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. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjm9hI8uEO
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. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLcU4tmU84
"Is that from dad?" Em asked, chewing with her mouth full. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid1xWdNgid
"No," I answered, as I read the short letter over and over. "It's from the Children of Balance."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3hR3BK6ae
"What?" jumped Aunt Inara, who almost choked on her tea. "I don't believe it."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjh1X2DbVUs
I showed her the letter and her eyes widened. "What do this even means, Bugsy?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VrbxQkum6
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehuDQqx6Bb
"That's not good," Grandma raised her concern. "They're probably threatening you, Bugsy."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uIvBdTug5
"Shit!" I cussed. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUQrCHPuvP
"We have kids here, Bugsy," Aunt Inara scolded. "Besides, you're supposed to show a good example as an older sister."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYMZ1KfXYl
"I know, aunty," I groaned. "It just slipped from my mouth, that's all."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHxLAxkur0
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ne2TccWc1
I reached for my coat and school bag, only for Aunt Inara to grabbed my hands. "You're staying home, Bugsy."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJSHHLUxyc
"Wait, why?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKDCXLhbLP
"You'll be safer here."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTODNdsokD
"But I have school," I let go of her hand and hurried to the door, but she blocked my way. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPESLeUI3HU
"Then I'll tell Mrs Woods that you're not feeling so well."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2hMIW9e7A
I raised my eyebrows. "Isn't that lying?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0XhvHDghO
"Yes," admitted Aunt Inara. "But it's for your own good."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARzFR0TFbC
"It didn't do any good when you didn't tell me about the Unseelie Court, or the Reservoir Devil."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4tmWlHraR
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?670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhftscspag
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.'670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikCIdoAMiP
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFClcVhsQz
Private investigators, I read. What are they doing here?670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkOxUJ40kE
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. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgHGxtik3s
"I'll have the croissants as well," the tan-skinned lady asked. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j5wO5oSIK
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. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiddpO1Vl1i
"Are you Meredith Tan?" 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVot8GwWnR
I nodded. "We're here about the Children of Balance so we'll appreciate if you cooperate with us."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd7u6qk9JA
"Yes, sir," I obeyed. "But you can just call me Bugsy instead."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxqoB98nDr
"Okay then, Bugsy, " he smiled. " I'm Marshall and these are my brother and sister, Henry and Joy."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBYO4tmv0Z
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"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4am78TZmpN
"Can you tell me everything about your encounter with the Children of Balance?" he questioned, crossing both his legs together.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi02OqUNMUd
"It's complicated, Mr Henry."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHutwfYcEcz
"I've seen complicated things throughout my career, Bugsy. You can tell me anything."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0J7eChkwD
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. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eOg71Jas0
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?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIVBqFk0Wa
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArLUkTlDpb
"And the dirt road led you to the abandoned cabin?" said Mr Henry, in a confused tone. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNxySfwuWQ
"It led Naomi to the cabin, actually."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe6mCS1Nla
"Who's Naomi?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNsxkwx0ly
"My best friend."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym9GQIg8IE
"Alright, second question. How did you know Malcolm was murdered and not killed himself?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk95nBm31dc
"I talked to his spirit."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1Xga7zhmN
"Okay then," Mr Henry tightened his lips. "How did you find the commune?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53ytgJ8RUj
"My friends and I were led by the will-o-the-wisps," my voice shook. "I know I sound insane but-"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtEXWFDzTR
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwIyn1sHFB
"Okay, Mr Henry," I sighed, in relief. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0jYLlXzUk
"Next question," he announced. "Where did you do your research?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnA9IEtpLR
"In the archives right next to the public library."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCWs5oCXbk
"Were you alone?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK6l5CBbn2
I shook my head. "I had help from Grandma and Ferdinand."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vLq1qKTd2
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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAQV4MHViD
Grandma chuckled. "No need to apologize, young man. You can continue with what you're doing. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4flrcgyiB
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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY8pFU7iwC
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?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRWLRi0GyK
"It means I interfered the Children of Balance's plan and now I'm being targeted," I interpreted. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YyB6U8nkx
Mr Henry chuckled. "You're a smart girl."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRnHTxbrPc
I brightened up. "Really?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kkrfPrXmH
"But a little naive to realize there's a double meaning to this proverb."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9df8DvjAj
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?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVozKfedcd
I nodded. "Yes, sir."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvffHQWJuFY
"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?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0gh1CTTBR
I nodded again. "Yes, sir."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4ts5gG8pe
"Based on my hypothesis, what is your conclusion?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HfLKJB2zn
I tilted my head upwards as I scratched my chin and stared at the ceiling. Good god, I pondered. What is he even asking?670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl1nHGwlgD
Ting, Mr Marshall's pocket watch chimed. It's been five minutes. Looks like I'll have to bullshit my way through. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5S06NlC7f
"Someone's snitching on us?" I guessed. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G0tje3ohO
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrIDkRQOud
"But who would've known about our investigation?" asked Grandma, in a shaky tone. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLELQlAghL
"We're not sure," Ms Joy shrugged. "But we're about to find out the truth, sooner or later."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHCdnMmcCh
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?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ270MbAY5RH
"Who hired you?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1V5y6BgPd
"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?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG0OlvNpMK
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf86URDJip
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdIHZoZAdU
"Hello, Bugsy," replied Nathanel. "Hope I'm not bothering you."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GJEivji9W
"How did you know my name?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo5kFcTJU2
"It's a small town, Bugsy. Everyone knows one another."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6TnFI0Fth
"What did you want, Nathanel?" I clenched my other hand into a fist.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fuaa4vMBZ
"Didn't your aunt teach you how to address an elderly man?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ591m0Fq7eJ
"Well, quit stalling and tell me what you want, you monster."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeG8h5vX8of
"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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i5W3VTsNJ
"I'm fine," I faked a smile. "It's just some guy from school, that's all."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJPtQu8oEc
"Are you sure, Bugsy?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhWdwjwyas
I nodded. "Yes, Em. Now let's get back on our cartoon, shall we?"
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