Amanises' breathing stilled, and her heart calmed down.
She knew she wasn't going to get out of this easily. The spirit medium was already aware and perhaps this was for the better as her own memory was still foggy.
She relaxed, crossed one leg over the other, and concedes to Daly's affirmation.
"You're right. I guess a trip down the memory lane wouldn't hurt, right?"
The beautiful Madam Daly lowered her eyes as her smirk became wider. She even let out a small laugh.
"I'm not here to fault you, my lady. I believe that this is the only way we can get to the bottom of this. I'm not some half-assed fake."
It hardly looks like it.
"I'm not sure how you will look into my own mind but—sure." The older woman looks straight into the other's eyes. "I'm curious, however, how did you find out?"
Daly leaned back into her seat while replying.
"One's expression can tell a lot. You're not as secretive as you think."
Daly got up from her armchair and started walking slowly throughout the room. Only a bit of light shined through the curtains, but even that small amount accentuated her figure, making her appear like a lost dream.
"For starters, each time I mentioned your mother and the possession case your eye twitched slightly. Not enough to tell from a distance, but once you look into it, it becomes pretty obvious."
As a matter-of-fact Amanises had such a habit. Her friends mentioned how she was quite expressive with her emotions, despite the complete obliviousness of the woman in question.
Ugh, I knew this was going to bite me in the ass one day.
The cloaked lady stopped in front of a consecrated set atop what looked like a fancy drawer. She rubbed her fingers at the tip of the wick of an incense candle.
Huh? How did she do that?
The incense candle lit up! It seemed like the work of magic, something Amanises didn't have any words to explain.
"Relax, my dear. Close your eyes and let your mind drift." Daly coaxed her, and Amanises followed suit.
She didn't think she could fall asleep so easily, especially after that horrid nightmare. But Daly Simone proved again that miracles can happen.
That incense...
There must've been something with that incense but it was already too late.
She fell asleep.
***
"Why can't you visit us more? You don't want to make your mother's hair gray from the stress of worrying about you right?"
An old female voice called out.
"Let her be dear. She's an adult. The fact that she visits us at all is enough for me."
Another voice called out. Male, old... familiar—?
"Come here and eat, I made your favorite, you don't want it to go cold!"
The elder woman's voice called out again.
This time, Amanises could even see the figures of the voices.
Standing in front of the dinner table, holding what seemed like a pack of ketchup, Amanises was stunned.
She was home!
She was back at her childhood home, visiting her parents after not seeing them for nearly 8 months.
Her expression softened and tears nearly slipped out.
It was just a dream.
She went to pull out a chair and sit, when, from the corner of her eye, she noticed her parent's figures growing transparent.
No.
They were—also... wobbly?
What the?
A knock sounded from the direction of the front door.
Don't answer. Do not answer. Not when you're here.
What?
What's talking to me?
Now not only her parent's figures, but the entire house, floor, walls and furniture. Everything trembled unsure if it even existed.
Her vision became hazy before it was enveloped by blinding light.
From that light, a figure could be outlined. It had soft curves, it couldn't be defined to any gender and the most important aspect—the gigantic wings on its back.
A-an angel?!
Then everything shattered like glass, the knocking faded out in the distance.
Amanises was standing still.
Under her feet was water, but she didn't fall in.
Small drops of rain fell on the endless gray water. Under the water, points of light could be observed like distant stars.
Amanises was wide awake inside her dream.
How strange.
A figure materialized before her.
A beautiful, dark haired woman with deep blue eyeshadow stepped on the sea like a fairy.
"Tell me." The sea started wavering. "What happened the night you awoke inside the river?"
Madam Daly's voice echoed endlessly throughout the sea space.
I—I can choose what to answer.
Amanises' eyes were glazed over. It almost seemed like she was lost.
"I don't remember."
Daly Simone raised an eyebrow.
"Really? How about this."
She paused and then spoke.
"What did you do before you went to sleep?"
What? What do I answer? I really don't know.
"I—"
Like salvation, a point of light rose from the gray sea. It expanded near Amanises, showing a faint memory.
It was from a 3rd view as if recorded from the corner of her room.
It featured Evelyn admiring her expensive jewelry before slipping into bed.
The following second, she rose again and started sleepwalking.
That's even stranger.
Evelyn was walking with purpose. Her pace was quite fast but her eyes were unfocused. Like she knew where she was headed, but at the same time—not.
The spirit medium sighted and waved her hand.
Everything dissipated in the blink of an eye.
***
Waking up from her dream, Amanises posed an oblivious look and questioned.
"What happened? How did I fall asleep so fast."
Her gaze pointed at the burnt incense.
The frown on Daly Simone's head smoothed as she clarified.
"Ah yes. It seems you were telling them the truth in some way. It did look like you were possessed, it's just that maybe you weren't sure about it.
She wrote something on a notepad standing idly on the drawer, then gathered the burnt incense.
"And yes, it's thanks to this that you fell asleep. Don't worry too much."
She stated as she fluttered the candle with her hand.
Amanises wore a lost look.
"I see."
Ahem. Daly cleared her throat.
"Today's 'session' is over. You can come here in exactly two days' time. By then I should have some plausible speculations."
She passed and then added.
"Also I might have to search through your house to scout for any 'evil' items. You wouldn't mind that right?"
Amanises sighed.
"Sure. No problem. In two day's time I will come here and then we will head to my residence."
She got up and walked towards the door with heavy steps.
"Thank you for your time, madam."
Daly hurried to accompany the other woman, while speaking with an amusing tone.
"The pleasure is all mine, dear! You're welcome."
The sun was so bright compared to the dark interior of the house that it nearly blinded Amanises.
She put a hand over her eyes and walked away after stopping and saying.
"Goodbye."
Madam Daly didn't respond, but instead she waved her hand standing at the threshold of the house.