FILE 20: A CRIME SCENE PART 3

We stopped at the huge library. There were a lot of students and the elderly coming in and out of the building. Mi-Cha followed behind as I clambered up the large steps. No one bothered us as we went in.

The place was packed with bookshelves and leading up to two floors and several hallways, this was a bookworm's ultimate dream. I went to the front desk and smiled charmingly at the lady behind the desk.

"Can I help you, sir?" she asked in a pleasant manner.

"I'm looking for the mythological and ghost stories sections," I replied softly. She blushed. My eyes twinkled. She looked so endearing with her downcast eyes. I bet she's an introvert. She waved to another librarian. I gave the lady a wink as I left, causing her face to turn red.

We were led through several hallways filled with books. The librarian bowed once she had shown us the mythological section. "Mi-Cha," I said seriously, "Look for books about spectres or entities that kidnap souls. Or something similar."

"Huh? What do you mean? Why are we looking for—" 

"Just do it," I pointed at the books impatiently. In spite of her confusion, she followed instructions.

After browsing through many volumes and feeling discouraged, Mi-Cha approached me clutching a small book. "I'm not exactly sure, but this is what you described to me."

I received the title called, DEVIANTS OF THE AFTERLIFE. I glanced at the creatures on the page. 

"One. Trickster Spirits: Deceitful beings that cause havoc. May attempt to interfere with the judgement process by misleading souls.

Two. Malevolent Deities: They seek the judgement process away in their favour or punish souls unjustly.

Three. Cursed Creatures: Tasked with carrying out punishments or influencing the fate of souls in the afterlife. Sometimes by their own desires."

"What do you think?" Mi-Cha asked at a loss. I peered at the tiny volume thoughtfully. It sounded plausible. "Hold up for a bit. I have to call a professional. Continue to look through some books in case you find something else." 

"Okay." I'm not allowed to use my iPhone in the library, but no one was nearby, so who cares?

I phoned my dad, who sounded breathless for some reason. "Hey Dad, did you go for a run?" I teased. "No. Hurry up, I'm a little busy."

"Are you with Mom?" I asked slyly. I can imagine him blushing as he snapped, "Don't be ridiculous. For your information, I'm at the gym. Now, what do you want?"

I presented the case to him, as well as the information we found in the library.

"Well Dad? Have anything for me?"

"Sounds serious. I believe you're on the proper track. Keep going and be careful when confronting them," he cautioned.

"Don't I always?" I'm an expert myself, you know?

"Just be on guard and don't play around." 

"Yeah sure," I laughed guiltily.

"So son, describe to me about this new girl, Mi-Sha," he asked slyly.

"Mi-Cha," I corrected him.

"Yes. You think she'll be a nice girlfriend?" I thought for a moment.

"We'll see. Bye Dad. Say hello to Mom for me." I hung up and returned to Mi-Cha. She glanced up as I came back. "What did they say?"

"That we're on the right track. Come on, we're leaving." She confirmed, and we returned all the books.

We were back in the car driving to her father's house. Her father must have done something that drew the attention of one of these spectres, and I first had to go to his home to find out.

She pulled up to his house and my heart jumped with jealousy. It was amazing to me that he had a house bigger than mine despite being an old man! Mi-Cha noticed my wistful gaze.

"You like it?" No, I don't. "This house was constructed during the nineteenth century. My father even replicated the traditional garden. It gives off a serene feel, doesn't it?" she smiled sadly.

"Yeah, it does," I agreed while raving inside. We walked up to the wooden door, and she unlocked it with an unusually large, rustic key. Inside gave off a stale woodsy smell.

The furniture was covered in white cloth, and there were many blank spaces. "Did you convey some of your father's things?" I wondered.

"Definitely not. In his testament he bequeathed them to the staff. The house will be put on the market next week but that's not fundamentally important," she said dismissively.

I shrugged. "Can I ask you a favour?" She peered at me curiously. "As long as it's not risky, sure." I placed two of my fingers on her tender lips and whispered enticingly, "Keep this a secret." I initiated SENSE causing her to gasp.

A few moments later I ascended the stairs, whistling softly to myself. Her reaction was delightful. She had staggered back a step before staring flabbergasted at me. "No talking to anyone, okay?" I winked.

"Wait here." I blew a kiss as I withdrew, leaving her frozen. It was so much fun teasing her. I reached the second floor and wrinkled my nose. The musty smell was becoming more distinct. 

I passed various bedrooms, however I didn't sense anything. My spine tingled when I reached the last room. Shivering, I forced myself to go inside.

I triggered LEAP and SHADOW as well for fear of an ambush. 

I stopped in the middle of the room. There by the window a figure hovered. It was a tall male who wore a pure white hanbok. His head turned a hundred and eighty degrees, and sneered.

The air was so cold that my breath turns to vapour. I stepped unconsciously backward, but he didn't react. I breathed calmly. I felt relieved that he couldn't detect me.

He rose and shuffled slowly around, sniffing the air. His long strings of greyish hair fell to his waist as he swayed. I grimaced when I witnessed his tiny shark-like teeth and pale eyes. His ghostly skin stretched as he extended an arm outwards, as if to feel where I am.

I quietly walked away from his reach and eyed his struggle. He looked abnormal. He was probably blind, and harmless, I concluded. I turned to leave when I heard a rasp.

"No more. No more!" I nearly fell in shock as he leaped at me. I jumped, disabled SHADOW and activated CLAW. 

"You bastard," I cursed as I crouched ready to attack. He snarled when he leapt again, claws flexing. I snatched the chair closest to me and threw it at him, causing him to fall in shock. 

Grinning nastily, I dashed to the dizzy ghost, punching him on the head. He groaned as he slammed against the wall.

"Mr. Nathan, is everything all right?" Mi-Cha called.

"Just peaky. Don't come up," I answered her as I flexed my sharp nails. I am proud to say they are now nearly five inches long, so my attacks will be more powerful.

"Hey, old man. Are you the one who kidnapped the owner of this house?" I confronted him. He hissed and jumped at me again. What an idiot. I readied myself and slashed at the oncoming spectre.

"Yaaargh!" he shrieked as my claws shredded his shoulder. Dark smoke poured out instead of blood. I squinted in amazement. What was I fighting? I have to ask Mars after this.

To my dismay, I heard footsteps coming from the hallway. While the ghost was still whining in pain, I quickly went and locked the door. 

"Mr. Nathan? Nathan! Open the door. What's happening? Nathan?" She tugged on the door handle.

"Nothing that concerns you. I told you to stay downstairs. Now be a good girl, and go back!" I yelled annoyed.

"But, I was worried—"

"It's fine. Go back." The thumping stopped. "Don't get hurt," she whispered as she departed.

As I returned my attention to the now glowering spirit, I discarded her presence. 

I held up my claws defensively. "I don't intend to," I replied determinedly.