Mushu widened his eyes; a living vessel got found, but only souls could reach that place or Lights City.
"How is that possible?" Skyleene asked with big eyes and a low voice.
"I don't know, but I think you know more about this type of thing, not only the plants and medicines, whereas the detective is like a child who wants credit for everything.
"To be frank, I don't know how a living body managed to pass the gate to Condemned City, but this dust intrigues me. Still, even if I find out how that soul got brought here, how would that help? The culprit could be anyone! I know I can't let this keep happening, as there might be a chance of this happening again. It's just that I don't think I'm good enough for this job! I need help that I won't ever receive! I have a mission to complete, a tight schedule, and, most definitely, not in the mood to deal with a man-baby. I am sorry, Nique, I will not do it."
She was about to leave when Nique looked at her with pleading eyes. She knew she had to step in and help them, but not if Aper did not accept her help. One look at Nique just made her see the situation differently. That man was concerned not only for the case but for Aper too.
She let a sigh escape her lips - "I will do it. But only to learn more about this sorcery and prove my innocence. I don't want anything to do with Aper. But if he is willing to cooperate, I guess it will be alright."
Nique's face lit up. He pulled Skyleene in a tight hug. Surprised, she did not know how to react for the first seconds but slowly hugged him back.
"I am so happy! This case will end soon with your help!"
They stood like this for some minutes until the door opened, revealing J. He blushed at the sight of the two hugged people.
They looked at him with widened eyes, letting go of each other.
"Aper left home. I don't think you can convince him today anymore."
"It's alright. We have Miss Skyleene Cathle on our side! Aper will be the final piece!"
Nique smiled brightly. He looked like a ray of sunshine.
"I should be going too," she said in a low voice, getting away from Nique's arms.
Nique did not stop her, only waved a bit. Skyleene left the room, going straight to her house.
Many questions arose in her head, and the first one was: how did Nique know that the boy was from upstairs?
----------))((
The sun lit her bedroom. The girl was sleeping on her bed with the black cat curled up close. Her room was a mess, just like her life at this moment.
Her eyes slowly opened, the surroundings becoming clearer.
"I guess we will help them with the case," Mushu said, half asleep.
"Yeah. It's our only chance of proving my innocence. I don't want to live like a witch anymore, Mushu. It gets lonely, more than it was when I was alive. It's not even a true rumor! It isn't my fault I'm good at studying! I'm only a geek!"
"Oh, come on, Skyleene. I know you lived a hard life, but whining about it now, when you have a different life, won't help, would it? We will get over this. After all, you might get to go to Lights City and get that detective to like you if he accepts the deal."
"I don't want him to like me. I only want him to cooperate faster. I am close to getting where I was supposed to be for the last thirty-five years."
Skyleene got all serious. She set a goal only for herself for the first time. She felt different but good. She smiled, imagining life in Lights City, when a sad reality hit her.
"What will happen to you when I leave?" she asked low.
"I will get another mission. We won't meet again." Melancholic feelings hit both of them, their eyes sparkling with traped tears. "Even if we do, you won't be able to see me, but you'll know I'm there. We can have our signal!"
The girl embraced the furball, warm tears falling from her eyes in his fur.
"You are the best soul guide ever," she sniffled.
"Please don't cry now, aren't I that "annoying furball"?" he tried lighting up the mood.
A small giggle escaped her parted lips.
"No, you are my family."
----------))((
"OK, I'm here. I hope the monkey won't push me away and curse at me for no reason again," Skyleene said in front of the detective's station.
After two hours since she woke up, her legs carried her to that place. The only place where she could prove she was innocent, and her time in that city was over.
Entering the building, all the workers turned their heads ninety degrees only to see who just entered. The fitted, short black dress with a V-neckline seemed fine when she left her house but turned out to be a bit revealing. Her heels made her look professional as she walked straight through the crowd. Her clothes felt like a burden on her shoulders. The men were eyeing her out while the women were throwing daggers with their eyes. She reached the elevator, turning to face the workers, as Mushu came out of her bag, sitting on her left shoulder. She could hear some small gasps and aw's in the distance.
The doors closed, letting Skyleene let a sigh escape her lips.
"You did very well, Leene," Mushu said, rubbing his tail on her neck for reassurance.
"What about you? I think you won their hearts back there," she winked.
His nose brushed against her red cheek, making her smile at him.
When the doors opened, the workers watched her go to Koden's office without saying a word. J. appeared out of nowhere, making her flinch when he touched her shoulder lightly. She turned to him, ready for a slap, Mushu falling off her shoulder with a loud boof, her hand going down as she saw who it was.
"You scared me, J! Don't ever do that again! You made Mushu fall!"
Skyleene took the black cat in her arms and caressed his fur, making him purr.
"Haha, sorry!" he said sheepishly. "I can't believe you agreed to help us! It means a lot," he said, walking to the office.
"You know why I do it, so don't mention it. How's "Mister angry" today?"
"He seems calm. I don't think he knows you accepted yet. I hope his reaction will be golden when he finds out."
J. knocked on the door, receiving a "come in" loud and clear. The boy entered first, covering Skyleene's frame. She closed the door, Aper looking up from his papers. J. took a step away from the girl, revealing her entirely. She looked straight ahead with a serious face.
When he saw her, Aper's face fell.
"Why is she here?" he asked in a rusty voice, trying to calm down.
"I agreed to work with you. I don't want to hear any buts. Let's not waste time and get to work, so we finish fast. Tell me more about the case," the woman said firmly, sitting in front of him on the leather chair.
He scoffed: "There's no way I'm letting you help with this case. I can take care of it myself, alone! I don't care what Wollen says." He glanced at her with a mad look, but it did not affect her.
She looked at him, rolling her eyes.
"Take it this way: I will tell you all I know about the dust because I'm 100% sure you know shit about it. I will tell you all you need to know about the "supernatural" you are confronting. Consider me Google. You do research, and I prove my innocence; a win-win situation.
"You're playing with my mind. I won't let you do that."
"I'm not playing with your mind - I only state what our little alliance consists of. I don't understand why you don't want this opportunity of having the case finished faster. It will be easier for both of us!"
The door opened, revealing Nique with a paper in his hand.
"Skyleene! You finally came!" he said, taking her in a hug.
"Yup, I came!" she said, putting her hands around him.
Aper coughed loudly, making them break the hug. Aper's annoyance arose inside him, making it uncomfortable for him to be in the same room as them anymore. Nique sat next to her and shoved the papers on the table.
She passed her eyes on the paper, leaving a scoff on her lips.
"A contract? Are you kidding me? Do we actually need this? Aper Koden here can't even stay in the same room as me without getting a headache. This contract will only make the bondage a must!"
"What contract?" Aper asked, taking the papers from her. He read them carefully, frowning at the last part. "Both sides agree to pay attention to each other and not part ways until the case ends. Mr. Koden will inform Miss Cathle about every detail of the case. Miss Cathle will give all information on the supernatural elements to Mr. Koden." Dumb truck. This contract is useless. I'm not telling this witch anything about the case because she won't work with me! I don't need her stupid help! She is useless to me!"
The girl widened her eyes at his words. She didn't hear those words for a long time, but for an unknown reason, they hurt more.