Jack ran through the woods, gasping for air, looking for something. A weird chain dangles through the woods in the shadowy, scary woodland, while the sounds of birds fill the night.
Jack runs faster as he tries to gulp for oxygen. He found himself in front of the bizarre old house. Jack looked around the house, feeling chills in his bones, and realizing that this isn't any ordinary house. Then the door broke open, allowing a river of blood to surge towards him. As the blood hits him, he screams in shock.
"Aaaahhhhh…. huff... huff…"
Jack awoke with another disturbing nightmare, but this time it was even stranger since it felt so real.
"Ugh… My head hurts"
As I feel the throbbing in my temple, I softly massage it with my hand. I began to question my dream. I recall a river of blood rushing towards me, which terrified me. Strange, I believe that location is somewhere around Dumont City.
I returned home last night, and on the way, I tried to analyze what I had uncovered. I said my goodbyes to Mrs. Morris, reminding her not to leap to conclusions since we need proof, but I know she is thinking about it as well. If Professor Anderson is the true perpetrator of this act, why would he kidnap Derrick?
Is he really responsible for Amelie's disappearance? What doesn't add up is how the Officers were unaware of this fact. No. I believe they are aware of this, but I'm not sure why they haven't investigated Quintrala's home.
If I had to guess, there are two people who the targets of my suspicions are. Count Cedrick, who is most likely to be the one responsible for the kidnapping, and Professor Anderson, who is the final person Amelie meets and is also Catalina's fiancée.
After further consideration, there is one more person that appears to be suspicious, but I will have to investigate for the time being. Sir Desmond instructed me to notify him if I uncovered anything, but the fact that they are not investigating the House of Quintrala makes me distrustful of any of them.
"Jack and Max, get up and get ready. we're going to Temple."
Outside our room, I heard our mother yell. When I look to my side, I see that my brother has gotten out of bed.
"Yes mother."
I respond as I get up to get ready.
***
We started praying to the Moirai as soon as we arrive at the Temple of Fate. When I began to feel uneasy, as if someone were watching me. I looked around but didn't see anyone, only devotees silently praying.
I'm getting goosebumps and it seems like someone is putting pressure on me. I'm visibly shaking, like if I've been scared. I'm not sure why I'm feeling this way. I'm afraid I'm going to get sick. Even though it was winter, I felt like I was in the midst of summer.
"Are you okay Jack?"
"Ye-yeah, I'm just not feeling well."
When my mother notices that I am acting strangely, she asks me.
"Alright, you should just take a rest when we get home."
"Yes mother."
My parents look at me silently after I respond, but their eyes are asking whether I'm okay.
That's when I noticed a high-pitched ringing to my ear.
"Ugggggh, what is that sound?"
"What sounds? I don't hear anything. Are you alright?"
My brother looked at me as if I were insane. As I continue to cover my ears, I notice that the noise has faded but that my eardrums seem about to burst.
"N-no… there is really a sound. You didn't hear it?"
"Jack, the temple is too quiet for us to hear anything."
"I'm not hearing anything."
"Are you really okay Jack?"
Huh? But I heard that high-pitched sound, and my ears are still suffering as a result. Is this something I'm imagining? What's the matter with me? Maybe I'm simply feeling under the weather today.
"Ehem … maybe it is just my imagination, I'm sorry."
"O-okay, if you say so."
'They're watching, get out of there'
'Get out… Get out… Get out, they are watching'
I heard a voice just when I believed I was hallucinating things. I'm hearing a voice now, as opposed to earlier.
'Jack, they're watching us…'
The voice I'm hearing is becoming softer and softer, as though if it's going away.
When the voice mentions my name, I realize it's talking to me at that point. When I looked at my parents and brother, I noticed that they were both silently praying. I'm very sure this voice isn't my imagination right now. My hair on the neck has grown thicker as a result of my fear. Who is keeping an eye on whom? And who are the "they" it's referring to? And what exactly does "they're watching us" imply? Us?
I looked around but didn't see anyone looking at me, and I couldn't figure out where the voice came from. My instinct tells me to leave as soon as possible.
"Mother, Father, I've already finished praying, so I'll just wait outside for you. Right now, I'm feeling suffocated. I'll just get some fresh air outside the temple."
I didn't wait for their response because I got up and headed outside right away. But before I could get to the exit, I ran into someone. My eyes widened as I looked up to see who it was.
"Oh, child, are you alright? Be careful."
The individual in front of me is a priest. This isn't something that happens all the time. Why would I happen to run into a priest? The priest had a slightly higher status than a noble, and I happened to meet one.
"Reverend Father, please accept my apologies for running into you. I was so inattentive that I didn't notice you in front of me."
I quickly apologized and bowed my head.
"It's okay, child. it appears you're in a hurry?"
I saw his smile and knew that anyone who saw it would think it was very kind and holy.
"Yes, reverend father, I am not feeling well, so I am about to leave so that I can get some fresh air and not bother the other devotees."
"All right, child, I pray for your wellness, Moirai."
"Thank you very much, reverend father."
I walked out of the temple to get some fresh air. Even if I'm still anxious, I can't go without my folks. That would make them even more concerned.
I'm intrigued by the unusual voice speaking to me. When I felt uneasy and as if someone was watching me, it suddenly spoke to me. Is the ringing a warning sign? Why would I be uneasy inside God's temple? Is it possible that a God dislikes me?
However, I instantly rejected the thoughts that were racing through my mind. What I'm thinking and feeling right now is absurdity. Strange things do not exist in any way. Because I'm not feeling well, I'm hearing things. I'm already stressed out as a result of Amelie's disappearance.
"I hope Amelie's parent is doing well."
I muttered something to myself.
"Where are you Amelie?"
I sigh, feeling lonely and worried for her.
When I notice something coming from my peripheral vision, I instinctively turned to face the newly arrived carriage. The people inside gradually exited, and I noticed an extremely attractive lady. She is a stunning flaming red woman with the appearance of an aristocracy. My instincts tell me this person is Lady Catalina Quintrala. I kept an eye on her as she entered the Temple of Fate.
I need to speak with her if I want answers, but I can't just walk up to her and ask. That appears to be impolite. I close my eyes and begin thinking of the best way to proceed with my investigation.