16 Chapter 16

After a cheerful and conversational night, where I spent hours exchanging messages with Alice and then had a lengthy phone call.

Talking about many things, something we've been doing for the past few nights, it feels like I've known her for a long time, but it doesn't seem to be enough. It's as if I could devour every part of her and still it wouldn't be enough, because I would still want more of her.

In these few days, I swear, if you compare how much Alice and I have talked in this time, it's more than twice as much as I've talked with Uncle Charlie...

Maybe even more than with Bella. There are things that Alice and I discuss that I've never talked about with Charlie and Bella, things I've been keeping inside during this time.

We even talked about her family, how she doesn't remember many things and the ones she does remember are very painful for her, like her father and stepmother.

She even let slip sometimes about possible secrets of hers, like her true age and her not being human... but I always ignored it, and she might not have even noticed.

And here I am after a good morning run with Bella, now teaching her to swim better. I even had to let the pool warm up because she became interested in swimming too.

There haven't been obvious results in her yet, but she has improved a bit in terms of her weight, which used to be very thin. This week, with a richer diet, her face looks a bit more lively.

She can also run for a longer time, and her stamina has improved a bit. This is due to the method I learned during my past life about better breathing techniques, as well as some combinations of herbs to take during the day that can benefit her body.

Even Uncle Charlie asked for the recipe for this herbal tea and started drinking it. He has a daily physical training routine at the police gym, and upon learning the benefits of my tea, he thought it would be good to start taking it.

While I talk with Bella and correct her here and there as she swims laps in the pool, I can't help but laugh a little when thinking about Alice again.

She isn't content with talking a little or even a lot at night. For her, we should talk throughout the entire day, and even during classes.

This led to many teachers giving small warnings during classes, but Alice told me, "Don't listen to them. I've already learned a great deal about these subjects, and if you need it, I can even teach you! That way, I can spend even more time with you, and I'm a much better teacher!" She said this with her chin held high in pride.

After finishing swimming with Bella, I go inside to have breakfast, and the news playing on the television makes my expression turn serious.

What's on the television is a murder that occurred earlier this morning, with two policemen killed and one in critical condition at the moment, and no suspects so far.

I remember this incident, as I watched it on a show in my past life, and it was the secretary of these policemen who committed the act.

The Mentalist

Bella: "How is it possible for this to happen in a place full of armed people?" She speaks with an apprehensive tone, surely thinking of her father.

I speak reassuringly: "Don't worry about that. I doubt something like this could happen in Forks, and Uncle Charlie is a really strong guy, like a bear. I doubt anyone could do something like that to him."

Bella sighs in relief upon hearing this, but I can still see her shoulders are a bit tense. I suggest: "Why don't you head home early? That way you can keep an eye on him, and you could even go with him to the Police Station."

Bella thinks momentarily and speaks with a slightly teasing tone: "Are you kicking me out? So you can spend the weekend with Alice?"

I raise my hands in the air and say: "Guilty! Now, come on, I'm going out to buy a few things."

She smiles at me and says: "Don't do anything I wouldn't do, okay? I doubt you want to have kids so soon."

I roll my eyes and reply: "Don't exaggerate. We've just met, and while things might be moving fast, I'm not going to take that kind of step so quickly."

After practically sending Bella away, I leave the house in the Charger with Sirius...

Arriving at a quiet and empty place, I make the Charger open a portal to the city of Los Angeles, where the show is set.

(I forgot where it is, so let's go with Los Angeles.)

After appearing in a deserted forest, I start driving towards the location where they find the body of the other policeman, which is at a hospital.

Upon reaching the hospital, I buy a snack and start walking with Sirius, pretending to be just passing by. When I get close to the area where they should find the body, I say to Sirius: "Do you smell the scent of blood? Lead me to it, buddy, and pull on the leash with force to make it look like you're searching for something."

Sirius starts walking after barking an "Understood, Captain," and leads me to a room I already know from the show.

As I go deeper inside, I see it: first the smiling drawing, then the body lying on a hospital bed.

Opening the door, I can't help but sense Sirius is a bit uncomfortable with the smell in the air, the same smell that demons must emanate.

Sulfur.

I approach the drawing and begin to analyze it. Even without touching it, I know its nature. It's not just a simple drawing or a mark of a brilliant psychopath.

"It's a symbol, a symbol he uses as his characteristic, a mark that shows the nature of his soul and his status," I think aloud.

I feel strong demonic energy emanating from this drawing, much like the failed demon from before, but this energy is much stronger.

"An energy like this... thinking about the way he kills his victims, you can already see that it's a ritual. The drawing serves to absorb all the negative energy the victims leave behind. Their deaths are calculated to be filled with negative energy."

I look at the body and feel the energy it emits, drawn toward the mark on the wall. His body carries all the anger, despair, fear, helplessness, sadness, and pain.

He's using these negative feelings as his energy source, energy to be used in his ritual to ascend as a demon. But it's not just that...

This kind of ritual is very complex and is usually given for a two-way transformation. A demon must have granted this ritual to Red John and is likely using it to absorb at least half of that energy.

While the rest is used by Red John to become a demon. Yes, it must be that. After so many deaths at his hands, the energy should be sufficient for several demons to be born.

And Red John must know that there's a hierarchy within each realm in hell. He must be accumulating more and more energy to become a strong demon, rather than remaining a lesser one and taking millennia to rise in rank.

Of course, Red John is still the worst kind of psychopath; only this type would conduct such a ritual. There are various types of rituals, and as long as you find a good energy source, you can use it to ascend.

And the more remorse a body exudes, the more energy it can grant. It's easier than finding one of the rare energy sources out there.

I sigh heavily and at that moment, I sense someone opening the door to the entrance. I quickly move outside and close the door, standing there with Sirius.

I pretend to look shocked by the situation and take out my phone as if I'm about to call the police.

And then he enters – Patrick Jane. He looks at me puzzled and asks, "Who are you?" He doesn't stop walking, coming up to the door and looking inside.

I reply instantly. Lisbon and Cho then enter the room too, standing close to me. However, when they see the mark on the wall, they point their guns at me.

"My dog led me here. I was about to call the police after finding whatever is in there."

Patrick stands in front of me and speaks quickly, "Did you see anyone else?"

Damian: "No, I just came in too. It's been a minute at most."

Lisbon: "You're coming with us to the station. You're the only witness at the scene and we need to verify if you're telling the truth. Cho, take him outside and wait for me."

Cho says, "Let's go," and as he tries to approach me, Sirius opens his mouth, displaying his teeth, causing Cho to step back.

I say, "No need for that, boy," while calming Sirius down, and I start walking out with Agent Cho and Sirius.

Cho: "What will we find on the cameras? Are we going to see you bringing the body here?"

I shrug and reply, "Do you think I wanted to stumble upon a body? If I didn't have a bit of self-control, I'd be puking up my breakfast by now."

Cho stares at me for a while, searching for something, and when he doesn't find anything, he relaxes a bit and says, "The one in there is a cop. You must know we'll be tougher in this kind of situation."

I say, "Why would someone kill a cop? Don't they know the entire police force will be after them?"

Cho: "I don't know, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."

I purse my lips to the side; this guy's tough demeanor matches that of the show.

After we reach their car, I ask, "Does this have anything to do with the police case today?"

Cho gazes at me, thinks for a moment, and gives in, "Yes."

In reality, I'm using a bit of magic... to cloud their minds slightly, from the moment they entered. It's something I learned in the past few days while using my power of perfect adaptability. I learned to use some of my energy to influence people slightly, not very strongly because I haven't practiced much.

But it's enough for normal people like Cho, for example. I'll use it to confuse them and even make them forget me later, just as I did in my own body to confuse security cameras.

The same goes for my car. They'll look at it and all they'll see is a 2006 Mustang.

After a while, several police cars arrive at the scene, and Patrick comes up to me. His eyes are clouded and confused, surely trying to process everything quickly.

Lisbon arrives shortly after and looks at me. "I've had the cameras checked, and it was true. You're free to go if you don't have anything else to say."

I nod in agreement and say, "Alright."

After saying my goodbyes, even though I'm aware that all of this is due to my confusion tactics, without it, I would never have been able to leave this easily.

And why didn't I leave earlier and confuse them to escape unnoticed? I wanted to see Patrick face-to-face.

And as I knew, he does have some connection to the dead, but he's losing it due to not accepting his Gift and also because he doesn't believe in it.

I get into the car with Sirius and start speeding back home. Red John's death will be tonight. Since he's a cop, it'll be hard to find him alone at that time, and hunting him at night will be much better.

I wonder if I should tell Patrick about who the real Red John is or inform him after I catch Red John. He's a guy who spent years hunting Red John; his wife and daughter firsthand experienced that guy's actions.

And the secretary? She's a target, but she's also constantly inside the police department. I won't barge in there and kill her.

The world doesn't need to know about me yet. Maybe in the future, I won't mind appearing in public as Ghost Rider, but if I can avoid it, it'll be better.

After getting back home, I send a message to Alice.

Damian: Good morning, little fairy.

She responds within a minute, she must have been expecting a message from me.

Alice: Good morning! You took a long time to text me ☹

Damian: I'm sorry, I was busy. I promise to message you every day, right after waking up.

Alice: Then I forgive you ٩(˘◡˘)۶

Alice: I'm already preparing our lunch! When I'm done, will you come pick me up, okay?

Damian: Okay! Is it almost ready?

Alice: Yes, just a few more things, and it'll be ready soon.

Alice: I can't wait to spend the day with you! <3

Damian: Hmm, I thought it was about getting inspiration?

Alice: You already give me all the inspiration I need (✿◠‿◠)

Damian: That made me a bit...

Alice: Shy?! Happy?! Enchanted?!

Damian: You're the inspiration I wake up to and fall asleep with lately, inspiring my dreams and thoughts.

Alice: ...silly (っ◔◡◔)っ ❤ but you're the silly I want for myself!!!

Damian: Aren't you feeling shy?

Alice: I'm incredibly and undeniably happy!!! ❤（っ＾▿＾）

That's truly something she would say. The smile on my face only grows as I read her messages. It's always a pleasurable and good feeling that fills me when I talk to her.

The flames that burned hot and fierce, urging me to hunt down Red John quickly, temporarily subsided as I exchanged messages with Alice.

But that's just for now. Tonight is the end for this guy. Tonight, his reign of terror comes to an end, and he will be judged for everything he's done.

When I look at Sirius, I see his eyes gleam as he picks up on my thoughts. He must know that Red John holds a lot of energy within him, the energy that will strengthen both me and him.

And that makes him happy because, even though he eats the food I give him, it's the energy of souls that truly satisfies him.

My phone rings again, and a smile forms on my face.

Alice: I'm ready! Come pick up your fairy! ❤（っ＾▿＾）

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I confess that the part with Lisbon and the others was... the worst I've done so far, but I really tried, and I must say that mc's parts with Alice are always something I like to write.

sorry if I didn't do something good in this chapter.