– What is it, Han? – She asked.

– Well, about that incident… if you don’t mind, can we talk about it?

– Sure…

– Do you perhaps remember the moment you were being choked and stabbed? If so, can you describe what it felt like?

– Hmm, well, I was choked at the same time as stabbed… However, now that I’m thinking of it, it didn’t feel like any weapon nor hands grabbing my neck.

– What do you mean?? – He was confused and curious.

– It felt like a round thin object, like a sharp stick or something if that even makes sense… As for choking, it was also something thin yet strong. – She tried to remember.

– So basically, like a plant murdering you? – He deduced.

– It seems funny putting it like that but yes actually. Since my father saw nothing at the scene nor did I when I saw the girl, I think the most assumable option is the girl using any type of power plant like.

– I see… Thanks for telling me that, it will help us a lot in finding out who’s the criminal.

– Yeah, no problem. – She anxiously smiled at him.

– Anyways, see ya! Have a good night and be careful. – Han warned, as he turned around.

– Bye!

Han was walking down the road after talking with her, and he was thinking about every clue they had to both cases.

“ So, The Moon’s Shadow and this girl are most likely not the same person since the methods and clues don’t match at all… but what is the connection between both? Any type of rivalry? Revenge maybe? Did the girl think Lydia was The Shadow and after realising she was not, she knocked on the door for someone to save her? Is it really a threat to the real murderer? Uhh… So many questions.”

As he was reaching the bus stop at the end of the road rampage, he saw someone sleeping there. Eclipse. She was leaning on the bus stop’s window, with arms crossed over her tummy.

– Eclipse? – He tilted his head. – What are you doing here, it’s past the bus’ hours. Wake up! – He carefully shaked her.

– Oh… Hi… – She woke up.

– Are you really okay? You’re pale and all sleepy. 

– Yeah, I was waiting for the bus but it seems like I fell asleep instead… I feel kinda dizzy. – She responded.

– Oh… – He wanted to help her. –  I’ll take you home then.

– What? How?

– Hop on my back, we’ll walk there. – He kneeled down.

– Are you sure? It’s like four kilometres away…

– Don’t underestimate my stamina and my strength. I just don’t teleport us there because you’re dizzy and I don’t wanna make it worse.

Suddenly Han shifted into his Oni form and Eclipse was shocked because she never saw him like that before. She climbed onto his back.

– Why are you so quiet? Are you nauseous? – He asked, worried and stopping for a bit.

– A bit… but don’t worry, I’ll be fine.

After a while, they arrived at her house.

– Thank you for bringing me home. – She thanked him, getting off his back carefully.

– It’s fine. Now go rest and take care of yourself. – He caressed her hands gently. They were cold again.

– Yes, good night.

– Good night. – Han smiled as Eclipse waved him goodbye from the other side of the gate.

He then teleported back to the royal residence.

“I need to tell Khaos the new things I found… I hope Eclipse feels better tomorrow too.”

~~~

A week has passed… Dracarus and Han kept on going to the studio daily. The group of friends seemed to really like both of them and so did they; they were enjoying this time with them, and even considered them as friends now.

As for the murderers’ case, they let the investigations stop for a while; no more bodies were found during this week, nor The Moon’s Shadow letters.

~~~

“Ah… I should stop it for this month… All these works are taking care of all my time. And the school festival is near, it’ll be even worse…”

Everything was white on the other side of the windows, it was going to be a foggy November…

“Well… At least I can rest a bit… and protect Lydia.”

~~~

Catherine had gone to a school meeting along with some other students and teachers to talk about the autumn festival. It was a usual event in November where the art classes showcased some of their works and drawings in the campus with some food stands and some fun activities.

After the meeting, she went to the studio to tell her friends about it.

– Apparently this year’s festival will be on next friday, we’ll have a week to prepare for it and we can suspend our project this week. – She explained.

– Hm, the usual. – Xavier affirmed, crossing his arms.

Lydia looked at him.

– Will the stands be in pairs again? – Lydia asked Catherine.

– This year it’ll be in groups of three, it was hard to manage only two people per stand last year.

– Oh… So we’ll need to find two more people to join us… 

They were a group of four, they didn’t sympathize much with the other classmates so, in order to no one be left alone, they would divide in pairs and try to find a third person.

– Maybe we can ask Han and Dracarus for help, they are always with us now. – Xavier suggested.

“Damn it…” Someone murmured.

– Yes. – Catherine approved. – By the way, aren’t they coming today? 

– I don’t know, maybe not… – Lydia replied, also curious.

~~~ 

The day was passing, and they didn’t show up. They assumed they were probably busy with something.

They were packing up their things and cleaning their tables since it was almost time to go home… But Catherine wasn’t.

– Aren’t you going home as well, Cath? – Xavier asked, after cleaning his things.

– Oh, the meeting delayed my work so I’ll stay for a few more hours. I have to finish some parts to let it dry fully during this week off. – She responded, not even glancing at him. She was really focused.

– Oh, alright…

Lydia was hearing the conversation.

– Be careful, it’s getting darker outside, you shouldn’t head home alone. – He added. He was worried about her… He felt a special affection towards her, probably a crush.

– Vincent is gonna pick me up, don’t worry. – She looked at him.

– Oh… – He was quite… sad. – Well, see ya then.

– See you tomorrow. – She smiled at him.

Lydia noticed he was sad. She knew he had a crush on Catherine… which also made her heart sank since she liked him.

“Why can’t you love me instead…” She thought as she saw him leave the room.

Eclipse was watching everything from afar… Suddenly she hugged her from behind.

– I’m ready, let’s go. – She smiled at Lydia. She was aware of her feelings towards him and wanted to comfort her.

– Yeah… – She smiled back. – Let’s go.

– Goodbye Cath! – They both said, waving goodbye.

Catherine smiled and waved back.

“Ah I hope this won’t take too long…”

~~~

It was now 7 o’clock and she finally finished that part.

– I can finally go home! – She sighed, exhausted.

She looked through the window and it was already dark… All she saw was the old lamp outside, flickering.

“I can call Vincent now.” She was about to call him when she saw a message from him. “Huh? He messaged me two hours ago…” She opened the text. 

“I’m sorry, Cath, but I won’t be able to pick you up today. The commandant asked me to work the night shift. Please go by bus or with any of your friends. I’m really sorry.” 

– Oh… – She pouted. – Well… at least he told me.

She washed her hands and packed her things to go home. After a few minutes she left the studio. It was really cold outside.

“I should’ve taken a coat this morning…”

As she was walking down the cold, foggy street, she heard someone screaming for help.

– Help! Please! Someone help me!

– Huh? Who’s there?! – She yelled, trying to find the person in need.

She noticed the sound coming from the left intersection, so she runned towards it.

There was a masked person in a black outfit, walking down the road when they were suddenly hugged by a woman. She was the one screaming.

– Please! I’m begging you… Help me, this man has been following me with a knife. – The woman was terrified. She was crying, begging for help from this masked person.

Catherine didn’t move further, she stood far away, she thought the masked person was going to help.

“I hope they help her!”

There was a creepy man running towards the woman with a knife in his hand.

The masked person saw him and went in front of the woman.

– Stay behind me, I’ll take care of this. – The person said.

While he was trying to protect the woman, the man scratched her hand with the knife. The mysterious person left out a soft grunt of pain.

– Are you okay…?! – The woman asked.

– Yes… – Blood was dripping from one's hand. – Please stay away from me.

The woman, confused, stepped away. He took out a dagger from his pocket, and powered it with some sort of lightning power.

“What?! An electricity powered weapon?! Could it be…?!” Catherine had realised something.

The man tried to go for the woman again but this person stabbed his neck with the weapon. He fell to the ground, surely dead.

– …!! – Catherine was surprised. The person just committed a murder… and she was sure this person was the famous executioner rounding the city.

– You… Murdered him… – The helpless woman was even more in shock. – Thank you… for saving me. – She hugged the person, crying. Despite his bad action, he still saved her. – But what about your hand?! – She looked at his hand. – It’s still bleeding! – She tried touching it but he stepped away.

– Please, just leave… 

The worried woman did what he said.

– Thank you so much… I swear I won’t tell anyone about this… And please, treat your hand. – She was shaking.

She left running so she didn’t even see Catherine at the corner.

– Are you… The Moon’s Shadow? – Catherine approached the person.

He was cleaning the knife but once he heard her, he stopped.

– You are, aren’t you? – She stood right behind him. – My assumption is right, that’s why you stopped. Or perhaps, you know who I am. 

The person wasn’t answering anything. He was just listening to her calmly.

She started crying.

– You’re the one who killed my dad aren’t you? … Is there any chance you’d be protecting me like you just did now? I honestly don’t know what to say or think anymore, after all you’re a criminal. – She clenched her fists. – But for some reason… I’m grateful you murdered him…

“Hm? Did she just thank the culprit of her dad’s murder? Even if that made her cry for days?”

The black individual turned around. Catherine was still silently crying and tried to look at his face. But she couldn’t.

He had a white mask with classic jester-like details and an emotionless expression. She widened her eyes.

– Were you the same person who tried to murder my friend Lydia? … – She analysed his body from head to toes. She was sure it was a girl. – You’re a girl, right?

The person kept quiet. They seemed tense.

– Why don’t you answer me?! – Catherine yelled at her, angrily. – Why don’t you murder me? – She got even closer.

He didn’t move one bit, making her even more mad.

– Why can’t you fucking answer me?! – Catherine was losing her mind. She wanted answers, she wanted to know who she was… – Do I perhaps… know you? – She tried to take off her hood but she didn’t allow it, flash-like moving behind her.

“What the hell?! How is she so fast…?!”

The person grabbed her by the neck. Catherine was now paralysed, trembling in fear. “What is she doing?!” She gasped.

– I’m sorry for this… – She finally spoke. – And… – Tears run down the mask. – … I’m also not the same person who tried to kill her.

~~~

The Moon

“Shit…! She almost caught me!” I was sobbing in guilt and I threw my bloody knife across the room.

“They really think I was the one who tried to murder Lydia that day… But I can’t tell them the truth!”

– I can’t let them find out about me just yet… – I looked at myself in the mirror. – But I don’t want to deceive them… Especially her!

I was panicking. All because of that blue haired snake…

– No…It’s not her fault for this… – I put my hands over my head, in despair. – It’s mine…! 

“I should’ve protected her, I shouldn’t have got them involved in this!” The guilt of what happened to her was consuming me.

“And Catherine’s dad… She thanked me for it… But she was still mad.” Was it… a mistake?

I realised there was still blood dripping down my hand. “Agh… it’s still bleeding…”

I washed my hand on the sink. Seeing the blood run down the drain made me think about Lydia’s blood that day. She was stabbed… She could’ve died.

My hands were shaking in fear, and the blood kept on running more and more from my flesh.

– Shit… What if she died?! I would never forgive myself for it… 

My chest was heavy… I couldn’t breathe properly anymore… These thoughts were harrowing my mind and heart.

“Maybe this wasn’t the right decision…” – I let my body fall to the ground. The sobbing was getting worse.

– They will hate me if they find out the truth… 

I needed someone to talk to… I needed reassurance from someone… But I didn’t have anyone at the moment. No one could help me with this…

“If only I could talk to him one last time… would he help me? … Would he be mad at my choices?” …

“I’m not going to give up on this yet… I need to save people from the same thing that happened, and to fulfil my revenge on her…! But my friends… I can’t let them get involved.”

~~~