Entry 36

When we entered the hotel, there was only one other person in the lobby, aside from the receptionist. Seeing how late it was, there was no doubt in my mind that everyone had turned in for the night, especially after Miriam's ceremony and perhaps after hearing the howl on the wind.

The lone person was a woman in a wheelchair dressed in gothic garb.

From what I could see—I could only see her in profile—her skin was extremely fair, possibly even fairer than Shirleigh's. A large hat covered her head. Jet black hair fell over her shoulders and stopped just above her shoulder blades. Her overbust corset was of a burgundy colour, made of a jacquard fabric with a rose-like pattern. A large black bow was centred at the top of the corset, which corresponded with the one on her hat. Her long-sleeved bolero top matched in colour with her corset, black lace decorating the hems. Her legs drowned in the long skirts of her dress, and they pooled around her ankles. Bright red jewels stood out greatly against her pale skin as they angled from her ears and graced her middle fingers. When she turned around at the sound of our arrival, her eye—only one could be seen, for her bangs swept over her right eye—was of an unusually bright green. It was difficult to say whether or not it was natural.

"Ah, I have been expecting you," she said, her voice resonating throughout the lobby. It was rich and enchanting, and I was immediately enthralled.

She effortlessly turned her wheelchair and rolled up to me and my companion.

"My name is Min-jae Hesselius. I was a physician back in Korea," the woman told us. "No need for you to tell me who you are, I am familiar with you both already."

"'Was'?" Shirleigh echoed, with unmistakable scepticism. "What are you now?"

"Shirleigh," I muttered, a bit of criticism in my tone.

I felt that at any other point in time, this encounter would have me sceptical myself, but I have been through so much, especially in this night alone, that I felt nothing would shake me anymore.

"It's quite all right," Dr Hesselius held up a hand. Her every action was fluid like water. She folded her hands in her lap, seemingly disappearing into her voluminous velvet skirts. She smiled at my partner. "I am an occult detective."

A dismissive scoff echoed through the entrance hall. Dr Hesselius, however, remained unbothered.

"My research and studies have brought me here to uncover the mysteries of the wolf that haunts these mountains." She looked past Shirleigh, gazing out into the city that was illuminated by the moon. "I assume you are investigating the matter as well, for I have heard about your exploits back in England. I am impressed, yet disappointed all the same."

"Is there a reason behind this drivel, or was there something I could assist you with?" Shirleigh had begun impatiently tapping her fingers on the side of her leg. I wanted to throw her another glare, but Dr Hesselius rolled up to her so suddenly, it seemed she had teleported.

Dr Hesselius said nothing; she simply stared my partner in the eye for a moment before leaning back in her wheelchair, a calm smile on her lips.

"Actually, Miss Holmes," she said, her voice low, but dominant. "I am here to assist you."

I had expected another scoff from my companion, but we were only met with still silence. When I turned to look at Shirleigh, it was evident that she was calculating something. I couldn't fathom what exactly it was that she was calculating, but one could almost see in real time the cogs that turned and spun about in her head.

"You are dealing with something much more complicated than the human psyche, Miss Holmes," Dr Hesselius told Shirleigh. "You very well may be dealing with something beyond my, and even your understanding."

Shirleigh's brows furrowed, but her posture seemed to relax.

"I...I'm afraid I do not follow," Shirleigh started. "Logic is what I have followed my entire life. How am I supposed to..."

It was interesting to see Shirleigh attempting to understand something that went against what she had known. Her gesticulations grew more exaggerated when words began to fail her.

"You need to open your mind," Dr Hesselius pressed one of her fingers to my companion's forehead. "You remain within the confines of your head. You must be willing to let in ideas novel to you."

Shirleigh's arms relaxed. An introspective look crossed her features as Dr Hesselius continued.

"Now, I would say that it is up to you to decide whether or not you would want my assistance, but it would seem that you need it much more than anything. When you have decided to proceed with your investigation, come find me."

Dr Hesselius rolled away, leaving Shirleigh and me behind in the entrance hall.

Who exactly was this mysterious new ally? Had she been following us? A spy, perhaps? She was familiar with the cases Shirleigh solved in London, yet I do not recall ever seeing her around.

It looked as though Shirleigh was looking for the answers to the same questions, for when I looked over at her, she watched Dr Hesseslius the entire time it took for her to exit the building. Only when her wheelchair was out of sight did Shirleigh break free from her thoughts.

We made our way to the staircase. I did not mind the lack of an elevator; I began to find it easier to climb steps. Shirleigh would occasionally look back at me to make sure I was still with her, which I was grateful for.

"I wonder who that was," said I after reaching the top of the staircase. "I wonder how she found us. I mean, our residence is in London; meeting us here, in a completely different country, cannot be coincidental. 'I have been expecting you'..."

Shirleigh remained silent as we strode down the hall in tandem. I wonder what she thought about our visitor. About what she had to say. Would Shirleigh ask after her if she required her assistance?

When we entered our room, we froze upon seeing that multiple people were standing inside. One of whom was Shirleigh's sister, front and centre, looking rather on edge.

"Miriam...?" Shirleigh looked around the room at the others. "What is this?"