It was time for me to start solving problems. Specifically Johnny.

  Dealing with him could potentially be difficult, and I would likely have to get the law involved. Defamation would be a civil tort, which would have to be resolved in some court, and with his reputation he would have to be proven guilty before any consequences found their way to him. However, falsifying my mothers death certificate would be a federal crime, but his reputation would likely tank that one as well. It might even be impossible to link Johnny to the false accusation I had received.

  I had a couple different options. I could hit him with one or all of the accusations at the same time. However that wouldn’t really cause a lot of panic, he had enough money to hire multiple lawyers after all. However, doing them one at a time would take too long and wouldn’t be much better.

  If only I could see his sins with my ability, I thought to myself. I kept on pondering my situation while walking to the coffee shop.

  I walked in causing the sound of a bell to ring. The noise alerted Mr. Drake who was surprised to see me. He immediately rushed close and pulled me into a deep hug. I could smell his old musk which was actually quite calming.

  Another thing I had ignored till now, but it might not be another thing I have lost.

  “How are you?” He asked simply.

  “I’m good.” I gave a simple reply.

  I told him the whole story about the accusation, imprisonment, and brutality. He silently listened while his frown grew bigger and bigger.

  “I see, so you went through something like that.” Mr. Drake said lightly, and did not display any deeper emotion.

  “Why did you not contact us immediately?” He asked with a slightly goofy look on his face. His expression changed too quickly, and I could tell he was trying to change the topic.

  “There were too many missed calls and I got overwhelmed.” I answered, slightly embarrassed by my excuse.

  “I see, of course ‘the girls’ are more important to you.” He emphasized ‘the girls’ extra hard, which then made him break out into a nervous laughter.

  “Who are ‘the girls’?” I asked in the same tone as him. He conveniently looked away and grabbed a cup to start cleaning.

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  “Mrs. Drake usually isn’t out on Mondays, right?” I asked while watching Mr. Drake’s face.

  “She… is not in the best of health right now.” He said, and his face told me nothing. “Let us go up and see her.” He said before walking into the room behind the counter.

  I had been inside the Drakes' house many times before. The downstairs was the shop, while upstairs was their home filled with piles of photos and antiques in the corners. I followed Mr. Drake into one of the few side rooms the house had.

  Inside on an old bed was Mrs. Drake, covered in a green quilt. She was sitting up and reading a book, seeming in no worse health than before.

  “Hello Azure, what a wonderful day it is.” She said with a bright smile on her face.

  “Yeah.” I responded weakly.

  “Are you okay?” She asked kindly, and I had no doubt in my mind that she was sincere.

  “Yeah.” I replied weakly again.

  “Are you only going to reply with, ‘yeahs’?” She asked with a grin on her face.

  “Yeah.” I said, cheering up slightly.

  “Quite shy today, Azure.” Mr. Drake cut in.

  I just stood silent watching Mrs. Drake. She was my family, like a Grandmother to me. I really didn’t want anything bad to happen to her. She had been there for me for several years. Probably her and her husband are one of the only reasons I am alive right now.

  “You are worrying too much.” Mrs. Drake said, catching onto a lot of my thoughts.

  “I will easily be able to live another decade.” She said confidently, but her laugh made it worse. I didn’t want to doubt her, but what was likely the truth was clawing at me.

  I came to a sudden realization, my only option was to live without regret. Otherwise, they would both die strangers to the true me.

  “I have something I want to tell you.” I said hesitantly. I was fighting against an inner animal, it was squeezing my throat and heart. It made it hard to breathe, speak, or even think easily.

  But, I would live without this regret.

  “For about twelve years, I have been able to see the sins that people have committed.” I spoke while looking at the ground, awaiting their reaction.

  A small silence felt like an eternity and I decided to look up at them. Their faces were no different than before.

  “What does that mean? Please explain more.” Mr. Drake said seriously.

  I continued to explain everything: How I got my power, How I thought it works, the meetings with Godfrey, and my current problems. I came completely free, I had laid myself completely bare against them.

  I still feared their reaction. If I succeeded there would be nothing in between us. I would hold no secrets and they would have accepted all of me. However, if they had thought me a creep or even an insane person. I might never see them again, and ruin the relationship we had.

  “You have been alone for a long time.” Mrs. Drake finally spoke. I looked at her face, and it was not a bit less bright. I looked at Mr. Drake's face, he also wore a large smile under his mustache.

  “Azure, you can stop worrying. We will never leave you alone.” Mr. Drake said.

  “Yeah.” I responded weakly again. My face crept into a true smile, while I whipped away tears from my cheeks.