4044…
The dead man’s car…
He immediately shoved the phone back into his pocket and hurried back inside the cafe.
He looked into Yvaine’s eyes, “…Yvaine.” His voice came out quieter than he intended, “How did you hurt your wrist?”
Yvaine looked down at the small bandage peeking from beneath her sleeve.
Then back at Dean.
“…Dean?”
She studied his face carefully.
His breathing wasn’t steady.
In his eyes, there was something, which was not curiosity, but fear.
A strangely familiar kind of fear.
Her expression softened, “I’m okay.” She gently smiled, “I was trying to help my mother yesterday.”
Dean remained silent.
“A glass slipped from the shelf,” she lightly touched the bandage, “It shattered, while I wasn’t paying attention.”
Dean stared at the bandage for another moment.
“So,” she chuckled softly, “…this happened.”
He let out a long breath, “…I see.” He ran a hand through his hair.
His shoulders finally relaxed, “I’m sorry.”
Yvaine blinked, “For what?” A soft smile appeared on her face, “It’s alright.”
Dean nodded once, “…Uhmm, excuse me. Enjoy your time here, and leave your review. Sorry, I have something to look over.”
He quickly turned, and walked towards the kitchen, where Ellie was arranging freshly baked croissants on a tray.
“There you are.”
She looked up, “What happened? She left?”
“Keep the things aside, and tell me can I borrow the car keys?”
Ellie frowned, “You taking her somewhere?”
Dean stared at her with an annoyed straight face.
“I sent it for servicing this morning.”
“…Seriously?! You literally have the worst time for the stuff!”
“Why are you blaming me?”
Dean quietly sighed, as he walked out of the bakery after getting changed into some proper clothes.
Out of all days…
Before he could of grabbing some taxi—
“Dean?”
Yvaine called him from inside her car.
“If you want,” she hesitated before continuing, “I can drop you somewhere near…”
Dean blinked as he thought of the offer.
Should I trouble her?
I shouldn’t maybe…
“I’d appreciate it if you take a ride from me.”
“Okay if you say so!” Dean settled inside the car, “Drop me at River Police Station.”
A few minutes later, Yvaine parked her car beneath a maple tree.
Yvaine smiled, “Wait, Dean, if you don’t mind.
Can I join you?” She hesitated a bit, “I mean, you look tense.”
Dean hesitated for a minute, and then quietly answered, “Okay.”
They both walked inside.
The officers at the reception immediately recognized him.
“Dean? Long time no see.”
He smiled politely, “Is uncle Troy inside?”
“He is.”
“Thanks.”
Dean walked down the corridor, while Yvaine followed him.
They reached the office..
He looked back toward Yvaine, “…Would you mind waiting here for a few minutes?”
She smiled, “Of course, I don’t mind.”
Dean knocked.
“Come in.”
Dean opened the door.
His uncle looked up from a pile of documents.
“Look who finally remembered he has an uncle.” A smile appeared on his face.
Dean laughed, “I was just busy with some college work, uncle.”
The two exchanged a brief hug.
“So, what brings you here?”
“I was nearby, so I thought I’d visit.”
His uncle gestured toward the chair, “Sit.”
Dean nodded.
Something on the desk caught his attention.
The file lying open on the desk was the accident report.
Before Dean could read further, his uncle’s phone rang.
Uncle Troy glanced at the screen, “I have to take this.” He stood up, “Don’t run away.”
Dean smiled, “I won’t.”
His uncle stepped outside while answering the call.
The office became silent.
Dean’s eyes immediately returned to the open file.
He hesitated.
Just one look.
He stood and walked to the other side.
The victim was a middle-aged man, who was driving in an intoxicated state.
His vehicle number was 4044.
Dean pulled out his phone, and clicked the photo of how the victim was found.
He turned another page, grabbing more information about the case.
Then he clicked the picture of the summary of the accident.
Just then he heard the doorknob turn.
His eyes widened.
He quickly slipped into his pocket and instinctively moved away from the desk.
Dean froze.
He saw me.
I’m dead.
His uncle looked at him for a second, and then suddenly laughed, as started walking near to him, “So, you still do that?”
Dean blinked.
“Ever since you were little, you never actually sat on it. You’d just keep walking circles around it.” Uncle Troy laughed, while settling down on his chair.
“…I guess, some habits never change,” Dean forced an awkward laugh.
“I should get going.”
His uncle raised an eyebrow, “Already?”
“I brought a friend with me. I’ll visit properly next time.”
“Okay. Say hello to my sis and Ellie.”
Dean nodded before he headed out.
Yvaine immediately stood up, “Everything okay?”
Dean nodded, “Yeah, let’s go.”
The two walked toward the station entrance.
A few minutes later, both of them settled inside the car.
Dean unlocked his phone.
His eyes moved across the photos he had secretly taken.
He frowned, “…I think all of this is connected.”
Yvaine briefly glanced at him.
He immediately typed a message: “Joey, meet me at our base. ASAP!!!”
“Is everything okay?”
“Could you take me to Hudawiyr Base? I’ll explain everything there.”
“That abandoned house?”
Dean looked surprised, “You know it?”
“They say there is a ghost of a girl child.”
“I and Joey do our planning there, because it is a perfect spot, no one dares to come there because of those ghost rumors.”
She shifted gears, “Okay, I’ll take you there.”
Dean’s voice came suddenly before she could start the car.
“Wait… Vinyl?”
Without another word, he threw the door open and ran toward the scene.
Vinyl looked up.
Hope flashed across her face.
She forcefully broke free from the two policewomen holding her.
“Dean!” Vinyl stumbled forward and threw her arms around him.
Before anyone could react, she whispered into his ears, “Miley’s locker….4589.”
Dean stiffened, “What?”
The police officers quickly reached them.
They pulled Vinyl away despite her struggling.
“I didn’t do anything!” She reached toward Dean as she was being dragged back, “HELP ME, DEAN!”