Amelia's P.O.V.
"So, let's get started, shall we?"
This was after the investigation had been completed before we began to discuss our thoughts on the matter. It included both Enma's future judgement and the death of Ina, the now deceased mythical member of our friend group. Likewise, it was as stated, but the revelation of the departure shocked everyone, including myself. When I arrived with Gura on the scene, she broke down in tears, not moving from the spot she arrived at. Tears upon tears had escaped her blue eyes. Those very same eyes looked like the ocean. Magnificent and full of purity. The rain was still falling at this time. Even then, I could still see her tears.
It made me wonder if I did something cursed. Then I thought about it. It will be easier to get out the tears now rather than later. Nothing breaks someone's heart as someone dying without getting to see their face for one last time. It's like having a funeral without a person's body. It's something that bizarrely taunts family members of current and future generations. Not like I know. But I still believe I made the right decision. This is for her heart to heal quickly without stress or burden.
Speak for yourself.
The same applies to the couple, Kiara and Calli. The repeat of Gura's actions, but Kiara was the only one breaking down from the sight. Upon arriving at it, she immediately covered her face with both hands and fell to the wet ground, legs ninety degrees flat, with her knees facing each other. Calli supported her on the way down, in a stooping-like action. Crouching, she patted her and gave me a look. It looked like she was searching, or expecting a reaction of sorts. But she looked away, back in Kiara's direction. Her eyes looked sympathetic when she faced me. I wasn't crying watching Calli console her. But what I felt was very strong emotions from deep within. They are nearly close to breaking up, but I controlled for the sake of the investigation. I can't have my emotions tamper with the evidence before me. So, it was like that for me. But for others, I wasn't the same.
***
An hour had passed since then. I opened up a portal big enough for vehicles of any kind, so they can enter. Now, there are many people in this parallel world that are connected to me in some way, many include people you'll see on a crime scene. At the scene of the crime, there were investigators handling every object with the utmost caution with white partially see-through gloves. Adding a small paper tent with numbers, inspecting the body, inspecting the head, and other related objects that were a part of the investigation.
When it was time to carry the body to the ambulance with all her parts, Gura rushed to the body bag that contained Ina. Reaching it, Gura went in the ambulance and sat on the opposite side in it. The people that carried her body into it looked in my direction in confusion. And so, they left her alone by herself when they saw a gesture from me to do so. She was speaking words that I could hear from my position all the while shaking her head from side to side. Watching her a bit, she started crying again. She then attempted to hug her body from where the waist was. She stayed like that until she came back to us from the place she was. By then, I turned my attention back to Calli and Kiara. Kiara was still crying in Calli's arms. Sobbing away without any stop in sight.
We were surrounding a particular city street bench. Call and Kiara were sitting on one side and the finally returning Gura was on the other. A small smile appeared on her face, but it wasn't much. I assumed there were still lingering feelings from how quiet she'd been. I was standing up facing them with our criminal, Enma, in handcuffs with two male police officers holding both arms. They were a safe distance away so we and her could communicate. The rain finally stopped for the first time since.
Calli asked the question in a serious tone. It was directed at Enma.
"Did you really kill, Ina? I'm a bit sceptical."
She responded with a composed tone.
"No. I didn't. I have no reason to since she is connected to all of you."
I interpreted them.
"So, if you did have one, you would?"
She rephrased.
"I would never kill her, ever."
She continued, eyeing me with disbelief.
"You are the one that sent me here to solve this for you. You of all people should know I wouldn't commit this act for fun. I'm not some sick criminal."
"Watson, could you please not interrupt?"
I crossed both of my arms and closed my eyes. I'll remain silent for the time being.
"You really didn't?"
"Yes. Why is it so hard to, be...lie..ve..."
"You're the obvious answer. I mean, you Katana had blood from her, and it was a clean cut. I find it hard for a tentacle monster to do the same. Even though I believe you killed her without a doubt, I think you didn't do it out of your own will."
My ears perked up at the new theory. She continued, piquing my curiosity.
"I've heard stories of people dying from their killer, leaving them in disbelief and flabbergasted by the perpetrator. Their souls told me much about them, and how they loved them with all their heart. Couples and Family members. But from the other side, those very same killers didn't want to do it. Some outside interference influences their actions, or their motives. 'I never wanted to do it' or 'I couldn't control myself', they said. It's like an outside force or something ma-jiggy made them do it. Maybe the same thing happened to you."
She now looked at me from Enma, judging my reaction. I commented.
"That sounds plausible...from a paranormal point of view. But we detectives need something concrete and down to earth. Something a logical person will take as one of the facts. If you say things like that can be explained to a normal person with up in the air and intangible explanations of any kind, we, detectives, wouldn't have a job. Though, it was my fault for giving her the assignment. I will take full responsibility for that. But the fact still stands that she killed her. A proper and logical explanation is required."
Calli made her attention solely pointed in my direction. Kiara was quietly listening to our conversation along with Gura. While it was important to give someone your full attention, I still felt glaring sensations from Enma. It distracted me a bit, but it wasn't fatal. They were weak since she was a person from a logical point of view. My choice of actions was faulty or biased in any way shape or form.
"Does it really? Aren't we all mythical beings here? Logic doesn't work for everyone here, neither does it apply to you. And you're the only human."
She does have a point but...
"I'm using a real world system so that the investigation can go smoothly."
"I'm sure you can figure out a way to help her out. She's our friend too, you know? Real world logic doesn't apply to her either."
"I can't show favouritism to a friend. The law is applied equally, regardless of standing that person has in society. Be it friends or family members, the same applies for all people regardless of race as well."
Calli reached for her head and rubbed it as if she was lost in thought. She knows, and all the people here know, that you can't twist the law in anyone's favour. Knowing the ways of it for years on end, I now have a stone face showing the minimum expressions needed. I can't be soft for anyone's sake or purpose.
Though I was the one doing the investigating, Calli had asked me a lot of questions. And they kept on coming. As I was going to ask a question of my own, she asked a question that was time related.
"Can't you go back in time? There. Problem solved."
Hahhh...
After that statement, everyone's facial expression here says, "ahh? Is that simple? Of course, it's that simple."
I'm sorry.
"I'm sorry everybody. But I can't go back in time to save her."
Everyone was bewildered when those words came out of my mouth. I continued on for obvious reasons: The explanation. Frustration bled into my voice with each passing word I said.
"As much as I hate to admit it, going back in time will only result in the same future we are having right now. I've seen many. Over and over again, Ina died in every future that I couldn't change. Some by tentacle, some by water, some by fire, some even created a future in which her body couldn't be found. Countless attempts."
Before I noticed, my voice was getting higher.
"OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THE SAME GOD DANG THING! WHAT THE HELL! HOW IN THE ACTUAL HELL'S NAME I CAN'T CHANGE ANYTHING? DOING THIS FOR A CHANCE, DOING THAT FOR A MIRACLE, NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WORKED! I'VE HONEST FORGOT HOW MY TIME I'VE GONE BACK IN TIME!
IT IS
IT'S
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."
***
"Calm down. Don't worry too much. We are all suffering here as well."
"Yosh, Yosh. We got your back. We are all here for you."
When my long rant about the things I could have done was over, both Gura and Kiara were treating me like a baby. Rubbing my head and patting my back. I was on the same bench they were, right in the middle of both of them. My eyes leaked tears like a broken faucet, broken beyond repair, needed maintenance. I had a cloth up to my face, hiding the mess that my face was. As a detective, I've lost my composure and the matter in an embarrassing way, but as Amelia Watson, this is who I was. When playing games and when I thought someone's death was my fault. Feeling hopeless about the endeavour, I continued to blame myself. They said consoling me.
"You are one hell of a softie, aren't yah? Come, come. Everything is going to be fine. I'm sure she wouldn't blame you for everything you tried. If you didn't, she'll jokingly haunt you just to pick on you, but she won't be angry. You tried your best and that is all that matters."
"Besides from almost losing my hearing, I agree with Gura. I'm really not sure about the haunting part, but she'll forgive you nonetheless. Be a Phoenix like me and rise from your despair. That's what I do when Calli 'accidentally' kills me."
These two were the ones that were crying the most about of our loss, now they were giving me an ear full words to calm me down. It is strange to see, but they overcame their own dark places. Especially Gura who was the sister of Ina. They knew each other for such a long time but to the two of them, that time couldn't be more than a year or two at most. She was the closest to her, now she was smiling, giving me an ear full of warm words. Her smile brightened with her usual behaviour. I'm glad she recovered quickly. I removed the cloth from my face, looking her in the eye.
"Woah, woah, woah. What's with the sudden look? You good?"
Suddenly, she blocked our faces with one arm. She faced her head away from me. The colour of it changed.
"What do you think we should charge Enma with? She may be part of the investigation, but I want you to dish out her judgement."
"Why are you asking me? Aren't you the pro at this?"
"I may want to charge her fair and square, but it really doesn't feel right to just throw her in jail. The fault lies on me as well. So, what do you think?"
"Well, if you send her...I think you need to be charged as well. Not that I'm suggesting anything."
Seems fair. But...
"Like, ummm, you know, this and that and stuff, I don't know. So-and-so. Bah, blah, blah. Blah, blah, blah. Blah?"
What? I'm internally confused.
"Like, like, ummm, ahhh. I know. Let her do the shortest time possible and after that, you'll be her maid for how long she seems fit, right. How about that? Not like I'm suggesting anything."
I looked over at Enma and there was a microscopic smile creeping on her face. No one here can notice it but me. I said, totally not hesitating.
"W-well, I-I mean, it's, it's, it's, something." Yeah. Sure. Okay. Uh-huh. You're so smart, Gura."
"Maybe wear a Candy G-string."
Everyone here shouted in disbelief at what they heard. Even Gura herself.
"""GURA!!!"""
"IT WASN'T LIKE I WAS SUGGESTING ANY THONG!!! THING!!! I MEANT THING!!!"
***
Everybody that came here left this world through the portal in space I created. In the city streets, Gura and I were one of the last people that were about to leave. Looking back, I saw Gura in a state. Absentmindedly looking around at the place called home. I asked her if she wanted to ride the ambulance, but she declined. Something about reminiscing about the past. She was doing that then, and she is doing that now. I called her from right in front of the portal. About to enter it, I spoke in a normal, not rushed tone.
"How was your time with her?"
"They were the best."
"Wanna come back some day?"
"I'm calling it quits on our story. It ends here till I reach the afterlife."
"That's going to be a long time till that time comes."
"Yeah. A thousand years and I'm not even an adult yet."
"You'll get there."
Started walking again, and headed into the portal before me.
The start of a new beginning came as Gura was going to start a new life.
Before walking into it, I said words of sadness, looking absentmindedly at the dark clouds.
"Rest in peace, Ina."