13 Chapter 13

"You wanted to know something?" The azure ghost asked. "What was it?"

Uriel's tensed shoulders relaxed a bit when the ghost backed off an inch. He put out the flashlight and let out an innocent smile.

"You told me that if I disobeyed you, you'd come and haunt me to death, right? But you didn't. It means you're either incapable of it or you weren't that kind of creature."

The ghost's left eyebrow raised and irk splashed across his face. "Are you seriously telling me that you subjected me to your test? Are you really aware of who you're talking to, kid?"

Along with the outburst of irritation, the trees around vehemently rustled and the cut off branches hit against each other. Uriel crouched down and put out his arms to guard him from the dry, fallen leaves that were flying against him.

"I-I'm sorry," He immediately apologized. "I'm really sorry if it angered you. Honestly, when I told about it to the old woman I'm living with, she said that ghosts aren't supposed to exist. Maybe I unconsciously convinced myself to believe despite knowing it was a lie since I saw you with my own two eyes. I was willing to take on anything just to dispel my fear, so I just thought that my encounter with you was dream."

"And so, you came back even after knowing that I can't do anything to you even if you disobey me?"

Uriel sat up straight and had his innocent smile return, catching the ghost off guard.

"I figured you might have a clue about my dilemma. We've met before I lost my memories, haven't we? You know me, right?"

"Hmph! Whatever, just get lost," The ghost said in irk, diverting his gaze, and floating away. "You already know about my incapability to harm you, so you should be satisfied with that. At least you're assured that you're not in danger anymore."

Instead of heeding to the advice, Uriel chased the ghost enthusiastically like a little child who just found an interesting discovery.

"Hey, wait up!" The boy yelled, keeping up with the ghost. "You must have a name, right? What is it? Can't you at least tell me that? Ever since I realized you might have a clue about my identity, I was curious about you already."

The ghost rushed up in front of the boy, stopping him from recklessly running.

"A few miles beyond this spot is a cliff edge that's at least a hundred tall enough to kill you from a single fall. Don't be such a stupid, ignorant kid yelling at a powerful creature about your curiosity. And my name's Sinclair, so shut up!"

"Sinclair? What a wonderful name! It really suits you."

"Now that I answered your question, get out of this place right now and never show up again. I'm not the only ghost around this forest, after all. We may be weak during the day and outside our turf, but inside our territory in the middle of the night, we are capable of taking your life."

Uriel noticed the darkness swallowing the forest around and realized that the ghost's azure flame is the only light that's illuminating his path.

"About that immortality thing and eating humans you told me about last time... That was all a lie, right?"

"Of course it is, dumbass. We're crueler than that!"

"Uh, I'm really sorry, but can you please escort me back just before the borderline of spirits' lair? I don't think my flashlight's enough to lead me back there."

The ghost named Sinclair let out a burst of powerful air circling them out of the irk. "You really have the guts to ask me for that, huh?"

"I'm really sorry, Sinclair."

"And don't use my name casually! This is the last time you're going back here, got it?"

Sinclair reluctantly floated ahead the boy to lead him back, sounding really irritated.

"But Sinclair, why did you ask me to return here that night if you didn't want me here in the first place? What changed after I found out about your lies?"

"I told you not to use my name casually," The ghost answered wryly. "I thought I could tease you a bit more and make you my slave for a little while just to have fun. It's not like living for long years in a dark forest could give us entertainment or somethin' to do. We're just endlessly roaming around this place without desire for survival or socialization like weak humans do. We don't get hungry or thirsty or sick."

"I see. Then why won't you let me come back here? I can be of use to you and entertain you! Besides, I've got mountains of questions for you since I know you've met me before I lost my memories. After thinking a lot since that night, you mentioned my name and you seem to be familiar with the old woman from where I'm living. That's how I knew."

Instead of answering, the ghost was just silently floating ahead and leading the way.