Scriptum

Flesh and Bones Ghosts

They arrived at the castle with a black wooden door decorated with golden trees and flowers. The towers of the gothic castle raised with menace, if it were a clear night, Rani was sure she would have been able to see the bell towers. She could hear them play as they announced midnight.

"Thank you, have a good night." She saw Gabe giving the headless driver a few coins, and they climbed the marble stairs.

"You've changed." She acknowledges. No bitterness accompanied her voice this time.

Gabriel fixed his wool coat, "Thank you."

He walked by her side through the empty and cold halls of the palace. High ceilings, religious mosaics, tapestry, and statues were all the work of a twisted artist. Rani wasn't sure how far she was from the real London. But if she had to call this her home, she would instead go back to Lima Asylum. The petrified glare of the saints judged her, and she couldn't raise her head. The screams of Helen resurged in her head like a tumor. Pray, little girl, pray the sins of your ancestors away. Pray to God so he can take away your curse. She felt a tick on her eyes. Tears were about to run down her face. No. She couldn't allow that to happen. She needed to be reliable. I need to get over it. I need to leave it behind. She heard the dragging noise again. Rani opened her leather bag and slowly grabbed the dagger Azrael had given her. She wondered where he had found it.

"Where is he?" She asked. Rani quickly started coughing on her sleeve to conceal the tears.

When Gabe turned to her, part of his face covered by shadows, she could only see one of his dark, almond eyes. "Him? Getting himself in trouble, I guess." His tone was bitter. They walked in silence after the small exchange of words. The book will be the death of the last angel of God, she thought. An image came to her head, the massive book made from leather with drawings engraved in it. She felt it was necessary and wanted to ask if what he had said earlier is connected. But she figured out Gabe wasn't in the mood to talk. Only saying 'Don't touch that' or 'Follow me' every few minutes. The dragging noise had decreased, but she found herself looking back every time she could. They stopped in front of a locked wooden door that was next to a statue. By now they were in total darkness, it was crawling under her skin. He knocked on the door once, but no one came to it.

"Since when you've been here?" She asked.

"The Realm?"

She nodded. Gabe pressed his lips. "It was after you left Normandy, I―

"Gabriel!"

A woman came running towards them. The woman resulted in being taller than her, but then again, everyone was. Her dark hair fixed on a low bun. She wore a scarlet dress with what she thought was a Crinolette. The gown was high in the neck, with white ruffles on the arms and skirt. She studied Rani, the way her eyes examined her made Rani feel like a freak.

Rani was used to feeling like a freak.

"Where's Bedford?" Gabe asked her.

She looked away for a second; something bothered her. Perhaps the question? No. Something happened. The girl was continually looking at her― No, at something behind her. Rani wondered if it was the legless man. "He's with The Council; I can take care of her from here on." She said, this time choosing her words carefully.

"Medical help for her would be great," Gabe added.

The woman studied her again for a few seconds; she checked her pocket watch. It was golden with an engraved design on it. Rani couldn't distinguish it. "I see. Goodness! Yes, come with us. I need your help; I'm running late!"

...

As they walked through the halls, Rani's back hurt more; she tried to hide her limping. She didn't want to look sick or weak. The ghost grabbed a candle from one of the walls, and Gabe turned it on with his lighter.