On Where the Lantern Shines

Act 1: Retribution (1/5)

Chapter 1..
The Case Of Edrew Hedleye

Mal got out of the woods of Eudaemonia, after that eventful night. he felt like they learned something from that.  If anyone else found out what happened tonight, well, they wouldn't be surprised. But he was sure that everyone knew the story already, given how much trouble he caused. That's why he had tried to leave quietly in the dead of the night. He walked slowly through the woods, the moonlight illuminating the path before him.

He heard rustling and twigs snapping in the distance. He glanced in that direction to see a couple of deer emerge from the shadows. It reminded Mal of the day they found the deer tracks. It was a beautiful sight, and for a brief second, the deers events past Mal like if he were also an spirit. Which they are also used to.

He found it odd that he was able to see ghost, but animals can't see him. Their feet stumbled along the dirt and onto the small town of Eudaemonia. A large oak tree loomed tall above, casting shadow on the streets and buildings surrounding him. It gave a feeling of peace and familiarity to Mal as he walked slowly, watching the townspeople move past him in silence. He turned away when he saw them, knowing that no good would come of staying around too long, especially since he didn't belong to the town, but he did enjoy spending time here. The town square was crowded with children running wildly around, playing tag and chasing eachother around. The children's mothers and fathers chased after them, yelling at them to slow down and stop running all around the town square until everyone returned to their homes.

Mal made his way through the crowd, avoiding the children's attempts to trip him up with their toys. He kept a safe distance from the playground where he'd often play as a kid. Not because he disliked children. In fact, he adored children. But whenever he went near a child he felt strange things stirring inside of him. Almost as if there was something trapped deep within him. Something that he couldn't quite describe.

A scream pierced through the air, making Mal snap his attention towards the source, which was coming from inside of the bakery where the man who owned the bakery worked. His heart stopped if it always had been, for a moment as he watched the man get dragged by cops. A crowd forming around the entrance of the bakery, Mal got curious and looked over the crowd, clutching the lantern more worriedly but kept calms.  After searching for a minute or so, he recognized the man in the police cuffs. It was Edrew father. But how? Why is he being arrested and brought in handcuffs? What has he done? Should he even care about it?

Mal gasped silently as the scene unfolded. Edrew had been stabbed by his father, who had been drinking heavily, and had thrown him across the room, sending him tumbling down several stairs. The cops came and arrested him while everyone in town gathered in front of the bakery to find out what had happened, including Mal. But they couldn't find Edrew. No matter how many people searched the bakery, they could never seem to find him. Everyone was afraid that something terrible might have happened to him.

Everyone but Mal.

Suddenly, Mal's head snapped toward the bakery. Edrews father was being led out by the officers. The crowd of people parted to let him pass, whispering hushed words among themselves and casting furtive glances at him. As he stepped forward, he could smell the blood. He had forgotten how potent Edrews scent actually smelled. But now, after years and years of ignoring it, the memory of that horrible night rushed back at him all at once. He felt himself sway slightly on his feet, his legs giving in underneath him.

but the lantern...

It kept him sane as he was able to regain control of his body, like an ghost taking full possession of its host. Mal went through the claustrophobic crowd and went pass the policemen standing guard outside of the bakery, without incident. He was so engrossed in looking down at his trembling hand, that he hadn't noticed the policeman staring at him strangely.