"What a sad story." Skyler murmured.
Evelyn nodded, her voice reassuring. "I agree, and to think that it's one of the most loved stories on Keswick Island. Though it has a tragic end, there's also something positive. Instead of hating the villagers, the girl didn't let herself be tempted by her sins, and was able to go to the afterlife with serenity."
Skyler agreed with Evelyn. Such behavior could only be respected and used as an example.
"It's much better to leave your sins behind rather than to carry them with you." Skyler let out a sigh. "Also because if you carry them with you, well, you'll only end up being consumed."
"I don't know if it's true or not, but it is said that if thou pronounce the honorific line three times at midnight during the full moon, thou shall come into direct contact with her."
"Um… I don't know, but it worries me. Usually, these legends linked to mysticism carry something... sinister."
A shiver ran down her spine as she thought. Albeit the Republic of Steatha was known for high mysticism activity along with the Duskfall Kingdom, most of the activities never brought anything good other than disturbing legends.
"Not for me, but I don't think of reciting her honorific line," Evelyn looked straight into Skyler's eyes. "Think, why would we disturb the soul of a little girl just to satisfy our curiosity?"
"I don't know, maybe because we humans are driven to want to know more. Curiosity sometimes pushes us to do things that go beyond logic, that's how we are made after all." Skyler stated.
Hugging her elbows, she looked up at the sky carefree. Warmth was surrounding her as she formed a faint smile.
"Thou art not wrong. Our minds art truly unpredictable, universal I daresay." Evelyn expressed calmly.
"This is the charm of the human mind, because it's a sort of universe that contains our essence."
"'Skyly, the introverted philosopher' they should call thou. Every now and then thee come out with certain phrases that amaze me, I daresay."
"Stop it, er, you're embarrassing me!" Skyler stiffened her cheekbones. "These... are words my father said to me when I was little."
Her cheeks flushed as she pinched her right cheekbone with trembling fingers. Her heart thundered, and goosebumps ran down her spine. Evelyn looked at Skyler with a carefree and amused air, closing the distance with her.
"Thy father must've been an amazing person to have taught thou these things when thou were little." Evelyn shared in a soft voice.
"Yea. He... you know... is the most important person to me," Skyler advocated with her might. "And I won't forget what he taught me."
She could never forget what her father had taught her. For her, they were important teachings that she'd carry with her even after her death. Despite he was no longer with her, Skyler would honor everything she had learned from him, no matter what.
Evelyn rested her head on Skyler's shoulder with a soft smile, and Skyler reached out to Evelyn's opposite shoulder, bringing her towards her. The two watched as the parents took the cheerful children away from the park, silence fell on the park.
"I'm sure thy father would be happy with the person thou have become." Evelyn said.
Skyler tilted her head. "I hope so too."
"Now that thou art back in a good mood, I think I can go home." Evelyn raised her head. "Besides dance class I've to get ready because I'm leaving for Ravenport tomorrow."
"For Ravenport?"
"Yea, I have to meet the Jones family and the other Great Families for my parents' anniversary."
"I see... and how long will you be in the capital?"
"For three days, just enough time to admire the days before the anniversary, I daresay."
Skyler and Evelyn stood up from the bench looking at each other. The wind continued to blow through the air with a high-pitched whistle, and silence fell between them. Evelyn stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Skyler in a tender hug.
Evelyn sighed and said. "See thou Skyly. It was nice talking to thee today."
Whilst Skyler melted into Evelyn's embrace she could feel a sense of calm growing within her as though it were washing away all her problems. And in that moment she felt she was very close to Evelyn.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
North Borough, at Jewel Street.
While the crimson moon was bathing the terraced buildings, Skyler was walking down the sidewalk.
The light white fog was enveloping the buildings, the gas lamps dimly illuminated the streets, and the sound of passing carriages with the neighing of horses occasionally echoed in her ears.
"Evelyn is such a good person…" Skyler thought.
Just as she put her hands in her pockets for some warmth, she looked thoughtfully at the half moon shrouded by clouds.
"Beautiful ladies should not be out late at night." A deep, soothing voice rang from behind.
Skyler half-turned, her breathing became labored as a figure emerged from the fog. The figure was a medium-sized man in his twenties with a hat on his head and a gray overcoat on that gave him a touch of mystery and professionalism. He had blue eyes, and his facial features were smooth. Skyler narrowed her eyes, trying to recognize him through the mist.
"Erm, y-you are the W-wraithcrow who interrogated me this morning," Skyler said cautiously.
"Exactly…" The man's voice was calm, taking off his gray hat and holding it against his chest with his right hand. "I apologize, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Sebastian Blackwood, pleased to meet you."
Whilst extending his left hand, Skyler hesitated for a moment and gazed down at Sebastian's hand with her lips pursed as if entranced. Her mind was lost in thought, trying to remember where she heard that name.
"Mhh, is something wrong?" Sebastian asked, his brow furrowing slightly as he noticed her hesitation.
Skyler blinked, her mind snapping back into reality. She shook her head and looked Sebastian straight into his blue eyes.
"N-no! It's nothing!" She blurted out, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm Skyler, Skyler Hall!"
She reached out and clasped his hand, feeling the warmth and strength in his grip. There was something comforting about the gesture, though she couldn't shake the unease gnawing at her. As their hands parted, the world seemed to narrow around them, as though time itself had slowed for a brief moment.
"Skyler Hall, huh… very interesting." Sebastian repeated with a twisted smile.
Skyler looked at him in amazement. She felt inappropriate–embarrassed perhaps as her cheeks blushed up to her ears.
Though sensing her discomfort, Sebastian took a step forward. "Allow me to escort you home, if you do not mind."
Skyler hesitated, her nerves still making her uncertain, but she eventually nodded. "S-sure. T-t-thank you."
They walked side by side along the sidewalk, silence fell between them, and the hiss of the wind cut through the ethereal silence. A shiver ran down Skyler's spine that made her instinctively hug her arms, though seeking warmth, but the overcoat she had on wasn't enough.
Seeing her tremble, Sebastian slowed his pace, shrugged off his overcoat and gently draped it over Skyler's shoulders.
"Let me cover you up. You shall catch a cold otherwise." Sebastian said, voice soothing.
Skyler blinked, surprised by the gesture. "Uh, thank you, but… won't you get cold without your overcoat?"
She pulled the overcoat tightly around her, the rosy scent of cologne entering her nasal passages as the fabric kept her warm. She looked at Sebastian, her eyebrows wide in disbelief.
Sebastian's hand rested lightly on her shoulder, and he gave her a small smile. "I shall be fine. Don't worry about it."
"Wait… is this Sebastian Blackwood? Is it really him?" Skyler thought.
While the warmth was enveloping every limb of her body, her mind struggled to process what was happening to her. Questions, her mind was full of questions. She couldn't get it out of her head that the meeting was much more significant than it seems. Raising her head, she looked at his face which was slightly above her.
Skyler swallowed hard. "E-excuse me… you said your name is… Sebastian Blackwood. Are you… the famous detective everyone's been talking about?"
"Yes, that would be me." Sebastian turned his gaze toward her. "I'm a detective of the Wraithtcrow division."
"It's... it's fantastic! I never imagined that I would've the opportunity to talk and walk with the most famous detective in the county. No, no, I must stay calm, I can't make a fool of myself!" Skyler felt her guard slipping as she asked cautiously. "What brings you to this part of town?"
"After Ruby McDemort's death, they increased the surveillance and put me in charge of this place."
"Are you doing okay with all of it? Er, isn't it stressful or unnerving for you to wander around the district at night?"
"It's nothing stressful." Sebastian looked at Skyler, staring into her eyes. "Do you live around here?"
"Mm, yea, my house is five minutes from here."
Upon saying those words, Skyler's thoughts drifted to her home, her skull was filled with concern as her heart raced.
"I really hope Benson isn't too worried… I left the house telling him I wouldn't be long, and instead, I'm still outside like a daft." She gritted her teeth.
"Is something wrong? I see that you are worried." Sebastian touched the brim of this hat, observing her with quiet intensity.
Skyler let out a breath, forcing a smile. "No no, nothing like that. Uh, um… c-can I ask you a question?"
Sebastian smiled. "Of course you can ask."
"Well… I-I was wondering if—" Skyler trailed off.
Whilst her anxiety wrapped around her thoughts. Was it really worth asking? What if that is true? Her chest tightened and her trembled fingers curled around the overcoat.
Skyler looked at the street and said. "Well, I was wondering… if it was possible that the murder cases that have occurred so far could be linked to supernatural elements…"
"Oh, and why are you asking me this question?"
"Erm, W-wraithcrows usually work on paranormal c-cases. So far it hasn't been said in the newspapers that the cases were linked to mysticism, but yesterday… I saw Ruby… It was like the lifeblood had been taken away from her. A-and then you were there this morning, s-so I w-wanted to get confirmation from you whether it was true or not!"
"You are very perceptive, Madam Hall. Do you aspire to be an investigator?"
Skyler looked at Sebastian who touched the brim of his cap. "I—"
"You'd better give up." He interrupted Skyler and looked at her with furrowed eyebrows.
In that instant, time stopped in Skyler's body. Her eyes stared intently at the figure of Sebastian who was lit by the crimson moon standing before her. She gripped the end of the overcoat tightly as her body trembled.
Sebastian clenched his fists, and said. "We, who do this metier, are always exposed to tragedies and death. It's not a path I'd recommend to someone like you, Madam Hall."
Skyler's eyes couldn't tear themselves away from Sebastian's figure. Her body froze in place. The moon bathed them both in its eerie glow.
"Tragedies and death… what did he mean by that?" Skyler thought in aghast.
With a bad-ump, bad-ump, she could hear her heartbeat. At the same time an unsettling feeling was growing inside her, but she didn't know if this feeling was curiosity or restlessness.
Sebastian loosened his black tie a little. "Is your house far away?"
His question caught Skyler off guard, as a drop of sweat was rolling down on her back. Sebastian stared at her intently with a comforting smile and touched his neck with his right hand.
After a moment's hesitation, Skyler forced a smile and pointed at the building ahead. "My house is right over there."
Sebastian approached Skyler in one step, and gently took back the overcoat he had draped over her shoulders.
"Well, I hope you have a good evening." He bowed his head, and walked away as he put his coat on.
Skyler arrived at her home. She turned, and saw Sebastian's figure receding further and further into the fog.
Her mind was thinking of only one thing. "Something about him doesn't convince me, but I don't know what…"
Clang! She opened the front door with the key that was inside her pocket, reassured by the warmth. As she closed the door, she came across Benson standing before her. He had his arms folded with his eyebrows furrowed, and his gaze made Skyler's blood run cold.
"Skyler." Benson said, tone serious.
Skyler felt his gaze crushing her heartbreakingly. She waved both hands instinctively, her lips trembling. "I'm so sorry uncle! T-the fact is… I went out to check something, and then I met Evelyn—"
"Skyler, we need to talk." Benson abruptly interrupted Skyler, and went into the living room.
Skyler sighed, and walked nervously towards the living room lit by the candle chandelier hanging from the ceiling. She sat on the single sofa feeling her muscles tense from the cold melt.
Benson looked at Skyler sitting on the adjacent single sofa, and clasped both hands together. "Skyler, do you have any idea how much you made me worry? And this isn't even the first time you've done it."
Feeling the heavy atmosphere due to her uncle's words, Skyler looked down at her feet. "I know, I should have warned you, but—"
"Do you have an inkling that your actions are making people around you worried!?" Benson shouted, cutting off Skyler's words. "Your father, before he died, he asked me to take care of you. I thought you were different, but you act just like him—reckless, not thinking about the consequences. That's what scares me the most."
Benson's words felt like a weight crushing her chest. There was a lump in her throat, and she fiddled with her fingers. In the room there was absolute silence, and the only thing she'd hear was her own heartbeat.
"I didn't think—I didn't want to worry you." Skyler said, her blue eyes shimmering.
"Promise me you will never do that again."
Skyler intensely clenched the hem of her blue skirt, her eyes closing as she nodded. "I will be more careful."
Benson stared at her for a moment longer, then sighed. He left the living room, and walked towards the wooden stairs, his footsteps fading as he climbed.
Skyler sat alone, the silence filling the room, gripped by guilt from the bottom of her heart.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Skyler returned to her room with a plate of chicken stew in her hand. Her dark room was painted red by the moon, and she could see the black-haired man sitting in the usual corner of the room hugging his knees.
Thud! Thud! Thud! She took a few steps and placed the plate on the floor in front of the man. "Sorry, if it took me long, here's your dinner."
The man abruptly took the silver spoon from Skyler's hand and began eating with his back turned.
Skyler sighed softly. "And even today you ignore me…"
She turned, and saw her reflection in the mirror. Her face, her black hair, and her blue eyes were half-lit by the moon. Seeing her reflection and the necklace around her neck, her eyes sparkled, and a tear rolled down her face.
"Dad was just like me… at least in one thing we are alike." Skyler gently wiped away the tears that were starting to fall.
She laughed bitterly as she wiped away the tears with her wrist. She fell backwards onto the bed, covering half of her face with her left hand as she stared up at the dark ceiling.
"I didn't think dad was reckless… he always seemed so sad, even when he smiled." Skyler thought.
Looking back at her father's smiling face, she felt a pang in her chest, thinking back to the moments she'd spent with her father, and the fact that she'd ignored him despite his attempts to cheer her up. "Dad, I…"
Then it came—the memory she wanted to forget. Her father lying, surrounded by a pool of blood, her hand stained in her own father's crimson blood.
"I'm so sorry for being an ungrateful daughter." Skyler bit her lips.
She couldn't contain her emotions, she curled into a ball trembling. Tears poured down her face, wetting the bed, and snot ran down her nose, sobbing incessantly. She felt small, foolish—a child once again, broken and lost.
With her eyes still wet, she caught a sight of the black-haired man, his dull gray eyes watching her passively, indifferent to her tears.
"I'm truly sorry." Skyler whispered, her voice swallowed by her sobs, trembling like a foolish, ugly, and naive kid.