HORIZON 1.1

Part-28

"Where have you been when I've needed you the most?" Shiva said as he approached Karn in the bustling marketplace at the heart of Hope City.

The market was always teeming with activity, from small vendors to large businesses. With hundreds of ferries selling and thousands of people buying on those ferries, it was practically impossible for a vehicle to navigate through the crowded market, so people had to use teleportation pods to get there.

"I was out of town for a few days," Karn replied, focusing on selling peanuts, the only food that humans still preferred in its original form.

"Why didn't you respond to my messages?" Shiva asked, trying to squeeze in next to Karn.

"I had to go out to get supplies. It's not easy to get into Hope City," Karn explained as he opened a hidden compartment in his ferry.

Karn then discreetly showed Shiva the narcotics hidden at the bottom of the compartment.

"I'm not interested in that. There are more important things happening in the city. Do you know what's going on?" Shiva asked, avoiding looking at the narcotics.

"There's been a child abduction. You were close to finding the kid yesterday. Why are you so interested in this case? And you weren't even invited," Karn said, closing the compartment.

"Really? How do you know all this? Is there any device you've hooked on me?" Shiva asked, starting to check himself.

Karn chuckled. "Don't worry about it. I know more than you think. I know about the mayor's mistress and many other secrets about important people in the city."

"I get your point." Shiva sighed, feeling exhausted from Karn's revelations.

"Why are you getting involved in this? Your life is going well now. You've made a lot of Jules from the mayor, whom you also apprehended. Why are you so interested in a missing child case?" Karn inquired, placing a cone filled with peanuts in Shiva's hand.

"When there is something I can do and my name is also involved, I cannot simply sit idly by and do nothing."

"Very well, how can I assist you?" Karn stated.

"I require those supplies first," Shiva said, pointing to the narcotics.

"Ah, so I assume you are seeking me out for the supplies," Karn chuckled in response.

"No, but I still need it."

Karn discreetly passed it to Shiva. "The price has increased. I am now charging twice as much."

"What?"

"Do not panic; my business thrives because of customers like you. Besides, acquiring this stuff is no easy task. I had to pay a higher price for it," Karn promptly replied, closing the compartment.
Reluctantly, Shiva transferred the Jules to Karn.

"Thank you; if you require more, please inform me in advance."

"I informed you that I was seeking you out for another reason."

"I understand," Karn said, shifting his focus to Shiva. "Information. What do you wish to know?"

"I need to acquire more knowledge about ghosts."

A customer who had just arrived at the ferry overheard Shiva and exclaimed, "Ghost."

"We are working on a movie. You need not worry about it." Karn handed him a cone and dismissed him. "So, you still believe that a ghost is responsible for everything occurring in the city?"

"It is impossible for someone to survive for a hundred years and carry out all these events in such a methodical manner. I have seen pictures. Even the pictures are beyond what we can understand," Shiva stated.