Nicole stood by the car of Detective Gail waiting for him. She had given him a text earlier to inform him she was coming. the detectives walking in and out of the station glanced at her before leaving.
The weather was getting cold, so Nicole hugged her arms around her body. She was about to take out her phone when she heard Detective Gail's voice and looked up.
''Nicole, sorry. I was in a meeting. Did you wait for long?''
''No, I just arrived. Are you free to talk now?''
''Sure, what did you want to talk about?'' Detective Gail looked at her.
''Can we find a place to sit and talk. There is something I want to find out''
''Let's go to the café shop across the road, they might need me at the station so I can't go far''
''That place is okay. I won't keep long''
''En, let's go''
….
Nicole sipped the coffee Detective Gail bought her and looked at him. He found him looking back at her.
'What did you want to talk about?''
'The last time, you mentioned that the person who killed Lizzy was someone close to Leo. Have you found out who that person is?''
''Nicole, are you still bent on helping that ghost out?''
''She is my friend. I can't leave her alone when she needs me the most''
''Nicole, there is nothing like a friendship between a ghost and a human being. At the long run, the only thing they want from you is your body. What would you do if she suddenly takes over your body? You will be trapped inside forever and she will be living your life''
''I know, but I've decided to help Lizzy. She will be the last ghost I will help. After her, I will be set free''
''Is that what Granny told you? Don't be naïve, Nicole. That old woman is lying to you. Why do you think she never took the gift away even after you've pleaded with her? It is because your life is dependent on the curse. It was the curse that revived you. without the it, you would have been dead a long time ago''
''Then, what about the dark cloud. Is the dark cloud different from the curse?''
''I am still not certain yet, but I think the dark cloud has to do with the souls of the people who died in the accident with you. You were originally supposed to die along with everyone but you survived. The vengeful spirits of those people are the ones forming the dark cloud over you''
''So, what you mean is, it is the gift of sight that is keeping me alive and preventing the dark cloud from eating me up?''
''That is the only explanation I got after a lot of study and research. Look at this…'' he removed his phone and showed her a video.
''What video is this?'' Nicole looked at him.
''The confession of someone similar to you. This happened to a woman who was in her early twenties twenty five. She was pronounced dead by the doctors but she suddenly woke up from the dead and claimed she could see dead people. no one believed her. It was a documentary journalist who interviewed her and this was what she said'' Detective Gail played the video.
''Those damn clouds. I saw them. I was always surrounded by dead people but nobody believed me. I thought it was a gift from the heavens but later I realised it wasn't a gift but a curse. Every night, I see them in my sleep. The cries of all the people who thrive to suck my soul. Someone told me she could see a dark shadow clouding over me, but I didn't believe her.
I am scared, supernatural is real and the kind of people I see are scary beings. I don't want to be like this but someone said the only way is death''
Nicole paused the video and looked at Detective Gail, ''that's enough. I know what you are trying to do. You are trying to scare me, right?''
''You know deep in your heart that what you heard and saw is the truth. Nicole, I can only help you up to here. the rest is up to you''
''I was wrong to come here in the first place. You never intended to help me'' Nicole stood up from the chair and almost fell but a certain force held her in place. She felt cold hands hold her shoulders in place and her body tensed up. She looked at Detective Gail who looked horrified as he stared at whatever was behind her. ''Who are you?'' Nicole stuttered and heard a cold laugh.
''Don't worry, I am not going to do anything to you. I just wanted to feel alive through you a little'' the voice said and continued to inhale her.
Nicole realised what the being behind her was doing and tried to shake it off but it's grip on her was stronger.
''Let go of me'' Nicole said and looked at Detective Gail, ''you… is this the reason why you were always following me? To offer my body to this thing?''
''Leave her alone, Azar''
''Azar?'' Nicole struggled.
''I told you I would take things into my own hands if you didn't hurry up. Look at her, all frightened up. How am I supposed to possess such a frail person?''
''What?'' Nicole turned and found the café empty. ''What did you do to the people here? Why isn't there anyone who can see me?''
''I made you invisible. You don't have the bead so no one can hear your sobs'' the voice said and blew air into Nicole and she slowly lost consciousness. ''Take her and let's get out of here''
''You can't do this? It is dangerous Azar''
''Don't tell me what to do and what not to do'' Azar said and looked at him.
Detective Gail picked Nicole up and they went outside the café. The café still remained normal as if nothing had happened inside it.
Detective Gail put Nicole's body into the car and drove away towards a far end of the city.
...
An hour later, he arrived at a green building and pulled over. He took Nicole into one of the rooms inside and placed her on the bed.
''Finally, I can't believe this day had finally come''
''This has consequences. You will bear them yourself. My debt to you has been paid'' Detective Gail said to Azar.
''Why the sour face? Did you really fall in love with her? this is bad. You two can never be together and you know it''
''I am leaving''
''No, not so fast. You need to help me adjust to her body. I haven't taken over a body in the last 30 years, I need help''
''Do you have to make me do this?''
''Yes, her body is a little different from everyone''
Detective Gail sighed and squatted in front of Nicole. he unrolled her left long sleeve up and looked at her wrist and his face changed.
''What is it?'' Azar asked.
''She doesn't have the mark. Look…'' he said and stretched forth Nicole's hand towards Azar.
''What do you mean she doesn't have the mark? She clearly had it a few days ago when we met her with that man'' Azar became anxious.
''She had it when she was with him. She had it back at the cemetery when she was also with him. I think I know what this is''
''What?''
''The mark of the bead, the bracelet is with that man that's why the mark only appears when she is with him''
''What? Does that mean we need to capture that man before the mark can appear before I can take over her body?''
''I think so''
''That sly Azurine must have made this intentional. That old woman knew about us. that must be it'' Azar was furious.
''I think I understand now. Azurine planned all of this. She knew about you, that's why she made that man get hold of that bracelet; to make a connection between the two of them. That way, any ghost that wants to take over her body won't be able to do it''
''Should I just get rid of that man then?''
''It won't be that easy. The bracelet is protecting him. Besides, if you kill a human being, you won't get reincarnated again. That will be the end of you'' Detective Gail reminded her.
''Then, give me a solution'' she screamed at him..
''Let's take her back for now before someone notices her disappearance'' Detective Gail suggested.
''I can't believe I just got close to my goal and have to let her go''
''I have an idea. I will find a substitute for me for the being time, while we figure what to do next''
''A substitute?'' her eyes lit up.
''En, I will find a body you can use while we figure out how to disentangle the link between those two''
''Fine!!!''
Detective Gail lifted Nicole up again and they went out.