13 Mink Street

Chapter 122: The Terrified Boy

Closing the door was a kind of psychological cue to Karon, while the act of locking it was a further reinforcement of that cue.

It was a dream, or rather, it was a kind of interconnection and construction of his “mental consciousness” that used “dreams” as a vessel. In such a situation, the biggest taboo was to follow the “new scene” forward with complete confusion, wandering along in a daze, just to step right into someone else’s rhythm while ignoring your own autonomy.

Right after that, Karon turned around and returned to his bedroom, where he saw himself lying on the bed, fast asleep.

He let out a quiet breath of relief. This meant he and that “old man” were on equal footing. The other party had sent him a request to “have a chat,” and he had chosen to refuse. In the bedroom, seeing his sleeping self lying there was no longer a hint, it was an explicit statement, meaning he had autonomy over this “dream.”

Karon closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he sat up directly from the bed. Outside the window, there was already a faint light. Morning had come.

Pu’er was startled awake. Rubbing her eyes with a paw, she commented, “Karon, you’re awake.”

On his own bed, the golden retriever also stood up. He spread his limbs and began to stretch.

Karon got out of bed, walked out of the bedroom, and stared at the tightly closed door to his study. The key that he had inserted into the keyhole was now lying on the floor.

He bent down and picked it up. He put it in the door and opened the study. It was quiet inside, and clean. Karon walked to the desk and found a book set there.

He picked it up and looked at the cover. The title was Only Light Can Illuminate Your Past. The author's name had been left blank.

Karon remembered that when he had browsed the study’s bookshelf, he had seen this book, but had chosen to skip it.

Yesterday, when he last entered the study, the desk had been left empty. Neither Pu’er nor Kevin would have suddenly acted on a whim in the middle of the night, entering the study to read a book, let alone this one.

Still, to be cautious, Karon called out, “Which one of you came into the study last night?”

“I didn’t.”

“Woof!”

“He also says he didn’t.”

“Last night, I had a dream. In it, I saw an old man sitting here in the study reading. I’ve now found a book placed on the desk overnight. In my dream, he even called me in to chatwith him.”

Pu’er cocked her head to the side. “What did you two talk about?”

“Woof?”

“I just closed the door. We didn’t talk.”

“Mhmm, a wise choice.” Pu’er nodded.

“Woof!” The golden retriever nodded too.

“Could it have been the previous owner?” Pu’er asked.

“I don’t know. The previous owner left the furniture behind, but not a single photo. After I get off work, I’ll ask Alaia about what the last owner looks like.”

“So... something extra appears in your home, and yet you still have to go to work?” Pu’er asked.

“Do you want to say that the apartment is haunted?” Karon asked back.

“More or less...”

“Look at yourself, then look at Kevin. Do I need to worry about the house being haunted?”

“I think what you make so much sense!”

“Woof!”

“You two stay home today and inspect the whole place again, focusing on this study. Alright, I’m going to stop by the hospital to visit Alfred. There’s food in the kitchen, and also little snacks on the dining table. Make do with those.”

“Oh, Karon, you don’t need to worry about us. Neither of us are stupid enough to starve to death at home.”

“Alright, I’m leaving.” Karon picked up his briefcase, then grabbed the bag he had packed with Alfred’s clothes and left the apartment.

“Should I take the tram?” He hesitated. He wasn’t hesitating because yesterday’s incident had left him traumatized and he didn’t dare take the tram again, but because he was worried that the incident would cause the trams on that line to be closed for the day.

His luck proved to be fairly good, as Karon saw a taxi parked up ahead. The driver was leaning against the door while eating a flatbread with sauce that he had just bought from a stall on the street.

People of Veyn loved their sauces. All kinds of heavy sauces were practically an indispensable part of their daily lives, and because of that, people of Veyn also loved flatbread, as it was easy to pair with various sauces.

“Need a ride, sir?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, please get in.”

The driver wrapped his half eaten flatbread in a bag.

“There’s no rush; You can finish breakfast.”

“No, I can’t delay a customer’s trip. Where to?”

“Covenant Hospital.”

“Alright.”

Because it was early and he was ahead of the morning rush, traffic was light. There was almost no delay, and the car soon arrived at the hospital entrance. Karon paid the fare with change from the two hundred rels he had saved yesterday.

He then suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to bring the passbook along. He had intended to make a withdrawal from the bank today.

He didn’t go directly into the hospital, but first walked over to the vendors near the entrance and stopped at a flatbread stall.

“Oh, handsome sir, what would you like to eat?” A woman wearing an apron looked at Karon and licked her lips. She was only licking them because they were dry and cracked from the cold morning wind.

“Three flatbreads.”

“Alright. Which sauces?”

“One without sauce, one with chili sauce, and one with tomato sauce.”

“I’m guessing your friend who wants one without sauce must be a lone heretic,” the woman observed.

Karon nodded. He didn’t want one with sauce.

“Six rels, but since one is without sauce, five rels will do.”

“Here.”

“Alright, take care.”

Karon carried the three flatbreads into the hospital, went upstairs, and entered Alfred’s room. There, he found Ciri feeding Alfred shredded pork floss bread.

“Young Master.” Alfred looked at Karon and smiled.

“Young Master, you’re here.” Ciri stood up.

Karon handed her the flatbreads.

“Haha, flatbread!” Ciri was delighted. “Young Master, did you already eat? Which sauce did you choose?”

“I’ll have some of the pork floss bread.”

“Alright, Young Master.”

“These are Alfred’s clothes. Your clothes weren’t at home,” Karon said.

“I’m fine, Young Master. Last night, I already had someone pass a message to my home, telling them that I’d be here to care for my employer. Earlier this morning, my father and younger brother stopped by and brought me some clothes. They also bought the pork floss bread for me.”

Clearly, because Ciri had obtained a high income job as a maid, her status at home had risen noticeably.

“Also, Mr. Alfred’s condition is very good. When the doctor checked on him last night, he praised it as a medical miracle. He said in all his years as a doctor, he has never seen such wonderful recovery from such extensive burns. He said it was a sweet dew bestowed by the gods.”

“Cough...” Hearing that, Alfred choked on the flatbread he was eating. Ciri immediately patted his back and gave him some water.

After finishing the pork floss bread in his hand, Karon said, “I’m going to work now. Rest and recover well.”

“Alright, Young Master.”

“Don’t worry, Young Master, leave it to me.”

Karon nodded and left the room. He washed his hands in the restroom, and then left the inpatient building. As he walked out, he again saw the Pavaro family hearse. The back door was open, and Pike and Dinkom were loading a body. This time, the body wasn’t a fat man, so they were able to get it loaded quickly.

Karon walked over to greet them. “Working so early?”

“Ha, we run into you again.” Pike smiled in response. “We got another job this morning, and the death certificate just came out. Thanks to you, the family chose our funeral home, since we chose to first rush the injured to the hospital.”

“Just you two are driving again? Where’s Mr. Pavaro?”

“The boss went to eat pastries, obviously. We got the call early and rushed right over, and the boss got out halfway here. I figure the girls still aren’t up, as when we left him, the boss was still knocking on the door.”

“Mr. Pavaro really has a strong body and strong interest.”

Dinkom looked at Karon. “You don’t live far from our funeral home, so you should come and visit when you have time.”

“Alright, I definitely will. Once I take care of what I’m currently dealing with, I’ll stop by specially to thank you. You two keep working; I’m off.”

“Are you heading back?”

“No. I’m going to Santor Tower.”

Dinkom said, “That’s not far anyway; We’ll give you a ride. Pike, go start the car.”

“Got it.”

“Is that appropriate?” Karon asked.

“What’s inappropriate about it? It’s hard to get a taxi from here at the entrance.”

“In that case, thank you.”

“Don’t be so polite. We’re already friends.”

Just then, Pike jumped back out of the driver’s seat. “Dinkom, there’s still a form that hasn’t been stamped.”

“Then go get it stamped.”

“Alright.” Pike smiled at Karon again. “I’ll be right back.”

After Pike ran off, Dinkom looked at Karon and suddenly said, “I heard from the boss’s wife that the gentleman we brought in yesterday is your boss?”

Karon looked at Dinkom and didn’t answer immediately. He knew that of these two attendants, Pike was the loud, careless one, while Dinkom was the more meticulous one. Even at their first meeting, when Pike had shouted “Praise Order,” Dinkom had been the one to warn him.

Seeing that Karon said nothing, Dinkom continued, “But that day I heard that gentleman call you... Young Master?”

As expected, he remembered that detail.

“Our boss’s wife is even hoping to earn some credits from you, haha.”

The man was subtly asking Karon a question: a priest is your servant?

Karon nodded.

This time, it was Dinkom who didn’t know what to do. You nod and don’t say anything? What does that mean?

There was no panic on Karon’s face at being caught. He simply looked at Dinkom calmly.

“Just who are you?” Dinkom asked. So young, and yet he has a priest as a servant? What kind of status can he have?

“You didn’t tell Mr. Pavaro about this, did you?” Karon asked.

“No. I only thought of how you were addressed right now when I saw you.”

“Mhmm. Keep this a secret.”

“Heh. Why should I?”

Karon’s expression grew serious. He crossed his hands and placed them on his chest. “Praise Order.”

Dinkom fell silent.

“When those entrusted with Order are corrupted, Order’s whip must fall.”

“You... you’re Order’s Whip!”

“Shh.” Karon made a silencing gesture to Dinkom. “You’re just a puny Divine Servant. No matter what our investigation into Mr. Pavaro turns up, it won’t affect you. Not unless you insist on involving yourself.”

“No, I won’t! The boss's matter has nothing to do with me!”

“Good. Actually, Mr. Pavaro should have already guessed our identity as well, which is why he was so proactive yesterday.”

“I think the boss maybe didn’t... The boss has always, always been kind,” Dinkom said.

“That’s for us to judge, not you.”

“Yes, yes, yes, I understand! I won’t say anything. I’ll keep it a secret.”

“Mhmm.”

“Stamped.” Pike ran back. “What were you talking about? Why do you look so serious?”

“Dinkom said he wants to take me to eat pastries, but I refused.”

“Hahahaha! Dinkom is an idiot. With how handsome you are, why would you need to spend money eating pastries?”

“That’s what I told him, so he got mad.”

“Hahahahaha!” Pike laughed as he climbed back into the driver’s seat.

When Karon got in, Dinkom reached out as if to support him, but Karon refused the help and climbed into the back seat on his own. When Dinkom got in, he sat down across from Karon, sitting very straight and very rigid. Pike hummed while driving, not noticing what was happening in the back.

On the way, they passed the site of yesterday’s tram explosion. A crowd of protesters had already gathered with prepared signs. They were mostly slogans like “Oppose Illegal Immigrants” and “Purple Rats, Get Out of Veyn.”

However, what surprised Karon was that at the front of the protesting crowd stood a group of very properly dressed people with purple hair. They looked to be negotiating with the protesters. Faced with curses, accusations, and even shoving, the group of purple-haired people did not fight back at all, despite looking to be bigger and stronger.

Pike whistled once, then hurried through before the march could block traffic. He even teasingly said, “They have even started fighting? Looks like they’re actually trying to talk.”

They soon reached Santor Tower, and the hearse stopped. Dinkom quickly reached over and opened the back door. “Please be careful.”

Karon got out and waved goodbye to them. You, a small Divine Servant. Heh. And I, a lofty Divine Seeker.

“Karon.” A familiar voice called out, and Karon turned around to see Piaget.

“That car you got out of looks familiar.”

“It’s a hearse.”

“Funeral homes have gotten so competitive that hearses are even stealing taxis’ business?”

“There’s a funeral home near where I’m living now. I got to know them, and they gave me a lift.”

“Oh, I see. So it’s business research?” Piaget teased. “I also thought you intended to open a funeral home in York City.”

“I’ve had that thought, but it’s not realistic right now. At the moment, being a psychiatrist suits me better.”

“Hearing you say that, as your friend and boss, I feel very comforted.”

“Heh.”

“But if you plan to open one, you can contact me; I’ll invest.”

“Investments aren’t needed right now, though I do need a bit of an advance on my salary.”

“How much?”

“Twenty thousand rels. I had intended to make a withdrawal from the bank today, but forgot my passbook.”

“I’ll have Bertha prepare it and deliver it to your office. Cash, yes?”

“Yes.”

“No problem.”

“I’ll pay you back tomorrow.”

“I’ll just deduct it from your salary. It will save trouble.”

“That works.”

Karon and Piaget walked into the elevator together. As the elevator rose, Piaget said, “You have an appointment today.”

“Yes.”

“You came early.”

“More or less. I certainly need to prepare.”

They arrived at the twenty-first floor and walked out. Karon pointed at the waiting room when he saw that the father and son from yesterday were already sitting there. “I didn’t come early, I arrived late.”

“Good luck.” Piaget smiled and walked toward his office.

Bertha walked over and softly said, “Mr. Karon, the client has already arrived. They are much earlier than the appointment time.”

“It’s fine. Let them into my office in ten minutes.”

“Alright, Mr. Karon.”

Karon walked into his office first and sat down. Because the child’s father had come along, Karon chose to put on his uniform.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.” The office door opened and Bertha led the father and son inside.She handed Karon the file, while a secretary walked in with a plate of fruit and tea. A glass of ice water was set down in front of Karon.

The door closed.

“Do I need to step out?” the father asked Karon.

Reading from the chart, Karon asked, “Mr. Tadel?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Please sit. You can stay here with your son. However, before I ask you questions, please do not interject.”

“Alright, doctor.”

Karon set down the file and looked at the little boy before him. “Little John, good morning.”

“Hello, doctor. I’m sorry to make you busy before our appointment. Father is too worried about my condition, so he brought me early.”

A very mature child. Eight years old? No, strictly speaking, not even eight yet.

“It’s fine. I enjoy my work.

“So, your mother has passed away, yet you can still see her at home and you can interact with your mother. I mean, you can play together.”

“Yes.”

“What do you think about the fact that your mother has passed away? I’m sorry, my question is direct.”

“I like direct questions.” Little John smiled. “Yesterday’s doctor kept treating me like a child and talked nonsense for a long time.”

“Of course, we’re speaking as equals.”

“Alright, I’ll tell you. I know my mother has passed away. She died when I was five. I still remember her funeral.”

“So what kind of feeling is it, to have your mother reappear? Has she resurrected?”

“No. Mother is dead.”

“And the mother you see now?”

“She is my mother.”

“Your mother?”

“Yes. I know my mother died, but when I’m alone at home, I feel very lonely, so I need a mother. When I need her, she appears. She plays with me like a normal mother would.”

“Your understanding is very clear. In that case, besides at home, can you see your mother elsewhere?”

“I would like my father to go out for a moment,” Little John said.

“Mr. Tadel?” Karon looked at Tadel.

“Alright.” Mr. Tadel decisively stood and stepped out of the office, closing the door behind him.

“Now you can tell me?” Karon asked.

“Yes.”

“When?” Karon asked.

“Now.”

“Here?”

“Yes.”

Karon smiled and glanced around the room. “Where is she?”

“Mother is sitting on your lap.”

“On my lap?”

“Yes. Mother says you’re far more handsome and attractive than father, so she couldn’t resist getting close to you, but those aren’t words for Father to hear. He would be sad.”

Karon lowered his head to look at his own legs. He shook his head, and said, “I don’t feel anything.”

“Mother’s hands are stroking your chest.”

“I don’t feel anything there, either.”

“Mother’s lips are pressed to your nose. She says you smell very good.”

“I still don’t feel anything.”

“Mother is blowing air into your left ear.”

“Heh. Still no feeling.”

Little John sighed. “There really is a reason that you’re more expensive than the doctor who saw me yesterday. He was so frightened that he hid under the desk, shaking.”

Karon laughed. “So, were you just trying to hypnotize me?”

Little John nodded. “Your mental defenses are very strong.”

“I think you’re a genius,” Karon said. “But you should learn to control your talent.”

“My father runs a textile factory. He’s pretty rich,so he can afford the medical fees.”

“So?”

“I want to come here often to chat with you. Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

“Mom, I’m thirsty,” Little John said.

At that moment, the cup in front of Karon suddenly floated up and was carried to Little John’s mouth. The boy opened his mouth, and he was given the water from the glass, bit by bit. It was as if an invisible woman truly was feeding her child.

After drinking, Little John stuck out his tongue and smiled at Karon. The cup was set back onto the desk.

Karon then seemed to hear the sound of high heels lightly tapping across the floor as they approached his side. Right after that, “she” sat on his lap. Then “her” hands began stroking his chest. He even felt breath on his neck that slowly moved upward. A warm breeze gently blew into his ear.

Finally, his earlobe seemed to be wrapped in warmth, and there was the sensation of teeth lightly biting him.

Little John shrugged. “I can close my eyes. Father won’t come in unless you call him, so right now you can completely do some pleasant things with my mother.”

“You don’t mind?” Karon asked.

“She is my mother, yes, but my mother is already dead.” Little John tilted his head in a playful manner. “I think you understand.”

Karon nodded. His finger slowly rose, tracing a circle, as he silently recited in his heart. O’ Supreme God of Order, O’ Chains of Order that judge all things, attend my call. Please grant me power to punish the act of violating Order...

Little John covered his eyes with both hands. “You can start with her. Just pretend I don’t exist. See how good I am? I pay to have you treat me. You receive a generous fee, and you also get to enjoy pleasure, heh heh. I treat you well, right? So hurry up and enjoy—”

All at once, every strange sensation on Karon vanished.

Thump!

Little John was so startled he fell off the chair. He looked up at Karon sitting in front of him with a face full of terror and disbelief. “You- you- you were actually going to kill me!”