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. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D3hFRuLMl
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. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByx7JXY7WS
"Is that from dad?" Em asked, chewing with her mouth full. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh6GK5BSmn
"No," I answered, as I read the short letter over and over. "It's from the Children of Balance."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvqCkdvhOx
"What?" jumped Aunt Inara, who almost choked on her tea. "I don't believe it."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzLNctnQN0
I showed her the letter and her eyes widened. "What do this even means, Bugsy?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjGSY5vf1f
"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."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy35b09YYXC
"That's not good," Grandma raised her concern. "They're probably threatening you, Bugsy."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssjqyWD9Yz
"Shit!" I cussed. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCEw2rHFaA
"We have kids here, Bugsy," Aunt Inara scolded. "Besides, you're supposed to show a good example as an older sister."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLILSpQQeUD
"I know, aunty," I groaned. "It just slipped from my mouth, that's all."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUQsvrrXWK
"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."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqaS5apOWt
I reached for my coat and school bag, only for Aunt Inara to grabbed my hands. "You're staying home, Bugsy."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ157GHfM5
"Wait, why?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDdTHrfAIL
"You'll be safer here."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcvN7OsBBY
"But I have school," I let go of her hand and hurried to the door, but she blocked my way. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk29jdv1t6L
"Then I'll tell Mrs Woods that you're not feeling so well."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MGaTQ9YRE
I raised my eyebrows. "Isn't that lying?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRAGaHeolj
"Yes," admitted Aunt Inara. "But it's for your own good."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKuO2ZTfkl
"It didn't do any good when you didn't tell me about the Unseelie Court, or the Reservoir Devil."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFdYaPlvXQ
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?589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWitP5VFKiR
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.'589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkCiU8iDwc
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.589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywpLlCwkB8
Private investigators, I read. What are they doing here?589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxtEWq1MlG
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. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiSHNDvEfJ
"I'll have the croissants as well," the tan-skinned lady asked. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaxiZ996gn
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. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGVeezuaPe
"Are you Meredith Tan?" 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLJKinYTCX
I nodded. "We're here about the Children of Balance so we'll appreciate if you cooperate with us."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTHf2q1frS
"Yes, sir," I obeyed. "But you can just call me Bugsy instead."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfC1DxQfX8
"Okay then, Bugsy, " he smiled. " I'm Marshall and these are my brother and sister, Henry and Joy."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87WwvKgevD
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"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDiV2RXWbI
"Can you tell me everything about your encounter with the Children of Balance?" he questioned, crossing both his legs together.589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jaMGhPc5S
"It's complicated, Mr Henry."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLs6D2GUBv
"I've seen complicated things throughout my career, Bugsy. You can tell me anything."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHAxOgtzfc
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. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkpMYaD38d
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?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEstH4dr8P
"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."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4iXGGmBH5
"And the dirt road led you to the abandoned cabin?" said Mr Henry, in a confused tone. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItxZNtlm1p
"It led Naomi to the cabin, actually."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlXOzTJEzK
"Who's Naomi?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca2wd4thsS
"My best friend."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFa7C0Rfsr
"Alright, second question. How did you know Malcolm was murdered and not killed himself?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXoAZDWri7
"I talked to his spirit."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7L8y1dXGr
"Okay then," Mr Henry tightened his lips. "How did you find the commune?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi7rON2zYn
"My friends and I were led by the will-o-the-wisps," my voice shook. "I know I sound insane but-"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiix8JEhag
"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."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4piiPamD3
"Okay, Mr Henry," I sighed, in relief. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvJR0AtGin
"Next question," he announced. "Where did you do your research?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrNvwpw9el
"In the archives right next to the public library."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqqu0QLdWx
"Were you alone?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPQicmZY8W
I shook my head. "I had help from Grandma and Ferdinand."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXCP2b8xsQ
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."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7qTI5Rzmv
Grandma chuckled. "No need to apologize, young man. You can continue with what you're doing. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUBx2TSTOL
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."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JvUYXtHUg
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?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXTY8exeus
"It means I interfered the Children of Balance's plan and now I'm being targeted," I interpreted. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGakPFcUiMW
Mr Henry chuckled. "You're a smart girl."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL9j43odnt
I brightened up. "Really?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uI8N3OvdS
"But a little naive to realize there's a double meaning to this proverb."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62uZpAFKoE
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?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlzUYYXiO0
I nodded. "Yes, sir."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEClwqFRXx
"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?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LmROBcJvi
I nodded again. "Yes, sir."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRirjFMRWp
"Based on my hypothesis, what is your conclusion?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ifBKNJ7B5
I tilted my head upwards as I scratched my chin and stared at the ceiling. Good god, I pondered. What is he even asking?589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUbAE6VIip
Ting, Mr Marshall's pocket watch chimed. It's been five minutes. Looks like I'll have to bullshit my way through. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIm1b9ffNw
"Someone's snitching on us?" I guessed. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QleEKk8GP
"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."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKQ0C3lawn
"But who would've known about our investigation?" asked Grandma, in a shaky tone. 589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gzr7eli5p
"We're not sure," Ms Joy shrugged. "But we're about to find out the truth, sooner or later."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP41d6J13o0
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?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAoH7FoepY
"Who hired you?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bjVIueHeC
"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?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsqPtEiiAf
"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."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TxVnDwhod
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.589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPszr2WBzWS
"Hello, Bugsy," replied Nathanel. "Hope I'm not bothering you."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VdIMU12Bo
"How did you know my name?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXpebCavnj
"It's a small town, Bugsy. Everyone knows one another."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf46u5KJFMF
"What did you want, Nathanel?" I clenched my other hand into a fist.589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDxcIv1HSW
"Didn't your aunt teach you how to address an elderly man?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoYTjTXLmj
"Well, quit stalling and tell me what you want, you monster."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFYNIP7XQf
"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.589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiVZpUYNgO
"I'm fine," I faked a smile. "It's just some guy from school, that's all."589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nHF0JlQQc
"Are you sure, Bugsy?"589Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0NBcqj1za
I nodded. "Yes, Em. Now let's get back on our cartoon, shall we?"
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