this. Meanwhile, I notice Edward trying to sneak out of a window, which coincidentally was open. I keep drawing the housekeeper's attention, talking to her.
- Get in !
- Um ... yes ... I need a few more seconds, I'm not feeling well ...
- Be right back .
- Not ! Wait a minute, it doesn't take long.
-Okay ...
- Okay, I'm ready. I enter without any problem, leaving her with a strange reaction.
- Around here .
"Did she live alone?"
- Yes, just me and her, her husband died some time ago and she has no children.
"Can you handle all this on your own?"
- Must.
"I think the good part is you're left with the fortune."
- Yeah ...
"That painting he bought at auction ... Do you still have it?"
"Yes, I found him near the fireplace, and Leea told me to take him back to the room."
- Okay.
I get a small call from Edward, followed by a message stating that he managed to get the painting.
*
"What would you have done if her death hadn't been caused by the painting?"
"I probably would have gone home sooner."
I stop in a field area and get out of the car with Edward and the painting, continuing on to burn the final painting. Edward finds the symbol, and I immediately light a lighter, say a few words, after which I feel relieved of this case.