The Mysterious Painting: Re

Part I. The Case Is Still Ongoing

(A/N: This story may be read independently but you may try to read the mysterious painting first to know more about the painting's curse and Hana Winslet which they will be talking about later in the future chapters.)

"Hey, are you the one tasked on the mysterious painting case?" Veron asked while standing on the hallway of our workplace while busy adjusting her tight white long sleeves.

The clothes was thin enough for you to see her vivid black brassiere. I gave her an affirmative nod. She went on my table which has a wooden plywood with a plain dandelion color beside me that separate my place on the other and sat at the chair next to me.
It was my "seatmate's" chair lazy enough to put it back at his damn table.
Her soft black hair bounces as she move her chair closer to mine— to see the pictures on my computer. Her eyes somehow sparkling, she really wanted this kind of job.

We are working in an unusual job, you could say we are guys in black ties. Have you heard of that? No probably. To put it simply, we are responsible for those jobs men in blue can't solve. And what could that be? A mysterious painting that kills every person that sees it.

Actually it was figurative, you may say this painting chooses its victim. It was located in Western Ohio, around five kilometers away from our department. This report was sent by Police Officer Sherrington. He told us that he thought it just was a massive hoax, a negative way of advertising a museum but it turned out to be real. It wasn't plausible at first but eventually when the victims drastically rose they did not fake for a stiff neck and check the area. There was nothing wrong with it and the killer painting was now forbidden to display and put it in a secured area. That was the end of the report and now here I am figuring something that might help me in this mysterious case.

"Hey, do you need a partner for this? because I am well pre-" "No one ask." I interrupted her because I can tell where that would end. She pouted, it was cute but no.

Veron was 4'11 around my shoulders with a killer body. Most men tried to hit on her but her infamous "Sorry. I'm not ready for that." line was pretty used this past few days. She loves coffees, all kinds. And if my memory is correct she like expresso the most.

Her dark brown hair complimented her complexion which is a bit rosy and white.

Anyways this story is not about her. It was past night in the evening and it's pretty dark outside, I got my tie on and composed myself. I brought papers and put it inside the case on my table. I also brought pen and the pictures and slid the report paper I got and went out for a walk. I went inside the elevator and pressed the first floor. The door is about to close but a hand stopped it which startled me. It was her. I remembered her walking away when I was closing my computer.

"Why didn't you waited me?" She asked with a sulky tone. I didn't bother to answer, but I did anyway when she intended to pour the coffee on my suit.

"It was my business and not yours Veron, damnit." She went inside and went to my side and pressed the first floor as well.

"Why are you clinging on my business by the way?" It was a soft tone, I'm not mad I'm just annoyed because it's been a year since I talked to a girl and this girl is a bit importunate. Sorry for the word.

"Because it was interesting to solve, you know I read a lot of books involving with the occult or a mysterious and macabre stories." She replied gleefully. I rolled eyes. She giggled.

"You know what, you always act like a girl in her period." I gave her a death glare. "It was not funny, hamster." She didn't spoke after that.

After a couple of seconds the door finally opened and we went out of the building.

"Are we really going to the place right now?" I nod. She touched her chin using her pointing finger and her thumb.

"So it means we're not going to sleep?" she asked again. I nod again.

"If you don't want it you are free to go-"

"I'm in! I'm in!" She said with a high pitched voice.

It was vexing. I gave her a bleak expression and open the door of my car for her and she gladly went inside lounging cozy on the passenger seat. I thought she was pissing me off but it was just me getting pissed. I went inside as well in the driver's seat and start the engine.

"This will be a long drive, no? So I'm gonna take a nap while we're on the travel okay?"
Is she asking or what? Even I tell her no she's going to sleep anyway. And what nap is she saying? she don't know that word and there's no thing such as nap on a Veron Evergrand. I watched her close her eyes before I travel the main road for about fifteen minutes before I swerved on the road where the Salem's gate is.

It was not an unknown road but not known either, stayed on the neutral. I kicked the gas and keep the speed on fifty as I watched the trees and the darkness and considered them as my companion for the night. It started drizzling and eventually rain. The small teardrop-shape water poured on the windows of my car like a shrapnel. I decreased the speed as the rain started to storm stronger.