“So, how may I help you?” I reluctantly asked Sheena.

I just hope it will not be anything unreasonable or something that will get my cover blown. I was more or less clad in lies. Lies using memories that I did not even know I had.

“You said that you know my uncle, right?” she asked.

“Yes, we used to help each other and trade intel.”

“Did you know that he’s dead?” Her eyes became fierce. “His corpse was ravaged. Not only that his heart was missing, all of his limbs were also cut off.”

“So that is why I was not able to contact him for a while.” I replied as my brows furrowed.

“Are you really his friend? You don’t look sad at all.” Sheena placed her hand on her weapon, ready to draw anytime.

“Did I look that way? S-sorry, it is just that having someone die in such a way is not surprising anymore given our situation.” I replied as I raised my hands and walked slightly backwards.

Sheena released a sigh and finally calmed down. She removed her hands off her weapon while I put my arms down.

“I am looking for the place where my uncle stayed before he died. Do you know where that is?” She asked.

“I might have an idea but, may I know why are you looking for it?”

“I just want to know how he was before he died.” Sheena looked down as the sorrow in her eyes reflected the light emitted by the sky.

“I-I see, but are you sure you trust me enough? I might take you to someplace dangerous you know?” I jokingly said.

“You are my only lead. Plus, you know what will happen if you did betray me.” Sheena held her weapon once again.

“Hey chill, chill! I was joking around!” I said in a panic

“So where is it?”

“It is nearby, follow me.” I replied as I relied on the information on my mind.

If I was not mistaken, the place is just a mile or two away from here. I just hope that the information with me is correct because if it is not, this girl will certainly kill me.

I walked for sometime while she was following closely behind me. I look behind me from time to time to check on her and she just meets me with her fierce glare. Having my back bare against someone as scary as her made me nervous that I was not able to stop sweating at all.

“Hey Sheena, may I ask you a question?” I uttered while walking.

“It depends on the question.”

“You are not a Possessed, how come you are so strong?”

She suddenly stopped without uttering a word.

“I guess it is a secret?” I stopped walking as well.

“Not really. I am with the Holy Order, people commonly refer to us as the Church. It is our job to vanquish the possessed and demons alike.”

“Are you planning to also get rid me after I showed your uncle’s place?” I gave an awkward smile.

“You think I’m that kind of person?”Her eyes narrowed.

“Well, you nearly killed me a while ago.” I replied as I resumed walking.

“Oh you’re right. Sorry about that.” She replied with a surprised voice.

Is she actually an airhead despite the way she acts?

“Since you are a friend of my uncle, I do not plan to slay you tonight.” She also started walking.

“Tonight? So if our paths cross tomorrow, you will kill me?”

“I will if I ever see you causing any trouble. I cannot betray my duty any further.” She replied with a serious tone.

“I see. Too bad”

After hearing her words, I felt even more uneasy. All this time, I thought that the only ones I need to stir out of the way off are the fellow Possessed. To think that there is the so called Church that hunts us, it makes me feel like I am an enemy of mankind.

I better ask the boss and the others about this Church the next time I meet them. Why did I not hear anything about them though? Are they also unaware of their existence?

“Hey, are we there yet?” Sheena asked, interrupting me from my chain of thoughts.

“Oh right, it is that small house over there,” I pointed.

We walked towards the small apartment room where I believe where her uncle lived. The gate was quite rusty and filthy. The place screamed of abandonment.

“You’re sure this is the place?” Sheena asked as she touched the gates.

“Yeah, I went here one time but I did not go in though.” I lied once again.

The moment I was done talking, Sheena grabbed on the top bar of the gate and then jumped over.

“Hey, is it not trespassing?” I asked as I looked around if there might be someone who saw the act.

She ignored me and went on walking towards the door.

“This girl…” I mumbled as I followed her and climbed over the gate as well.

Sheena tried to open the door but it was no use. She drew her sword and was about to strike the door down when I held her arm to stop her.

“Hey, I advise against destroying anything,” I said.

“But it’s locked, how will we get inside then?” Sheena said after I let go of her arm.

“Let me try something first.”

I grabbed my wallet from my pocket and used an old promo card I have stashed. After I swiped the card on the lock jamb, I heard a click and it opened.

“You are quite used to this…” The girl gave me a look filled with disgust.

“Hey! I have not stolen anything in the past! It is just something I picked up from playing games and all!” I explained, flustered.

“If you say so,” She replied, sounding unconvinced.

We walked inside the house and it was quite dark. I touched the wall to look for the light switch until I found it and turned it on.

“Woah…” That was the only expression that escaped my lips.

The place was in a state where I was unsure whether to feel amazed or creeped out.

I quickly shifted my look to Sheena and she was speechless. She was merely staring at the air with widened eyes. I was unsure how to paint it, if her look was of shock, sadness, or maybe pity.

The room was not just dusty, it was disorganized and filthy. Trash from food packages and more were littered on the ground. The bed was in shambles with the mattress coming off. There were also noticeable scratches on the walls and the floor, signs that he was losing control from the demon. Everything was in chaos but that was not the shocking part.

The walls were full of photos and paper posted on it. There were lots of images of places, maps, people, and even demons. There were also a bunch of lists but there were red cross marks in all of them. Crumpled and ripped pieces of paper were also everywhere.

She wanted to know how her uncle was before he died. Seeing this place, one cannot deny that he struggled and suffered a lot.

Sheena just stared into space until tears came running down her face. I did not have any words that I know that can help ease her pain. At the same time, I was curious as to all the information he gathered, there might even be something useful.

“Ummm… Sheena? Do you mind if I take a look at all this?” I hesitantly asked and she just nodded in response.

I walked around the room to check for any information. I felt like I was a guy roaming around a museum to appraise works of art. I saw familiar places like the bar where I killed the Siren. Even the Tired Eyes detective agency was here but with the label “Neutral”.

I was surprised that he had information about all of this. He must have been really talented. Yet no matter how gifted he was, he still ended up dead.

I resumed my search until I saw a list where the name of the four kings were written; Corson, Amaimon, Gaap and Ziminar. All the king’s names except Ziminar had cross marks. Beside the list are photos of the hideouts of the kings and some info about them.

I looked at Corson’s to check the validity of the info and it was indeed Sir Ron’s mansion. Gaap’s and Amaimon’s were also there, only Ziminar had the note “dead”.

I searched even more until I saw a picture frame facing downwards on his bed. I lifted it up and saw that it was a photo of a young girl that resembled Sheena and a guy in a suit, smiling.

Upon seeing the photo, it all surged in. The memories I had in me, how I knew Sheena’s name, and who her uncle exactly was.

His name was Damien, I killed him. I knew it was too late for him but, it was me who gave him the finishing blow. I stole him away from Sheena.

I fell to my knees, unable to process everything. Tears fell down out of the blue as I bit my lip and clenched on the picture frame. My stomach felt funny and I felt like vomiting.

Damn it all! Why did we even do to deserve all this!

I used my hand to cover my mouth so that I won’t make any noise so that Sheena won’t notice. I tried to stop crying but I couldn’t. The guilt of killing him, the sadness of seeing Sheena like that, the sight of his suffering, everything was just too much to bear.

The memories that felt translucent and blurry in my head became vivid. Everything felt too real as if I was the one who experienced it firsthand. Every pieces that hit me put a crack in my heart.

But the worst of it all is that I only realized it now.

His memories were inside me… because I ate his heart.

It was not just his powers that I got, but also his regrets.

He regrets living her alone. I regret not being able to do more for him. He regrets not being able to get out of his cursed situation. I regret ending him without trying to help. He regrets not being able to return to her.  I regret killing him.

His regrets were now mine.

I was shivering. It was hard to hold all the emotions in. I did not even know what to do or what I wish to do.

It just hurts.

“Aaaaaah!” I was unable to control myself.

I shouted my heart out as I dropped the picture frame on the floor. My tears kept on falling down and my chest burned like hell. My cheeks felt numb yet all I can do was cry.

“Hey, are you alright?” Sheena asked with a worried voice.

I was unable to respond or look at her even. I just kept on bawling even after she went to me and hugged me from behind.

I was supposed to be the one to comfort her. I know that she was hurting even more than me. To think that the one she was hugging was not just a stranger, but also the culprit.

Those thoughts stirred my mind that my cries grew even louder. Even Sheena was not able to hold her composure and wailed with me.

We were in utter chaos. Our hoarse voices were trapped in the small room just to be bounced back by the walls for us to hear. It was ugly but every sound I gave off became a load off my chest.

We went on for a while until both of us were able to finally calm down. I did not know how long we were on a messed up state. All I know is that I was finally able to stop my tears.

My eyes stung like hell and my jaws ached as a result. Even my throat felt rough that speaking makes it hurt even more. My shoulder grew stiff and my heart, empty. I stood up and went outside to cool down even more.

I closed my eyes and breathed in and out in an attempt to flush everything out. Yet doing so made me realize that it was not really easy. As I opened my eyes, Sheena was already beside me.

“I am sorry for the unsightly behaviour.” I uttered as I looked to the sky.

“It was unsightly indeed.” She replied as she also looked up.

I was speechless, it was an embarrassment for a grown man like me after all.

“But I appreciate your feelings.” She uttered.

I looked at her and she had a peaceful expression on her face as she stared up high.

“Thank you for crying for him.” Sheena glanced at me then gave out a gentle smile.

Although the words are of gratitude, hearing them made my guilt even worse. I did not deserve her kind words. Yet even if I told her that, it will not bring Damien back.

I was not able to help his uncle, but I know there is something else I can do for him instead. I steeled my resolve and decided that I will do what I can for them both.

I grabbed my wallet from my pocked once again and obtained a calling card that the Boss produced for me for works reasons.

“Take this, I want you to contact me if ever you find yourself in a pinch or need any kind of assistance.” I uttered as I gave her my calling card.

“Did you forget that it is my job to kill the demons including the Possessed?” Her smile left her face.

“I did not forget. Still, I want you to rely on me. This is the least I can do for him.”

“But…”

I stared at her intently until she finally gave up.

“Fine, I’ll take your contact info at least.” She grabbed the card off my hand.

“Thanks! By the way, I have not introduced myself yet. My name is Cray.” I said with a smile as I extended my hand.

“N-nice to meet you.” Sheena shyly held my hands.

That night, I vowed to myself that I would do everything to protect her if the situation allowed me to do so.

That is the least I can do to atone for my sins.