With a quilt blanket wrapped around me, I opened the frozen mailbox with my bare hands, making my fingers numb. As I took out a crimson envelope, I quickly went back inside the warm and cozy house and headed towards the dinner table, where I was greeted with hot tea and toasted bread with homemade jam. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mf0CW7ajw
I took a bite of my toast as I unsealed the envelope and unfolded a letter inside. Curiosity killed the cat, I read silently. From, Children of Balance. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzMjj1tgrx
"Is that from dad?" Em asked, chewing with her mouth full. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqMw4yQNUY
"No," I answered, as I read the short letter over and over. "It's from the Children of Balance."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEZDchlrjX
"What?" jumped Aunt Inara, who almost choked on her tea. "I don't believe it."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK54T0jyEb
I showed her the letter and her eyes widened. "What do this even means, Bugsy?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcO8i1VuKGo
"From what I learned in English class," I recalled. "It's a proverb which means being curious about other people's affairs will get you in trouble."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpaLMqRv1B
"That's not good," Grandma raised her concern. "They're probably threatening you, Bugsy."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVMZO1zIIj
"Shit!" I cussed. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pB26guhMW
"We have kids here, Bugsy," Aunt Inara scolded. "Besides, you're supposed to show a good example as an older sister."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbiK84dBmD
"I know, aunty," I groaned. "It just slipped from my mouth, that's all."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25HJPu2Ph3
"We must make a police report," warned Grandma as she stood up and slipped on her beige loafers. "We don't know what will they do to you."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQz1SGXWxF
I reached for my coat and school bag, only for Aunt Inara to grabbed my hands. "You're staying home, Bugsy."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTvBuKF93m
"Wait, why?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeii7ijUjw4
"You'll be safer here."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzPe6Lor6x
"But I have school," I let go of her hand and hurried to the door, but she blocked my way. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ztdLsCpm2
"Then I'll tell Mrs Woods that you're not feeling so well."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxcbIGxw6R
I raised my eyebrows. "Isn't that lying?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgL0zWuZl8
"Yes," admitted Aunt Inara. "But it's for your own good."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GKfqUqnpe
"It didn't do any good when you didn't tell me about the Unseelie Court, or the Reservoir Devil."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY61kzwcKXS
But Aunt Inara dismissed my argument and escorted Grandma downstairs, making me lie on the sofa and pulling my hair with both hands. Why does Aunt Inara always think hiding is okay?588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRfgImG8jt
I stretched myself on the sofa, cleared the plates and cups from the dinner table and washed them in the kitchen sink. My brother, Carter, who stood behind me, dragged me to his room and showed me a picture book, 'Alphabets.'588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2FnThrGvR
I sighed and sat him down beside me and opened the book as I demonstrated how to use pronouns for each letter of the alphabet. As he learned the alphabet with me, I heard a knock from downstairs. I lifted Carter on my shoulders and headed towards the front door and saw two men with fair skin and a tan-skinned woman in suits. I pointed a closed sign hanging at the glass door, but they showed their business cards.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEeKVorboT
Private investigators, I read. What are they doing here?588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73KayYQatX
I unlocked the front door and escorted them to their seats. As I faced them, Chaeyeong approached us and asked for their order. "We'll just have coffee," said the man with a light beard. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrstBc9bIq
"I'll have the croissants as well," the tan-skinned lady asked. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TITphBpce
As Chaeyeong left, the jet-black haired man adjusted his seat and looked at me, as if he was the interrogator. "Can I help you?" I implored. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XxoBWysa7
"Are you Meredith Tan?" 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P4YwG625m
I nodded. "We're here about the Children of Balance so we'll appreciate if you cooperate with us."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvxnjCiI0t
"Yes, sir," I obeyed. "But you can just call me Bugsy instead."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aYK0f31qC
"Okay then, Bugsy, " he smiled. " I'm Marshall and these are my brother and sister, Henry and Joy."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6nLBKPBDw
I shook hands with all three of them as their coffee arrived with Joy's croissant. Mr Henry thanked Chaeyeong as Joy placed a recorder on the table and pressed the red button. "You may begin your questioning, Henry"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9S0dvFmo9
"Can you tell me everything about your encounter with the Children of Balance?" he questioned, crossing both his legs together.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs0FjwnIiF
"It's complicated, Mr Henry."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY2r33gxMP
"I've seen complicated things throughout my career, Bugsy. You can tell me anything."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9fyLKPU7m
I took a deep breath and told them about Malcolm's abandoned cabin and how the Children of Balance threatened to shoot us if we came back there. Then, I recalled about the events at the commune, where I disguised as one of its members and infiltrated their meeting, where I learned a terrible conspiracy to kidnap and murder someone. After that, I continued the part where I did my research and predicted the date the murder happened and the number of Children of Balance's victims. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZcgsCsWqi
I stopped there as I got up and poured myself a glass of water to freshen up. As I sat down again. Mr Henry asked me another question. "What were you doing at the abandoned cabin?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUeaOvGYmB
"In Slaborough, we have a tradition where during a teenager's birthday, we would walk on the dirt road with your friends going wherever the road leads you."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJPszqhWxv
"And the dirt road led you to the abandoned cabin?" said Mr Henry, in a confused tone. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9oq1n4zc3
"It led Naomi to the cabin, actually."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyhwjYhbUp
"Who's Naomi?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4pu5RtoJx
"My best friend."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMoh7rWiFr
"Alright, second question. How did you know Malcolm was murdered and not killed himself?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAdZch27mo
"I talked to his spirit."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPNZuLxMSL
"Okay then," Mr Henry tightened his lips. "How did you find the commune?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooE8gBQFbL
"My friends and I were led by the will-o-the-wisps," my voice shook. "I know I sound insane but-"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpOMRAr19u
"I believe every word you say, Bugsy," he assured me. "Besides, what you just told me is nothing compared to what I've seen before. I've encountered worse events during my time as a private investigator."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW50OWNXba
"Okay, Mr Henry," I sighed, in relief. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnireotZ9e
"Next question," he announced. "Where did you do your research?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyS6huXNDt
"In the archives right next to the public library."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnK94wpTDp
"Were you alone?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY3i7E6HWL
I shook my head. "I had help from Grandma and Ferdinand."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWukYLzgSb
Just as Mr Henry wanted to open his mouth, the front door was burst open, revealing Aunt Inara and Grandma. Henry stood up and greeted them, apologizing for any inconvenience. "I am conducting an investigation regarding the Children of Balance," he declared. "And right now, I'm questioning Bugsy here since she's the key witness, madam."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYVoyMAuzb
Grandma chuckled. "No need to apologize, young man. You can continue with what you're doing. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM140UbUaYi
She sat down and relaxed her posture. Henry sipped his black coffee and placed his cup on the table, crossing both his legs. "The last question, after the whole incident, did you receive any letters from the Children of Balance?"
"Yes, I did."
Aunt Inara gasped as she searched through her black handbag and took out the red envelope I've received earlier in the morning. "This is the letter Bugsy received from the Children of Balance," said Aunt Inara. "It was a short one, but I hope it'll help you, sir."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9LO7NGnVQ
She handed the letter to Marshall and showed it to his older brother and sister. "Curiosity killed a cat," Ms Joy read. "Do you know what this means, Bugsy?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mG602LAY2
"It means I interfered the Children of Balance's plan and now I'm being targeted," I interpreted. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tSvEBYSc3
Mr Henry chuckled. "You're a smart girl."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTj4M8yUeg
I brightened up. "Really?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrgQJSpftb
"But a little naive to realize there's a double meaning to this proverb."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpveKBLd4PY
My smile turned into a frown as he leaned towards me, without taking up my space. "Logically, when you infiltrated the cult, you only knew their plan to murder someone, is that correct?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVrLgpRKmG
I nodded. "Yes, sir."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJY7c46Tim
"But when you, Ferdinand and your grandmother did your research, you correctly predicted Martyrs' Fest, which is on the 20th of January and how many victims did the Children of Balance, is that true?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAiRqM8jyI
I nodded again. "Yes, sir."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxn35If5akG
"Based on my hypothesis, what is your conclusion?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTpqYxG1nL
I tilted my head upwards as I scratched my chin and stared at the ceiling. Good god, I pondered. What is he even asking?588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0vAVpNCZh
Ting, Mr Marshall's pocket watch chimed. It's been five minutes. Looks like I'll have to bullshit my way through. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu85pTWujf
"Someone's snitching on us?" I guessed. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVofMqptHNF
"That is correct," Henry was taken aback by my answer. "Someone knew you were looking for answers about this cult and threatened you to stop."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2Hfs6IrOy
"But who would've known about our investigation?" asked Grandma, in a shaky tone. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFcAZy12VA
"We're not sure," Ms Joy shrugged. "But we're about to find out the truth, sooner or later."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEhoWE2JRB
As they stood up, I opened the front door and led them outside, thanking them for everything. Mr Henry gave a nod with his fedora and headed towards the snowy streets when I called out his name. He stopped and turned towards me. "Anything else, Bugsy?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAuNLUUEIW
"Who hired you?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgss1SU4AY
"Mayor Yearns hired all three of us," he answered. "He complained that the police in Slaborough refused to believe that the Children of Balance existed, therefore, he gave me a call."
"But their pattern of murder and kidnapping were consistent. How can they deny that the Children of Balance existed?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6ojY49Zr1
"Not all police have strong integrity, Bugsy," sighed Mr Henry. "They're humans after all and like everyone else, they can be easily influenced by an outsider. It's nice meeting you, kid. Hope I can see you again."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs57NWjp3G
Later that night, my sister and I erupted with laughter as we watched a cartoon mouse fall and form the shape of a square when suddenly, the yellow telephone rang. Em lowered the TV volume as I picked up the phone. "Little Owl Coffeehouse, what can I do for you?" I said, in a cheerful tone.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUeX14sGUE
"Hello, Bugsy," replied Nathanel. "Hope I'm not bothering you."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3a59OV43T
"How did you know my name?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh7YekZi3j
"It's a small town, Bugsy. Everyone knows one another."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRJ0Xi7xZ7
"What did you want, Nathanel?" I clenched my other hand into a fist.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcdTl1Z6gb
"Didn't your aunt teach you how to address an elderly man?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNcsEtVRxm
"Well, quit stalling and tell me what you want, you monster."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvqeSmnPnq
"Tell those three private investigators to step down or else-"
Before he could finish his sentence, I slammed the handset down as Em stared at me, with her mouth covered. "Are you okay, Bugsy?" she asked, with the cartoon running in the background. I can't let Em know about this. It'll put her in danger.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkCDmxZcvg
"I'm fine," I faked a smile. "It's just some guy from school, that's all."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RCApjnrOl
"Are you sure, Bugsy?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub7KwQ7LMS
I nodded. "Yes, Em. Now let's get back on our cartoon, shall we?"
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