Heka had made a monumental decision about his life. One that he hoped would bring a profound change, a turning point from the restless existence he had known. Deep inside, he was certain this choice was necessary, though whether it would lead to good or ill, only time would tell.
There was no turning back now; he had to bear the weight of his decision, no matter how heavy it became.
But with this decision, he hoped to break free. He knew that his routines would shift, that his world would tilt on its axis, and that the awkwardness of change would settle over him like a thick fog.
Yet, the promise of rest, of peaceful sleep, was a balm to his soul. At least, he thought, this would be good for his health.
As he approached Ansel's house, the familiar sight of the weathered wooden door brought a strange mix of comfort and dread.
Each step he took felt heavier than the last, as if invisible weights were shackled to his ankles. The burden he carried was not just physical, it was the weight of his own resolve, the gravity of the path he had chosen.
His heart pounded with nervous anticipation, but his mind remained strangely blank, refusing to dwell on the metaphorical chains that bound him.
It was natural for him to feel this way. After all, he was about to perform soul delivery, a sacred, solemn act that demanded every ounce of his focus and strength.
The pain in his legs was a silent reminder of the toll this responsibility exacted, but he kept his suffering to himself. He did not want to add to the worries of Mr. McVeigh, Ansel's Grandpa, who had always treated him with kindness and respect.
When Mr. McVeigh handed him a steaming cup of hot chocolate, Heka's voice was quiet but sincere. "Mr McVeigh, thank you very much for the help. Sorry if I bother you. "
"No need to thank me. Anyway, Ansel is leaving. He will be back soon." The old man smiled gently, his eyes crinkling with warmth.
Heka noticed a subtle change in Ansel's demeanor lately. The boy seemed uneasy around him, a shadow of discomfort clouding his usually bright eyes.
It had started after Ansel had warned Heka against continuing with soul delivery and the bloody marriage. The warning had been clear and firm, but Heka understood the fear behind it.
But all Heka needed was Soul Delivery. He didn't care if he died after that. He was not afraid that death would come to him. At least before he died, his body did not feel tired, and he could feel how to wake up after fast sleep.
Despite the tension, he knew that this was a path he had to walk alone, at least for now. The road ahead was uncertain, but he was determined to face it with quiet courage.
Mr. McVeigh began to explain about soul delivery. His voice was low and steady, as if sharing a secret too heavy for casual ears.
"It's better to tell you about Soul Delivery first. There is one thing you have to do first. It makes your body feel weak. Your blood must be removed first. After that, you just have to wait for Lexus to arrive. He will give you a human soul that has died. You will absorb it. It looks like... it looks scary to you..."
Mr McVeigh paused for a while. It did look very terrible and made Heka unable to say anything. "Hmmm..."
Seeing Heka's hesitation, Mr. McVeigh gave a reassuring nod. "Don't worry. Soul delivery is a secret, hidden treatment. Not everyone can do it, only a few people."
The weight of those words settled heavily on Heka's shoulders. The path he was about to walk was not only dangerous but shrouded in mystery and ancient power.
Trying to steady himself, Heka reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope thick with money. He handed it over to Mr. McVeigh with a slight tremor in his hands. "Mr McVeigh, please accept it. Thank you very much for helping me."
Mr. McVeigh took the envelope carefully, his fingers brushing over the paper as he opened it. Heka's heart pounded in his chest, anxiety creeping in.
Heka wasn't sure if the amount was enough to cover the cost of such a rare and secretive procedure.
"Mr McVeigh, is that lacking? I'm sorry, I'll add it later." Heka said quickly, his voice tinged with worry.
"No need, this is more than enough." Mr. McVeigh replied with a calm smile. Just then, the sharp ring of a phone cut through the quiet room. Mr. McVeigh glanced at the screen, then back at Heka to apologize. "I'm sorry I have to hang up the phone first."
"It's okay. Take your time." Heka said, watching as Mr. McVeigh stepped away to answer the phone, leaving him alone with his swirling thoughts.
Mr McVeigh left Heka alone. Meanwhile, he took the tablet out of his bag. He was looking for something about Soul Delivery. There was one thing that he made sure of.
Previously, Heka had tried desperately to uncover any information about Soul Delivery. He had scoured every possible source, dozens of bookstores, countless libraries, and even obscure archives tucked away in forgotten corners of the city.
Yet, no matter how deep he dug, there was absolutely nothing.
At first, he had assumed it was some form of black occult, a forbidden art whispered in dark circles. But even within the vast and shadowy tomes of black magic, Soul Delivery was nowhere to be found.
It was as if the very concept had been erased from existence or deliberately hidden from the world.
Heka sighed deeply, the weight of his fruitless search pressing down on him. He had finally come to accept the truth in Mr. McVeigh's words. "That means what Mr McVeigh just said right. Soul Delivery is a secret treatment, it"s hidden well."