Chapter 12: The blogger

The woman sighed, scratching her head in rather amusement or frustration.

"Damn it!" She chuckled, staring at the screen of her laptop. She just opened it and a logo of a bug popped up. "Who in the motherfucking earth have the god-like skill to hack my account?" She yanked her glasses off her nose.

The screen, in front of her, blurred into unfamiliar shades of colors. Her breaths went unsteady as she shoves her phone beside her when it rang. A call from an unknown number. She stared at it for a couple of seconds and was about to answer when the caller hung up. She sighed and shrugged the thought off when it rang again. This time, she was able to answer, however, remained silent. No one's talking on the other line as well, but she could hear deep breaths. She immediately hung the call up and threw her phone on her bed.

"Damn pranksters!" She backed over her laptop and hovered her mouse. She tried clicking the X button to close the tab but nothing's happening until a minute pass and take her phone to ring again. She gasped as she eyed it from a distant. Her eyes wobbled when she seems to realize what is happening.

"Holy shit!" She turned towards the door of her room and was horrified to see a man on his twenties, of average height, cool body figure, and above average looks. He gawped graciously down at her. The way he stood, no doubt, is a deliberate shot to show off his manly physique but she shrugged it off with the fact that the man just barged into her house.

"W-Who the heck are you?" She stuttered and swiftly reached onto something she could use for self-defense, apparently, she has chosen something she could not use at all—a pillow.

"Chill, woman! I'm not gonna hurt you. I'm just doing my job," the man said, having both hands raised in the air to surrender himself. "But I promise, it's not in my job description to hurt you."

"Who are you and h-how did you get in?!" Her voice rose.

"Technology," a smaller man emerged from the other side of the door and stopped beside his companion. Slipping on a pair of his expensive chromatic glasses, he extended his hand for a shake. "I'm Takumi Takahashi and he's Tomoya Nakashima," he shrugged to the guy beside him. "We're here to question you about lot of things."

So, you're Kathleen Anne," Theresa held her phone, eyes gleaming. She was sitting sheepishly on a couch near her bed while the three surrounded her. Tomoya sat on the edge of the table near the door, thinking in advance that the woman might escape.

"Yes, I am," Kathleen intoned and sat on the bed, facing her. "I think you've heard so much about me already, so I was thinking you might be able to help us about that."

Theresa's chin rose and her lips pooched. "Believe me or not, what I wrote in those articles are plainly based on my fantasies," her eyes shifted to Takumi, hoping he'd believe her.

Kathleen scoffed, crossing her arms. "And you expect me to buy that?" She moved closer towards Theresa. "Look! I saw you outside our coffee shop before the accident happen, looking all suspicious. Why were you there then?"

Theresa sighed. Just what she needed, being patronized by someone who's capable enough of making her confess is the least thing she could imagine.She stared at Kathleen for a couple of seconds, noticing her droopy eyes and pale face. Kathleen looked at her all skeptical, but she tried her best not to falter her gaze.

"Will you start talking already?"

Eight eyes shifted towards the door to where Scott stood in an obvious drained patience.

"Who invited you here?" Tomoya spoke in a delighted giggle.

"Shut up, Chinese boy!"

"I am Japanese, you racist jerk!" Tomoya sniffed in distain that Takumi had to stand in between.

"The door is open. Both of you can wait outside."

"That's mean," Tomoya let out a deep sigh and raised both hands. "But alright, as you wish," he turned towards the door and tagged Scott along with him. Takumi was utterly surprised to watch both of them walking calmly.

"Can you talk now, please?" Kathleen broke the split-second silence. Sighing between her short breaths, Theresa had been swiping the dusts on the floor with her feet. Her mind went blank and she had no idea what to say to the fair woman in front of her.

"Hmmm," she sighed. "What exactly do you want?"

"I want you to tell me everything you know about Shane and don't even try convincing me to believe your fantasies."

Theresa ended up scratching her eyebrows. "Again! Believe me or not, but that's the truth. Ever since I turned 8 years old, I've been having this dream about a woman, stuck in the other realm. She's been trying to communicate with me which led me back here."

Kathleen's lips thinned, feeling a prick of guilt. It may sound unbelievable to her, but everything is no longer making sense to begin with so, she ended up listening.

"I've been in Toronto my whole life and I'm here because of her."

"Why?" The only word which come out of Takumi's mouth.

"I'm not so certain. She's the one who made me wrote the article and you, guys, being here, has given me a little idea of what she might want to happen."

"And what is that?" Kathleen asked in a cautious tone which made Theresa smile slowly but made no direct response.

"If this is not so urgent, I suggest we could talk tomorrow. Night is the time for the devil to lurk and I believe you all already had the idea what we're dealing with?"

"Sweet son of Christ," Kathleen exclaimed, but she couldn't argue. The curse that left her mouth resounded Takumi's ears, he had to shake his head.

He now stared at Theresa. His thoughts are nimbler than his speech and he had to nod to agree, but Kathleen had already said, "I hope you keep your words."

She stood and handed her business card. "Call me tomorrow and make sure you do or I'll hunt you down."

Theresa looked at her business card, eyes narrowing with interest. She stood up as well and with the height of 5'7, she towered Kathleen with her being just 5'1. Theresa is clearly trying to intimidate her, but Kathleen didn't even look faze.

"Interesting," Theresa's tone indicated delight.

"I am expecting your full cooperation, Mary Theresa Mula."

Theresa sighed in defeat and took the card. "Very well. I'll be at the coffee shop tomorrow. I'll call when I get there."

Kathleen noted Theresa's tone of voice with no second thoughts and vocal twitches. She feels like she can trust her words. "Well then. I think we're all set for tonight."

"I believe so."

"Thank you for your time."

Kathleen nodded and made her way to the exit. Takumi, as a well-mannered man, bowed his head before following out.