Family of Exorcists (part 2)

After he closed the box, Uncle Deve then began asking more about my school life. I told him some stuff that has happened ever since I last met him, which was last year. While talking, Nico could only listen in. And sometimes, I even brought him up for the fiasco during the past two days.

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Yeah… I've only known him for two days, and I have brought him to meet one of my relatives…

It felt very much like I'm actually dating him or something. No complaints there, but… feels a little weird.

I realized that if we talked any longer, Nico might feel uncomfortable since he was mostly left out. So, I ended the talk early and bade farewell to both Uncle Deve and Aunt Linda.

"Thank you, Uncle. Thank you… erm, Aunt."

Nico said while bowing at Uncle Deve, not knowing that Aunt Linda is actually behind him waiting by the exit. Aunt Linda was laughing, but Uncle Deve could only smile softly. Beforelong, we exited the house.

"Say… You never told me who that old man really was to you."

Nico suddenly asked once we were outside the shop. We are now walking back to the main road outside so we can order another online cab, and Nico asked me during the walk. I laughed for not realizing that tiny detail and quickly began explaining.

"If you're wondering, he isn't related to me at all. We had no blood relation, but he was already like my uncle.

When I first got this ability, I was like a lost child. I know nothing of the world, and I was very afraid of the floating ghosts around me. Even seeing a peaceful spirit already got me peeing my pants."

"O-Oh…"

"So, a friend of my mom then introduced Uncle Deve to me and my mom. He was a rather popular exorcist around this area, and he was always known to have been successful in getting rid of any problems like possessions or that kind of weird supernatural stuff. But, when I visited him, I didn't have any issues at all.

I wasn't possessed, and I don't really have any supernatural problems. It's just that I was forced to enter the supernatural world because of this ability, and I was rather shaken at the time. Uncle Deve still helped out with that, and he helped introduce me to the realm of the dead.

He taught me to not be afraid of the peaceful spirits, when to be careful around them, and what kind of ghosts are there. Basically, all the knowledge I have currently came from him."

"He is like your 'Master' in all mystical stuff."

Nico guessed, and I nodded with a grin. After explaining, I realized that we had arrived at the main road, and it's time for us to order up the cabs. The two of us ordered on our own with our phones, taking us to our homes. After we are done ordering, we're just waiting in front of the alley for the cabs to come pick us up.

"And Aunt Linda, she…"

Nico suddenly remembered Aunt Linda, and I explained to him again.

"She was actually a better exorcist than Uncle Deve. When I visited them for the first time, I saw Aunt Linda in the house simply clinging to Uncle Deve. I ended up helping the two of them communicate, since it was impossible for Uncle Deve to talk to her. Uncle Deve can only 'sense' Aunt Linda's presence, but he can't see her nor communicate. I helped them with the latter."

"I see… your ability really does come as a gift in that situation, right?"

Hearing him being so positive, I grinned wider.

"Sure, do. Ever since then, I've been coming to that house frequently as if it was my cousin's house. I feel more comfortable there than in my own house, after all."

"… What's wrong with your house?"

Ah… shoot.

I said something I wasn't supposed to say.

As if timed perfectly, a car appeared from the corner turn and stopped right in front of us. The window to our side was opened, and the driver called out a single name.

"Nicolas? Any one of you is Nicolas?"

Oh, it's not mine.

"Here!"

Nico raised his hand and turned to me.

"Sorry for… asking that. That was a dumb question."

Wah... He even realized that.

I didn't even show any expression on my face. He just noticed the sudden silence and quickly came to that assumption.

He is so... considerate.

"It's fine. There's nothing wrong with it. Go, I'll see you tomorrow."

"So, you're not distancing yourself from me again?"

Ah… he even remembered that.

"Just go, damn it…"

Nico laughed widely and began entering the car. He and the driver talked for a bit about the destination, and the car finally took off.

Now, I'm just left alone.

'What a nice boy.'

Suddenly, I can hear a voice coming behind me. I turned around and spotted the invisible Aunt Linda floating behind me, smiling. I chuckled at her and turned my gaze back to the road.

"He is far too nice."

'I knew you'd feel like that. He was loved by many, wasn't he?'

"… Too popular, even."

'I see. Well, word of advice? No need to feel so unfit around him. After all, you are also a beautiful girl.'

Was it really that obvious…? Haha.

She probably heard what Nico said just now, about how I wanted him to be away from me. I knew Aunt Linda was trying to cheer me up, so I giggled and smiled wider at her.

"Thank you… I'll keep that in mind."

'No problem. Here comes your ride.'

Aunt Linda said while turning towards the road, and another car stopped in front of me. I approached the back door and opened, and the driver confirmed that it was me. After a little conversation, I entered the car and waved my hand at Aunt Linda. She waved back at me, and the car started moving.

Aunt Linda is a special kind of spirit. Some humans who lived their lives dealing with supernatural stuff, they have the capabilities to control even their supernatural abilities after death. But if categorized, Aunt Linda can be counted as a naughty spirit. It was very unfortunate that she died when giving birth to Jay. But, even after death, she can still be a part of their family.

And I'm just someone who barged my way through their family and became a part of them. After all, my own family was… quite troublesome. At least, in the earlier days.

The cab took me to my house, and I got out of the car without paying. The payment was already done using an online payment, so there was no need for me to pay him again.

As the car left the house's perimeter, I walked up to the front gate of my house and opened the lock with my key. The house wasn't really that large, but it's good enough to hold two people.

It's a single story house with a ceramic roof. The gate is black and wasn't really that tall, meaning that safety wasn't exactly what we focused on. Inside the gate, there is no garage for a car, but there's enough space for one motorcycle to park. But since there's no motorcycle, we just use them to hang our laundry.

I walked to the front door right next to the laundry stand and opened. I noticed that the front door wasn't locked, so I just went inside and closed it after.

"I'm home."

I announced to the house before closing the door, and there was no reply coming from inside. I continued going in and arrived at the living room. From the amount of piles-o'clothes, it seemed like Mom was doing laundry today.

I found her sitting on the floor, ironing some clothes that came from the pile next to her. Her thin body was only covered by an old red dress from many years ago, and she turned her tired face to me.

"Welcome back. Where did you go again, today?"

She must've noticed that I am coming home later than usual again. Yesterday, I came home right before sundown, which was so late since school ended three hours before that. And then, today. Any parent would worry that something was going on with their child, especially at my age.

"I went to Uncle Deve's. I had something that I wanted to ask of him."

"Oh? Are you trying to curse your boyfriend?"

"I told you... He's not my boyfriend."

Yesterday, I explained to her why I came home so late. It was because I had to accompany a friend with his supernatural issues. I wasn't really lying, because Nico does have an obsession on anything supernatural.

And when she heard that it was a boy, she became very ecstatic.

"Do be careful, honey~. All boys ever think of is how they can bed you."

Yikes… But, I wouldn't say she's completely wrong. Otherwise, Dad would be here right now.

"Yeah, yeah… Ah. Uncle Deve also offered me a job."

Hearing that, Mom turned her eyes back to me again.

"R-Really??"

"Yeah. Exorcism. He said he was getting old, and… It's about time I use this ability for good, after all."

Hearing me mentioning it, Mom turned away completely and became silent. As soon as I saw her do this, I understood what was going on inside her mind.

She must've felt guilty. After all, she was the reason as to why I even have this ability in the first place.

"It's okay, Mom. If anything, we should be glad that this thing can actually be good for something."

I said to calm her down, and she nodded without even turning to me.

"Yeah. I'm thankful. But, I'm worried that it might mess with your school."

"Uncle Deve said he will make sure the schedules aren't messing with my studies, so even if I have a group study or curricular activities, he will make sure to adjust the schedule."

"I see... That's wonderful. Still, don't let your focus be split into two. School is still your main responsibility, not work. Grades come before money, hear me?"

"Yess~."

Well, as annoying as she sounds, she is still my Mom in the end. Even though I'll be helping her with money, she is still being strict on school stuff. I guess that's what it means to be a good parent, huh?

But, she wasn't always like this. At least, not nine years ago.

She learned to be a proper mother through the hardest way possible, after all.

Nine years ago, right when my parents had just divorced. I was only six years old, and it was the beginning of when I started having the ability to see ghosts.

One of, if not, the worst experience that I have ever gone through.

Nine years ago, I got into a coma…

None other because of her.