Author's Note: We're back with Ju again. I struggled to write this but I managed to get it out after I looked at a picture that I saved on Reddit. This is what happens when you keep falling asleep in the middle of the day. I didn't even feel like writing at one point. But I managed to pull through. I will do better next week. Speaking of next week, I don't know where I am going yet. I will just have to see the saved pics on Reddit to get ideas. For now, enjoy this week's match.
Match Twenty-Three: Dreams, Tracking, and Circus Music:
-Ju-
Things have been crazy in Europe lately. I know I have talked about this before but there are rumors about people going missing and a dark circus rolling in all over the content. It sounds like something out of a horror movie if you ask me.
"What are you looking at?" Qian asked. I looked up from my phone.
"Oh," I said. "Just about that dark circus in Europe."
"Oh yeah, I've heard of that," he said. "Everyone keeps talking about it on the internet." Of course, they would.
"Everybody loves a conspiracy theory," I muttered. I was just happy they weren't accusing us of making Europe go crazy. Qian leaned in over the table.
"So what do you think it is?" he asked.
"Hm? I don't know," I said. I sat back and thought about that.
"My dad says it's a gas leak," Qian said. "But that's got to be one hell of a gas leak." I wrinkled my nose.
"Well that doesn't make sense," I said.
"I know, right?" he asked.
"Qian," Tse said as she walked into the kitchen. "She's here to talk business, not socialize. Don't you have homework to finish or something?" Qian rolled his eyes.
"I already did it," he complained. He got up and walked out of the kitchen. Tse turned her attention to me.
"You wanted to see my husband?" she asked. I cleared my throat.
"Uh… yeah, yeah," I said. "Is he in?"
"No, he'll be back soon," Tse said. "What is it? What's on your mind?" I sat back and rubbed my forehead.
"Oh wow," I said. "Where do I begin?" Tse took a seat at the table as I looked up at the ceiling.
"I have been having some weird dreams lately," I said.
"What do you mean?" she asked. I tried to think
"Well, there's a bird," I said. I waited for her to give me a response. When she didn't, I took a breath and kept talking.
"He looks more like he's made of dry brush and fern," I said. "I can definitely see the bird head. Something about its eyes gives me the creeps." I moved my hands in the air as if I was drawing out the creature. I could see the confused look on Tse's face. I lowered my hands.
"I'm not making any sense, am I?" I asked. Tse stared at me as if piecing it together in her head. I sat back and sighed. This was a mistake to say something.
"This bird," she spoke up. "When did you start seeing it?"
"About two nights ago," I said. A little smile came on her face.
"Heh," she said.
"What?" I asked. Tse looked up as she tried not to laugh.
"Think of him like a guardian," she said. I gave her a strange look.
"What did you do?" I asked. Tse grinned.
"What did you do?" I asked. Tse grinned.
"Oh… just a little spell of protection for you," she said. "It was Wan's idea."
"So… can I only see him in my dreams?" I asked.
"If you want to," she said. "He's there to protect you and Jing." Hearing her say that reminded me of something. The other day, Jing kept reaching up and cooing at something above his crib.
"Hey, see something interesting there?" I asked. He just cooed at me. Now, I just can't help but wonder…
"Huh?" I asked. I think Tse was saying something to me.
"I said have you found Qi yet?" she asked. I froze.
"No," I said, lowering my eyes. She gave me a look of pity.
"Maybe you should give up on her," she said. I shook my head.
"It's not just for me," I said. "It's for Noelle too."
"Huh?" Tse asked. I sighed and rubbed my forehead.
"You should've seen her face," I said. "She may be strong, but you have to remember that Qi was the first person to be nice to her. They've been together for quite some time."
"I understand," Tse said. "But what do you plan to do with the body?"
"Release it to Noelle," I said. "It's the least I can do." Suddenly, my phone rang.
"Excuse me," I said. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone.
"Hello?" I asked. There was no one talking on the other line.
"Hello?" I asked again. A confused look came over my face. Is that… music? Who the hell is playing circus music? What the hell?
"Ju?" Tse asked. I waved her off. She then leaned in for a listen. The music lasted for about ten seconds before it stopped. I looked up at Tse.
"I'm home!" we heard Man shout from the front door. Tse and I snapped out of our confused daze.
"We're in here!" Tse shouted. She turned and ran to her husband. I was just left shaking my head, blinking. What just happened? I rubbed my head as I tried to piece it all together. I looked up when I heard Tse and Man walking into the kitchen. Man gave me a curious look.
"Everything okay?" he asked. "Did you need something?" I slowly shook my head.
"Oh. No, no," I said. "I… I have what I wanted." I wandered out of the kitchen. I didn't even look at Tse and Man as I wandered out of the house.
