“Milko!” I cannot help but hug the scruffy fellow when he jumps into my arms at the entryway of the guesthouse. His fur is a bit messy, so I pat it down as he climbs atop my head. “Thanks for getting help ya bugger!” I receive a somewhat pleased ‘mrreow’ in response. I’m certain the dog and cat colluded to seek help in that moment when I was having the ‘seizure’.

“Yin-ah, give me bag, Mumma carry it for you.” Mum snatches my bag and shuffles past me, ready to indulge in the comforts of luxury. As I take off my shoes, a rather posh voice rings from inside, “Madam, please leave your luggage to me. I will guide you to your rooms. Tea is brewing in the kitchen.”

“Oolong chai?” Mum asks in anticipation, clearly happy to have someone else make tea for once.

“…If you want it to be, Madam.”

I glance up at the butler and nod politely. This place has changed since last I was here during the years of my education. Now with a second floor, Sika’s guesthouse has windows that extend all the way up to the ceiling and the walls have been repainted. Back then they were white, now they’re a chocolate brown. Makes the space appear smaller than it is. The moonlight won’t scatter as much anymore. The butler glances at Milko atop my head before bowing slightly, “Sir, what food may I prepare…for your cat?”

“He usually goes hunting on his own. Don’t spoil him too much, the city makes him fat.” I look back at the door expecting Sika to come in but he’s nowhere to be seen. “Where’s Sika?”

“The Young Master will be staying at his residence near the library if you wish to see him. He did inform me to give you this, however.” He hands me a sleek black mobile phone. “This is the H26-Granyte. The latest model in the–”

“Why?”

“Pardon me, Mr Rivers. I am simply following orders. I do not know why.”

I don’t want to rely on Sika. I don’t want him to have access to my whereabouts. I’m not stupid, it’s clear he bought this to keep an eye on me after learning of my latest ‘job’. “Listen mister, give this to my Mum. I think she’d have more use for it than I do. Make sure it has that snake game downloaded, she’ll be thrilled.”

With my connections, I should be able to get a new phone from one of the gang members during the smuggling deal. I smile gently at the butler and walk towards the windows to get a good view. This guesthouse is built on a small hill, overlooking the forest of buildings. It has been a while since I’ve seen so many lights. The buildings have changed, but the layout is fairly similar to what it used to be. From here I can see Sika’s other residence a few blocks away where the library is. The hospital is close by too. Yang City University borders the horizon at the very edge of the city. The four days’ worth of commute to get there on foot brings back memories of the cold winters from when I first came here. Beyond that is a world I have yet to explore.

The moon peeks over the dark horizon, yellow and round. It’s only a matter of time before the shipment of drugs passes through the river banks near home. I must head back as soon as I can.

“Yin-ah! Dinner is ready lah! This time no cabbage! There is…meat! We having chicken!!” Mum’s excited voice rings from the kitchen. The butler can’t help but crack a smile. “I will set the table. Please eat well, Mr Rivers.” He pauses briefly before whispering in my ear, “Please leave Madam to me, Sir, I will ensure she is taken care of splendidly under my care.”

I nod. Evidently Sika has informed him of my plans without me telling him. “What do I call you?”

“My name is Fenri, Sir.”

“Fenri.”

“Yes, Sir?”

“…You have a nice name. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“It is my duty to serve your family, Mr Rivers.”

The moon hangs like the sun at noon in the sky. Mum is finally asleep. It’s around 2 in the morning. The wind outside rattles the windows. My skin prickles as I slip out the balcony and hang from the ledge. The front door would definitely arouse mother from her sleep, so the balcony was a better option. Milko nudges me from inside my sweater as I carefully jump to a tree and make my way down. It’s barely been a minute since I crept outside, but I can already feel the whispers flood my ears like the hauntings of spirits. It was never this obvious back in the town, but here in the city, every corner has the ‘Darkness’ seeping through.

“Reddd souulll…”                             “Minemineminemine!”                                     “Give meeeee!”

      “Tasty soul!”                                            “Reeed so brightttt…”                        “Eeeeaattt eeeaaaatt!”

Spirits or souls or ghouls or ghosts, whatever they are, they definitely have their eyes on me. It’s like what Death warned me about. I must be careful.

The windchill rips through my sweater as I ride back through the village outskirts with Milko in the basket of a stolen bicycle. No one will miss it. Plus, I’m quite sure all the trouble I cause will be taken care of by Sika’s very dedicated butler.

Downhill, the cycle speeds up. I’m almost at the riverbank. The moon has hidden behind the trees and clouds. I hear the branches snapping behind me. Something is following me. Something…not quite human.

Do not look back, Yin. Don’t look back. There is a lady snarling, singing a sad song. She’s right behind me, I can hear the scratching of nails on the ground.

“Reddd soullll…giveee meeee…”

I skid to a stop right behind my house and tumble off the cycle, scrambling to get inside. Milko is right at my heels. I don’t know any spells, any magic, anything to ward off that thing. “Shit. Shit, shit, I never had to deal with aggressive ones before!”

The door bangs loudly and I shove my body against it, holding it shut.

“Givveeee meeee!!!!”

“No!”

The door creaks with the weight of something. I can hear husky breathing, almost like she’s squeezing through the wood. “Milko, hide, now.” As I motion my hands, I see red smoke seeping through my fingertips. My soul is…leaking out? I clench my fingers in a fist as the breathing behind me grows louder. If it’s my soul she wants, then I’ll let her have a taste. “You want it that badly, huh? Well then–”

“Osmanthus, osmanthus, the moon shines bright~”

“What–” The pressure on the door has magically vanished. Instead, there’s the rhythmic tapping of a knuckle.

“I said, ‘Oh osmanthus! Osmanthus, the moon shines fuckin’ bright~’”

“Ah–uh–‘lover’s delight, let me drink away the night~’” I can’t believe I remember that goddamn tune. Opening the door by just a sliver, I can see my contractor’s bulky frame blocking the wind.

“Yin Rivers! Good to know yer still in business! Open the fuckin’ door.” He kicks his foot at me. “If you let something else in, that’s your problem!” I swiftly move away, the door creaks open, dust scattering through the dimly lit area. “If you make so much noise, I cannot ensure the safety of your packages.”

“Aw apologies, ya fuckin’ madman.” He sizes me up as his men start loading several sacks into my living room. “How have you been?”

“I’m a bit paranoid if I’m honest.” I glance at the door. There is no sign of the thing that was chasing me, but I can still sense its presence in the air.

He follows my gaze and turns back to me, before staring at my clothes. “Ya know, Yin, with a reputation like yours among the gangs, I’m surprised you don’t make enough cash to cover yourself with some good clothes.”

“Why what’s wrong with them?” I look down…ahh the tumble has ripped a giant hole down the side of my sweater. “I’ll stitch it up later.”

“Why? Spent it all already?”

“Oh you hardly pay me well, Idris. This time I expect at least thrice the amount. I’m doing you a favour not calling the Shamans on you.”