ชิ้นChîn: Chapter 9. Accept The Gift

Basit, Conner, and Charlie step back into the library, the front desk unoccupied.

They return to the room and take their previous places.

They sit in silence as Conner finds his place in his book again.

Conner sighs: "What I've gathered so far is that these pages are from an obscure cult. I have found only vague mentions of it. There isn't a lot of documentation about them."

Basit: "Why is it always cults?"

Conner: "The only information I have so far is that it was composed of both humans and Abnormals, and they worship the Auls as deities or angels."

Basit grimaces: "Lovely. But what does that have to do with killing Abnormals?"

Conner: "It's a ritual."

Basit groans.

Conner: "I'm still just trying to decode these nonsense scriptures. Maybe even find the full text, but not much luck on that so far. Any information I can find on the cult could make all the difference."

Conner eyes Charlie: "That's why if you have anything you can share, it could be exactly what we need."

Charlie, annoyed: "How long are we going to do this little song and dance? I don't—"

Conner: "-Remember. I know. But that doesn't mean we can't try to jog your memory."

Charlie looks away with stubborn silence.

Conner turns to Basit with a questioning and frustrated gaze. She gives him a mock stern look and gesture.

Conner sighs: "Maybe you're not a bad person. But good people are dying, and you could help. Nora is wearing herself thin to assist the investigation, calling in every favor she has. Basit is running around like a dog to catch leads and defend us. And I won't let anyone else become a victim. What are you going to do?"

Charlie grimaces, stands up, and walks out of the room. Conner looks down and shakes his head. He flips through his book as Basit watches him with tight-lipped disapproval.

Charlie walks through the empty foyer and out of the library, crossing the street.

Charlie sits at a bar.

The bartender steps up. Charlie orders, and the man sets down a shot of tequila.

Bartender: "I like your tats, man."

Charlie does not budge from his depressed demeanor.

Charlie: "Thanks…"

He finishes the drink quickly. He sits for a moment, staring down at it.

Charlie: 'Would it really help?'

He lowers his head to prop it up with his hands and covers his eyes.

The memory of the park ranger briefly fades in, replaced by him walking through the tunnel, and then him falling down a steep forested hill. He looks behind himself to see the vague figure's silhouette. A shimmer turns to the shine of the blade, and the blade lifts, coated in blood. The static gets worse for each one, then completely obscuring the last; the blade's edge parallel to his eyes.

Charlie jerks his head up from his hands with a panicked gasp. He covers his mouth, eyes wide and shaking. He starts to tear up, his breath quick and unsteady.

He looks down, staring at his empty glass, the loud chatter of people around him pushing away the growing red noise. The bartender stops by him with the bottle, holding it up. Charlie pushes his glass forward, and the bartender fills it. Charlie downs it, pulls out a small wad of cash, sets it down, then stands up and leaves.

-

Basit: "Alright, so if it is some cult, would there be multiple killers? How could we find the group?"

Conner: "If it was an active cult, this one seems all but dead. However, accomplices are—" His eyes narrow "—possible."

He looks back down at his books, silently reading.

Conner mutters: "I wonder…"

Basit: "Wonder what?"

Conner momentarily looks up, not realizing he spoke aloud.

Conner: "If the killer could be an Aul. I can't find any consistent information on them, and this dead cult was based on them."

Basit: "It's not."

Conner: "How do you know?"

Basit: "I've seen an Aul kill. This isn't like that."

Conner, skeptical interest: "When?"

Basit frowns and looks away.

Basit: "You know that… facility?"

Conner: "The abandoned bunker I found you in?"

Conner, younger, standing back from a metal bunker entrance, a huge mass of muscle and bone erupting from it.

Basit: "Yeah… That one. That's where I saw it."

Conner briefly waits for her to speak more.

Conner: "Can you elaborate?"

Basit's frown deepens.

Conner looks away: "Apologies."

Basit: "All the time we've known each other, you've always respected my boundaries when talking about my past."

Conner, compassionate: "Of course."

Basit eyes him: "Maybe give Charlie a similar luxury."

Conner frowns and looks down. Basit sighs and leans forward to speak, and as she does, Conner puts his hands together, resting against them while he listens.

Basit: "Before the facility went into lockdown from my escape attempt, it operated as a specimen storage facility, tons of Abnormals were held there—"

Conner: "I know—"

She eyes him into silence. He closes his mouth then lowers his head to listen.

Basit: "So when they got their hands on a genuine Aul—" sarcastic optimism "—what better place to keep it, right?"

Her expression drops, and she pauses for a moment.

Basit's face turns grim as she speaks.

Basit: "All Abnormals are unique, but an Aul is… something else. Abnormals are conscious in some form. But this… It got out of its containment, broke through almost all the other barriers, and slaughtered almost everyone. Like a machine."

The underground facility, a figure standing in an open area, it's human in shape. Its head floats above its shoulders with a large, glowing nail in the center of its forehead. Its eyes and mouth glow, open, still, and lifeless. Its hair is glowing and spectral, reaching out throughout the area, holding up and actively tearing apart several Abnormal corpses, a faint glow emitting from the corpses and flowing back into the tendrils. Several humans in agent outfits are shooting at it. The bullets ping off with no effect.

Conner: "Was it not trying to escape as you did?"

Basit looks up, stern: "I killed the humans that got in my way. The Aul killed the Abnormals. Only Abnormals. It never even tried to leave. I think I only survived it because I had extra protection." She sneers, "A luxury of being their 'asset'."

Conner: "Did they kill it?"

Basit: "No, they couldn't. It was indestructible. Nothing could harm it. They just managed to confine it again and, I assume, take it to a more secure facility."

Conner in thought: "Hm."

Basit tensing up in fear of the memory.

Basit: "It didn't plan its attacks. It just acted. No threats, no communication, like it had no thoughts. Like, its only purpose was to annihilate every Abnormal it could get to."

She drops her head.

Basit, dread: "I really hope an Aul isn't involved in this. For all our sake."

A moment after she finishes speaking, Charlie steps back into the room. Both look up to him as he walks over to the table. He grabs one of Conner's pens and a piece of paper. Conner is briefly affronted, then curious as Charlie starts to sketch out the blade from his memory. Charlie falls back down in his chair, head low. Conner picks up the paper and looks at Charlie.

Conner: "What is this?"

Charlie: "It's the—"

He lowers his face into his hands.

Charlie: "It's the only thing I remember."

Conner stares at the paper.

Conner: "I'll be back. I need to get Demetrius's insight on this."

Conner briskly walks out of the room.

Conner searches for Demetrius in the foyer.

Basit to Charlie: "I'm going to have a smoke, want to come?"

Charlie shakes his head in his hands. Basit turns and leaves the room.

Conner goes to Demetrius's office; it's empty. He goes to leave, but stops, spotting a familiar piece of paper on the desk.

Basit steps out of the room and walks down to the foyer. She leans against one of the walls in a short hallway to the restrooms. She leans against the wall and pulls out a cigarette, and lights it. She looks up, seeing a 'no smoking' sign. She stares at it while inhaling and blows the smoke in its direction.

Conner steps over and picks up the paper. A finger piece falls out and lands on the floor. Conner leans down and picks it up, then rushes from the office.

Basit leans her head back and sighs, catching a glimpse of blood. Turning her head, she sees a few drops on the floor by the bathroom doors. She pushes off the wall and crushes her cigarette against the metal sign. She walks down the hall and peers into the ajar door, seeing Demetrius' butchered body.

-

Conner: "Putain !" {Fuck!}

Conner's foot kicks a smoking bin outside the library.

Basit stands nearby, a cigarette in hand.

Conner: "Ici même ! We were this fucking close!" {Right here!}

Basit: "It probably wasn't while we were here. We saw Demetrius just before we left—"

Conner: "Exactly! While we were off fucking around, someone else got killed!"

Conner paces, upset.

Charlie lies in the back seat of the car, staring at his added finger piece, tired and dissociated.

Basit: "Do you really think the murderer would have just announced themself if we were here? You know they would have just waited for another time to strike."

Conner, upset, his voice more desperate than angry.

Conner: "You don't know that."

Basit: "I know you're doing your best."

Conner: "Best isn't good enough! I have to finish this case! I have to…"

His voice cracks and trails off. Basit watches him, sympathetic and concerned.

Conner: "Let's go."

He turns and walks towards the car. She follows, and they get in.

Basit: "Is there anything else we need before we leave?"

Conner: "No. I collected everything I could. I'll tell Nora to get some people down here to take care of the body—"

Conner's sorrow deepens: "—and the library."

Basit, empathetic: "I'm sorry, Conner."

Conner, pained: "Me too."

-

Conner carries a few folders of papers and some books into the basement. He places them on the table in front of the evidence board, then puts his hands on the desk edges, his expression grim. He collects himself and stands back up, reaches into his pocket, and looks down at the scrap of paper before pinning it to the board.

10#

And thus shall the host of our Lord's hunger, the Vassal of Desire,

first feast upon the Scion of the earth—first among Man. Then shall it feast among the stars.

And at the last, shall it hunt within Her void.

-

Charlie lies in his bed, his eyes open. His phone on his nightstand beeps a couple of times.

Kate sits on their bed with their phone, brows furrowed with worry. Beside them is a large pink stuffed platypus and an open laptop. In their room are a few bookshelves, a wall of photos and fairy lights, a dresser with a lamp and makeup kit, and a desk half-organized, half-cluttered with documents.

-Charlie-

Four hours ago

[Kate] How was your day with your friend?

30 minutes ago

[Kate] Goodnight

Now

[Kate] You ok?

Charlie doesn't notice the ping of his phone. He stares up at the ceiling. Static creeps into his view. The smooth off-white ceiling warps to dark weathered boards. The walls turn gray and rough like concrete. The vague shadow of a figure steps up beside him into his view.

Charlie jerks out of bed and stands up, grabbing only his lilac hoodie and leaving the apartment.

-

Charlie stops in front of a liquor store 'closed', he sighs and continues.

Across the street from Charlie is Anwir, heading for the nearby flower shop. Anwir spots him and waves, calling out.

Anwir: "Charlie!"

Charlie stops, looking and waving awkwardly, brows furrowed and unsure.

Anwir crosses the street and walks up to him.

Anwir concern: "Are you alright?"

Charlie: "I'm fine."

Anwir: "Good. It's a bit late to be out, isn't it?"

Charlie, suspicious gaze: "Yeah.. it is…"

Anwir, humored: "If you're wondering why I'm also out so late—"

He holds up a bag.

Anwir: "I have floral arrangements that I have to get done tonight, and I ran out of foam and ties."

Charlie: "Oh… Good luck with that."

Charlie turns and continues walking.

Anwir speaks up: "Would you like to come inside for a bit?"

Charlie glances over his shoulder at him.

Charlie: "Nah, thanks."

Anwir: "Are you sure? I could use some help finishing the bouquets, and I can pay you for your time."

Charlie stops, ponders, and turns around.

Anwir smiles: "And I'll fix a cup of tea, or coffee if you prefer."

Charlie: "I don't know anything about flowers."

Anwir: "That's fine, all you need is some functioning hands."

Charlie holds up his left hand, the pinkie and tip of his ring finger still missing.

Charlie: "Guess I'm not qualified for the job then."

Anwir, sympathetic smile: "I'm sure that will be no issue."

He concedes with a sigh and follows Anwir.

-

In Anwir's flower shop, both work on the bouquets in silence, a coffee beside Charlie. He works slower than Anwir, and his bouquet is less cohesive and organized. Anwir finishes his and sets it aside with several others.

Charlie: "So—"

Anwir looks over at him as he gathers more flowers.

Charlie: "What made you want to be a florist?"

Anwir: "I'm not sure. Cultivating flowers is something that brought me joy, so I kept doing it until selling them became my career."

Charlie, half-humored smile: "Did being a priest not pay well?"

Anwir chuckles: "This became my passion after I left the church."

Charlie: "Ah."

They go back to silence for a moment.

Charlie: "Why did you leave the church?"

Anwir's happy demeanor falters.

Charlie: "Sorry—"

Anwir: "No, please, never be sorry for questions."

His focus turns back to the flowers as he thinks.

Anwir: "Have you ever lost someone you care about?"

Charlie's demeanor closed up, feigning focus on the flowers in front of him.

Anwir: "I've lost people before. Suddenly and without warning. It cuts you like a knife and leaves you feeling empty, alone, and broken."

Charlie: "Yeah… it does."

Anwir: "That is why I left the church. It simply could not fill the void that was left."

Charlie: "But flowers did?"

Anwir sad chuckle: "No. Nothing can. But I feel like maybe I can heal—a little bit."

Anwir finishes another bouquet.

Charlie: "How did you find it?"

Anwir looks at him, questioning.

Charlie, nervous: "The thing that helps you heal?"

Anwir: "I guess it's more like it found me. It took time to learn to soothe the pain with purpose."

Charlie: "You make it sound easy."

Anwir chuckles: "It's not. It's taken years to feel a little bit like a person again."

Charlie, pained: "I already forgot what it feels like to be human."

Anwir gives him a soft smile.

Anwir: "Then focus on remembering what it feels like to be Charlie."

He picks up the two finished bouquets and sets them with the rest.

Anwir: "And that's done."

He pulls out his wallet and holds some cash up to Charlie.

Charlie hesitates: "You don't have to. I didn't really help much."

Anwir smiles: "I keep my promises."

Charlie tentatively takes it.

Anwir looks at the bouquet collection.

Anwir: "Oh! That one is missing an orange chrysanthemum."

He heads for the room at the back of the store, stopping at the door and looking back at Charlie.

Anwir: "Would you like to see the rest?"

Charlie: "Of… your flowers?"

Anwir nods, and Charlie follows him to the greenhouse connected to the back. Anwir finds the orange chrysanthemums and clips one from the rest.

Charlie: "You really like flowers, huh?"

Anwir chuckles: "I do. They're all beautiful, but I do have a favorite."

He stretches to look at the end of the greenhouse.

Anwir: "Oh!"

He approaches an area sectioned off for a single plant. Charlie follows him.

Anwir: "It's bloomed!"

Charlie: "What is it?"

Anwir: "Pink lady slippers. They take years to have their first bloom. I started this one from a seed seven years ago."

Anwir, smiling at it, Charlie masking his disinterest with a half-smile.

Anwir stands up straight again, still focused on the flower.

Anwir: "Growing them takes patience, meticulous planning, and care. They take time, dedication, and focus. That makes it all the more rewarding."

Anwir turns and clips a few more flowers from some of his collection. He bundles them and hands them to Charlie.

Anwir: "Here."

Charlie: "Oh, you don't have to—"

Anwir: "I'm sure you have someone special to give them to."

Charlie, slightly flustered, smiles and takes them.

-

Anwir follows Charlie out of his shop.

Anwir: "Thank you again for your help, Charlie."

Charlie: "Sure, anytime."

He smiles and waves. Anwir returns the gesture.

-

Charlie enters his apartment again.

He steps over to his trash can and picks up the business card.

He lies on the bed and stares at the ceiling before rolling over and closing his eyes, slipping into a white static fog.

"...Boonruang… what does that name mean?"

"Dad said …means light…"

"... and Chîn?"

"A piece...separated from a whole… dad took the name when he left his…"

"A piece separated from the whole."

"How beautiful."

"May I call you Chîn?"

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