The Wailing Woman

13. Choking Jewels Pt. 1

Changing in the backseat of a car is hard. Especially with Hans pressing the brakes every five seconds and making rough turns that the car might flip. I might become a soul my-

My head rocks forward.

"Could you stop driving so recklessly!" I shouted from behind the tinted partition window.

Hans continued to drive like a maniac. I know he can't see me but I know he can hear me, the window wasn't soundproof.

I pulled down the edges of my black blazer dress, the sleeves were long enough to cover my injured hand but overall the dress fit. Black stockings covered my legs, all I had left to put on were the black platform heels with small rhinestones attached to the strap. If this was what I was getting out of our deal, pretty clothes and whatnot I had no complaints.

He is taking away my precious time then I will take away his money.

Two knocks pounded on the window, I opened the window.

"Are you almost ready?" Grimm said without looking at me.

My foot slid into the heel, "Yes but you still haven't explained anything. Why do I have to wear these clothes? I thought we were visiting the dead." I said.

"We are visiting the dead. but in order to get the dead, we must give a performance. The soul we are meeting today is the deceased wife of a private jeweler, her name is or was Amelia Pensford. I set up an in-home appointment with her husband which was very hard to get but throw in a couple of thousands and we got ourselves a consultation."

Not an ounce of pity.

"So, what exactly are we supposed to do?" I asked.

Grimm's head leaned back against the headrest, I met his eyes through the rearview mirror.

"We are going to pretend to buy jewelry but you are going to keep your ears open for Mrs. Amelia Pensford and deliver whatever message she has to her husband," His eyes became darker, "Then, I will capture her soul."

I almost forgot who he was, The Capturer of Souls.

I bit the inside of my cheek before speaking, "Where do they go? Where do you take them? I thought once you were dead...that was it." Hans picked up the speed while Grimm stayed quiet, almost hesitant to answer.

He finally spoke, "The dead are very much walking amongst us and as much as they wish to rest, the living isn't letting them. As for your question, some souls reach their peace and others..." He glanced over towards Hans, "Others get an eternity of misery."

I wanted to ask more questions but I knew at some point my questions would become personal. Grimm had met my mother and that thought has not escaped my mind, if anything it fueled my curiosity. Was she at peace? Or was she miserable? I wanted to know. It bothered me that Grimm had a full conversation with her while all I have of her are scraps.

I felt something land on my lap, a blue velvet box. I looked up to the rearview mirror, "Wear them." He said.

I sent him a glare as I said, "Whatever you say, Grimm." As I closed the window I noticed how his eyes widened slightly. I felt another ghost smile pass my lips.

My eyes looked down at the box as I opened it carefully revealing a pair of diamond earrings. They were shaped like raindrops, hanging down with precise cuts and sharpness. They were absolutely radiant and shined at any angle they faced.

The car finally came to a stop, I quickly put them on. Hans opened my door as I slid out and stepped out in front of a white mansion. White pillars held the house together, freshly trimmed bushes, and everything seemed so bright and perfect. A little too perfect.