As preparations in Pluto Church were in full swing...
The same black muscle car, a Ford Raptor, slowly passed through the last community.
York, steering the car, glanced at Eileen sitting in the passenger seat, gripping her knees, silent and stiff from the start.
Her expression, though serene and composed, seemed somewhat forced.
York couldn't help but smile and ask, "Nervous?"
Eileen turned stiffly to look at him, only to see the priest's deep eyes shining with a wise light. She knew she couldn't hide anything from the priest.
"A bit. I'm afraid they won't like me."
Eileen's voice was soft, as if trying to exhale the nervousness within her.
York looked away, remembering the faithful followers of Pluto Church who had accompanied them all this way, and smiled,
"Don't be nervous. They are all nice people, genuinely nice, and they've been looking forward to your arrival."
Eileen looked puzzled, staring at the priest.
But York remained silent, given that he, the only clergyman of Pluto Church, was often away, leaving the followers with long-standing grievances...
Indeed, that was the case.
When the Ford Raptor arrived at Pluto Church, as they entered, all the followers bypassed York, the priest, and crowded around Eileen.
The core of their conversation could be summarized in one sentence.
"Child! You've finally arrived..."
"..."
Watching the novice nun relax under the warm smiles and friendly greetings, York glanced at Jeffrey and Beck sneaking over and then briefly surveyed the decorations and arrangements made by the followers.
A large space was cleared in the middle, with tables filled with fruits, vegetables, snacks, and other foods extending around the entire church.
The neatly arranged benches were decorated with flowers, and decorations and ribbons adorned the walls...
Simple, yet everything conveyed a genuine welcome for Eileen.
"Well done, Robert. You've worked hard."
York nodded slightly to Robert, who stood by with a beaming smile, acknowledging his efforts.
Robert bowed slightly, his smile bright.
"Father York, it's what I should do."
York patted the happy, sturdy man on the back and looked at Jeffrey and Beck who had come to the church despite being visibly tired and without rest. It was clear they needed to talk to him.
Of course, it could also be about reporting last night's events.
But this was quickly dismissed by the document bag in Jeffrey's hand.
York assumed they had something to discuss, possibly related to supernatural matters.
And that was exactly what he enjoyed the most, the more supernatural, the better.
"Officers, what brings you here today?" York initiated the conversation.
Jeffrey paused, his gaze lingering on Robert,
"Father York, may I have a word in private?"
"Of course."
York nodded indifferently, looking at Eileen surrounded by inquiring followers, and instructed Robert,
"Let me know when they're done talking, Robert."
"Of course, Father."
With that, York led the way to a small room,
"Come with me."
Jeffrey and Beck exchanged looks and hurriedly followed.
Once in the small room, York gestured for them to sit on the sofa while he took a seat in front of the coffee table.
"Was there a problem with last night's events?"
Jeffrey and Beck, who had just sat down, quickly shook their heads.
"No, Father, last night went smoothly."
York, knowing better, fixed his gaze on Jeffrey, whose dark circles had deepened,
"So, what brings you here this time?"
Jeffrey handed over the document bag he had been carrying.
"We've encountered a strange case recently and can't seem to figure it out. We'd like your analysis to see if there are any supernatural elements involved."
As expected...
Under their watchful eyes, York opened the document bag, untied the string, and pulled out the contents.
A pile of documents and related photos.
York placed these items on his lap, leaning back in the sofa chair, and began to read.
Jeffrey and Beck held their breath, not wanting to disturb the priest.
"These deaths all occurred in room 1408?"
After getting a sense of the case, York focused on the room number on the document, intrigued.
"Yes, Father." Jeffrey spoke up when appropriate.
"This room 1408 is known to those in the know as the death room. According to our investigation, these victims typically commit suicide within an hour of entering the room."
1408...
First, he noted this number. York then squinted his eyes and flipped to the next page.
"Seven suicides by jumping, four by overdose, five by hanging, three by self-harm, two by suffocation..."
Reviewing the detailed causes of death and related hotel statistics, York's mouth twitched imperceptibly.
Ignoring the varied and bizarre causes of death, his focus shifted to the key point.
All incidents occurred in room 1408 of the Sea Breeze Hotel.
A total of 57 incidents matched the total number of death cases at the Sea Breeze Hotel.
This meant that this hotel, known for its security and a 90% occupancy rate, had experienced 57 cases.
And all 57 cases occurred in room 1408.
Just this fact alone convinced York that supernatural forces were at play in this room.
In this world, apart from deliberate actions and forces that don't make choices for you but use everything around as hints, many things are not just coincidences without supernatural influences.
Besides the aforementioned, another compelling point was that adding up all the numbers of room 1408 equals 13.
York silently flipped to the next page,
In both his previous life and this parallel world, the number 13 symbolizes misfortune and bad luck in Western culture.
Not just in the public perception in the West, but the number 13 has the same implications in religions and churches from his previous life and this parallel universe.
13 harbors death.
In other words, the number 13 is associated with negative connotations due to religious and historical reasons in Western culture.
York specifically looked up the death dates and times of these 56 cases, recalling famous events related to the number 13.
The Last Supper of Jesus had 13 participants, including Judas, who betrayed Jesus.
In Genesis, Abraham's son Isaac was taken by his father to Mount Moriah to be sacrificed to God, an event believed to have occurred when Isaac was 13 years old...
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