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''There's a message.'' You squeeze past your dad as he investigates your small living space area with the Father's blessing. Your mom soundlessly follows.
Written on a blank page with a pen that has since rolled on the ground is this message.
<span class="mu-i"><span class="mu-s">sory
here warm soul
imptan friend in bar manor for you bad seed
mother mine please help</span></span>
''The boy is still here.'' As you're processing the written words, your dad gently lowers himself to one knee and touches the wall under your table. ''He's become a gray sphere, resting. This open nexus to Mother Earth web is going to help him reenergize, <span class="mu-s">he'll likely become active again in three days.</span>''
''So, he's aware of his...death.'' Your heart squeezes. You shouldn't have run, he was just a boy, no more than ten!
''I think so.'' Your mom hasn't looked away from the message. ''He's sorry for scaring you, I believe he knows his situation. Mother mine please help...''
''It is quite odd he cannot directly communicate with his mother.'' Your dad comments as he leans out of your bedroom window to give one long perusal of the horizon. ''If he followed you from Eichenwald, it's little wonder he completely exhausted himself by writing. If he has a message or some business, then forcing an exorcism would be a mistake.''
''He shouldn't have been able to do this at all, the Rite...'' You feel a flare of anger.
''This Belmont didn't give you much faith, didn't he?'' Mother turns to look at you.
''When one heart is closed to monsters, it's usually far warmer to mankind.'' Is your response and with a few deep breaths to settle your emotions, your anger cools to embers.
''Too soon to cast accusations.'' Rikard gently squeezes past you to stand next to your mom, his eyes no longer glowing with the gift of Father Sky. ''Important friend in manor...''
''Augustine is, ah...'' <span class="mu-i">It's embarrassing to say!</span> ''...the first friend I've made in a long time. I can't think of anyone else being important.''
''True'' <span class="mu-i">Urk! There's no judgment in dad voice but damn, it sting.</span> ''The only manor I can think of belongs to Baron Bram, but maybe for a young kid, bigger noble residences could also be manors.''
''What I don't understand is why did he scribe that third line?'' Canaan gently taps the paper with a finger. ''Ghosts are creatures of souls, and very emotional yeah?'' You and dad nod. ''Then asking us for help makes sense, but why deliver this message?''
''Perhaps he's that kind of person? Helpful?'' That's the only answer you can find, your dad stays silent for a few dozen seconds then shakes his head.
''Too soon to tell.'' <span class="mu-i">Dad has an idea and doesn't want to say it.</span> His face is dry and cold, his tone a closed book. ''Let's go sleep and think with clearer heads. This boy... will be safe with this open connection to Mother Earth web for a while.''
