The figure finally stepped into the light.
He was a middle-aged man. He was average in height but broad-shouldered, with a thick mustache and tired, old eyes. He was wearing a wool charcoal-grey double-breasted greatcoat that reached down to his knees. A dull brass badge gleamed faintly on his right side chest and an eagle was engraved at the badge's center. His dark trousers were tucked into polished black leather boots, and a thick belt cinched his waist.
Even a fool would recognize him by this look. He was a policeman.
He raised the lamp higher and said, "Hey! Who's there?"
The sound cracked through the air like a whip.
Ray suddenly froze after hearing the policeman. But before he could even think and open his mouth, Rose suddenly spun toward him.
"Wha—" was all Ray managed to say before Rose grabbed his collar, pulled him down, and pressed her lips against his.
Ray's eyes shot wide and his mind blanked out completely. "What the—"
Rose's hands slid around the back of Ray's neck, her fingers trembling but firm, holding him close. Ray heard the echo of his own heartbeat hammering in his ears.
The policeman's lamp fell on them and illuminated their silhouettes against the wall.
He blinked once, twice, and then sighed heavily. "Oh, these kids…" he muttered.
"Hey!" he called out again, his voice was gruff but amused. "Leave this place after you're done, alright? Otherwise you'll get me fired from my job!" That was all what he said. Such an irresponsible officer.
Without breaking the kiss, Rose lifted one hand and gave him a lazy thumbs-up, still keeping her face hidden from view.
The officer grumbled under his breath, shook his head, and turned away. His footsteps faded down the hall, the light from his lamp shrinking until it vanished completely.
Only then did Rose slowly pull back.
Ray was breathing fast, but he tried hard to not show it. His chest was rising and falling faster than before. He blinked, his mind was still trying to piece together what the hell just happened.
Ray and Rose just stood there for a moment, their eyes met in the dim light that flickered from the burning body behind them.
Rose smiled faintly, a small, tired curve of her lips that somehow still carried warmth. Ray hesitated, then for the first time since this nightmare began this dumbass managed to give a genuine smile. It was such a soft smile.
Rose turned away, her eyes fell to the flames. The body was now half-consumed, the air became thick with the acrid stench of smoke and burnt flesh. Her expression hardened. "The smell's starting to spread," she murmured. "We should leave before someone else comes."
"Yeah…" Ray replied quietly, his eyes were still on her. "You're right."
But before he could move, something happened to him.
The world flickered like a broken film reel.
And suddenly, everything was gone.
Ray saw a small and old room. And a book was placed on a table, its cover was black and leather-bound.
But this time, the symbol wasn't a flower. It was a jester, drawn deep in crimson colour.
Suddenly, the book started to tremble, its pages were fluttering like it was alive and then, slowly, it lifted off the table like it was floating.
And then..
Ray's consciousness suddenly snapped back like a rubber band.
THUDD!!!
His body jerked, and he fell backward. He crashed onto the cold metal floor.
"Ray!" Rose's voice broke through the haze and she dropped to her knees beside him, panic was clearly visible across her face. "What happened?!"
Ray's breathing was uneven, his eyes were wide and wet. His hands were trembling and clutching at nothing.
"The book…" he managed to whisper, his voice was cracking and trembling just like a child. "I… I want that… the book…"
Rose stared at him for a second, she was confused. "Okay, okay, calm down," she said softly, brushing her hand against his face. "We'll get the book. Alright?"
A tear slid down Ray's cheek. His lips were trembling as he spoke, barely able to hold himself together. "I don't know what's going on… I'm not feeling okay… everything's fucked up… I'm not feeling okay..."
He was on the verge of crying like a kid, but he somehow managed to maintain himself.
Rose didn't hesitate, she pulled him close and wrapped her arms around him tightly.
"It's alright…" she whispered, her voice was trembling just a little. "It's just the situation… it's not you. Everything will be alright."
She buried her face against his chest, and for a brief moment, they both just stayed there, holding on to each other.
Rose slowly pulled back and she looked straight into Ray's trembling eyes, her expression was firm, but soft around the edges.
"Let's get that freaking book," she said, her voice was quiet but filled with resolve.
Ray blinked like a stupid and trying to catch his breath. He nodded and pushed himself up as Rose stood.
"Alright," he breathed out, his tone steadier now, though his body still felt like it was shaking inside.
Together, they turned away. The fire behind them painted their shadows long against the walls.
The flames hissed and popped, swallowing the last of the body in silence.
Moments later, when the smoke began to thin. Out of the faint orange glow, a boy stepped into view. He was the same boy Ray had seen standing by his door before. His hands were tucked deep in his coat pockets now.
He stood before the burning body and tilted his head slightly as the firelight shimmered across his face. For a moment, he just watched the body burn.
Then, he just smiled. It was very absurd according to the scenario.
"How romantic," he murmured in a calm and almost affectionate tone, his voice was blending with the whisper of the flames.
And just like that, he turned his gaze toward the path Ray and Rose had taken.
The boy took one slow step forward, his shoes were crunching lightly against the scorched floor. Then, he pulled one hand out of his pocket.
He stopped in front of the burning body, the heat was curling the air around him. For a brief moment, he simply stared like he was investigating something.
Then, he exhaled and moved his hand lazily.
The flames absurdly trembled and a sharp, unnatural sound split the silence.
Then, suddenly, the body and the fire both vanished. Only a faint burn mark remained on the floor where the flames raged.
The boy lowered his hand again and his gaze was fixed on the empty space. He just smirked afterward.
"They left many clues," he said quietly. Then he slid his hand back into his pocket, tilting his head just a little.
"Jay Smith would've found them just by looking at the scene," he said. Then, a soft chuckle escaped him.
There was something undeniably strange about him.