"Many things in this world may not turn out as one expects. I realized this when I saw Melissa transform into someone completely unrecognizable, intent on hurting me and Lisa," Joseph said to Jason, as they sat on the balcony watching the sunlight cast long shadows across the forest.
Jason simply sipped his tea, playing the role of a listener.
"So... no matter what happens, I won't be surprised. Like that gigantic wolf, or that tiger fiercer than the wolf. I know it's because of you, you can do things that ordinary people can't," Joseph cast a sidelong glance at Jason, who remained impassive.
"Luke has decided to proceed with your plan. He will hire people to excavate the pool tomorrow," Joseph informed Jason about Luke Prescott's decision, "He has decided to pay you double the price."
"He must have sent you to persuade me. If successful, it won't cost double. If I disagree, he'll use the doubled price to sway me," Jason chuckled at hearing this.
"You're direct, but I like that, Jason. So, I skipped the first step and moved directly to the double price stage," Joseph laughed heartily, "See, some people only become more rational after tasting bitterness."
"Lisa called me this morning, I paid a visit to Elizabeth's house," Jason shared the morning's events with Joseph. There was nothing he couldn't share with him, no taboos, "In this world, there are not only werewolves but also vampires, just like in the legends. Legends become legends because they have their origins."
"So...is our world safe?" A hint of worry surfaced in Joseph's eyes, "We live in such a terrible food chain. I always thought humans were at the top."
"Indeed, humans are at the top," Jason nodded, "So...humans always find ways to deal with these creatures, just like the path people like me have chosen to follow was designed for this..."
"I get it, so...you were there, you saved me and Lisa. But...Melissa...How did she become like that? Is it related to the vampire family you mentioned?" Joseph asked.
"Yes, but it doesn't have much to do with the Gustin family. It's Thor Gustin's friends. Three bastards. They forced Melissa to drink at the bar and then took her to the woods and assaulted her. One of them bit her. They've been hiding in the basement of Laredo Gustin's place for fifteen years. I've been looking for them for fifteen years. Last night, if it hadn't been for David Gustin, I might have had to wait a while longer," Jason nodded, "They're all dead, as of last night. I paid the Gustin family a visit and sorted it all out."
Joseph fell silent.
"Jason, I want to visit Melissa's grave," Joseph suddenly said.
Jason nodded in response.
Jason and Joseph walked to the graveyard, not far from Joseph's house, nestled in the woods. The walk was short.
Only now did Joseph truly understand why Melissa had transformed all those years ago. He couldn't blame Robin Gustin and his family—they weren't part of the crime. And the three men responsible, if Jason was to be believed, were already dead, having paid for their crimes even after fifteen years.
Joseph could touch the photo on the gravestone with just a stretch of his hand. He placed a bunch of wildflowers he'd picked from the roadside in front of the gravestone, then squatted down and watched silently. Suddenly, he felt he had nothing left to say to Melissa. For fifteen years, he'd thought of himself as the biggest victim.
He had once blamed Melissa in his heart, questioning why she could be so ruthless towards him and Lisa. Even if she had transformed into a horrifying creature, had her soul changed too?
But now it seemed, Melissa was the real victim. "Lisa doesn't know about this, so... I suggest you better not tell Lisa," Jason suggested, "She won't be able to accept this outcome. For over a decade, you've been using a lie to sustain the image of her mother in her mind, then... let this lie continue! It's better for both you and Lisa!"
Joseph nodded silently, remaining quiet. He waited quietly for a while in front of Melissa's gravestone before standing up and saying to Jason, "Let's go." He had barely taken a few steps when he stopped, turned to Jason and asked, "Do humans... really not possess souls?"
"Of course, they do. Everyone has a soul, but it's difficult for ordinary people to see them," Jason replied, nodding.
"So, can I see Melissa...?" Joseph asked, looking at Jason with hopeful eyes. However, his expectation quickly faded, he laughed at himself, shook his head and said, "You said... Melissa doesn't have a soul. Because she is cursed."
"So, you should let go of the past..." Jason didn't try to persuade him further. After saying this, he said nothing more.
The two of them were both somewhat silent on the way. After a while, Joseph asked, "What about the situation with Luke?"
"Let him come by himself."
Although Jason didn't like Jason Luke Prescott, he didn't mind helping him out. After all, it was a form of spiritual practice.
Joseph quickly relayed the message to Luke Prescott, who promptly arrived at Jason's house. Although he felt a bit awkward, he had no choice but to humble himself, "Mr. Jason, I admit... I made a mistake before. But please forgive me, I'm just... a very superficial person."
Jason didn't hold back, nodded and said, "First, find someone to dig up the bottom of the pool, then call me, and I'll come over. You do this first."
Jason's instructions were not disputed by Luke Prescott, who immediately went to arrange it. Jason turned to Joseph who had accompanied Luke Prescott and said, "Why don't you come with me to take a look?"
"Of course, why not!" Joseph also laughed.
He was keen to see Luke Prescott's cautious demeanor after being put in his place.
While they were talking, a Chevrolet SUV pulled in. Joseph looked at it and said to Jason, "It's Mr. Kote's car. What brought him here?"
Indeed, it was Mr. Kote's car. Upon arrival, Mr. Kote and his wife Sana got out of the car and walked up to Jason's front steps. Seeing Jason stand up, they nodded at him.
"I'm very sorry..." the first words Mr. Kote said were, "I initially wanted to make a phone call, but I thought it would be better to come personally... Thank you very much for everything you've done, Mr. Jason."
"Please, sit!" Jason gestured to Mr. Kote, inviting them to sit on the patio. The four of them sat around a table. Joseph was about to leave, but Jason gestured for him to sit and wait.
Mr. Kote glanced at Joseph, then at Jason, and with a straightforward expression, he hesitated and said, "I had to come to say thank you. I don't want to leave this place. I've lived here for many years, as did my father and those before him. Last night's crisis was the biggest I've ever faced..."
"I also don't want you to appear so abruptly in front of people," Jason nodded and said, "So, in order to maintain the peaceful life in this town, I did what I did... not entirely for you and Gustin family."
"I know, anyway... very grateful," Mr. Kote said, taking out a check for five hundred thousand dollars from his pocket and placing it on the table, "We thought for a long time, we believe... this money, we shouldn't..."
"It's yours, just take it." Jason shook his head, "Remember, from now on, you're just ordinary people and not part of any werewolf race."