Page 118 of The Girl with a Thousand Faces
The answer came naturally.
To fix things. To put things right.
“What went wrong? I don’t mean the details. You’ve shown me those, and you’re getting lost in them. What’s the heart of the matter, Mercy?”
She had to think about that.Someone loved me. I was too damaged to love them back. When I tried, I hurt them beyond measure. Now they’re spilling that hurt everywhere into the world, and the only way I can think to stop them is to hurt them again. Which I don’t want to do.
“Why do you have to stop them?” Erika said, puzzled. “Since when were you in the business of stopping ghosts, Chan? I thought your thing was giving them the justice they craved.”
That’s the thing, I can’t give her justice, Mercy said, trying not to groan.She wants me dead, but I’ve already died, twice. Yet she’s still raging, her hatred undimmed.
“Then maybe your assumption is wrong.” Erika took off her rain-spattered glasses and gave them a shake. “If your second death didn’t bring her peace, could it be that she doesn’t want you dead?”
Mercy stared at her with a hollowed, ghostly gaze.How are you so smart?
“Dunno, but that’s why I’m a teacher, and you’re a triad goon.” The other woman gave a gap-toothed grin. “I think you’re looking for solutions in the wrong places. Try thinking about it objectively, like a ghost talker. Think how you’d approach this case if it were someone else. Draw on all the experience you have, and don’t be afraid to question the past. The answer to what Miss Thousand-Faced Girl wants, lies in you.”
In me, Mercy echoed. Already, an unsettling idea was forming in her mind, one she was half afraid to consider.I see. Thank you, thatishelpful.
“No problem.” Erika sighed. “You mentioned all the ‘bad shit’ that might happen soon. What does ‘bad’ mean?”
It means every ghost in the Murray Building being freed on the night of Hungry Ghost Festival to wreak havoc on the city. Then the damage being blamed on Kowloon. This district being razed. That kind of bad.
“It’s always something with you, isn’t it?”
Sorry, Mercy said, cringing.I do have an idea for how to fix things, I think, but I need your help. I know I have asked a lot of you today—
“No shit, Chan!”
—but I promise, this is nearly over. Will you help me, big sister? One final time?
“Do I look like I would dare refuse a ghost?” Erika grumbled. “What do you need?”
If you can, go back to Red Bird’s establishment, and fetch some of the documents from her room. They prove Kit Ling’s corruption. That will at least halt the demolition process, and give the district time to build a new case.
“Isn’t it guarded?!”
It won’t be now. The triad have no need of it. They’re too busy trying to find their leader, who is dead.
“You’d better be sure about that,” Erika said, doubtfully.
Bao padded over, yowling inquisitively.
I haven’t forgotten you, don’t worry.Mercy kissed her ghost cat on the nose.I have one more request for you, too, most loyal of creatures. If you ever loved me, go with Erika, and keep her safe. Do this for me, and I will never ask anything of you, ever again.
He hissed, as if she had trod on his tail.
Please, Bao, she said.Erika needs someone to keep her safe. And you’ll be destroyed if Siu Yin sees you. I can’t bear that. This isn’t your justice to face, either of you.
His teeth bared in a snarl.
She stroked his ear, understanding the question intuitively.If I don’t see you again, then know that I always loved you most of all, above any other living thing. I hope you are able to find peace one day, and I hope that it is not me who is keeping you from rest.
The great furry head bobbed in reluctant acquiescence. Loyal to the last, he turned and padded closer to Erika, nudging the older woman.
“I’m going, I’m going!” Erika was shivering badly from the rain, and hunched down into her sodden clothing. “Will I see you again, little sister?”
I don’t know.Mercy scooped up the forlorn body, its limbs slack in her grasp.If you don’t hear from me, come look on the island of Shek Ham Chau. I might be there. Or you might get some answers, at least.
