Unique Presence

We circled the manor as soon as we got out of the maze garden. And Ethan followed us obviously. Seeing this, Alicia giggled, seemingly finding the white rabbit's behavior cute.

Meanwhile, I was racking my brain like crazy. What could possibly be the reason for Ethan to appear here? Could it be related to what happened earlier? Did he notice anything? But it can't possibly be that, right? I mean, just how strong could his senses be to be able to notice from far away.

We basically covered all of the parts in the manor, even the family cemetery. So we decided to proceed to the apartment's area. That will be the last one before we decide how are we going to go from thereon. Either we continue doing it together or do it in turns.

It was already past ten when we finished. And so, we went back to the room Mr. Logan lent us just so we can take a rest if we needed.

Alicia yawned and slumped on the divan in an unladylike fashion as soon as she entered.

"You wanna take a rest?" I asked.

She looked at me before opening her mouth to yawn once again. "No, I always yawn during night time but trust me, I'm tougher than that."

No, you definitely need sleep.

"Let's do it in turns this time. Who will go first?" Dominick asked. With how he phrased it, it was obvious that he didn't want to do it together again this time. And it seems he has already made up his mind.

"I will go!" Alicia exclaimed followed by her raising her right hand.

"You two can pair up if you want. I can go alone."

As soon as I said that, she gave me a sharp look. It's as though she was suspecting me for doing something I've no idea of.

"Uhh… Is something the matter, Alicia?"

"Nothing in particular. It's just that… weren't you injured?"

Hoy! Do you really think I want to do it alone as well? It's just that I needed to be alone with Ethan.

"Oh! No worries! Haven't we surveyed the whole place already? There seems to be no need to be on guard the whole night. Besides, this area is off limits."

"Hmm… Well, if you insist."

***

As soon as the two left, I immediately turned to Ethan who was leisurely lying on the divan—already in his human form and said, "You! What do you think are you doing?"

"What?" he said lazily.

"Don't what me, Ethan! Why are you here? And why did you show yourself up?"

"Mr. Jack, wait! You weren't perhaps thinking I came specifically for you, were you? I hope not."

I didn't answer. But instead, I looked at him with an annoyed expression.

"Fine! Fine! Long story short, while I was 'diligently' looking for the information about peculiars that you wanted so much, I found some clues and they lead me here." he said as if it was nothing big.

Wait! Huh? In Veritas Homes?

"But why did you have to show yourself?"

"Hmm… How do I say this? Let's just say that I sensed a nasty presence around you at that moment and so thought I should give you a helping hand."

"Wha—"

"But no worries! It went away already. In fact, it didn't even last for ten seconds."

What are you saying no worries? Of course, that's a lot to worry about! It was just right next to me and I didn't even notice it!

"Will it come back?"

"How would I know? It's not as if that nasty creature left me a message or anything."

"Did you recognized what that was?" I asked but he only shrugged.

"But seriously. How did you know that was me?"

"Just so you know, Mr. Jack. Your presence is VERY easy to recognize even if you're buried under a thousand people. You have an oddly unique presence."

"Why is that?"

"Eh? Weren't you supposed to know more about yourself than I do?"

Unique presence? Could it be because there is a different soul living in this body?

"Say, Ethan. Will it attract their attention?"

"If by 'their' you mean those nasty creatures then… a little more than a normal person."