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Tarot Tori Police Department
October 1st X288
A few days later, Officer Keen was at the police station reviewing his report.
“That’s funny. In the end . . . Florian got the ransom money. I suspected she was the kidnapper’s accomplice, but I guess she was the mastermind.”
He laughed, stuck with his neck brace.
When the police reviewed Florian’s and Ronaldo’s phones, the photos of Ghost had been mysteriously deleted. After many attempts, they couldn’t recover them. All they had were the pictures Florian had drawn.
Keen analyzed the journal page Florian had given to the police, burning the hand-drawn faces of the gang members into his memory.
With intense inspection, Keen noticed some indications of more sketches. Indentions and creases were left over from the previous page of the journal.
He placed another sheet of paper over the journal page. He rubbed forensic charcoal over it.
He discovered a few of Florian’s spirit sketches. They were overlapped with some animal drawings from prior pages.
“What a weird girl. . . She’s a good artist.”
The police radio sounded. “A motorcyclist with an extra passenger is currently speeding southbound on route eleven thirty-four. Requesting back up.”
“I bet that’s them. I’ve got to get better quickly. Those Ghost guys are still out there. I can’t chase them down like this.”
🙠🙢
Florian was lecturing Dr. Ronaldo. “Don’t you get it? A person’s soul shows how an individual is feeling and what they went through. Each one is a manifestation of their true self. Their unique characteristics change their souls too.”
“Isn’t that reading too much into it?” Ronaldo asked.
“What do you mean? These are people’s souls we’re talking about. No two are alike, and you should never underestimate them.”
“I have a lot to learn. I hope I can use apparition vision to help my patients.”
“I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
“Thank you, Florian.”
Dr. Ronaldo’s soul, the dark urchin, grew. Its exoskeleton sprouted arms and legs, emanating his new way of thinking.
Through Ronaldo’s vision, Florian’s rose bramble soul began to blossom. Red roses with thorns accumulated, surrounding Florian with determination.
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“Next is finding the building Ghost is targeting. I drew the blueprint from memory. It’s not accurate but close.” Florian showed Ronaldo.
“What a strange layout. I’ve never seen a building like this before. Though, when we figure it out, we’ll know where Ghost will strike next.”
“I’ll stop by after school. Try going outside; you won’t get used to apparition vision if you don’t.”
“You can count on me.” Ronaldo looked through Florian’s journals once again. “Mayor Banquet won the election with a landslide victory.”
“I don’t want to talk about him, but because of him, I now know what I must do.” Florian left and soon received a text from Sergeant Honest.
“Let me know if you’re interested in some basic combat training. That way, the next time you chase down some bad guys, you can take them down, no matter how big they are,” he wrote.
Florian texted him back. “Miss Fumblehouse will help me plan my college majors and career path this Saturday. How about Sunday?”
🙠🙢
The next day, Florian escorted Hope to school.
“Have a good day,” Florian signed.
Hope hugged Florian, signing “I love you” with a bright, loving smile. Her seashell dove spirit pressed up against Florian.
“I love you too.” Florian hugged Hope tightly.
🙠🙢
Florian, now a celebrity in high school, confronted her friends from grade school. They were as supportive as ever and were the first to take action when Florian asked.
“If I’m going to be a detective, I’ll need more experience. So, I decided to start an after-school club to assist others. Will you guys help me?”
“Of course! Then maybe some of that luck will rub off on us,” Alex said. His monkey spirit grinned.
“I want in. Are we stopping some bad guys?” Sera asked, tuning her guitar. Her koi fish swam through the air around her, just like her mother’s mimic octopus.
“Will you be investigating more crimes with this club?” Amalia said, her bat spirit stretching its wings.
“Well, I doubt big crimes will be happening every day. If I practice with some small-scale problems, it might help me with the bigger ones,” Florian said.
“What kind of club is this again?” Amalia asked.
“It’ll be the Support, Investigate, Kindness, Encourage, Understand, Progress Club. The Psych Up Club!” Florian said.
“That spells sike up, not psych up,” Sera said.
“We’ll start this club for anyone in the school. We’ll help with any problem, no matter how small,” Florian said.
“Any problem? Even if it’s just homework problems?” Alex asked.
“Even homework problems. . . Then once we’re ready, we’ll unveil it to the entire city! Making it a private investigation organization,” Florian said.
“I’m in! I need help with my homework!” Alex said.
“I don’t mind tutoring,” Amalia said.
“I want to catch bad guys!” Sera said.
“Small-scale cases, the first step to becoming a real detective,” Florian said.
Choco entered their classroom. “Is Florian Lilly Cobblestone here?” she asked.
“Is this our first case? We haven’t even established the club yet,” Alex said.
Choco made eye contact and calmly walked toward Florian. Her fur cluster soul shuffled behind her; its large white eyes peered through its fuzz, clacking its square teeth together.
Choco raised her hand, and a moment after, the giant hamster raised its paw.
Delayed movement? She’s hesitating. . .
Choco smacked Florian’s face as hard as she could. “Return my boyfriend to me!”
Everyone’s jaws dropped. “Whaaaaaaaaat!?”
The entire class had misunderstood the meaning behind Choco’s words.
Florian stood up from her desk.
The fur cluster hamster began to pant as its hair curled.
I thought letting her slap me would calm her down. This might get ugly. “Do you have any pets? You know, it takes a lot of responsibility to care for one.”