章 25: Chapter 24 Cal

Mystery 3

Change. A process in which all things in nature must go through eventually. But why must things change? What causes the change that is brought before us in life? The death of loved ones, an incomprehensible fear of the unknown, and the primordial fear of darkness. Some say outside factors play a large or part in these changes but can we as humans, or should we as humans blame these outside factors when they like us are another large part of nature?

We hate these things and yet we play with our own lives when we fear death. We hide in the shadows and yet fear darkness. And although we as a society would like to associate ourselves with good intentions we hold on to evil and wicked thoughts. The true mystery is change indeed. But have we as humans changed or are we stuck in this stagnant part of our own evolution awaiting the darkness to take hold of our pathetic existence? The mystery is....

....

The inside of the abandoned home looks a lot like despair. Luca gave me a spare flashlight. I wasn't exactly expecting to see an abandoned building. The strange thing is how dark it is in here even when the door had been wide open. Mind you it is still around 1:30 pm. Light seems to stop right at the entrance, strangely. This must be why it's called the super creepy scary building or whatever. Though getting on the topic of the whether it is rather cloudy today. The forecast called for a very clear sky and no rain, yet I can tell it's going to rain in Old Seyuta. If I'm being completely honest the forecast can be very inaccurate but not in recent years. Though there are hiccups here and there. I think this and yet I feel that storm cloud I the mountains seem quite unnatural. Maybe this whole ghost thing is just getting to me.

Okay. Time for a plan. I need to help Luca out with finding clues to help with my brother's case on the missing children. If the information holds up then looking here is a good start. I'm still perplexed as to how the authorities didn't really think to look here. If they have, I don't exactly plan on finding things though the only thing I was planning on finding was Mr. Mime. But if the home is closed down like this then he must live somewhere in Old Seyuta right? Yeah. Well apparently, the town residents do not recognize that description....no I'm wrong. The elderly residents seemed to know something though they gave me the "this kid is crazy as hell" look. To which I just rolled my eyes at. I'll just ask Luca about it when we're done here. That'll ta

e care of that. Then again, I could hopefully end this by simply questioning him on these topics that surf my mind.

As far as the abandoned building is concerned it smelled of dust and mold. wood and ruble lay on places that at one time were accessible areas.

"Dammit" Luca swears. "The stairway is blocked. Go check that elevator. Maybe we can get through the shaft somehow." I nod understanding his idea.

"Specifically, how old is this place?" I question him as I stride over towards the elevator shaft.

"I think around 70 years. " Luca aimed his light at the staircase attempting to find a way through, I guess. "It survived that flood. But some of the residents weren't so lucky." He gave up on the staircase and made his way towards me to the elevator door which was blocked by a wooden beam.

"How many?" my question made him stop for a quick second. He seemed bothered.

" Five. A relative of mine had been one of the five.... Sonuvabitch" he swears again upon seeing the beam.

" We need to go upstairs to get to the file room. Normally it's placed on ground level or the basement but there were so many renovations done to this place. Help me move this beam."

Together we grab onto the old beam and luckily moved it without getting any splinters. It was heavy. Yup it was definitely heavy.

I couldn't help but think. How old is Luca's family line and how long was the family tied to Seyuta. Some of these people came here from other places but Luca's family just seems like a legacy of Seyuta. It's just specific customs and things Luca does. Also, the kind of respect Luca and his brother gets from the village, even the elders, is something else. Almost like nobility.

"Tell me about yourself Luca." I finally spoke up.

"What's there to tell? I mean I'm a detective, blah blah blah, I'm still a bit of a man child so there's that." he laughed it off.

" I mean your family history in relation to Seyuta." I didn't want to be so blunt but unless you get straight to it Luca is guaranteed to pull you in a whirlwind of his sarcasm. At least he admitted he's a man child. Really, I'm no better.

"Ahh." Luca tried to pull open the jammed doors of the elevator.

"Help me get this thing open."

I got on the other side making sure not to break a leg jumping over the rubble.

"On three." I steadied myself, clutching one side and him the other. " One...two...hhhg!" we began to pull. It was crazy. This old, more than likely rusted door didn't want to budge. No wonder no one came in here.

We stop and catch our breath. "One more time." he states. I nodded. assuring him I'm ready to go again.

"One...two...hhhg!" I put my all into it, gritting my teeth and straining to pull it open. It budges ever so slightly.

"Almost there." he grunts. It feels like my arms are at their limit. My back muscles are straining under the pressure. how do they do it in movies? Oh well that was a stupid thing to ask myself. l They're called movies for a reason.

Just when I think I'm done the doors begin to open. I look over at Luca and see that his body held a faded glow. almost spectral.

Just like that, the doors open and we're good. Though it made quite the noise...followed by an eerie silence. Luca and I looked at each other...then we chuckled. I guess between the creepy backstory and the air of suspense, we got a little startled due to the noise.

"That was creepy." He spoke up.

"Yeah." I agreed. After that silly moment we were back on task. Looking into the shaft we saw I could easily climb up the open hatch of the broken elevator and scale the ladder that led to the rest of the floors. Before letting me go Luca placed his hand on my shoulder as to stop me. I turn and look at him.

"My family's blood runs rather deep in this native land." he wore a serious expression. One I've haven't seen until this moment. Though the expression quickly turned into a friendly smile. "Let's get outta here. Then I'll be sure to let Ya know." I turn to face him.

"Wouldn't the Chief be displeased to know his younger brother is divulging family secrets to an outsider?" I ask in the most sarcastic way possible while utilizing my horrible attempt at a high society American accent.

"Why would I care about something so tedious?" He responds in kind, mimicking my behavior. We laugh.

"Besides." he says normally. "I don't think you're an outsider. Honestly, I think your blood is possibly deeper rooted in Seyuta than mine. I don't know...it's just a hunch."

"Well," I started "My mom was born in Seyuta. And our grandpa was the previous Village Chief." His face lightens up at my words.

"You serious?" He asked. I simply nodded.

"Your grandad was Onacana? The White Owl?" He made it sound as if grandad was a celebrity.

"Why? Was he famous?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Dude he's extremely famous in both cities of Seyuta. He was even a prominent figure in the world of shamanic due to his knowledge and viciousness. Loved by both friends and enemies."

Famous? Vicious? Enemies? Who the hell is Luca confusing with my sweet and kind grandpa? Sounds more like the mentor of a main protagonist in an anime.

"The only Chief more famous than him was his ancestor, Sequoya, the "Sparrow". Now that was a sick and scary mother-" he continues on in the background for as I heard the name Sequoya, my mind went blank and flooded with random thoughts and flashes. Though I couldn't make anything out I found a part of me understood it. For a tear fell down my eye.

"So" I tune back in, "how deep does my blood run in Seyuta? Sounds like you know my family better than me."

"I'm guessing your mom decided getting away from the family tradition was best for her family." he placed his hands on his hips as if in deep thought. "Though I'm sure your brother Ryan probably knows something. if not him then Detective Drake is bound to have caught on to your family connection here."

"Why is that?" I ask.

"Because they're most curious other than your nosy butt. " He laughs. "C'mon, I'll need you to get up the shaft and open up a way for me to get upstairs. see if u can do something about the staircase."

"Why not climb through with me?" I ask.

"it looks dangerous enough through the shaft already. Plus, your lighter than me."

I give him a cold glare. That asshole.

I eventually find a way for him to get up the staircase. we continue to move through the creepy home together. it was actually quite terrifying alone. It still is to be honest. After searching for what seemed like an eternity of dust and decay, we find the files and leave the home. Though I can surely say something attaching itself to me. I hadn't known it at the time but the time we spent there at the abandoned home we were not alone. No. We were watched every step of the way....by all of them.