Chapter Six.
Nothing else to do - they had to go back by the already known path to the very same Historical Society. Strange... This time... it looked newer? No, certainly, an optical illusion.
There was the same mess inside. Dirk was holding the camera at the ready – for the case the ghost suddenly shows up. But even though the indicator had been lighting, it wasn't the red light. No – certainly there was something that just needed to be photographed in order to get further instructions to act. At least, so Strider had learned for himself the meaning of indicator's bluish glow. Although the longer things went, the less he liked these hints...
- Maybe... there is a clue somewhere? Well, about what this figure is needed for... - Jake inspected all around, leading the flashlight. Ray slid on the shelves, boxes, exhibits... - Hmm, what's this? - he stopped the light on a small light box that stood on one of the stands - the other four figures similar to the one that they'd had were on its top, only in other colors. They had a white figure, while these four were red, black, green and blue.
Dirk also turned to the place and looked at the indicator. It shone most brightly in the direction of the box. Apparently, this is what they needed.
- Yes, Jake, that's what we need, - he went to the box and carefully lifted it off the shelf.
- Well, then let's insert a figure – and that's all, - English came and installed a statue in the empty slot... but the box didn't open. What's more – the indicator of the camera continued shining.
- ... Strange, - Strider just turned the box in his hands. - ... Maybe it needs some other key?.. - or is it a phantom box? Though, no - in this case, the guy wouldn't be able to hold it in his hands.
- Then I'll take a pic of it... Maybe it'll show something again... - Jake picked up a camera and photographed the box.
- ... And what is it? - Strider just leaned forward, trying not to touch English's hair, that was so close, with his nose.
- It looks like a puzzle, - he raised his head... and was very close to Dirk's face, so they both winced a bit. He stepped back. - Um... The figures' heads are pushed down on the pic. Perhaps we should push them all down... - Jake held out his hand and pushed the head of one of the figures with a click. At the same time a figure after one lowered its head. - Oops.
- Hmm, it's harder than it seemed, - Strider put the box on the shelf, so that it was more comfortable for them. - Come on, English - you like puzzles.
- Well, there's a simple system. So it won't take too long to solve it, - English nodded and with the focused view began clicking the figures' heads.
Dirk couldn't help admiring - it was nice to watch when Jake was working on something thoughtfully. This seriousness in the gaze of the green eyes, these sharp movements. Well, it could be noticed how English as always bit his lower lip – like when he's at work. Or shooting...
Finally, there was a loud click. All the heads of statues had been pushed down, and the box opened.
- Bingo! - said Jake happily.
- Excellent as always, English, - hummed Strider, allowing himself a small smile.
- Well, it's a puzzle for kids. It's worse when there are more of these switches... - English opened the box. Inside lay a beautiful golden key. On top of it was engraved «Town Hall». - It seems that now we know where to go next.
Aside the key something else was found in the box - a little worn booklet.
- Hmm... looks like someone else's records...
- You take them, and let's go - probably the sooner we get to the Hall, the better, - said Dirk.
Jake nodded and put the key in his pocket. He took the little book in his free hand and closed the box. They both went to the exit.
English began to read on the move again:
- «... Tuesday. The days are flowing away. It will be necessary to prepare for the Ritual of the Star soon. The main thing - to do everything as good as my father once did. Not to fail everything... Thursday. All children continue to stay in their houses. But where to find an appropriate adult? Someone has told me recently that the folklorist from Japan had come to the village to study the local traditions. Well... We'll show him what we have... Saturday. Damn! One of the children managed to escape. We'll have to look for a replacement... The priests warned me that twenty-year-olds are the worst possible option, that it was better to choose younger kids, but I didn't listen. Well then... I think my son will understand he must sacrifice something for the good of the village... of the whole world ...»
- ... I don't like this name – «Ritual of the Star»... - Strider adjusted his shades. - ... And the story about teenagers...
- Strange place... Did we get there, where human sacrifices were really practiced to the present days? - said Jake, closing the book. They were already outside. - I think we should definitely get out of here as soon as possible... We must find the Town Hall. As far as I remember, it was somewhere nearby... But we still have to walk a bit, - English looked at his friend.
- I completely agree. We need to get out of here... - Dirk quickened his pace a bit.
After a while, the guys managed to get to Town Hall. The building was newer, made of brick and had three floors. The doors were locked with a golden lock. The key they'd recently found, of course, unlocked it, and soon they opened to a dark room with a large staircase in the center. As the guys went inside, the doors slammed shut behind them sharply, and the flashlights suddenly went out.
Dirk almost jumped, automatically holding his katana.
- ... Fuck!
- Great, just great! - Jake clicked the flashlight's switch, and, swearing, put it away. He squinted, trying to look around. – I don't see a fucking thing...
Strider took off his shades. He became accustomed to the darkness and began looking around, noticing the dark silhouettes.
- Jake... gimme your hand, - he called his friend.
- Yeah, nice try... - English snorted and was about to go forward... but, judging by the sound, fell instead. - Damn!..
Dirk sighed a bit. What a stubborn idiot... He went to his friend who was lying on the floor and took his hand, helping to stand up.
- Idiot, want to get lost?
- ... Okay, wise guy. Just don't delude yourself too much... - Jake tried to stand up... but couldn't, falling on the floor on his knees again. - What the..?
- Well, what are you, stuck? - Strider said.
- I can't stand up. As if something is holding me... on the right leg, - English said with some fright.
Something holding?..
The quiet rustle was heard from somewhere below, then there was a quiet boy's voice:
- *... He will come for you...*
The next moment the indicator shone brightly with the red light, snatching from the dark the outline of a ghost. The dark-haired guy, dressed only in torn trousers, with a stabbed chest at heart's level, was lying on the floor and gripping Jake on the right ankle.
Dirk clenched English's hand and pulled him while clicking the camera - though not powerful, but this quick hit could at least make the ghost to release Jake.
Ghost released the guy's leg, rising up from the floor. It didn't recoil - a weak strike didn't force him to step back. Giggling, the guy disappeared. Strider, again quite spontaneously, pressed English to his chest. Why deceiving themselves? He was terrified not less than Jake... and feared for him even more than for himself. Because he again fell into a stupor, breathing rather often.
The next moment the ghost appeared from the floor nearby and tried to grab Dirk's shoulder. No chance - Strider easily dodged, stepping back and putting English behind him. The guy got out of the floor and started, giggling, approaching Dirk. He clearly enjoyed playing with the new guests.
- You got the wrong guys, you bastard... - growled slightly Strider, focusing the camera on the ghost.
Having admitted that as closely as possible, so that the characters were heated around the lens, he pressed the shutter button. The boy recoiled slightly surprised cry. Then again he was gone - but the battle has not yet been clearly over.
- Jake?.. - Dirk glanced at his friend. He stayed in the same state of shock. How had he not suffered a hyperventilation attack - so often he was breathing... Though, he never suffered them. Well, he hadn't been in such dangerous situations earlier, too...
The ghost in the meantime continued to tease. Here and there creaking floorboards and laughter were heard, but the spirit didn't appear. In the end, he jumped right in front of Strider. The guy recoiled, but then again pressed the button, «pulling the trigger» of the prepared camera. The second shot was enough for this spirit to disappear. The ghost said in the end:
- *... One... not... enough...*
Dirk was breathing heavily, releasing the camera.
- ... It's gone, Jake, calm down, - quietly, as gently as possible, said the man-machine, turning to his friend.
Jake slowly regained his breath. But then he collapsed on the floor and clutched his hands in his hair.
- I can't handle this anymore! - he shouted, voice breaking.
Strider sat down beside him and put a hand on his shoulder.
- Jake, please, calm down, - every word was hard to say. But hell - about what hysterics can you talk when the person whom you love feels even worse than you?
- You can easily say, Mr. Pokerface! - English continued to scream. – Everything's always under control! But damn - not everyone is given with that! - He shook his head. By the way, the touch of a ghost guy left on the memory of not only «beautiful» emotions, but also a serious bruise on the ankle.
Dirk frowned. Without dark shades it wasn't easy to keep calm. How he wanted to hit English... What he did, weighing the guy a good slap.
- Pull yourself together, English! - said Strider as firm as he could.
Jake jerked. He rubbed the slapped cheek, adjusting slightly skewed glasses.
- ... I'm sorry, Dirk. I was just... scared so much... - the guy said quietly.
- I understand, Jake, - Dirk sighed and closed his eyes. - I also built a brick house now... so we are in the same boat.
- So, this is it... All created cool facades are ruined as a house of cards by the harsh reality... - English sighed and winced slightly. - ... Fuck, the ankle hurts... This bastard gripped on it really hard.
- I'll help, - Strider took out the Holy Water they'd found before. He moved his hand blindly over Jake's leg, finfing the ankle. Dirk pushed all «wrong» thoughts away - is not the right time for his own love. Especially if he loves, he shouldn't let out the instincts. – Does it hurt here? - he gently touched the ankle.
- ... Yeah, right here, - English winced again. – It's like... as if I got this place terribly frostbitten.
- Sure thing: the ghost's touch – it's scary... – it was good that in the dark it couldn't be seen how Strider fought with embarrassment. He opened the bottle and poured some water on the bruise. - ... Feel better how? Does it help?
- Surprisingly, yes, - Jake nodded slightly. – It's noticeably better... I guess that Japanese guy had brought it with him in his time. Looks like he knew on what he'd gone...
- Well, he was a folklorist, and even with such a weapon against the ghosts, then surely he was taught by experience ... - Dirk washed the bruise and put the bottle back into the loin bag. There still remained a half of water.
- I'm surprised that they have such things there, in Japan. Camera for exorcism, Holy Water to heal the injuries inflicted by them... - English chuckled. - No, probably I will never want to go there...
- Don't promise. And in general – it's good that they have such things. They were smarter then the Europeans in this aspect... - Strider sighed. Then added: - Let's look for a safe place and have a rest...
