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. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4J0e4Yj3i
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. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Iqo18ddcP
"Is that from dad?" Em asked, chewing with her mouth full. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNoDileRC8
"No," I answered, as I read the short letter over and over. "It's from the Children of Balance."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQb4ZJCwbW
"What?" jumped Aunt Inara, who almost choked on her tea. "I don't believe it."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4w0AuYxxr
I showed her the letter and her eyes widened. "What do this even means, Bugsy?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxvlbVz9lE
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndSYaIewpe
"That's not good," Grandma raised her concern. "They're probably threatening you, Bugsy."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvMA7Vy6XM
"Shit!" I cussed. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZZSKj0tHq
"We have kids here, Bugsy," Aunt Inara scolded. "Besides, you're supposed to show a good example as an older sister."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIlHGgo2nL
"I know, aunty," I groaned. "It just slipped from my mouth, that's all."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGIE4hnTXH
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunOfdDvBvk
I reached for my coat and school bag, only for Aunt Inara to grabbed my hands. "You're staying home, Bugsy."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh38D38dgLz
"Wait, why?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YEpKEEOQe
"You'll be safer here."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhydtMrOav
"But I have school," I let go of her hand and hurried to the door, but she blocked my way. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdkGxV0Jfd
"Then I'll tell Mrs Woods that you're not feeling so well."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM23qNo2AY0
I raised my eyebrows. "Isn't that lying?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaZEcthshm
"Yes," admitted Aunt Inara. "But it's for your own good."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw5PJkdoUH
"It didn't do any good when you didn't tell me about the Unseelie Court, or the Reservoir Devil."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLseE44ivs
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?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TpL8qRKnT
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.'622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4MY7b3mJH
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFxhhdnSJT
Private investigators, I read. What are they doing here?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0vQdnqyuc
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. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoreViinb6
"I'll have the croissants as well," the tan-skinned lady asked. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFZFYbff2J
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. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdRoEQVlBY
"Are you Meredith Tan?" 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu8h0pf80v
I nodded. "We're here about the Children of Balance so we'll appreciate if you cooperate with us."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZ9JLx0iym
"Yes, sir," I obeyed. "But you can just call me Bugsy instead."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPnsg7PmYh
"Okay then, Bugsy, " he smiled. " I'm Marshall and these are my brother and sister, Henry and Joy."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhCjCtu7fu
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"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrUsBgd26p
"Can you tell me everything about your encounter with the Children of Balance?" he questioned, crossing both his legs together.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G0KYXv52f
"It's complicated, Mr Henry."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwXmSvw3EN
"I've seen complicated things throughout my career, Bugsy. You can tell me anything."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KDSL2HhBH
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. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8zATNEW56
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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEY36kZhp5
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfsTQjFS6l
"And the dirt road led you to the abandoned cabin?" said Mr Henry, in a confused tone. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRafCV2L0g
"It led Naomi to the cabin, actually."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkdeRGR1i8
"Who's Naomi?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjonQhrGQB
"My best friend."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3NwjnSJhq
"Alright, second question. How did you know Malcolm was murdered and not killed himself?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaIqwbRlAX
"I talked to his spirit."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbDMnnnifr
"Okay then," Mr Henry tightened his lips. "How did you find the commune?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnSZjLz3bm
"My friends and I were led by the will-o-the-wisps," my voice shook. "I know I sound insane but-"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguPxNCbO66
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUq9WP2Xng
"Okay, Mr Henry," I sighed, in relief. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNi4SxWYBb
"Next question," he announced. "Where did you do your research?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEfqoalS6K
"In the archives right next to the public library."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5Ernz6WTn
"Were you alone?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DodoOrUdC
I shook my head. "I had help from Grandma and Ferdinand."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcIQmnQRI1
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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d6d4Ugz0R
Grandma chuckled. "No need to apologize, young man. You can continue with what you're doing. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoESYNA28Si
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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51boG8c3cu
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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fGbh4nBx0
"It means I interfered the Children of Balance's plan and now I'm being targeted," I interpreted. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbMfq2ViH9
Mr Henry chuckled. "You're a smart girl."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rAuxfPj8C
I brightened up. "Really?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOBIH0r4uv
"But a little naive to realize there's a double meaning to this proverb."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iViQyt4OY
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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDzw3ALt6I
I nodded. "Yes, sir."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuosrAzyyI
"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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a3ZuLX7B7
I nodded again. "Yes, sir."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCgufXHDso
"Based on my hypothesis, what is your conclusion?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0v6fESRFX
I tilted my head upwards as I scratched my chin and stared at the ceiling. Good god, I pondered. What is he even asking?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgViFoyOmSR
Ting, Mr Marshall's pocket watch chimed. It's been five minutes. Looks like I'll have to bullshit my way through. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPDIWOJgUm
"Someone's snitching on us?" I guessed. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyTpiXpTLq
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZwwUIKv0s
"But who would've known about our investigation?" asked Grandma, in a shaky tone. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiu7YtB07s
"We're not sure," Ms Joy shrugged. "But we're about to find out the truth, sooner or later."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GgdjUS1kA
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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6VhOXPxG4
"Who hired you?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiChKnjLeGE
"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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCidBtBJTC
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAaJbNA1Om
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06Uk5j1IaW
"Hello, Bugsy," replied Nathanel. "Hope I'm not bothering you."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSIKr8cFbg
"How did you know my name?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5jUmPUI4P
"It's a small town, Bugsy. Everyone knows one another."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlutPLTO4C
"What did you want, Nathanel?" I clenched my other hand into a fist.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyinIETFSpJ
"Didn't your aunt teach you how to address an elderly man?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3PbGV6VMg
"Well, quit stalling and tell me what you want, you monster."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJtlF1P8Mq
"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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjSpifYH8i
"I'm fine," I faked a smile. "It's just some guy from school, that's all."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj9yPbO4OM
"Are you sure, Bugsy?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S0BLsJJNL
I nodded. "Yes, Em. Now let's get back on our cartoon, shall we?"
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