As the daylight peeks at the valleys of mountains and the night starts to fade away, some people are wandering around sipping their morning coffee in the cold streets of Europe.
Ornaments and gifts are everywhere, as Christmas approaches, it seems to be a happy place. People's smiles never cease, laughing and giggling as they talk.
Christmas for most people in the world means a holiday and a happy day but not for me. I have been trying to avoid Christmas by working overtime. I have been like this since the time my brother had that unforeseen incident. I just can't celebrate it with my brother being like that. I feel so alone.
My phone suddenly rings and a familiar name appears on the screen. I held the steering wheel and answered the call with my other hand, "Hello?"
A pesky familiar voice spoke, "Ohh Jack O lantern! I forgot your order. Would you mind repeating it?"
I sigh with irritation , "Ugh! Catherine Rose, this will be the 8th and the last time I repeat it. Just a black coffee."
Catherine replied, "What's the magic word ?"
"Please.", I replied.
"There you go! Why is it difficult for you to say please, Jack William Vough?" Catherine responded like an old lady educating a child.
"Is there anything else you want--" I ended the call while Catherine was still speaking.
I'm barely controlling my anger, I don't know why I get so mad when it's her I'm talking with.
After driving on the road to work for a while, I finally reached the MIB and parked my car in the parking lot of the MIB (Mythos Investigations Bureau).
As expected, she waited there as if nothing happened and smiled at me cheerily and wickedly.
She walked towards me and handed me my cup of coffee, however, I wanted to clarify something first.
"Cathy?"
"Yes?"
"You called me just to annoy me this early…did i get that right?"
"Yeah so did I annoy you? Ehe" She smiled.
"What do you mean by ehe?" I sighed in disbelief
"This cheeky woman," I said to myself.
She giggled, she still hasn't changed. She's still the same as when I first met her when we were classmates in our course.
Her name is Catherine Rose, she is a graphologist in MIB and also my good friend. She can tell whether the words that came out of your mouth or the words you wrote are truthful or lies, in addition to that she can tell the emotions in them.
She's a jolly person and she also loves chocolate cakes, and fun fact despite her being a really fine woman and having a lot of suitors she's actually into woman as well, yes woman as well. Only girls can make her heart beat, and sadly she's not interested with you.
Anyways, when we were about to go inside the building, someone bumped into me accidentally and hurriedly ran away without looking back.
I looked at the guy in disbelief as he continued to run fast exiting the building and noticed a scar on his jaw.
I ignored and disregarded that suspicious incident.
Cathy shouts at the guy,
"Hey! Watch where you're going! Who do you think you are! running around carelessly?! I'm gonna teach you a lesson, you mad bumper car !"
I sighed listening to her nonsense,
"Don't waste your time on that, Cathy. We better go now and we still have a lot to do. I need to know the report I requested from you. "
She stood idly, "You mean that diary?"
Cathy's blood drained from her face and began to get serious. It's very unusual of her.
"Hehehe, Sorry about that, I still haven't finished it, to be honest, Sir Jacky." she responded with a squeaky voice as she scratched her neck.
"Oh no.." I shook my head and walked towards the elevator.
When we arrived at my office, I was stunned to see a lot of papers on my desk. I checked each file, and most of it was about the Seint Kvöld asylum. I was trying to ignore that case but that dream I had that night still haunts me.
A little shake to wake myself up and back to reality.
My eyebrow creased and groans,
"Are you kidding me?"
Cathy replied, "Sorry, I was so sleepy at that time. No hard feelings, okay?"
"Are you using that kind of lame excuse again, Rose?"
With a smirk and a shake of my head , I laughed. "Old times, Cathy. Old times.."
"Anyways, I had a dream after I received your request and you were there."
I scoffed, "Oh, really?"
Her face was so close to me just when she glared trying to say that there's something inside the diary.
"What about you, Jacky? Did you have any nightmares? It's so rare to hear you giggle in this situation."
I wonder why she got that dream.
Is it the same as mine or is it just a coincidence?
She gently pushed me away then she crossed her arms against her chest.
"You know me, Jack-Jack. My dream won't tell a lie, especially when I saw you. Both of us were there in the Seint Kvöld asylum."
I was shocked and my mind went blank.
I don't like where this conversation is going, I better change the topic this instant.
"Oh? How was it? Does it feature a rainbow or perhaps a chocolate river?"
Her face reddens in frustration, "Stupid… Argh!!.. You're hopeless!"
She grunts, as I continue drinking my black coffee.
I coughed. Too sweet for a bitter man like me. I took out a cloth from my pocket and wiped the coffee that taints my precious face, I slowly looked at her.
Her eyes looked away when it met mine, she pretends that she did not saw anything.
I cleared my throat, I could hear her laughing.
"Satisfied? Yeah-yeah, pfft, whatever. Anyway, may i see those pictures"
I started to read her report, these pictures I saw right now. Just like what she said there is something odd and nonsense. I knew a little bit when it came to graphology stuff since Cathy was the one who taught me this much at the same time, still learning though.
"Uhmm... So, can you explain it to me?"
A scoffed sound I heard while her left eyebrow was raised.
"Uhmm... Please." I felt like a kid begging.
Cathy felt proud and said,
"That's what I am talking about. Well, according to what I studied those past days, that unknown diary. It was almost like the owner of the diary was a brat at the same time, manipulative probably. I guess this person is way too young"
"Mmm... I need more information."
"Oh c'mon, Jack. it is more than enough, what do you mean you need more?"
"I wanna go see her parents."
"Oh, you what? You can't just be like 'Uhm hey, I need more info about what happens to your daughter and thank you, Ta-Da!!' what are you a one-man show?"
"For some reason, I'm about to explode if I want to."
"Whoa-whoa !! looks who is talking right now. Oh yeah, the one-man show of MIB, Of course!!"
"Now, my patience is out of the limit."
"Bring it on now Jacky, show me your karate skills right now!! Because I got lots of moves in here!"
"You're so loud!"
"Fear my wrath!!"
Suddenly we heard an old man voice coughing
"Ehem.. Mr.Vough, may I have a moment with you?"
The HUH word, I heard. But to whom?
"Oh no..."
It was the Head of the Mythos Investigation Bureau named, Mr. Alistair Frederickson. Was now pulling our ears. It actually hurt to be honest, in reality.
"Both of you! Enough of this foolishness. What is going on right now, Huh?!"
"Sir!"
Yes, were both directly answered at the same time.
Because of that, this is way even worse than I thought. He pulled our ears 'till we reached the head office.
Us being in that situation, the workers of MIB find it entertaining. I could hear gossiping and giggling while we were still blaming each other.
"This is all your fault, Jack Williams Vough!"
"No, you !! Catherine Rose!"
Alistair Frederickson just directly threw a book toward us. As fast as we got, we were actually dodging it, in luck. However, that was so intense.
Cathy was shocked with huge eyes, I see.
"Wow! Did we just dodge that, Jack?"
A huge smack I heard from the table and it was Mr. Frederickson.
Cathy said,
"Oh no, Jack-jack. What have you done this time to make him grumpy? You're such a bad kid. Tsk-Tsk"
I directly replied, " Are you done?! "
A big voice we could heard in clearly,
"You embarrass yourself even more. Both of you are acting like five-year-old kids! Rather than being morbid, you are here for investigation.
Directly confront Mr. Frederickson with firmness.
"Yes, sir!"
A whispering voice I heard from Cathy,
"I bet you saw that movie, 50 shadow of sexy. Am I right, Jacky?" while she's poking my waist.
I grunted, "Seriously?"
Our attention was drawn to Mr. Frederickson's clear voice.
I asked him,
"Is there anything you wanted to say, sir?"
He sighed with a touch on his forehead and sat down.
"Yes, I'm sure you already notice about the cases of the Seint Kvöld Asylum. I want you to handle it. There is no detective who can do better than you, so, what do you think?"
"I already told you, Sir. Frederickson. I will focus even more on the case I want to know. Anything else aside from that, sir?"
"..."
He was just speechless from that and I asked again after I checked the wall clock.
"How about you let Evangeline deal with it in this case, sir? She is a great person, talented and also she has potential to handle that case."
I could sense the vibes inside this room, the head of the mythos was just trying to convince me to let go of the case which I cannot. I also feel this answer is nearly to be found.
"Uhm… Jack?"
The voice of worry from Catherine, she actually understood why I'm acting like this.
"I hope you understand why I'm doing this, Mr. Vough." a glare stare I received from him.
"Yes, Sir. nonetheless this is something that i cannot give up yet so if you would excuse me, I'm taking my leave right now."
" Do you know about the one who held that case from years ago before you held this case? he--"
I heard his voice slowly cut off as soon as I walked away and closed the door at his office. A lot of things are running through my mind but even so I must find the truth.
Am I too selfish? to only think what's best about my brother and the case of Yvena somehow this case is related for both of them. why my brother is in the hospital and why Yvena lost her mind after that accident.
Yvena is a good person and talkative too.
I only met her once when I was 18 years old, that was the time when my parents convinced me to go overseas. I also remember how she was such a lively person and also I had no wonder why my brother had a crush on her. I guess I'll see it for myself .
When I went abroad at the age of 20, my brother said to me on the phone while I was in the middle of doing my task at the office.
"Brother, don't laugh, okay?"
"Sure, no problem. What is it?"
"Are you busy? I can clearly hear you're typing right now."
"Nah, it's no big deal. So, what's up?"
"Well sort of .. that ..I fell in love."
I smiled and stopped my work . "Let me guess It is Yvena, right?"
"W-wait!! How do you know about that? did you just guess it or just a hunch "
I giggled from his nervousness. I wish I could see his reaction.
"Dude, I am your elder brother. Of course I know you, on top of that you already set your eyes upon her beforetime so it's easy for me to understand what you are really into, I'm hoping you know what to do, Okay? But listen, I'm not only here to tease you, frankly I'm here to support both of you to be honest. "
"How compassionate you are bro.. on top of that thanks"
Till one day, he sent me a pic with his team with a message.
'Hey! What's up there? We're currently right now at our set place. When do you come back?'
A short recollection gave my smile away after I saw the last message .
"Come on, Jack. Pull yourself together." i clear my mind without a second thoughts
I went to my car and instantly drove away hoping the Asterea family would give me a good answer. When I checked my watch, It's already 10:57 A.M.
The snow is still the same as usual. While a glimpse from the distance I plainly see Mr. Asterea was shoveling snow to clear a pathway through his front yard, I stepped forward to greet him after I parked my car.
I take a deep breath away as I approach, "Good day, Mr. Asterea. Is it a fine day today, huh?"
"Yes and who are you? Mmmm.."
With Curious face from him , he suddenly flinches as he remembers something.
"W-wait, are you… Jack?
"It`s been a while, Mr. Asterea. How is your day anyway?"
He smiled and slowly embraced me with those eyes that were like he was about to cry, it's like a fatherly welcome who misses his son for such a long time ..
"I'm Doing fine, Jack. i must say You've turned to be a fine detective" we had a brief delightful conversation for a moment
"In any case I was just about to leave this time."
"Where are you headed?"
"Actually, today is the day of the death anniversary of my wife. I'm about to go there after I finish my chores here."
"Oh.." I already know about Mrs. Asterea but I never knew today is the anniversary of her death. my deepest apologies.
"would you mind if I come along with you? If you insist I'll drive you there."
"Sure, why not? I mean It's been so long since someone wants to come along with me and visit her."
Afterwards, I took him for a drive into the cemetery. When we arrived, he also shared with me that his wife loves white roses. I stood behind him as he put down the last thing he ever wanted on his beloved wife's tomb, his eyes filled with sorrow longing for his wife to come back once again.
"Is it just that I miss her so much, Jack."
I closed my eyes with sympathy, "Take your time."
"Nah.. I won't take it so long but even so it's painful for me to see how tragic it is what happened to my family. If only I had noticed it sooner, that day wouldn't have happened. Anyway I'm sure you have a few questions in there, Detective Jack." a shift of expression of a concerning smile of him
"Do I?" I sense he gets it to why I'm here also.
"Are you here to ask about my daughter, Yvena. You already knew the whole story, Jack."
"Even I know at all, Sir. My head is still wondering why you let your daughter stay at the asylum, not in jail."
"I can't comprehend seeing her like that in jail. I know she committed a crime that instantly killed her mother but what choice do I have? It's the only way to keep her confined, especially what's inside her. Do you wanna know what happened to my wife and daughter?" He looked away at me steadily looking up at the sky.
"I wonder why my daughter changed so fast. It's her birthday. Her mother was just preparing her lovely cake while I was in the other room wiping our family picture frame. At that moment, who would know her very own mother... She killed her without any kind of mercy. i can clearly hear my wife across the room trying to stop our darling Yvena but she suddenly stab her multiple times with the knife with no remorse , she glared at me when I was standing there, I'm shocked at why she did that its unbearable to see how my sweet young Yvena became something out of this world soak with her mother's blood"
I feel the breeze of the wind change, a bunch of crows can be heard flying away making a loud raspy sound among the trees that surround the cemetery.
A sudden voice called my name but there was no one there except us.
"Jack, would you believe me if I say this.. without a doubt I'm sure even the persecutor won't believe such a supernatural thing exists in this world , have you heard something called a demonic possession?" he looked at me being rational from the things he saw.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I know this sounds weird but you wouldn't notice the sudden change until you see it for yourself. Her voice, her eyes and the way she moves are unusual for our dear Yvena to behave like she used to, sometimes I can see her oddly distorted faces in the reflection through the mirror. i just knew she's not my daughter anymore. I've disregarded everything I saw but not to mention I had endless nightmares ever since she was with us. I know I'm a bad father because I'm the one who put her in the asylum. I'm still not sure if I did the right thing or not."
"Sir, you did what is best for her sake"
"Thank you Jack"
He reached his hand inside his jacket and presented me with an unfamiliar card.
"Here take this, I believe this person will help you a lot more than me. I'll take my time here"
I was curious about what I obtained from Mr.Asterea but one thing in my mind is that I'm certain I can find what I'm looking for.
"Raul..."I look at it and wonder what kind of person he is.
After that, I said my farewell along with a condolence to Mr.Asterea, he was still standing there in front of his wife's grave waving back at me as i left. I got home after that visit ,brewed my black coffee in the kitchen and thought a lot about the occurrences while I'm waiting. I turn on the TV and take another observation of the video from the Playwrite to see where they act along with my brother, Yvena, and their friends.
A lot of questions are coming through my mind. I sat and laid down, especially what Mr.Asterea meant to say about a moment ago, my perception becomes even deeper asking myself every time. How come Yvena does that to her very own mother? Is it a mental problem? Furthermore, we have a demonic Possession. Should I believe such an unholy thing exists in this world? or Should I call this person Raul? the chances are, this will get me closer to the truth.
I snatched my phone and dialed it, but unfortunately, no one answered.
Over scrutinizing causes me a little drowsy, feeling like it wants me to go to sleep.
"Maybe I should take a nap for a bit." Just then I woke up.
All of a sudden my phone rings repeatedly, 57 missed calls from
Mr. Frederickson.
"Should I answer it? I already obliged that I'm not interested in that case."
I answered the call. "Good day, sir."
"Where have you been?! I thought you were already dead"
"What is going on right now?"
"Did you know it's already been 3 days since you got missing and didn't answer my call? What happened to you?"
I yawned and disoriented what he meant "what do you mean I'm missing out in 3 days?? Sir we just had a conversion yesterday about the case like I sai--"
I was about to finish my sentence when suddenly
"Jack it's about Catherine, she is now at the hospital".