21-Day Riddle ✯ Gogol x Reader

The Before

"You were used to being disappointed and that's why you got desperate, right? You looked the other way as soon as it benefited you."

You sit inside your office in the sky, the sun glowing with deep amber rays behind you as dusk approaches, illuminating the faces of the men standing before you now accusing you of fowl play inside the company you run. Chin up and shoulders down with a practiced calmness in your gaze as you stare at the men questioning you for what you are sure is the millionth time today, you give them a sweet smile and shake your head in response to their words, tapping a pen loosely in your hands against your desk softly.

"No, but I'm sure you are the ones getting desperate if you are still wasting my time in my own office after I've already told you what I know"

"A man causing problems under a division in this company that would directly affect your relationship with the government conveniently disappeared 30 days after he was assigned to you. We've heard from those that work close to you that you're a woman with...a lust for power, per say. You have the motive, he was a threat, wasn't he? Surely you don't get a position such as yours so young without breaking some rules."

"Officer, with all due respect..." You sigh, setting the pen down and clasping your hands together on your desk, frustration sprinkled across your gaze just enough to come off as simple annoyance to anyone watching, giving you the advantage of looking like any innocent person would feel being questioned for longer than necessary.

"...please leave. You are doing nothing but making false accusations without any real proof. I know many question my authority, but I've been under a hot spotlight for long enough to know how I need to behave. Yes, he was problematic, but why would I sabotage myself? Maybe he should have been more careful with who he made deals with, don't you think? Because I think this means we are done here."

Come on...believe the act.

"Fine...but we have one last question, please cooperate a bit more...Miss [l/n], do you by any chance have an ability?"

I do.

But that is no business of yours.

"No. That would be in my files wouldn't it? So why the question?"

Silence falls in the room as you lock eyes with the police in front of you, the air tense after you answer their question without hesitation, glances being shared amongst the two other men behind the chief in charge of the case present.

"No reason. Just rumours then. You should be more careful Miss [l/n]...an ability user unauthorized and involved in such things would be quite the scandal. Thank you for your cooperation."

"...Of course..." You nod as you get up from your seat, leading the men out of your office and opening the door for them, smiling as they walk into the halls of your building and waving, only closing the door once they are completely out of your sight.

Where did I go wrong?

As soon as you hear the door to your office lock, your hand stays grasping the cool metal handle as you lean your forehead on the wooden door, breathing uneven and your heart pounding loudly in your ears. You feel fear and frustration clawing at you as you replay the encounter with the police, the way they were so careful in noticing any irregularities in your speech like sharks smelling blood in the water, ready to charge at the first sight of weakness; you were being watched more than those with the usual doubts surrounding your position did...and with your secrets, too many questions could be a threat to the life you've built.

It's my fault. I did it too soon.

I haven't been careful enough with my ability.

An ability of greed called 'Dead Souls', you have the ability to see others' souls and read them as long as you are in physical contact with them. You can only read one soul at a time, and once you've touched a person you can choose to "mark" them, like a deal. The more favours you do for the person you have touched, the more accurately you can read their soul, their name slowly being inked on to your body. After a month, the process is complete and they become yours. You can sign their name away and have them do anything for you, a single command. Even kill them, as you often do, though then their voices haunt you and often times deteriorate your mentality. Different souls have different values, but you've never been particularly picky. A soul is a soul.