HORIZON 1.1

Part-14

Karn arrived, dragging his ferry towards Shiva.

"There's chaos in our city. There's a killer out there, and he planned to kill someone tonight."

Karn joked, taking a seat next to Shiva, "You're just sitting out here in the open with our soul, staring at a lady's apartment."

"I am appreciative of your quick arrival. I'm assuming you've watched the killer's video. You want to say something about this?" asked Shiva.

Shiva's soul Ron started pacing the playground enthusiastically.

"Trust me, I spoke with every ferryman in this city. We have nothing at all. Either this man from the video is very smart or he's very technologically advanced. He is totally undetectable," Karn said.

"What about the weapon he was carrying? Have you ever seen anything like this before?"

Shiva gave him some pictures of the weapon Nayak was killed with.

"How he managed to do it is beyond me. To operate in Zone, all new crafts must be registered. And for a weapon that has the ability to kill, I doubt that you will ever be able to register it."

With disappointment, Karn shook his head.

"What if this weapon is assembled?" Shiva stated it emphatically.

He was examining all facets and points. He needed to be stopped. Shiva mumbled.

"Here, you might be right—the weapon might be put together. However, it violates the fundamental law of Zone, which states that nothing, not even weapons, can kill humans. The weapon may have worked on souls, but those who died were humans. Nothing can harm human bodies except the cremation chamber," said Karn.

"However, he violated the rules. He killed Nayak, made a video, and properly posted it. What if someone is killed by him tonight? He must be apprehended," said Shiva.

"Perhaps he is just a chancer—an imposter. And your ghost theory is true. People have been disappearing mysteriously. The cause is still unknown." said Karn.

"This isn't possible. I have seen Paranormal report. There was a pattern in it. a gap in time. If you mean ghost, then it should have happened next year."

"Maybe the pattern isn't working. Maybe the ghost was always in the city. Imagine he's still in the city." Replied Karn.

"Has anything odd ever caught your attention in the zone? Any mysterious activity that can't be defined by science. Are you able to fetch me anything? Any proof or records that have ever documented the existence of ghosts." Shiva asked.

Shiva was experiencing a headache. He was not in a healthy state. He had become weak as a result of his constant nightmares and his unsuccessful investigation.

"If there are ghosts in our Zone. Someone must have sensed the presence of any ghost in this long history of Zone." Said Shiva.

"Only the Old-man with the hat can give you this kind of information."

"Who?" asked Shiva.

"We call him Old-man with the hat. Like us, he is a ferryman, and he's very hard to find because he always changes his face. He is also called the keeper of history. He knew some fascinating hidden facts about Zone that were never revealed to citizens."

"Would you mind introducing me to him?" Shiva enquired.

"That's not possible right now. I haven't heard anything about him in a while. He's very weird and demanding. Take my word for it and avoid him."

Karn left his place when he saw a woman from the dance academy coming towards them.

"Yeah, she did see us. I'll let you know if I find anything."

Karn left right away.

"So, he's your friend. I also brought him some coffee. Why did he leave?" asked the woman as she handed Shiva a cup of coffee.

Ron dashed towards the woman and began circling her happily.

"Ron, my boy, I am also happy to see you." The woman said, caressing Ron's head.

The woman's soul cat appeared from the academy and ran towards them.

Ron and the cat started playing. They were ecstatic to finally meet as old friends.

"What are you two talking about? I observed that you two were having a lengthy conversation." woman asked, sitting next to Shiva.

"His name is Karn. We've known each other since the day we were synchronized to Zone." Shiva answered.

"He might also be providing you narcotics."

"No, he is my informant—a ferryman." Shiva said, defending himself.

"Please don't tell me lies." The woman nudged Shiva. "I know you better than you know yourself."

She moved closer to Shiva. Their bodies touched.

Ron ran up to the woman and took a seat beside her. Ron is curled up on her lap.

Cat jumped up on Shiva and started to go around his shoulder.

"How is your investigation going?" The woman asked, her hands lovingly caressing Ron.

"I'm not sure where I am. In my life, this is the most intricate case. I have no hope of solving it."

Shiva looked stressed.

"You'll also solve this case. You always do."

She turned Shiva towards her and gave him a kiss while tenderly holding his face in her hands.

"Please take care of yourself. I watched Killer's recent video. He again takes your name."

"You shouldn't be out. I care about you," said Shiva.

"I'm with you. Why should I be worried when you're here?" She replied, smiling.

"Thanks," Shiva replied, amused.

They sip their drinks silently for a while, exchanging no words.

"What will you do now?" Taking the glass back from Shiva, she asked.

"Wait until I find a link. I am, however, under police protection. I shouldn't stay out either." Shiva said while standing.

"I like that you came; I really needed that kiss." The woman replied with a sweet smile.

"Thank you for the drink." Shiva smiled back and then turned to go.