[017]

When the Weak Go Marching In Part 7

Huh? This was unexpected.

“I’m keeping this short buddy, I don't have much time to explain.”

The atmosphere tensed as I felt the dusk begin to hit, 3:30 read on his apple watch. The store lights lit up early and I saw the two who I’ve begun to trust reserve a table for 5.

“Okay.”

That was all I could respond to Celeste as he nodded and cleared his throat,

“The driver bringing us the whip is a little late, so we need to buy some time until he gets here.”

He handed me a knife, it felt cold.

“I planned for you and the others to board the ghost train.”

I barely registered what he said. Rage filled my heart for the fear and risk he put his own comrades in. In my eyes the reflection of a hypocrite was projected into my mind.

Until he explained himself,

“This rendezvous point has a huge concentration of Lost and someone like you who I failed to explain what a Lost is to needed to experience its effects first hand.”

He pulled out his phone and a pencil, he explained that it was a stylus… not a pencil… anyways-

He pulled out his phone and a stylus and began to explain in words and small cartoony graphics that apparently you'd see on Saturday mornings in the mid 2000s according to him.

“Ignoring my cutesy art style, these not so cute creatures are conglomerates of souls or spirits of the once living as well as the emotions of the currently living.”

He continued,

“Think of an abusive household, you wouldn't have too much fun in that now would you? The negative emotions radiating from that household attracts spirits that have unfortunately met a similar fate or lived through a similar situation. Instead of these spirits and souls being properly escorted by Guiders to the afterlife they conglomerate in these negative areas and create Losts which are a fused mess of souls and negative emotions searching to find the afterlife. While souls or spirits can only see Guiders, Losts can see Watchers and Guiders. Us Watchers can't interfere with the escort of souls to the afterlife nor the spirits which are separate entities I’ll get into later.”

My head spun but I think I got it.

“So what I’m saying is that these Losts are the result of malpractice and neglect of the Guiders. We can't prevent it but if we reform the system then souls can be brought to the afterlife more effectively and the amount of Losts will greatly be reduced.”

I was scared to ask but I did anyways,

“You said ‘spirits’ earlier along with souls, so what exactly are sp-”

“IM SO GLAD YOU ASKED I LOVE THEM!”

His nostrils widened as he began to explain like some otaku.

“Spirits are basically creatures that dwell between the mortal world and the afterlife at all times, many of them lend their power to mortals and Guardians however they commit to that by assimilating with the host and creating a symbiotic relationship!”

I widened my eyes,

“Like Nekomata?”

“Well that's her legit last name but yes ironically enough she did assimilate with Nekomata.”

He shook his fingers,

“Good segway though because only those with Transforming abilities can assimilate from my knowledge and experience.”

Balanced I see.

“They’ll typically give you power and leave you alone for the most part however, unless you're a truly power hungry person then they take a legitimate form inside your body. Gato is just unique where she acts like a cat when she transforms, that's usually unprecedented with assimilated transformers.”

He yawned,

“Anyways back to the Losts, I didn't plan to make a stop here to eat but now that we are its perfect training for you!”

I tilt my head but before I can ask a question I’m simply told boldly,

“Dusk is the hour where Losts emerge most frequent as it's a blend of day into night. This place pays their workers minimum wage and are forced to smile for customers so I expect quite the resentful Losts today. You will be the one to fight them and I don't want you to come back into the store to eat until you've killed 5 of them.”

He rubbed my head,

“Alright my son! I’ll be back see yaaaa!!!!”

I felt… abandoned?

Fuck how am I going to do this its quite the task to clear these ones if they're going to be like the ones on the train…

Celeste screams back at me,

“You get a new book for every 1 you kill!”

I’m fucking ready.