Phineas stared at the closed door, a sudden dryness in his mouth.
A hallucination? The terror had been real; Phineas touched his neck; a dull ache confirmed it.
It hadn't all been a hallucination…
It was a warning, a stark warning!
If he recklessly entered again, it would be life-threatening.
He no longer cared what was hidden inside; he wouldn't risk it.
But… as he turned to leave, he heard… dripping.
"Drip…"
A drop of water fell from the ceiling, splattering on the floor.
Phineas flinched; intense fear gripped him!
Something's wrong!
"Click… click…"
Footsteps echoed from the staircase.
They sounded like bare feet…
Who… would be walking barefoot on the stairs at this hour?
Phineas trembled; goosebumps erupted on his arms.
The dark staircase seemed like a gaping maw, approaching him.
Cold sweat broke out; he had to run!
If he didn't escape now, he would die!
He didn't hesitate, turning and running towards the elevator!
Fast, he had to be fast!
The footsteps grew louder.
Phineas reached the elevator and frantically pressed the button. The elevator was stuck on the first floor; someone must have just left?
He looked up at the slowly rising elevator, sweat pouring down his face.
Then… at the top of the stairs across the hallway, Phineas saw a head!
"Faster! Faster!"
Phineas frantically pressed the elevator button, although this didn't increase the elevator's speed.
It was nearing 6:00 PM; the sun was setting in Sentinel City.
Dim yellow light slanted onto the top of the stairs; then… she appeared!
Before Phineas's horrified eyes, a pale, bloated woman, dripping with water, stood at the top of the stairs!
Her wet hair trailed on the ground; her soulless eyes burned with hatred!
Undisguised malice assaulted him; Phineas's legs gave way; he almost fell.
"Thump-thump-thump…"
Phineas turned his head, frantically pressing the elevator button, his finger trembling.
His pupils dilated and constricted; his throat was too tight to make a sound.
This was the ultimate expression of fear!
In the hallway behind him, the water on the floor began to spread.
Intense terror approached.
Phineas trembled; he felt terrifying eyes on his back! This malice felt like being trapped in an ice tomb.
Then, the elevator inexplicably stopped on the third floor!
"Damn it!"
Fear had almost consumed him; this strong middle-aged man punched the elevator button, his eyes bloodshot.
Phineas didn't dare turn around; he feared the terrifying woman would be behind him!
"Drip… drip…"
More water.
The barefoot woman stepped through the water; wet footsteps echoed in the narrow hallway.
Phineas's eyes widened; he noticed…
Water was dripping from the ceiling and walls around him!
Until… a chilling malice pressed against his back.
But at that moment, a voice echoed!
"Ding—"
The elevator had arrived!
Relief flooded Phineas; the elevator doors slowly opened before him.
A familiar face appeared.
"Isabella? What are you doing here?"
As the question left his lips, Phineas felt a chill.
His wife, Isabella, was in the elevator.
But… Isabella had died long ago!
Intense fear seized him; Isabella extended a pale hand; a grotesque smile spread across her familiar face…
...
Seraphina stopped, her expression strange as she looked at the building before her—the police station.
Yes, she was here to report a crime.
And she was doing it at Lilith's request.
Hearing Lilith's request, Seraphina had found him increasingly strange.
This was clearly the past; the events had already happened; terrifying ghosts existed, yet he wanted to report it to the police?
But… regardless, she was willing to do this, grateful for Lilith's help.
The As You Wish Motel had already reported a missing person, but this time, it was murder.
As for why she went to the station instead of calling, it was common sense in the fog gathering.
After all… in this strange world, who knew if the person on the other end of the line was human?
"I want to report a crime."
Seraphina entered the station, stating her purpose concisely.
The officer began to record the information.
"Miss, please provide details."
"The As You Wish Motel, owned by Magnus Crowe, there's been a murder."
Seraphina's words caused the officer's expression to change; he became serious.
Murder… was never trivial.
"A woman named Ravenna was killed at the motel. She was Magnus Crowe's sister-in-law."
"Magnus Crowe?" The officer searched, then produced a photograph, showing it to Seraphina. "Is this him?"
Seraphina looked at the photograph—a well-built, handsome man in his thirties—and shook her head.
"I've never met him; I can't confirm."
Then, she seemed to remember something and asked, "Has he been involved in any crimes?"
The officer retrieved the photograph, shaking his head. "No, this is his brother, Ding Peng."
Seraphina's eyes widened; she grabbed the photo. "You mean… they're twins? Magnus Crowe and Ding Peng look alike?"
The officer nodded, confirming.
"They're identical twins; their DNA is identical, let alone their appearances."
He added, "Magnus Crowe has a clean record, but his brother, Ding Peng, is a repeat offender. Petty theft, pickpocketing, and he uses his good looks to swindle young women."
Seraphina's mind raced.
Ding Peng… looked like Magnus Crowe…
Although she didn't know what this meant, a profound unease washed over her.
Ignoring the potential risks of using a phone, she asked, "Could I use your phone?"
...
At the As You Wish Motel, Lilith had obtained information.
"They're in room 406?"
"Yes, sir. Another gentleman inquired a short while ago. Are you acquainted?"
Lilith nodded. "Consider us so. How long ago did he leave?"
The waitress glanced at the clock. "Almost an hour ago."
Almost an hour…
Something's wrong.
Lilith thanked the waitress and was about to leave when another waitress, who was on the phone, stood up, glanced around, and called out, "Is Mr. Harrison, Miss Jiang, Ms. Hollow, or Mr. Feng here?"
Lilith's heart stirred; she approached. "I'm Lilith. It's for me."
The waitress handed her the phone, her expression uncertain; the call was from the police station.
"Hello?" Lilith answered.
"Lilith?"
"It's me."
There was a pause, then Seraphina's voice.
"I just learned something. Magnus Crowe and his brother, Ding Peng, are identical twins!"
Lilith's eyebrows rose; many of her doubts were resolved.
"Can you confirm?"
"Yes!"
"I understand…" Lilith paused, then said, "Stay at the station. I'll handle everything here."
Seraphina's expression was strange; Lilith had hung up, telling her to stay put.
Was he that confident?
What a strange man.
Although she muttered to herself, Seraphina couldn't deny the intense sense of security this stranger provided; it was as if… with him, even ghosts weren't so frightening…
...
Something had happened to Phineas; Lilith was certain.
She looked up at the ceiling, her gaze seeming to penetrate the floors.
Jiang and Harrison were still on the roof; although the water tanks held decaying corpses, it was probably the safest place.
Seraphina hadn't investigated much, unaware of many things, but her sharp observation of the identical brothers was crucial.
Even Lilith hadn't noticed; it was a detail she'd overlooked.
Zhang Wen had obtained Ding Peng's help with a dubious promise, killing Lillian Pearl.
Even a fool wouldn't believe such a plan, yet… Ding Peng had cooperated.
This was what Lilith couldn't understand.
Why?
Why would Ding Peng be so certain of inheriting Lillian Pearl's wealth?
Only after Seraphina's call did she understand.
Ding Peng had cooperated because he had his own plan!
Lilith now understood everything; she looked at the waitress. "Please call Mr. Ding and tell him the police will arrive tonight and request his cooperation in investigating… Ravenna's disappearance."
The waitress's eyes widened; she looked at Lilith uncertainly.
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"Sir… who are you?"
Lilith looked at her seriously. "Criminal Investigations Division, badge number 015386. I need your cooperation."
The waitress, clearly frightened, nodded rapidly and began to call Magnus Crowe.
Lilith ignored her, looking towards the fourth floor, hidden behind the ceiling… Phineas, who might never come down.
"Help… help!"
A terrified scream echoed nearby.
Several waitresses and Lilith turned; a thin, male waiter rushed out, his face ashen.
"Wang Sheng? What's wrong?"
The waitress at the reception desk asked.
"Dead… dead! Xiong Ge is dead!" His eyes were filled with terror; even in the brightly lit lobby, he trembled uncontrollably.
"Ah!"
The women gasped, their faces a mixture of shock and fear.
Lilith, having borrowed Daniel's badge number, stepped forward. "I'm a detective. Take me to the scene."
Wang Sheng, still shocked, looked at the other waitresses.
Seeing them nod, he finally decided.
"He's… in the restroom."
Led by Wang Sheng, Lilith re-entered the staff area; the narrow hallway seemed… narrower.
The restroom was at the end of the hallway, dimly lit. Wang Sheng reluctantly followed Lilith, but didn't dare disobey the "detective."
After some hesitation, they entered.
The sight before them horrified Wang Sheng; he retched, unable to look, but Lilith remained impassive, observing the corpse.
The deceased waiter was still in his uniform; his limbs were grotesquely twisted.
Most terrifying were his hands; blood dripped from Nathaniel's fingernails.
Lilith didn't ask Wang Sheng what had happened; even if she did, the traumatized man wouldn't be able to answer.
Besides, Lilith knew this wasn't a human crime; it was a ghost.
"Where's Nathaniel's room? Take me there."
Lilith's serious, calm tone caused the shaken Wang Sheng to nod repeatedly.
Leading Lilith to Nathaniel's door, Wang Sheng fidgeted.
"Go. Don't let anyone enter the staff area until your boss arrives," Lilith instructed.
Wang Sheng nodded frantically and hurried away.
Lilith watched him go; the surrounding air seemed to grow colder.
Kicking the door open, Lilith examined Nathaniel's room. This man, along with Wang Sheng, had witnessed the hiding of the body and refused the hush money, choosing to keep silent.
Lilith didn't believe hush money could resolve this; Ding Peng had killed one person; killing two more wouldn't be a problem; only the dead could keep secrets forever.
But… Ding Peng hadn't killed him.
Lilith entered Nathaniel's room and began to search.
She found a contract hidden deep within a wardrobe.
Everything now made sense.
...
The Fog Gathering. 6:30 PM, Sentinel City.
Magnus Crowe rushed back to the motel.
"Where are the detectives?" He was sweating profusely; his eyes darted around; he seemed agitated.
"Boss… boss, something terrible happened! Someone's dead!" The waitress stammered, her eyes filled with fear.
Magnus Crowe's face paled; he turned and headed straight for the elevator, rapidly ascending to the sixth floor.
He flung open the office door; the room was in disarray; documents were scattered everywhere.
Magnus Crowe's face was grim; he quickly moved a bookshelf, revealing a hidden compartment in the wall.
Entering a code, he opened the safe; seeing the contents were still there, he finally exhaled.
"This… is your motive?"
A calm woman voice echoed behind him.
Magnus Crowe spun around; a pretty young woman stood impassively by the door.
"Who are you?"
"Lilith."
Lilith slowly approached, her gaze scanning the man in his thirties.
He was handsome and well-built, but his heart was dark.
"Who killed her?"
Lilith entered Crowe's office, closing the door behind her.
"What do you mean?" Magnus Crowe wiped his brow; this impassive young woman was slowly approaching, each step felt like a weight on his chest.
"I said, who killed your wife?" Lilith stopped before the desk, only a desk's width from Magnus Crowe.
Her hands were in her pockets; she looked calmly at him, making no unnecessary movements.
"Lillian's death?" Crowe's face paled; his eyes widened slightly, seemingly shocked by the news.
Lilith watched his performance impassively until he realized Lilith was uninterested and stopped.
"Finished?" Lilith continued to watch him.
"Who are you? What do you want?!" Crowe's eyes narrowed; he scanned Lilith, his tone hardening.
"I asked about your wife, Ravenna," Lilith said, her tone cold. "Still don't understand? Ding Peng."
The man's face changed; he drew a dagger from his waistband and lunged at Lilith!
Lilith's pupils constricted; she anticipated this; her cold composure remained; she dodged the attack, then used her right leg to kick the desk.
"Crash—"
The desk sent Crowe reeling; before he could regain his balance, Lilith was upon him!
Lilith grabbed his right wrist with her left hand, pulling him back forcefully.
Simultaneously, her right fist struck his right shoulder joint.
The searing pain caused Ding Peng to involuntarily release his grip; the dagger fell to the desk!
His left hand, also injured, swiped at Lilith's face; she dodged, but a long scratch appeared on her neck.
Undeterred, Lilith's right hand snatched the dagger; her left hand pressed Ding Peng's right hand to the desk; before his horrified eyes, the dagger plunged down!
"Aaah!!!"
Ding Peng screamed; his right hand, pinned to the desk, was pierced by the dagger.
Lilith, seemingly unfazed by his screams, pressed the dagger deeper, ensuring Ding Peng wouldn't attempt to pull it out, before nodding with satisfaction. Looking at the pained, sweating, ashen-faced man, she said,
"Now, answer me."
Ding Peng's terror was unconcealed; his right hand was pinned; agony consumed him.
"Who… who are you?!"
"Lilith." Lilith stated her name again, impassively staring at the sweating Ding Peng. "The doctor said I have antisocial tendencies. Want to test that theory?"
Ding Peng shook his head violently; he didn't know who she was, but he knew this young woman was ruthless.
"You still haven't answered. Who killed Ravenna?"
Ding Peng's pupils constricted; he seemed to remember something terrifying. "I don't know… I really don't know! I don't know… what it was…"
Lilith frowned; he was a fool who wouldn't stop until he was caught.
"You killed Lillian Pearl; Nathaniel killed Magnus Crowe. Did you kill Ravenna too?"
Hearing Lilith's questions, Ding Peng seemed to find it unbelievable; how… did she know everything?
"What are you talking about? I don't know!"
Lilith calmly observed the increasingly frantic Ding Peng, stating her hypothesis.
"You had another plan; kill your brother and take his place."
Ding Peng hissed in pain, but upon hearing Lilith's words, he calmed down.
"You controlled Zhang Wen with a promissory note, helping her kill Lillian Pearl, then hiding the body in the water tank. Two waiters witnessed this; you intended to silence them, but… you knew one was deeply in love with Zhang Wen, willing to do anything for her. So, you made a deal with him to kill Magnus Crowe, your brother."
"Nathaniel knew about Zhang Wen and Magnus Crowe; he knew only Crowe's death would give him a chance," Lilith continued impassively. "Perhaps it was your order, perhaps personal resentment, or both; he knocked Crowe unconscious, then… beat him to death."
"With Crowe and Pearl dead, you, as his brother, could easily assume his identity and inherit their wealth. But there was someone else; she didn't know Crowe well, but she knew you—your habits, your mannerisms. So… she had to die, didn't she?"
Lilith's tone grew colder.
"No!"
Ding Peng, who had been bowing his head, suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot. "I didn't kill Ravenna! Why would I kill her? Why…"
"She's the only one who didn't reject me; the only one who comforted me; the only one… who believed in me! Tell me, why did I kill her?!"
"I did it all for her!"
"Shut up!" Lilith grabbed Ding Peng's hair, pulling him close, her gaze intense. "You only did it for yourself."
"If you envy someone, compete with them. If you're unhappy with your situation, change it. If you're incapable, accept that you're a failure. Stop making excuses. You're trash, a parasite."
Lilith's calm tone was like sharp knives piercing Ding Peng's heart.
He wore Crowe's face, clothes, and identity, enjoying his wealth, but… he wasn't Magnus Crowe.
He was a petty criminal frequently arrested.
Lilith released his hair, shifting her gaze.
The safe was still open.
Approaching, she saw an antique Ruyi scepter.
Shaped like a long fishing rod, with a smooth, pure white body, the translucent white resembled flowing water.
But… upon closer inspection, Lilith noticed a faint red thread within the white jade.
"This… is your motive?"
Lilith turned to Ding Peng.
The man had remained silent, his head bowed.
Hearing Lilith, he slightly raised his head. His voice was dry and hoarse. "Do you know… why this place is called the As You Wish Motel?"
Lilith simply watched him.
Ding Peng offered a wry smile. "This is the motel's most valuable item—Lillian Pearl's family heirloom."
Seeing Lilith remain silent, not even looking at the Ruyi, Ding Peng finally glanced at her.
"You're not like me."
"Ravenna… Ii killed her…" A look of anguish crossed Ding Peng's face; Lilith saw that this pain was different from the pain of the dagger in his hand.
"I stole the family heirloom; I unleashed a monster…" Ding Peng covered his face with his left hand, his voice trembling.
Lilith finally spoke, her gaze fixed on the Ruyi. "Did Ravenna die because of it?"
Ding Peng nodded, his remorse mixed with fear.
"After I got it, I gave it to Ravenna for safekeeping, but… she started having nightmares."
From Ding Peng's account, Lilith heard a terrifying story and finally understood why Ravenna had died under Lilith's bed.
"At first, it only appeared vaguely in her dreams, but then… its form became clearer; it drew closer…"
"Ravenna was terrified, but… I thought it was just her imagination, didn't take it seriously, until… it emerged from her dream and appeared before us."
Ding Peng trembled violently; the mere thought of the monster sent shivers down his spine.
"It went straight for Ravenna; she fled; I… I panicked, grabbed the Ruyi and ran… when I finally went back, Ravenna was dead… under the bed in room 405."
Lilith looked at the seemingly distraught Ding Peng; a clear trace of mockery flickered in her eyes.
This man's pain and remorse weren't for Ravenna; they were for himself.
His selfishness and cowardice were ingrained; his account revealed that when faced with death, his first thought was to escape with the heirloom?
Lilith was no longer interested in him.
She turned and picked up the Ruyi; a chill ran down her spine upon touching it.
The jade lacked warmth; it was icy cold, as if… unearthed from an ancient tomb…
"Where… are you going?"
Although he was asking Lilith, his gaze was fixated on the Ruyi.
Lilith paused, glancing at him, saying nothing, simply closing the office door.
She had no interest in saving or lecturing this pathetic creature.
Her task was to confine what had been unleashed.
...
Night had fallen.
Seraphina, accompanied by detectives, was on her way; she hadn't heeded Lilith's instructions.
Jiang and Harrison were hiding on the roof, near the three water tanks; two contained decaying corpses.
Harrison wasn't concerned about his broken arms; as long as he returned to the fog gathering, even a single breath was enough to revive him.
His concern was the outcome of this task.
Jiang leaned against the wall, silent, gazing at the familiar yet alien night sky, lost in thought.
Darkness deepened; a chilling aura enveloped the As You Wish Motel, like the stench of decaying flesh.
"Ding…"
The elevator stopped on the fourth floor.
A woman stepped out.
Lilith looked at the transformed hallway; she felt no surprise.
Although she'd anticipated danger, she hadn't expected this.
The ubiquitous water resembled congealed blood under the dim light.
The once snow-white walls were smeared with filth.
The place looked like a neglected ruin.
Lilith stepped through the water; it felt unnaturally sticky.
Looking down, she saw that the water had transformed into decaying faces.
A terrifying, unsettling aura permeated the air; the walls and floor seemed to be decaying, emitting a nauseating odor.
Room 406 was ahead; the door was open.
Lilith, seemingly unfazed by the bizarre scene, walked past, holding the Ruyi.
But at that moment, a drop of water fell onto Lilith's head!
Lilith looked up, her usually impassive heart stirring slightly.
A pale, bloated, soulless woman was lying on the ceiling, drenched, staring at her malevolently!
Simultaneously, a figure slowly emerged from the dark staircase.
Seeing this figure, a mixture of terror and elation flashed in Lilith's eyes!
The figure was seven parts similar to her, a well-dressed, mature man who was smiling at her…
Brother…
The surprise in Lilith's eyes vanished instantly; she regained her composure; she didn't see the woman on the ceiling or the man.
She continued towards room 406.
The malevolent eyes on the ceiling followed her; the smiling Lucien Hollow's face grew increasingly sinister.
But… Lilith was utterly confident.
These two ghosts couldn't harm her.
Because the real killer… was it!
Lilith stopped at the door of room 406, gazing inside.
There… a twisted, humanoid shadow was spreading in the darkness.
It moved like a boneless serpent, its grotesque form approaching Lilith.
Its long, twisted limbs searched behind her; a chilling aura emanated from her back; Lilith clearly felt its presence… it was death.
But… this only strengthened her resolve.
"I don't know who you are, but this… isn't your world."
Lilith raised the Ruyi and struck deep into room 406!
There… a mass of twisting darkness was coalescing.
When the seemingly ordinary Ruyi touched the darkness, a sudden change occurred!
The grotesque creature was sucked in; not only it, but the woman on the ceiling and Lucien Hollow vanished!
Yet, Lilith felt no pulling force!
Her gaze remained calm as she looked at the Ruyi; it emitted a faint light, voraciously absorbing the strange energy; within moments, all the strange phenomena vanished!
Lilith finally exhaled, leaning against the door, removing two hearing aids from her ears.
Success!
She had gambled; she had won!
Magnus Crowe, Lillian Pearl, and Ravenna had become ghosts, not by coincidence.
They were affected by something within the Ruyi, but they lacked the ability to kill.
The real killer was the twisted, black monster!
And its necessary medium was… sound.
Or rather, dripping water.
Lilith, having just exhaled, gasped; a crimson fog surged from above her head; simultaneously, the surroundings rapidly faded in color!
Lilith's eyes flickered as she observed this; she was about to touch the now black-and-white door.
The world shattered like a mirror!
Figures materialized before her.
She… was back!
...
"Welcome back."
Maximus looked at the four, still slightly shaken, a hint of admiration in his eyes.
The third group had only lost one member, and… they'd completed the task in less than a day!
Everyone looked at them anxiously; in the fog gathering, intelligent, trustworthy companions were crucial.
Maximus's words brought them back to reality, but unexpectedly, Seraphina, Harrison, and Jiang simultaneously looked at Lilith.
Seraphina, her voice a mixture of relief and disbelief, exclaimed, "Lilith, you succeeded!"
Lilith glanced around; everyone was inexplicably staring at her.
She smiled faintly. "Just lucky."
It was her!
The newcomer had done it!
Lilith's expression remained unchanged, but she sensed more attention, including several scrutinizing gazes that made her want to turn away, but she held herself back.
"Everyone's back. We have one minute left. The fog gathering will eject us once the time is up. Lilith, Cassandra, congratulations on surviving. Please record this number; we're scattered throughout the world, usually communicating by phone," Maximus recited a series of numbers.
Lilith silently memorized them; she didn't have a phone…
Unlike Lilith's calm demeanor, Cassandra finally regained her composure, but she still seemed dazed.
"Regarding the details of the task, we'll discuss them in the real world. Understanding the fog gathering's rules is crucial; frankly, the rules we know were learned through repeated near-death experiences," Maximus said, his voice tinged with weariness.
The fog gathering wasn't a system; it didn't explain its rules or taboos; everything… was learned at a terrible cost.
Despite this, the fog gathering remained mysterious; no one knew… what it truly was.
"Right, Ms. Hollow, you're from Industry City, aren't you?"
Maximus suddenly looked at Lilith.
Lilith nodded, unsure of his meaning.
Maximus smiled, glancing towards a corner. "That celebrity wants to visit your city."
A celebrity?
Lilith followed his gaze, vaguely seeing a female figure in the fog.
"See you in a month, everyone."
Maximus seemed to sense something and quickly spoke.
Lilith felt the same; she finally understood his earlier analogy.
They were like people forcefully pushed underwater, surfacing the moment the force was removed.
Lilith felt a dizzying sensation; the two crimson lights in the fog gathering seemed to flicker, like… blinking eyes.
When she regained her senses, she was standing in a girl's room.
After a quick glance, she recognized it as Daniel's daughter's room and left.
"Huff…"
Lilith slumped onto the sofa, glancing at the wall clock.
Time hadn't moved.
But she'd spent twelve hours in the fog world.
The fog gathering… was a strange place, like pressing pause on reality, throwing them into the past.
No, time wasn't paused in reality, only for them.
Lilith took out the key, examining it quietly.
She knew she was different.
She hadn't pushed open her door; she'd used a key.
And this antique key was Lucien's belonging.
"Brother… how many secrets did you hide…"
Lilith held the key, feeling its icy coldness; a rare sense of bewilderment washed over her.
She leaned back on the sofa, gazing at the ceiling.
Although her emotional fluctuations were minimal, she was human.
The strange past world, the formidable ghosts, their sudden intrusion into her life—although Lilith hadn't outwardly shown it, she felt profound weariness.
Especially… after the fog gathering; she was certain Lucien's death wasn't simple…
It wasn't the kind of complexity she'd imagined at Industry City Psychiatric Hospital.
Confused thoughts swirled; Lilith closed her eyes, savoring the peace after leaving the strange fog world.
Creak—
The door opened.
Lilith sat up, looking towards the door; she was about to greet Daniel when she realized… it wasn't him.
A young university student stood there, her eyes wide with terror, staring at Lilith.
They stared at each other; clearly, she had misunderstood something.
"Aaah!!!"
She leaned against the door, screaming.
"Wait…"
"Aaah!!!"
"I am…"
"Aaah!!!"
"Please listen…"
"Aaah!!!"
Lilith gave up; this girl was incomprehensible; her vocal cords seemed only capable of screaming.
"Yin—!"
Lilith shouted.
"Uh…"
Her throat seemed to tighten; she looked at Lilith strangely. "Who… who are you? Do you know me?"
Lilith sighed; communicating with little girl seemed harder than dealing with ghosts.
She pointed to her luggage. "I'm a guest of your father. He went out to buy food. If you don't believe me, you can wait for him here."
Yin looked at Lilith skeptically, remaining by the door. "You're… lying. I know all my father's friends, but I've never seen you! What's your name?"
Lilith realized she'd been introducing herself repeatedly.
"Lilith."
She sighed, repeating the name again. "My name is Lilith Hollow."
Yin seemed to have heard something, repeating the words.
Then, she seemed to remember something; her eyes lit up. "You're Lilith? My father's mysterious informant?"
Informant?
Lilith was surprised; Daniel had told Yin about her? What kind of identity had he given her…?
Seeing Lilith didn't deny it, Yin was certain. Her face lit up; she dropped her bag. "Dad said you helped him solve many cases!"
Lilith finally understood her position with Daniel.
Over the years, Daniel, visiting her at the psychiatric hospital, would occasionally mention unsolved cases; Lilith, bored, would offer her opinions.
So, that's how it was…