Chapter 2

The undying heat of the sun scorching the town gave its residents the yearly reminder that summer had arrived. It hadn't rained for three weeks now, and the sky was disappointingly still clear as if someone had replaced it with a picture. The lake by the town had failed to attract any clouds, let alone give birth to them. Nevertheless, this was only the usual, and the people living here only lamented the irritating high temperature when there was nothing else to talk about.

A shining blue land rover entered this heat trap with its AC blasting on full. The driver was a local here and knew the area like the back of his hand, making it a suitable job. Usually, he would take the long route to show off the sublime beauty this town had to offer to his customers, but this time he wanted to get this over with as soon as possible.

The car didn't make a single stop and arrived at the police station rather quickly.

"We have arrived, sir."

The person whom he referred to as 'sir' didn't reply back and simply opened the left door to exit the car. He had paid the fare before the ride had begun and had maintained absolute silence through the entire 2-hour ride. Incidentally, the driver was supposed to accompany him until he leaves this town.

From the car exited a boy wearing a formal suit. Despite the hellish heat the town was famous for, the boy did not feel uncomfortable in his gray shirt and trousers with a sky-blue waistcoat. He was about to head forward when a voice stopped him.

"Wait for me, Tom."

He turned around with a cold expression to see his companion gleefully getting out with a jump. Her pale blonde hair swayed back and forth from the quick movement. She patted her blue shirt to smooth out the curves and proceeded to walk forward.

Tom shut the door close, seeing that she will not, and continued to walk with her.

"This place is pretty neat, Tom. Let's go eat ice cream."

"We're not here for sightseeing, Ray."

"Why not? Let's have some fun after this."

Tom ignored his sister's comments and continued walking as if she was never there. He wasn't here to enjoy himself. He was here because he was hired by someone. He twisted the handle to enter the station and went straight to the receptionist.

"I'm here to see sheriff Anthony. My name is Thomas Anderson."

"What is your purpose for meeting the sheriff, boy?"

The receptionist dully asked. The AC there was broken, which made the station a literal oven. Everyone would sweat after merely moving from one office to another.

"I was called here to take care of a job. I'm here to get the approval from the sheriff."

"A job? Aren't you a little young for that?"

A question Tom has heard more times than he could remember.

--Why can't people mind their own business?

It wasn't the question that bothered him. It was the reaction that people gave after hearing the answer that infuriated him.

"Listen here, I'm a professional at my work. My age shouldn't be your concern."

Tom assertively stated that. The receptionist sensed the anger in his voice and smiled. Being a mother of two, the boy reminded him of his son when he wanted to be a soldier, saying he is already a man. Although Tom's dark shade of blonde and cold blue eyes was quite different from his son's appearance.

"And what is your work, young man?"

There it was, the question he never wants to answer but has to.

"Go on. Tell her, Tom."

Rachel teased her brother, knowing what was going to happen. An eager grin appeared before her face.

"I'm a…. paranormal investigator."

He muttered.

"Paranormal? You mean ghosts?"

A brief silent spread which was soon broken by woman's laugh.

"There are no such things."

This was the reason he loathed the question as it never failed to lead to this. The woman felt a new energy surging through her. Sitting at the desk all day long in this heat had made her tedious. She would have paid good money for someone to make her laugh, and Tom did it for free.

"This isn't the place nor the time to be playing around, boy. Sorry, but the sheriff is a busy man that can't be bothered with such things."

"No one asked you. I'll find him myself."

"Hey, wait."

The receptionist tried to stop him, but Tom was already out of her reach. Seeing how Tom resurrected her from her half-dead state, she felt that he deserved to go.

"Take the second left, and it will be on your right."

Rachel followed Tom smugly.

"Don't you ever get tired of people laughing at you?"

"Shut up, Ray."

Tom sharply replied. Rachel could never talk her brother out of this ridiculous job. Ever since he started this 3 years ago, almost every time he was hired, even the person who hired him couldn't help but chuckle after meeting him. All she could do was stay with him.