Chapter 9: The Visitor Behind the Door
By the time Lu Ze finished reading an entire issue of the "Tingen City Upstanding Citizen's News," Cecilia had already fallen fast asleep. Her head rested on Lu Ze's shoulder, and she let out soft, even breaths. However, she seemed to be sleeping restlessly, her brows slightly furrowed, and her youthful face carried a hint of worry that didn't match her age.
Lu Ze carefully moved her body so that she was fully lying on the soft sofa bed, then he couldn't help but yawn himself. There was no clock in the lounge, so he didn't know the exact time, but he estimated it was probably one or two in the morning. After all that commotion, he was also a bit sleepy.
"You can sleep for a while too; staying up late isn't good."
Luo Yao suddenly spoke from behind the newspaper. To avoid disturbing the two sleeping people, she kept her voice very low.
"Okay, thank you."
Lu Ze also whispered, "Sorry for disturbing your rest."
After all, the other party was responsible for protecting him, so she definitely couldn't sleep.
Hearing Lu Ze say this, the newspaper in Luo Yao's hand moved down, revealing her face.
What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?
Lu Ze was a little bewildered.
"It's fine, we don't need to sleep at night," Luo Yao said, a slight smile appearing in her indifferent eyes.
Don't need to sleep? No wonder they're called Sleepless.
"Then I'll trouble you."
Since that was the case, Lu Ze no longer stood on ceremony, climbing onto another sofa bed and lying down fully clothed.
Sleepiness slowly crept over him, and he closed his eyes.
At the same time, on a certain street in Tingen City.
"According to Klein's divination, Haynes Vincent, like Siris, is a Sequence 9 Secrets Supplicant, so the danger level isn't high. Our priority is to gather clues."
Inside the moving carriage, Nighthawks Captain Dunn Smith said to his other team members, "When we get to his house, I will control him, and you will search the rooms."
"Haynes doesn't know Siris is dead yet; he's probably sleeping soundly right now," Leonard said with a laugh, "When he wakes up and sees us, his reaction is sure to be interesting."
He clasped his hands behind his head, leaned back in his seat with his legs crossed, a posture of extreme nonchalance, forming a stark contrast with Frey, who sat upright and had a cold demeanor beside him.
"What if he's cautious and didn't leave any clues in the room?"
The Corpse Collector asked in a hoarse voice.
"Then I'll enter his dream," Dunn said calmly, "There, he can't lie to me."
Upon hearing this, the two Nighthawks nodded in unison. Indeed, as a Sequence 7 Nightmare, their captain was already one of the strongest Beyonders in Tingen City; dealing with a Sequence 9 was no trouble at all. He was even very cautious, bringing two team members for support in such a situation.
It seemed that Haynes of the Aurora Order, upon encountering their group, had no other outcome but to surrender and honestly provide information.
"By the way, Captain, what do you plan to do about that Luze Longdaoer?" Just then, Leonard suddenly changed the subject, asking an unexpected question.
Dunn looked up at him and said:
"According to past practice, survivors of Beyonder incidents can return to normal life after the case is closed; we only require him to keep it a secret. But he—"
"But he's special, right?"
Leonard laughed.
Unexpectedly becoming a Beyonder, and a highly dangerous Secrets Supplicant Sequence at that, there's a risk of losing control. — For such a ticking time bomb, it's unthinkable to simply release him. Although Luze Longdaoer was lucky enough to remain clear-headed after becoming a Secrets Supplicant, and the Nighthawks wouldn't purify him, he would likely still be under surveillance for the rest of his life, living very restrictedly.
Thinking of the handsome young man in the straitjacket and the strong young woman protecting him, both so young, destined to live such lives for the rest of their days, the people in the carriage felt a bit regretful.
"Is there no other way?"
Frey suddenly spoke.
"Of course there is," Leonard laughed, "For survivors of incidents, besides returning to society, don't they have another choice?"
"You mean joining us." Frey hesitated, "But is that compliant?"
"That depends on how we communicate with the Holy Cathedral."
Leonard looked at Dunn.
Frey also realized, turning to look at the captain.
Under their expectant gazes, Dunn Smith pondered for a long time, then slowly said, "A Secrets Supplicant who believes in the Goddess and stands with us is very rare. Moreover, joining the Nighthawks could also serve as daily supervision — if we report it with such a reason, perhaps we can persuade the Holy Cathedral to keep him."
It was indeed a good reason.
Upon hearing Dunn say this, Frey couldn't help but nod secretly, and Leonard even clapped his hands, smiling and praising, "As expected of the Captain, to think of such a good idea!"
The atmosphere in the carriage lightened, and for a moment, it seemed even the carriage itself became much lighter, turning a corner and arriving in front of Haynes's house.
"Alright, enough with the small talk."
Dunn shook his head, "These matters can wait until later; now, let's focus and successfully apprehend Haynes, that's the most important thing!"
"Yes!"
The three Nighthawks immediately adopted the posture of professionals, stepping out of the carriage and quickly and silently infiltrating Haynes's residence.
The night was deep and boundless.
Lu Ze awoke from a restless dream and slowly sat up.
Looking around, his sister was not beside him, and the two Nighthawks were also nowhere to be seen. He was the only one left in the lounge, with a pile of newspapers scattered on the floor.
Where did they go?
How long did I sleep?
Why hasn't Dunn returned yet?
Anxiety and confusion swept over Lu Ze. He stood up from the sofa bed, clutching his head, and walked towards the door. Sleep seemed to have done nothing to alleviate his fatigue; his head still hurt terribly, and a sharp, buzzing noise rang in his ears, gradually growing louder.
The sound was... crying.
Sharp cries, like those of women and children, desperate wails emitted after enduring torment.
Accompanied by the piercing cries, a more muffled and sickening sound echoed outside the corridor, dragging, viscous, as if a heavy body was crawling, writhing, slowly approaching the lounge room. As it moved, its filthy, defiled body left long, foul-smelling bloodstains on the floor.
The eerie sound grew louder and louder, then abruptly ceased.
It stopped behind the Door.
"No one's here."
At Haynes's residence, Dunn looked at the messy bedroom, his brows tightly furrowed.
"The other bedroom is also empty; his wife and child are gone," Frey's voice came from the second floor, his cold, hoarse tone tinged with confusion, "Is his information that well-informed? He actually fled with his family that very night."
"If only that were true."
Leonard emerged from the basement, his face very pale, "Captain, there are traces of a ritual having been performed down there. The scene is very bad—"
Dunn scanned Leonard's pale face, then keenly noticed that his shoes looked a bit off, seemingly stained with some unknown source of bright red liquid.
As if understanding something, Dunn's eyes suddenly narrowed.
Stopped