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. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM9WWY2JaT
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. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeScvO9sfK
"Is that from dad?" Em asked, chewing with her mouth full. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLnWW2iJUE
"No," I answered, as I read the short letter over and over. "It's from the Children of Balance."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpw7S0KMIP
"What?" jumped Aunt Inara, who almost choked on her tea. "I don't believe it."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKjnFgb9XM
I showed her the letter and her eyes widened. "What do this even means, Bugsy?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdLsY8OGoN
"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."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYICO69fyp
"That's not good," Grandma raised her concern. "They're probably threatening you, Bugsy."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgXWvjIEsm
"Shit!" I cussed. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkwXie1o4n
"We have kids here, Bugsy," Aunt Inara scolded. "Besides, you're supposed to show a good example as an older sister."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyCfiawl9W
"I know, aunty," I groaned. "It just slipped from my mouth, that's all."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs85vm7MKoN
"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."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tgke7J4j7
I reached for my coat and school bag, only for Aunt Inara to grabbed my hands. "You're staying home, Bugsy."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rWSCsIq6f
"Wait, why?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv5S9cn4t2
"You'll be safer here."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xpdm8HFu5
"But I have school," I let go of her hand and hurried to the door, but she blocked my way. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JB8zIMzN9
"Then I'll tell Mrs Woods that you're not feeling so well."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpxBM5uMoH
I raised my eyebrows. "Isn't that lying?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKy917F1wz
"Yes," admitted Aunt Inara. "But it's for your own good."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr2LzNZsyf
"It didn't do any good when you didn't tell me about the Unseelie Court, or the Reservoir Devil."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFPa01tedI
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?646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimrHz3od41
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.'646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoRMrBFplM
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.646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMO3z4Nign
Private investigators, I read. What are they doing here?646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTO4tp0jGby
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. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qHK5MPaq3
"I'll have the croissants as well," the tan-skinned lady asked. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzXmWpa8J5
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. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOuyqbRlId
"Are you Meredith Tan?" 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3NrOtjoz6
I nodded. "We're here about the Children of Balance so we'll appreciate if you cooperate with us."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOwjGxXBQB
"Yes, sir," I obeyed. "But you can just call me Bugsy instead."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusHGvplvZu
"Okay then, Bugsy, " he smiled. " I'm Marshall and these are my brother and sister, Henry and Joy."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgrnNmEKz4
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"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAdtzJH4lm
"Can you tell me everything about your encounter with the Children of Balance?" he questioned, crossing both his legs together.646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCobxcGDXo
"It's complicated, Mr Henry."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe54q08OVSR
"I've seen complicated things throughout my career, Bugsy. You can tell me anything."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftaWL1CjdX
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. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi98ANBX3qS
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?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9r1CEYfuI
"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."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAoJmqiSL2
"And the dirt road led you to the abandoned cabin?" said Mr Henry, in a confused tone. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2KtrN9Tvn
"It led Naomi to the cabin, actually."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAoG8hwsoI
"Who's Naomi?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOYfjrzmdT
"My best friend."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsd7js2pFQ
"Alright, second question. How did you know Malcolm was murdered and not killed himself?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVOvhMA9fn
"I talked to his spirit."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RKU2vplLk
"Okay then," Mr Henry tightened his lips. "How did you find the commune?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L6TiPV0OC
"My friends and I were led by the will-o-the-wisps," my voice shook. "I know I sound insane but-"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTAoaaxgyV
"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."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XA8YsAyRr
"Okay, Mr Henry," I sighed, in relief. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS6smx80Ob
"Next question," he announced. "Where did you do your research?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrGBrQtNIi
"In the archives right next to the public library."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uMTzGEnrO
"Were you alone?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKDonltLzc
I shook my head. "I had help from Grandma and Ferdinand."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhGWOFAzMq
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."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDNcssEPgU
Grandma chuckled. "No need to apologize, young man. You can continue with what you're doing. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNEm1uH7lS
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."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVPgcF8dgg
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?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV640BUhHmB
"It means I interfered the Children of Balance's plan and now I'm being targeted," I interpreted. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAKPVTOpQp
Mr Henry chuckled. "You're a smart girl."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIJnkYw9bH
I brightened up. "Really?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryDgkzEzHR
"But a little naive to realize there's a double meaning to this proverb."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuZpqQ1Ki2
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?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2XHZ7rzzX
I nodded. "Yes, sir."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf8sAC02Oj
"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?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvBg0ETz1L
I nodded again. "Yes, sir."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyx66WKAOY
"Based on my hypothesis, what is your conclusion?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7bHAxHQnO
I tilted my head upwards as I scratched my chin and stared at the ceiling. Good god, I pondered. What is he even asking?646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIvvjb8BAI
Ting, Mr Marshall's pocket watch chimed. It's been five minutes. Looks like I'll have to bullshit my way through. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZCPpwnVYw
"Someone's snitching on us?" I guessed. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllUNk0e3v4
"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."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAb0EbpO5jy
"But who would've known about our investigation?" asked Grandma, in a shaky tone. 646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKircYvYGP
"We're not sure," Ms Joy shrugged. "But we're about to find out the truth, sooner or later."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4r7yhcQKD
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?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SnnubCqtN
"Who hired you?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljeMSHgAPo
"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?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HOhP1ZNpL
"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."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKx0G4T75v
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.646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzapOjyHa0K
"Hello, Bugsy," replied Nathanel. "Hope I'm not bothering you."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfseZ84q2wA
"How did you know my name?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrikKRtMLeP
"It's a small town, Bugsy. Everyone knows one another."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCTcKiKE7e
"What did you want, Nathanel?" I clenched my other hand into a fist.646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf1nSw1WFh
"Didn't your aunt teach you how to address an elderly man?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI9ySuHMbm
"Well, quit stalling and tell me what you want, you monster."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYcKFBDOfg
"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.646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WHQC9oJ1T
"I'm fine," I faked a smile. "It's just some guy from school, that's all."646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHafCgpkYi
"Are you sure, Bugsy?"646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPObP7JARn6
I nodded. "Yes, Em. Now let's get back on our cartoon, shall we?"
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