Chapter 38: Epilogue (Part 2)

Leo, after reading Esther's diary, didn't know what to think about it all. He sat down on the edge of her bed, resting the notebook on his lap. If he would take her words seriously, especially from one of the last entries, it seems that Esther's grandmother, Eloise Moore, might be right. However, this did not convince Leo's sceptical mind. Less important now was what was putting Esther in danger, for even if it existed, now probably wouldn't be able to find her since she disappeared. However, Leo still wanted to know what exactly had happened and where Esther was now. And what was he able to do to contact her in some way... But on the other hand, if all of this, by some miracle, was true, what could he possibly do to find out what happened and how to contact Esther? Therefore, the more he wanted to reject this version of events, because it took away his opportunities, and he really wanted to find her, to see her one last time, even if it was in a coffin.

He finally got up, closing the notebook, and holding it in his hand, he left the bedroom and, soon after, Esther's apartment. Then Leo went downstairs and got into the car, putting the notebook on the passenger seat. He quickly got home and read each page of the notebook a few more times, trying to make sense of it or find some answer between the lines. At times, however, Leo had the impression that Esther simply lost her mind, and he was reading the diary of a mentally ill person that has been left alone with her problem. It made Leo feel very guilty because he could have prevented it. As the female angel in that dream had warned him, Leo should have done anything possible to help Esther, but he was afraid, and now she was gone. Leo knew it was partly his fault, whatever happened to her. Finally, he closed the notebook and put it in a desk drawer, ate dinner, took a shower, and went to bed.

In the dream, Leo found himself in that darkness again, lit by only one spotlight falling on him. He expected to see that female angel again, and as a similar figure with large, glistening scarlet wings began to emerge from the darkness, Leo started to believe it would be so. However, when he saw the face of the figure, despite the eyes changed to the same dark blue ones without pupils, he recognized Esther in the features.

"Esther? Is that really you? What happened? What's that supposed to mean? Why do you look like this?" Leo blurted out a lot of questions. He wanted to ask for more, but Esther stopped him with a single move of her hand.

"You'd better not be looking for answers to most of these questions, Leo." she said, but her lips didn't move, but he recognized her voice, which only confirmed that it was her. "I came to your dream to calm you down and ask for something. First of all, I was in great danger, but I'm fine now. In addition, in a way, I will continue my work, catching and punishing criminals." Esther pointed out and her face finally changed as a smile appeared on it. "Second thing... Leo, please, end your private investigation on my case, focus on your work, and burn the notebook you found. I don't want you to take on the same danger that I put on myself. I will have a good life, like I always dreamed of, and I want the same for you, do you understand?" she asked and when he nodded, Esther continued. "I wish I'd never written it all down. It was a stupid thing to do so now you have to fix my mistake. Remember, you're a detective, people need you. There are still many unpunished criminals, and many who will become one. But if we cooperate, you among people, I among other beings, together we will be able to punish all of them and cleanse the world of sin." she added at the end.

"Now I understand better, Esther, and I promise to do what you ask me." Leo replied and she smiled as her figure began to fade away. Leo didn't want it to happen, but he knew he shouldn't be holding her.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The day after his dream, Leo took Esther's notebook to the suburbs of the city, to an abandoned factory, where he dropped kindling into one of the empty metal barrels. As the fire burned, Leo slowly tossed in the pages torn from the notebook, one by one, and watched the fire consume them.

THE END