14 Chapter 14

The boy's question got lost somewhere behind that deep darkness until they finally saw the white cloth indicating the borderline of the spirits' lair.

Uriel knew that once he stepped out of the borderline, the ghost wouldn't allow him to go back again.

And so, he remained in his spot, just a few meters away from the white cloth.

"What are you still doing? The borderline's over there," Sinclair pointed out. "Just cross that line and never come back in this place if you don't want the other ghosts feasting on you. It isn't a lie that we can kill you during midnight."

"But if I cross that line, I won't be able to meet you again!"

"Don't be stubborn and arrogant, kid! I was just toying with you! Playtime's over, so just piss off!"

"But you're the only clue I have right now!"

Sinclair sighed, obviously fed up. "Listen, kid, we only met a few times back then. I don't even remember what I did to you or how you acted back then! I just know you're the same wimpy kid who gets lost over and over in this forest because of a worthless, dumbass curiosity!"

"Then, at least tell me if it's true that I killed someone! I swear I won't bother you again once I know the answer to that. Have I really killed someone?"

Uriel couldn't hold back his tears, hoping the answer is something he wouldn't expect.

Sinclair looked at him aghast and irked, as if a stupid and whimsical question had been brought up.

"As far as I know," The ghost softly said. "You weren't a murderer."

Uriel's face lit up and his tears were halted.

He still couldn't stop his shaking and the cold was still getting underneath his skin.

Sinclair noticed all the changes that occurred in those few seconds he stared at the little boy's innocent face and knew instantly what went on with that little mind he has.

"But of course, I wouldn't know that," Sinclair continued. "I knew you were different at the surface and deep in this forest. If you murdered someone, it's definitely not inside here and I wouldn't know about it."

"Then if I really murdered someone, I must've had my reasons, right? Doesn't that make sense? I wouldn't be the kind of person to murder someone, so something extreme must've happened then!"

Uriel thought he might just be imagining it, but it felt like Sinclair was looking through him with pity and pain.

Like he's looking through into a weak creature dying right in front of him.

"Spirits like me are grantors of ill fate for humans." The ghost meekly uttered, almost like he's careful about everything around him and about the boy. "If that doesn't bother you, then I'll allow you to cross the lair in the middle of the night to meet up with me. I'll try answering your questions if you're able to entertain me enough."

With that said, Uriel sprang with glee until he noticed that the ghost wasn't there anymore.

He returned to the surface at the old woman's house and had a good night's sleep.