I woke up gasping. I checked my stopwatch which lay beside me. It had become the 10th hour now. Hastily, I searched for a lighter inside my pocket and lit it to examine the scene. From the scars on the body, it seemed a spirit had possessed him. The foul odor spread out a sickening feeling. I started to regret the decision to come here. I served in the anti-spirit squadron, and I had become obliged to investigate it now. At the same time, I knew I should not get deeply involved in this.

I crouched down as I started to examine the body. It had become pale, with skin coming out. The pupils were dilated, and his head lay on the ground with no particular signs of physical resistance. I examined the knife, covered with old blood dripping from it. The dark signs on his neck showed that the possession had progressed, likely causing to kill himself. It felt quite peculiar how the spirit entered this manor, despite its strong barrier. This was the case of a classic locked-room murder mystery.

I remembered that there were signs of spirits when I entered the mansion. I felt confused as to their modus operandi. With silent footsteps, I started to walk away from the body, and traversed to the insides. I halted in between steps, looking at the body with a stern gaze. Just outside what seemed like a collector’s library, I lit a smoke, and the fire revealed the inner structure.

I felt a sense of aversion when I looked at it. The books were arranged in proper bookshelves. Each shelf was labelled in proper alphabetical, and genre order. They were put in each corner, except right next to where the door was. In the middle of it, there was a chair and study table, along with a lamp. I removed a book, and there was no title on it. However, the contents seemed to be blasphemous, speaking against the divine commands. It felt strange why this feeling of disgust overwhelmed me. 

“Who’s there?”

A voice came from outside the room. I put the book down on the table. I slowly loaded my gun, and hid in the corner next to the open door.

“Kircheis, seize this at once!”

Two faint shadows stood still. It seemed they were near the dead body. A creaking noise followed.

“I am Hermann von Richter, 2nd in frontline command of the anti-spirit squadron! I am here on official investigation. You must not take anything from here.” I warned them before their hands reached the ground. I looked on the wall again, trying to discern their next action.

Suddenly, the figures disappeared, along with the sound of their footsteps. I sneakily revealed my head from the corner, and averted my gaze to the main door. The body lied where it was, and there was no one except myself.

The air started to feel ominous. I counted the hours. It had been around two hours, I placed my head to look through the window near the main door, and the moon had risen to its peak. 

No answers seemed to avail from this case. It started to feel futile. My zeal & curiosity both quickly died out. I started to walk towards the door of the library, in hopes to get a quick rest.

When I looked on the same wall, the sides of a wooden frame revealed itself. On it, there was a figure which sternly looked in a mirror, and in the middle, was me. I realized the same painting was hung, similar to what I had seen in my dream. I leaned on the wall next to the library, and grabbed my head in despair. My sight started to transition to the forest floor. I walked to and fro, becoming agitated as I feared that I could no longer return. Then, I closed my eyes. The scene quickly shifted. 

I slid down on the floor, and was reminded of the dream. I became consumed with the regret that I could not save anyone. All I could do was watch, and do nothing about it. This feeling and experience were not ordinary. I knew it for sure. I started to fear for the worst, standing near the door in frustration. What if I could never lead a normal life again?

In the dream, there was one name which I did not recognize: ‘Immanuel.’ It felt now that it was a name that I should know, even though it was not a personal allusion of any kind. I started walking towards the gate of this manor, while frequently spacing out. I could not find the answers to this case, and the questions only increased. Even the mere thought of exiting this cursed place, made me feel a little at ease. A strange, unexplainable fear preoccupied my mind all of a sudden. Will I be myself after I leave this mystery behind?

While I was preoccupied with this, I was forced to avert my gaze towards the mirror that hung besides. My face had changed completely. I now understood clearly why the dream felt all too nostalgic. I was no longer myself. I must have fallen into sin after entering the library.

There was no sense of self which I could feel after this revelation. I felt lost. At the same time, I glanced at my surroundings with a surreal gaze, as if this sight which I was looking at was not reality.

Now, I knew my family would no longer recognize me. I had become nameless, and the world was unknown to me. The library was forbidden to touch. But, that was the only way I could have saved the town. I felt regret wrap around me. The names which were inscribed on the wall came to mind. I recalled each and every one of their faces. They were all friends whom I cherished.

A name then came zapping through my mind, as if I knew of it well.

“Wolff Muller.” And, I knew it was my name.