Merely Existing

Chapter 15: The Trigger of A Tragedy

Blacky's POV

Sometimes, even when the physical embodiment is gone, it's presence will still linger. Be it the illusion of its image, the echo of its sound, the scent of its smell....

Most of the time, it's just the trick of a foolish heart.

And never once, had I ever, let that happen to me. Not even now.

My wandering eyes landed on the place she sat just seconds ago. A white envelope with a symbol of a golden horse which glimmered under the rays of the setting sun was left behind.

The sender of that letter was so obvious that if possible I would have liked to turn around, pretend I never saw that ridiculously elegant letter and leave it there to be eaten by crows or something....not like that would happen.

Beleth seemed to have been in some kind of daze since he didn't react at all until my hands were already upon that smooth piece of parchment and that all too familiar fragrance invaded my senses.

"She left you a letter? That's weird, she could have just..."

I held up the letter, letting that shinning symbol of a golden horse speak for itself.

"A letter from that vile blue snake?!" Disgust coloured his face again as he looked at the letter as if it was some kind of disease, "May I have the honour of burning it into ashes?"

".........." My hold on the letter tightened a bit.

Not good. I was almost tempted to give it to him.

However, a message from Claus was something you could never ignore, for it most certainly contained valuable information as he was not a man who would do anything unnecessary and pointless. Although, 'valuable' information was not necessarily pleasant either.

As I was opening the envelope, Beleth wasted no time in leaning closer so that he could look over my shoulder to read the letter too. I pondered whether or not to let him see it, the letter was addressed to me after all....but I decided I didn't really care anyway. Smoothly unfolding the piece of parchment, I let my eyes run over that elegant handwriting.

*

Dear Jacky,

How have you been? Having fun at your mother's side of the family? I'm not good with pleasantries, am I? Oh well, I better get to the point.

If you are reading this then 06 have met with you, I suppose. Ah, she is very difficult to handle and truly troublesome. Always acting independently, not listening to a word I say, unless, if it concerned you, that is. For the time being, the only mission I had given her (the only mission she would accept actually) was to bring you back to the Cavarone mansion, as you very well might already know. Of course, it is a group operation but she seems to be the unofficial leader of this mission.

However, it has come to my notice that 06's independent actions also involved researching your background. Moreover she seemed to have connected you're past with the origin of those killing puppets, Duras as you call them. Frankly, I was amazed by how much she dug up, even going as far as to visit Giverna. I dare say the rest of them are also in it to recover their memories too. Even that 05 who is most likely by your side now, would surely be tempted by this.When that time come, they will surely come to you again for all clues will point to you.

Jacky, you might not be aware of this yourself but you are partly the reason why those people are working for me as 'Duras'. Those kids, they are....hm, how do you put this....survivors? Yes, that would seem fitting. Haha, I can almost imagine you staring at me with those big silver eyes of yours while waiting for me to clarify more. Curious, aren't we?