Metamorphosis

9. Man and nature

'How did you manage to escape?' L questioned impatiently. 'Why did that investigator help us?'

Lucy sat by the campfire opposite him, consuming the food he had bought. Chewing a piece, she looked up.

'First tell me what happened to you,' she asked, avoiding the answer.

'That guy brought me your note,' L said, tossing a couple of logs into the fire. 'Told me to give you the map and then get out of town. I couldn't get anything else out of him. He just kept urging me not to get involved with you anymore, but I told him where to get off with that advice.'

He clicked his tongue and suddenly exclaimed:

'Damn cabmen!'

'Who are you talking about?'

'The blonde with the redhead. I'm sure they ratted us out. Law-abiding citizens, what can I say!'

Lucy sipped her tea, staring into space. Her eyes were heavy, and she no longer had the strength to discuss her story. Besides, she was trying to delay the moment when she would tell L that he was helping a ghost.

'It's all in the past now,' Lucy murmured quietly. 'I'm sorry, I...'

'Rest,' L understood.

Lucy wrapped herself in the blanket and fell into a deep sleep as soon as she settled on the ground.

* * *

The morning forest slowly came to life. Dewdrops on the grass and moss glistened in the sunlight, and the air was fresh and crystal clear.

The travellers prepared their food almost in silence. L waited for Lucy to begin her narrative, while she, in turn, pondered whether to involve the metanian in what she had heard at the station.

Once they finished breakfast, Lucy decided it was pointless to remain silent.

'I spoke to the investigator,' she began, and L looked up at her. 'The one who handed you the note. He told me... something strange.'

Sighing, she began retelling the conversation in the interrogation room.

L's expression grew increasingly grim, and when Lucy fell silent, he took a sip from his mug and said:

'It's rubbish, Lucy. A fabrication to hide the truth.'

'So, material ghosts don't exist?' Lucy asked.

L raised his eyes to the sky.

'No one can provide clear evidence of the existence of tangible ghosts. I've heard such stories, but they're more like fantasies.'

'You mean it's as unscientific as my abilities?' Lucy said ironically.

L chuckled.

'You're not a ghost. Those fellows usually behave strangely, performing utterly irrational actions. You're just a perfectly normal person.'

'But that would explain my abilities...' Lucy countered.

'I'm convinced the cause lies elsewhere. And one way or another, someone is involved in your abduction, and they're connected with both Meta and Earth. We need to get to the bottom of this.'

After these words, Lucy felt a slight relief. The investigator's story now seemed too implausible, although it could explain everything. Indeed, it would be completely insane to assume that she and her father were not real people.

Lucy continued her story, describing her escape and the long journey back.

L was sceptical at the mention of visiting the simulacrum, but became interested when Lucy told about the spatial warp.