"Hmm, is that it? No explanation? Just 'real'?"
I was dumbfounded by what I wrote. Could that sentence mean that I personally saw the ghost? Or maybe it wasn't even my own thought, but something Graham had said.
Now puzzled, I tried to think of the information as a puzzle I had to solve. Flipping to an empty page in the book, I started scribbling my thoughts on it.
'Firstly, the line I wrote could most certainly just be me paraphrasing Graham's words. However, the rest of the evidence does not support that.'
Starting from the use of different-colored ink, the sloppy handwriting, and the importance my past self placed on him it all pointed to something more at play.
'It is more likely that I had witnessed the ghost firsthand, or at least seen proof of the paranormal activities. '
'Beyond that, it seems like I was in a rush when I was writing these few notes.'
'Maybe I was attacked? Chased?'
'Well, another possibility is that I had gone insane after treating too many insane patients...'
There were so many possibilities as to what the truth of the situation could have been.
"Sigh."
Rubbing my temples in an attempt to soothe the oncoming headache, I looked back down at the notebook, which now had a mind map of all my thoughts.
Though the notebook didn't give me the answers I wanted, it at least pointed me in the direction I needed to head.
'Graham Hensley. It seems like I need to pay this fellow a visit...'
Determined to head out, I changed into one of the suits in my cupboard. After informing my mother and borrowing some money from her, I left the house, grabbing the grey coat by the door.
***
Blackthorn Street
Following the map of the town my mother had handed me, I walked down the same street I had passed by earlier that day.
'Thank God this town is small—otherwise, I'd never be able to travel anywhere on my own.'
This small town sat on the outskirts of Kensvale City and had only one university. The streets were mostly connected, and one could travel from one end of town to the other in less than an hour by horse carriage.
My destination, Ironford Street, was only about a twenty-minute walk away.
'Graham must be quite wealthy since his house is located in the upper district.'
I continued looking at the map, making sure I didn't take a wrong turn and end up in some random alley. That was when I encountered a familiar shop.
'Mother said this used to be my favorite. Maybe I should buy an apple.'
Taking a slight detour, I arrived at the front of the shop.
Upon seeing me, the woman behind the counter's eyes lit up.
"Oh, Amon! How are you doing? How's your Maribel doing?"
'Maribel? That must be my mother's name...'
Putting on a smile, I decided to hide my memory loss from her.
"She's doing fine. May I get an apple?"
"Sure, no problem."
Reaching into my wallet, I took out one of the notes my mother had handed me and passed it to her.
"Hmm? Amon, do you not have change? What you gave me is a silver note."
"Oh... uh..."
Slightly flustered, I reached into my wallet again, searching for what looked like the smallest denomination. Pulling out a coin, I passed it to her.
She still wore a confused expression but reached under the counter and pulled out some change.
"Here the apple costs three copper coins, and since you gave a silver coin, that's nine copper coins in change."
Taking the nine copper coins and the apple from her hand, I quickly bid her farewell.
'In hindsight, I should have asked Mother how the currency system worked before coming out... She probably thinks there's something wrong with me now.'
"Sigh..."
I looked at the round, red apple in my hand, brought it up to my mouth, and took a big bite.
As soon as I bit into it, I felt the juices gush out, coating my tongue. It was the perfect blend of citrus and sweetness fresh and cooling.
I couldn't help but grin.
"Good apple."
***
Ironford Street
'Blk 61, Blk 62, Blk 63... Ah, this is the one!'
Looking up at the house, I saw it was at least twice as big as mine. The front lawn was filled with a wide variety of flowers, though I quickly moved past them the smell was awful.
'What kind of flowers are these? The whole porch smells like shit!'
"Knock, knock. Hello? Mr. Hensley, are you home?"
There was no reply.
I called out again, but there were still no signs of life.
'Is he not home? Should I come back another time?'
It was entirely possible Graham was out, which meant I'd either have to return another day or wait here for him to come back.
Not wanting to do either, I tried once more, this time shouting louder.
"You're Mr. Civik, right?"
Surprisingly, I heard a voice but it wasn't from the house. It came from the next-door neighbor.
"Yes, that would be me. By any chance, have you seen Mr. Hensley today?"
I turned toward her, flashing a smile that made the girl blush slightly.
"Oh. Uh... no, sorry. Mr. Hensley hasn't been seen for days already."
'Hasn't been home for days? Intriguing...'
"Mr. Civik, if you're free, would you like to accompany me for a while? My father recently bought some pastries, and I think you would—"
"Thank you for the offer, but I'm currently busy. Maybe next time I'm around."
"Oh... okay..."
The girl was clearly infatuated with me, but I had more pressing matters to attend to. Unable to stand both her gaze and the horrid smell from Graham's lawn, I hurried away down another street.
'Well, there goes my lead. Not only did I find out nothing, but now I stink of shit!'
Slightly irritated, I tried to ignore the stench and began formulating my next course of action.
Graham's home address was no good maybe there was something else, or somewhere else I could go to get more information. Taking out the notebook from my coat, I read through my notes about Graham again.
Dislikes animals, specifically dogs.
Likes sweets. Favorite cake shop is on Hot Cross Street.
Former professor at Blackwell University...
'That's it!'
Spotting that crucial detail, I instantly knew my next destination.
***
Blackwell University
It was already late in the afternoon, and students were spilling out of the university like drones.
Taking the opportunity, I went up to one of them and asked for directions to the Headmaster's office.
Following the student's directions, I arrived in front of the central building of the university, ready to enter. However, before I could, a hand grabbed my shoulder, stopping me.
"What is your name? State your purpose here."
"Sorry, I'm in a bit of a rush and need to see your Headmaster ASAP, so if you wouldn't mind, please take your hand off me—"
'HOLY CRAP, HE'S HUGE.'
I turned toward him to find a man at least 190 centimeters tall with bulging muscles gripping my shoulder tightly.
"Name! Purpose!"
Increasing the pressure on my shoulder, the man stared daggers into me.
"Uh... my name is Amon Civik, and I'm here to ask your Headmaster about a former professor named Graham Hensley."
Cold sweat dripped down my forehead as I looked anxiously at this bear of a man.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"Uh... no?"
Upon hearing my answer, he started to drag me away from the door.
"Wait! Wait! Please hear me out! This is a very important matter involving life or death! I need to speak to the Headmaster!"
I wasn't lying about the life-or-death part—this was important. There were no other leads, and I didn't think I could survive if I never recovered my memories.
At that moment, the door to the building opened.
Stepping out was a man with jet-black hair, wearing a suit and a gold pendant around his neck that accentuated his handsome features.
"Is that you, Amon?"
Both the guard and I stopped and turned toward the man.
"You know this person, Headmaster?"
"Yes. He was a former student here who graduated two years ago."
'I was a former student here?'
Learning this, I decided to use it to my advantage.
"Ah, Headmaster, how are you? I came here today to ask you some questions."
Putting on a wide smile, I tried to act like a nostalgic student visiting an old mentor.
For a moment, the Headmaster's expression shifted, but he quickly returned a polite smile.
"In that case, come in. Let's have a chat. Johnson, would you mind letting him go?"
The guard released me and returned to his station while the Headmaster and I entered the building, making our way up to his office.
'Whew, that was close. Luckily, I was able to act my way out of it.'
Filled with pride, I confidently strolled into the office and took a seat on the sofa.
"I was really surprised to see you here today, Amon."
"Why's that?"
"Well, because the last time we had a chat like this, you cursed me out and stormed out of the room. Haha."
I froze. The pride I'd felt instantly vanished, replaced with an overwhelming sense of embarrassment.
"Uh... ahem. Well, that was in the past. I just came to ask a few questions, nothing much."
My face still wore an awkward smile as I fought the urge to run out of the room.
"It's okay. Here, have some black tea."
The Headmaster, still smiling placed a cup of hot, aromatic tea in front of me.
"So, what is it you wanted to ask me?"
Still trying to play it cool, I sat up straight and fiddled with my hands.
"Oh, it's nothing much just about the former professor, Graham."
As soon as I said that, the entire atmosphere changed.
The smile faded from the Headmaster's face as he stared deeply at me.
"Graham, huh?"