"Sometimes the past doesn't stay as past.
Old forgotten memories awake and replay a moment in time like an old recording in a vintage gramophone...
Like a never-ending story on loop unable to find closure.
Some people exist to pick up the broken pieces and write the final chapter, in hopes of a happy ending.
People who can perceive the inexplicable.
I am one of them."
A white van pulled up at the entrance with a huge rusty gate that looked like a setting from a horror movie. And it probably would feel like being in one if the weather wasn't so pleasantly warm and sunny. No ominous crows circling above either but some sparrows chirping happily on the tree branches nearby.
"Very anti-climatic to be honest... I'm not complaining though. Shall we?"
The driver peeked at the woman next to him and they both opened the door simultaneously. Ina stepped out gracefully and chuckled.
"What, did you expect a thunderstorm? That happens only in movies."
Her melodic voice matched her young appearance.
"Right, isn't your job kinda like stepping into a movie?"
"Well, if you put it that way..."
They approached the gate and looked through the bars at what lied beyond. Bastian whistled in amazement while Kathy put her hands behind her back and smiled.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
There was an alley full of yellow flowers on both sides of the paved path. A bit further was a cathedral with two slender towers in the front and a pretty rose window at the top. It stood there like an unstoppable wall connected to a high brick fence on each side. Behind it should be the rest of the monastery complex with living quarters, refectory, library and so on. In the daylight it looked peaceful and solemn.
"So this is your new workplace, huh? Where a bunch of soldiers disappeared without a trace... how long ago? 60 years or so?"
Bastian sounded worried. Ina hummed in agreement with a slight nod. He continued.
"You sure it was a good idea to accept? I mean, those were people trained in combat. Whoever obliterated them must've been hella strong or agile."
"I don't know... but when I looked through the files, I had a weird feeling... And now that I'm here I can feel it clearly. It's like this place was crying out to me. Like I'm the only one who can help solve this mystery."
She looked up to the top of the cathedral, spacing out. There was a pause before Bastian stopped staring at her and sighed, turning around on his heels.
"Well then, I'll put up the tent."
"Bastian?"
"Yes?"
"You worry too much."
She looked at him and smiled. He couldn't help but avert his look and blush.
"I just can't get used to it, that's all. I feel useless just waiting around."
"The fact you're putting up with it and come along means a lot to me."
She hugged him from behind. His mood improved immediately.
"Well, that's what boyfriends do, hon!"
"I'll go and have a look if you don't mind?"
"Okay."
She leaned over and pecked him on the cheek before fishing the keys out of her bag in the car and opened the gate.
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