Alviar’s Shadow

That snitch might probably be the only snitch that was accepted and acknowledged by all. He's crazy! What's crazier was that based on how Alviar said it, him being a snitch might've even become his honorary title. That's crazy!

But then I thought about how this world wasn't normal to begin with. Where people would even cheer as a person, a living person being burned to death in front of them. There's nothing normal here so the snitch phenomenon isn't something to be surprised of.

But now that I think about it, I find Alviar's reaction towards me weird. I don't mean it in a bad way. It's just that, I find it to be lackluster.

I'm certain that the reason why this game was called snitch was common knowledge but he didn't even show any sign of disbelief that I haven't heard about it yet. He was like this since the first time we met at the agency too.

My suspicion of him was making me uncomfortable. And that's when I thought of an idea. I'm not sure if it's gonna work but I won't lose anything if I tried.

While trying my best to be as subtle as possible, I tried feeling the thin thread of connection as the purplish particles exploded before my eyes.

I looked at his shadow but as soon as I did that, the surroundings pulsated, and a sharp jolt assaulted my eyes. But I was certain with what I saw. His shadow seemed to have a life of its own. Walking side by side with him connected only with the short extension by their feet. I'm sure it looked at me but he was kind of strangling Alviar though it doesn't seem to be harming Alviar in any way.

What the hell was that?

"Are you okay, Mr. Jack?" he asked me. That sudden jolt most probably gave me away.

"Yes, don't mind me."

"If you're feeling ill or feeling any discomfort, please don't hide it or lie about it from me. We still have a competition to win," he told me in the most detached way possible.

"Of course, I won't. This was part of the contract I signed with you after all. I don't wanna breach it now, do I?"

"That would be your decision but I hope you won't jeopardize me. Like I told you, this event is important to me," he said. "But anyway, there's nothing to do yet. Should we go to the tent?"

When he said that, I pictured the flirty glances Bella had been throwing at me earlier. And it gave me goosebumps. But then I remembered Ethan. Where the heck did he go? Should I go there again to see if he's back?

"Sure," I told him.

As much as I hated to see Bella again, and also Juan, he's giving the same vibe as Bella, I'm curious about the other participants. There's also Ethan.

It didn't take long before the mustardy tent came into our view. But a familiar figure seemed to be in there too. A very familiar figure. How could I forget him? When he was, after all, my first client. Count Norman. And his son is with him. The kid that gave me the fright of my life.

"Mr. Jack, are you really okay?" Alviar asked me when he noticed I slowed down my pace. But believe me, that was not intentional.

"Yes, let's go. Don't worry. I won't jeopardize you. I'll tell you if something's wrong." I assured him.

"Father, look! It's Mr. Jack. Haven't I told you earlier that I saw him walk this way? You believe me now?" Oliver told his father. Excitedly as a kid he was. If only I didn't know anything about him, I might find him adorable. He was the kid who has a rather… eccentric pet. It was a dog, only is that it has the face of a human.

"Hello, Mr. Jack! I've been telling father to have you visit again but he always says you're taking another job. EVERY SINGLE TIME!" he complained. "I want you to come at our manor when you're not busy anymore."

"Uhh…"

"Please?"

"I — I'm not sure.

"Pretty pretty please?"

"Oliver, you —" I was about to tell him I'm not sure if I can visit there anymore but then that was when for a split second, I caught sight of it. A dog with a human face smiling from ear to ear literally with its bulging eyes. Exactly like the drawing Oliver showed me. Only, it was thrice his height. It was just standing behind him as if guarding the kid.

"I'll try clear my schedule, I promise."