Finding Darkness

Chapter 20

The next morning, I awake with an urgent knock at the door. I open my eyes sleepily and look out the window. Still dark. I check the time. Five o'clock. I get up wondering what anyone could want at this hour. I reluctantly get out of bed and stumble downstairs. I open the door and find Edward standing there with his fist poised to knock.

"There was another murder," he says grimly, putting his fist down. 

That snaps me awake. "Another one? Man, there must be a psycho running around." I'd tell how it might be Black Mist, but I can't. Not after his ominous warning.

Edward nods. "Perhaps. Anyways, wake your partner and come with me."

"I can't. He's recovering from something that happened yesterday."

He curses softly. "What happened?"

I shake my head. "I promised not to tell." Another lie, but okay.

Edward sighs. "Alright then. Come with me."

We walk to the murder scene in silence.

Who is it this time? Somebody we know? Some complete stranger? I sigh. It could be anyone.

When we get there, the house has been burned down with only one body among the rubble, just like the last time. I take a closer look, straining to see in the early morning light. As far as I know, I don't know this person. Then again, I didn't recognize Maria the last time this happened. I should tell Cathy and Astral about this. Maybe one of them might know this person. I take a closer look. It's a guy this time, and he's not as messed up like Maria. Judging by his hoodie, ripped jeans, messy hair, and worn old sneakers, this guy was about seventeen when he was alive. I notice a white corner in the right pocket of his hoodie, and I take it out.

I study it. Nothing unusual about it, but I'll take it back to my house to examine it further.

As I walk back, Edward calls, "Where are you going?"

"Home," I answer. "I'll come back later with the others." Can't promise I'll do that, but whatever.

When I reach my house, I have no intention of sleeping. It's too early in the day to be thinking about that, and with the information and image of the guy still fresh in my memory, I don't think I'll get much rest anyway.

I enter and make my way upstairs. I reach Astral's room and creak the door open a little, just enough so I can Houdini my way in, and I silently close the door behind me.

"Astral," I whisper. I walk over to him and shake his arm, covering my hand with the blanket. "Come on, buddy, this is urgent!"

Astral opens his eyes, revealing his two different colored irises. Gosh, I can never get over those mismatched colors! "What?" he groans.

I sit at the edge of the bed, pulling out the letter. "There was another murder. I found this note when I went to check it out." I hold out the envelope.

Astral sits up painfully and holds out his hand. "Give it to me."

I give him the envelope, suppressing a smile. Those were the exact words he said when this whole thing started. "It isn't addressed to anyone as far as I can tell."

He suddenly freezes, the envelope clutched tightly in his hand. "Yuma, dispose of this immediately."

"Why?" I lean over and look at the unopened note. The only difference I can see is words that say, "To whom this may concern" in black, dripping letters. Nothing mysterious about that besides the fact that those words were never there.

"Just do it. I already know its contents." Astral winces and clutches his side wound at the motion of handing me the letter.

"Alright," I agree dubiously. "You sure?"

He nods.

I get up. "Okay. Try to sleep."

Astral gives a short laugh. "Sleep. I have not been able to do that for days now. The only thing I can hope for is my mind shutting down."

I leave the room without another word. Astral hasn't been able to sleep? Or even go into his trance? Why didn't he tell me? Then again, I wouldn't know what to do about it.

I sigh inwardly and walk around the house arbitrarily. He's been keeping things to himself lately. He won't even tell me why he's here, though that's been going on for two years. Oh, well. We all have secrets. I stop wandering and go to the kitchen. I stop again. What's the message Astral fears? I carefully take open the envelope and take out the note.

It reads, "You are now condemned."

Huh? I read it again. Huh? I don't get it. I throw it into the trash, still very confused.

I open the fridge to get something to eat. I scan the inside, hoping for something good. I grab an apple since I don't really have much of an appetite. I eat it quickly and go into the living room.

I flop onto the couch and think about what that note meant. You are now condemned? Is it some kind of joke? But, Astral seemed afraid of it. He didn't even open it. I sigh. Guess I'll have to ask.

I see something blue-ish zip into the room. Transparent hands grab my vest, and the white and orange eyes stare into mind. "You read it," Astral says, a small quiver in his voice. "You opened the note, and now the curse is out."

"U-um, yeah. Why?" I glance at Astral's vacant yet fearful eyes.

That fear turns into defeat as he sinks to the ground, for once willingly touching the floor as he just sits there. "N-no. You should not have..." He clenches his hands into fists. "That was not meant to be..."

Suddenly, I understand what Astral's trying to say. It was an actual curse for the one who opened the letter. "So you mean that I'm cursed now? And it wasn't even meant for me?"

Astral nods slowly. "There is no way out of it." His eyes level with mine. "You are now condemned." He passes out again.