Once Jin retreated to the kitchen, Alex felt a wave of calmness wash over him and decided to wait. Meanwhile, Jin leaned over the sink, scrubbing the dishes in troubled silence.
"He's starting to lose his grip on reality." Jin thought, his heart heavy. "How can someone forget something within a single minute or fail to notice me walking right past them?"
Sighing, Jin wiped down the counter. "And aside from that terrible dream, I haven't noticed anything unusual since I woke up."he said.
When Jin finally stepped back into the living room, he found Alex fast asleep on the carpeted floor.
"Goodness me... did I really take that long?" Jin murmured. Deciding not to disturb him, Jin stepped out of the house. "I guess I'll get some fresh air alone."
As the sun's heat warmed his body, Jin felt more alive. A gentle breeze rustled through the surrounding trees, filling the quiet space with an effortless peace. For the first time since waking, Jin felt the tension in his chest begin to ease.
Meanwhile, in the bustling town market, Koff had finally arrived at the spice shop. While waiting for her order to be packed, she couldn't help but overhear the quiet whispers sweeping through the crowd. Almost everyone was gossiping about the sudden death of a little girl.
Spotting a regular customer from their restaurant. A woman in a white robe with a veil covering her head, Koff walked over.
"Oh, Koff! Good morning." Lady Raihana greeted her warmly.
"Good morning, Lady Raihana." Koff replied. "I... I heard the tragic news about a girl."she said.
"Ah, yes," Raihana sighed sadly. "A child from the orphanage passed away in her sleep. That is what they are saying, at least."
"May her soul find peace," Koff said sadly.
Then Lady Raihana gathered her meat and vegetables and took her leave." Dying in her sleep... or was she poisoned?" Koff thought then returned to the spice shop.
A tall, lean man handed her the wrapped spices before returning to his heavy mortar and pestle, grinding fresh ingredients. Koff took the package and turned towards the street, unable to shake the heavy suspicion settling in her gut.
"I'll speak with Jin tonight at our usual spot."she decided. "I just hope he stops by the restaurant today." The day went by normally, though it was a bit disappointing for Koff since Jin hadn't even bothered to appear at the restaurant.
"Hurry up so I can close the restaurant and rest," Maria urged.
"Can't you see I'm organizing the place?" Koff replied.
"I'm not blind, but you're doing it so slowly," Maria said.
"Ugh, says the girl standing at the door and not helping at all," Koff shot back.
"At least I'm keeping you company. You wouldn't be able to manage in my absence," Maria said, tapping her foot impatiently on the floor.
Once they finally closed up, they parted ways to head to their respective homes.
It's not even that late, but so many people are already closing up for the night, Koff mused, walking down the street.
Minutes later, she reached her house and slumped into a chair, completely exhausted from the day's work.
"Tomorrow, I'm heading over to your house first thing in the morning," Koff told herself, determined to see Jin.
Meanwhile, far out in the outskirts of the village, Gloria sat outside on her porch, carefully knitting a blanket.
"Seems that her soul is too strong to listen to my spell... or did I place the wrong one on her?" Gloria thought, her brows furrowing in frustration."I need to think this through, because her soul is my golden opportunity." Gloria said. She stood up, stepped into her house, and slammed the door shut behind her.
Morning arrived with an early rising sun that cast a warm glow over the plants surrounding Gloria's house.
"She should visit today, then I shall seize the opportunity to claim that soul," she hoped. "But I should get something to eat first."
Gloria grabbed her basket, stepped outside, and walked into her small garden to harvest some vegetables.
Meanwhile, back at Estadey's house, the small curtains hung in tatters. Broken plates and pots were shattered across the floor, a thick trail of ash was scattered across the doorway, and deep scratch marks were gouged into the heavy wooden door. The surrounding walls were stained with blood and marked by dark clawing gashes.
Inside her room lay Estadey, wrapped tightly in her blanket and trembling uncontrollably. Her brows were knitted together, her eyes squeezed shut, and her skin was deathly pale and covered in bruises, as if she had been severely beaten and left without care.
Suddenly, a screeching cry shattered the silence. It was so piercingly loud that she covered her hands over her ears to mute the sound, but it still rang in her head.
"Please! Just leave me alone... leave me alone!" Estadey cried out, tears streaming down her pale face. "I want to play! I want to play!"the screeching voice cried out even louder while begging for play time.