Thirteen

A missing person, huh. This type of case never really disappears whichever world you are in. And 23rd July? Wasn't that the time when we got into a carriage accident? Cedar Street too, we just went there last night. Interesting! It made me feel like I'm somehow related to his disappearance though I know that I'm not.

I shoved the topic at the back of my head. I deem my sleep more important than his whereabouts at this moment. Well, does that make me a heartless person? I leave that to your imagination. It's not that the situation will magically change just because I put more thought into it. I'll leave his case to those who can actually help.

And just like that, I drifted into my most anticipated slumber. I was only awakened by someone shaking my shoulder. Slowly opening my eyes — squinting them several times. And a young man with coffee-brown hair and tan skin was what greeted me. It was none other than Haru. That one colleague of ours who believes in ghosts.

"Haru?"

"Adrian told me you were here so I volunteered to pick you up. Mr. Alec called for us so I'm guessing there must be a request." he said.

I sat cross-legged on the mattress, staring at him. My head was still muddled from sleep.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"It's almost one." As he said that, I heard my stomach growl. Only then did I realize that I skipped breakfast and lunch. I'm famished.

"Goodness! Did you even ate, Mr. Jack?" he asked as he reached for his breast pocket. And from there, he took out a packet of "sillynuts". I learned that this snack was popular these days. They're basically just mixed nuts coated with salted caramel and were then shaped into small rectangles. "Here, you can have this," he offered.

"Thank you."

As we were walking towards Mr. Alec's office, I realized that I liked him more than the other two — Alicia and Dominique. I even think we have a chance of getting along somehow. Not to mention he was quite good with conversation.

"Say, Mr. Jack. Tell me about your night patrol. Did something happen? Did you meet some ghosts?"

"It was fine. And no, we didn't meet one. It was boring if I were to say." Except maybe for those weird paintings and that one time at the maze garden. Aside from those two, everything was pretty normal I suppose. Yes, pretty normal. I mean… come on! We all know I was only convincing myself. Who are we fooling here?

As soon as we got inside Mr. Alec's office, we noticed a man sitting on the couch. He has a muscular build and even though he was seated, I can tell that he was tall.

"Good day, Mr. Alec," Haru greeted. I followed suit. I tried greeting the man but before I could do just that, he stood from his seat and held his right hand to us. "I'm Alviar, nice meeting you."

"Jack, please call me Jack. Nice meeting you as well."

"Hello, Mr Alviar. Please, call me Haru."

"You two, have a seat." Mr. Alec told us.

I noticed there were some changes in the office. Aside from the furniture's position, the bones that he loves to polish so much were not here. Was he tired of them already?

"Number thirteen!" Haru exclaimed suddenly while pointing his index finger at Mr. Alviar. His mouth turned 'o'. "Oh! Forgive my rudeness. I was just surprised," he said as he bowed slightly — a bit embarrassed.

"No, I don't mind. If anything, I'm glad you watched the tournament," he said shyly as he ran his fingers across his ashen hair.

I don't know but… thirteen and the name Alviar seemed to be very familiar to me. Where'd I heard them again?

"Now that you two are finally here, let's get started. As you can see, Mr. Alviar here has something he needed help with."

"One of the players told me about this agency. He said you guys will take any request so long as we pay the appropriate amount." Mr. Alviar continued. "You see, my partner, Joe Finn had gone missing for days already. And the tournament will be in two days. I don't think we will win at this rate. So I'm hoping to find someone to replace him."