With a quilt blanket wrapped around me, I opened the frozen mailbox with my bare hands, making my fingers numb. As I took out a crimson envelope, I quickly went back inside the warm and cozy house and headed towards the dinner table, where I was greeted with hot tea and toasted bread with homemade jam. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws6xppe5M5
I took a bite of my toast as I unsealed the envelope and unfolded a letter inside. Curiosity killed the cat, I read silently. From, Children of Balance. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiGDVBT4Wx
"Is that from dad?" Em asked, chewing with her mouth full. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTcNw0stLr
"No," I answered, as I read the short letter over and over. "It's from the Children of Balance."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2reeHz7nC
"What?" jumped Aunt Inara, who almost choked on her tea. "I don't believe it."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZx5RG1VuC
I showed her the letter and her eyes widened. "What do this even means, Bugsy?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK7FdfzlR3
"From what I learned in English class," I recalled. "It's a proverb which means being curious about other people's affairs will get you in trouble."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE9rBhYJ3b
"That's not good," Grandma raised her concern. "They're probably threatening you, Bugsy."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWzhEpHnVc
"Shit!" I cussed. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN2q2FuSnI
"We have kids here, Bugsy," Aunt Inara scolded. "Besides, you're supposed to show a good example as an older sister."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Lx2JwqGAI
"I know, aunty," I groaned. "It just slipped from my mouth, that's all."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7SzDasWdW
"We must make a police report," warned Grandma as she stood up and slipped on her beige loafers. "We don't know what will they do to you."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT2pKBxvwK
I reached for my coat and school bag, only for Aunt Inara to grabbed my hands. "You're staying home, Bugsy."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOwkCuU77M
"Wait, why?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd3Cpoyfr0
"You'll be safer here."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtCpbNWT46
"But I have school," I let go of her hand and hurried to the door, but she blocked my way. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRrgf5msb1
"Then I'll tell Mrs Woods that you're not feeling so well."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7UxItHYQT
I raised my eyebrows. "Isn't that lying?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o4Bu2J2Bs
"Yes," admitted Aunt Inara. "But it's for your own good."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVPaV9NJou
"It didn't do any good when you didn't tell me about the Unseelie Court, or the Reservoir Devil."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcW6iAAD3O
But Aunt Inara dismissed my argument and escorted Grandma downstairs, making me lie on the sofa and pulling my hair with both hands. Why does Aunt Inara always think hiding is okay?649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKy3vuQMKt
I stretched myself on the sofa, cleared the plates and cups from the dinner table and washed them in the kitchen sink. My brother, Carter, who stood behind me, dragged me to his room and showed me a picture book, 'Alphabets.'649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDxEwEbRiC
I sighed and sat him down beside me and opened the book as I demonstrated how to use pronouns for each letter of the alphabet. As he learned the alphabet with me, I heard a knock from downstairs. I lifted Carter on my shoulders and headed towards the front door and saw two men with fair skin and a tan-skinned woman in suits. I pointed a closed sign hanging at the glass door, but they showed their business cards.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBHKWkmPId
Private investigators, I read. What are they doing here?649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBysWisNHR
I unlocked the front door and escorted them to their seats. As I faced them, Chaeyeong approached us and asked for their order. "We'll just have coffee," said the man with a light beard. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWq8bLgssW
"I'll have the croissants as well," the tan-skinned lady asked. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIisafPPnw
As Chaeyeong left, the jet-black haired man adjusted his seat and looked at me, as if he was the interrogator. "Can I help you?" I implored. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5PDtoU8yU
"Are you Meredith Tan?" 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlbCIkE7Xi
I nodded. "We're here about the Children of Balance so we'll appreciate if you cooperate with us."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC40YqmbTPu
"Yes, sir," I obeyed. "But you can just call me Bugsy instead."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBkbjkhDwe
"Okay then, Bugsy, " he smiled. " I'm Marshall and these are my brother and sister, Henry and Joy."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvVyopPRJz
I shook hands with all three of them as their coffee arrived with Joy's croissant. Mr Henry thanked Chaeyeong as Joy placed a recorder on the table and pressed the red button. "You may begin your questioning, Henry"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT0lJziDRw
"Can you tell me everything about your encounter with the Children of Balance?" he questioned, crossing both his legs together.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6tdJMEIKm
"It's complicated, Mr Henry."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQrBDJgvEO
"I've seen complicated things throughout my career, Bugsy. You can tell me anything."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PdwQ8ZAVA
I took a deep breath and told them about Malcolm's abandoned cabin and how the Children of Balance threatened to shoot us if we came back there. Then, I recalled about the events at the commune, where I disguised as one of its members and infiltrated their meeting, where I learned a terrible conspiracy to kidnap and murder someone. After that, I continued the part where I did my research and predicted the date the murder happened and the number of Children of Balance's victims. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSS5f3NB0h
I stopped there as I got up and poured myself a glass of water to freshen up. As I sat down again. Mr Henry asked me another question. "What were you doing at the abandoned cabin?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ9x7hnK9O
"In Slaborough, we have a tradition where during a teenager's birthday, we would walk on the dirt road with your friends going wherever the road leads you."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LMfzCfPVp
"And the dirt road led you to the abandoned cabin?" said Mr Henry, in a confused tone. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEwCNyoyQy
"It led Naomi to the cabin, actually."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmARtmaF6pZ
"Who's Naomi?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhR25zKS45
"My best friend."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiJ8QkEZxZ
"Alright, second question. How did you know Malcolm was murdered and not killed himself?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p3vGjxsSR
"I talked to his spirit."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcTyBaRe9Y
"Okay then," Mr Henry tightened his lips. "How did you find the commune?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC7Fum3QOX
"My friends and I were led by the will-o-the-wisps," my voice shook. "I know I sound insane but-"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qplnmjx1o
"I believe every word you say, Bugsy," he assured me. "Besides, what you just told me is nothing compared to what I've seen before. I've encountered worse events during my time as a private investigator."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB8bjWaTfU
"Okay, Mr Henry," I sighed, in relief. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2ZNvQo8ZC
"Next question," he announced. "Where did you do your research?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rmvK3d7ch
"In the archives right next to the public library."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7B3wVc1IV
"Were you alone?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXCF9cC7Bn
I shook my head. "I had help from Grandma and Ferdinand."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IEOpx4cVS
Just as Mr Henry wanted to open his mouth, the front door was burst open, revealing Aunt Inara and Grandma. Henry stood up and greeted them, apologizing for any inconvenience. "I am conducting an investigation regarding the Children of Balance," he declared. "And right now, I'm questioning Bugsy here since she's the key witness, madam."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5VwVQNPVf
Grandma chuckled. "No need to apologize, young man. You can continue with what you're doing. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJBVWl1NQD
She sat down and relaxed her posture. Henry sipped his black coffee and placed his cup on the table, crossing both his legs. "The last question, after the whole incident, did you receive any letters from the Children of Balance?"
"Yes, I did."
Aunt Inara gasped as she searched through her black handbag and took out the red envelope I've received earlier in the morning. "This is the letter Bugsy received from the Children of Balance," said Aunt Inara. "It was a short one, but I hope it'll help you, sir."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUiipn4QIN
She handed the letter to Marshall and showed it to his older brother and sister. "Curiosity killed a cat," Ms Joy read. "Do you know what this means, Bugsy?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcPz8QTdbD
"It means I interfered the Children of Balance's plan and now I'm being targeted," I interpreted. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmMEK0RL24
Mr Henry chuckled. "You're a smart girl."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ653NfHoraa
I brightened up. "Really?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeuG7xrakL
"But a little naive to realize there's a double meaning to this proverb."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7Ws6Rc3VG
My smile turned into a frown as he leaned towards me, without taking up my space. "Logically, when you infiltrated the cult, you only knew their plan to murder someone, is that correct?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMwJnvoHxU
I nodded. "Yes, sir."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtL2r8P5tr
"But when you, Ferdinand and your grandmother did your research, you correctly predicted Martyrs' Fest, which is on the 20th of January and how many victims did the Children of Balance, is that true?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtnXbO20K7
I nodded again. "Yes, sir."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJr0VJ9MxI
"Based on my hypothesis, what is your conclusion?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh6nRUWUDb
I tilted my head upwards as I scratched my chin and stared at the ceiling. Good god, I pondered. What is he even asking?649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr61cHDGuEV
Ting, Mr Marshall's pocket watch chimed. It's been five minutes. Looks like I'll have to bullshit my way through. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiTnFzqjk9
"Someone's snitching on us?" I guessed. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaX7zXei1G
"That is correct," Henry was taken aback by my answer. "Someone knew you were looking for answers about this cult and threatened you to stop."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrBe3CpKpB
"But who would've known about our investigation?" asked Grandma, in a shaky tone. 649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pt8qj7MNm
"We're not sure," Ms Joy shrugged. "But we're about to find out the truth, sooner or later."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweya21UNsR
As they stood up, I opened the front door and led them outside, thanking them for everything. Mr Henry gave a nod with his fedora and headed towards the snowy streets when I called out his name. He stopped and turned towards me. "Anything else, Bugsy?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9aOkcRKu1
"Who hired you?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdvwXd6bmF
"Mayor Yearns hired all three of us," he answered. "He complained that the police in Slaborough refused to believe that the Children of Balance existed, therefore, he gave me a call."
"But their pattern of murder and kidnapping were consistent. How can they deny that the Children of Balance existed?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfTGvNkfKq
"Not all police have strong integrity, Bugsy," sighed Mr Henry. "They're humans after all and like everyone else, they can be easily influenced by an outsider. It's nice meeting you, kid. Hope I can see you again."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt3jrBBdqV
Later that night, my sister and I erupted with laughter as we watched a cartoon mouse fall and form the shape of a square when suddenly, the yellow telephone rang. Em lowered the TV volume as I picked up the phone. "Little Owl Coffeehouse, what can I do for you?" I said, in a cheerful tone.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY45plA6VM2
"Hello, Bugsy," replied Nathanel. "Hope I'm not bothering you."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1PCDVbOqC
"How did you know my name?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQen0wTrTJE
"It's a small town, Bugsy. Everyone knows one another."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2ev3CBJk4
"What did you want, Nathanel?" I clenched my other hand into a fist.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQXqzKoWCB
"Didn't your aunt teach you how to address an elderly man?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJoIMiYdCX
"Well, quit stalling and tell me what you want, you monster."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsiGsE1CyA
"Tell those three private investigators to step down or else-"
Before he could finish his sentence, I slammed the handset down as Em stared at me, with her mouth covered. "Are you okay, Bugsy?" she asked, with the cartoon running in the background. I can't let Em know about this. It'll put her in danger.649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsCm7NbQv2
"I'm fine," I faked a smile. "It's just some guy from school, that's all."649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrlm7SOlrZ
"Are you sure, Bugsy?"649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1x9N7s9LD
I nodded. "Yes, Em. Now let's get back on our cartoon, shall we?"
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