Richard and Fawn headed back home. Aside from some cars driving by, nobody else was out and about that night. On the way back, Richard glanced at Fawn. She hadn’t said a word since they saw the video. She hung her head and stared at her feet.

Once the two got back into their rooms, Richard asked his ghostly partner if she was okay. Fawn shook her head, not looking at him.

“Hey, what’s the matter?” He walked over and sat next to her on the bed.

“Those two people I saw on the video… I recognize them.

“You do?”

“Uh-huh. They look like my parents.”

Richard gasped. “Really?” The same ones that Ken spoke ill about? He looked away, lost in thought. “That would explain why your parents probably aren’t here or in heaven.”

Fawn snapped around, her mouth agape. “W—What do you mean? You’re not saying that my parents are murderers, are you?”

“Well...” Richard hesitated. He looked over as tears formed around her eyes. Fawn sobbed her eyes out and was about to leave. “Wait, come back!” He exclaimed, rushing over to comfort her. “I didn’t intend to upset you by making that guess.”

“So, that was just a guess?” Fawn hiccupped, wiping her eyes.

“Yeah,” Richard replied, raising his hands. “Maybe we can find proof your parents had nothing to do with this.”

Fawn nodded, hoping that’d be the case. “Even though I can’t remember them much, I can’t imagine being related to someone who could kill, especially on purpose.”

“I agree.”

After thinking about it, they both agreed it was a lot of stuff to handle all at once. They called it a night and Richard fell fast asleep shortly after laying on the bed.

However, as Fawn watched him snooze, she looked back towards the horizon through the window. She’s a ghost; staying and sleeping wouldn’t accomplish anything. If Fawn left now, she might find more clues to track down her killer. While he rested, she headed out, hoping to return before he woke up in the morning.

.-.-.-.

Richard opened his eyes, finding himself enwrapped in darkness. He walked around. How’d he get here? Where was he, and why? Richard looked down at his hands and found his body was of a child again.

“What’s going on here?” His voice spoke, sounding softer.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“You’re a disgrace.” A voice told him.

Richard’s heart nearly stopped. He turned to face a looming shadow. An imposing, but familiar figure stood over him with a stern look on his face.

“Glad I don’t have to put up with you anymore, snot-nosed brat.” Another voice added.

Richard looked around him to find more imposing figures appear right before his eyes.

“Things would’ve been better if you never existed. I wish you were never born.” A third voice said with a scowl.

“No...” Richard’s eyes got watery. He fell on his knees, shut his eyes tight, and covered his ears to prevent himself from hearing any more negative words. “Stop it!” He screamed at the top of his lungs. “STOP! Leave me alone!”

The figures disappeared with a puff of smoke. A light shone down, breaking through the darkness. Richard opened his eyes and looked up. A person with long and curly red hair floated down from the heavens to approach him.

“Please don’t overburden yourself with negative thoughts.” She spoke to him in a kind tone. “Don’t let things like that get you down.”

Richard got up, but as he tried to walk forward, found his body frozen in place, unable to move closer to her. This figure had a radiating light and welcoming presence. He couldn’t describe it or explain why he was so drawn to her. At the same time though, her way of speaking seemed mysterious, one he had to proceed with caution. Or at least, he should.

“Who are you?”

“Although you can’t change the past, you can still make it up for—”

“But, you didn’t answer my question.”

The woman shook her head in protest. “I’m afraid I can’t answer that just yet. But in due time, the answers you seek will be revealed.” She placed her hand on his head and grazed it. “I have little time now, but we’ll meet again soon, I know it.” She let go and ascended away.

“Hey, wait!” Richard called to her, extending his arm. “I still don’t—”

“I’ll see soon, Ri—”

.-.-.-.

“—chard, wake up!” A voice yelled out.

Richard’s eyes opened as he shot up from his slumber. Startled, he tumbled out of bed and hit the cold, hard floor.

He rubbed his head and groaned. Was that a dream I had?

“It’s about time.”

“Huh?” Richard looked up as Mindy stood there, watching over him. He got up and dusted himself off before confronting her. “Mindy, how’d you get here?”

“That’s not important,” Mindy replied, placing the fallen door back up.

This motel is terrible if that door broke down so easily like that.

“What matters is I need your help.” Mindy turned to face him, adjusting her glasses.

“Really now?” Richard inquired, crossing his arms. “What could it be this time?”

“We need to sneak back into W.A.S.P.”

“What? Why?”

“I went back to try and retrieve the blue capsule again, but it wasn’t in its original spot. I saw Charlie take it away, and I need to get it back. There’s more stuff inside the container we didn’t get to see. I think he didn’t want us to know what’s inside.”

“But why would he do that?” Richard questioned. His eyes widened as something dawned on him. “Unless...”

“Exactly. There’s more to him than meets the eye. I've known for a while, since about a few days ago...”