Redherochild

It began innocently enough. The trip was unusual but not my first of the kind: an expedition with several archaeologists to explore and document a recently-unearthed site. In this case, the site had been known for many years, but the locals had violently refused any attempts to explore within – until one week earlier when a representative from the locals had contacted the university at which I work and invited our team to come to explore the ruins. The team was kept small – a concession to avoid potential tensions with the locals. It was, therefore, a four-person team: Myself, my immediate superior, Doctor Muller, a doctoral student by the name of Adam Lochner, and the representative of the local villagers, a woman named Yui, who greeted us as our plane deposited us at the makeshift landing strip that had been created near the ruins. “I’m glad you were able to come, especially after how many times my people have rejected you in the past,” she said. She was younger than I’d expected

The Apartment on 131st Street The old woman looked at my suitcase and sniffed. “That’s all you packed?” I shrugged. “Just the essentials. Figured I’d have my family ship me the rest of my stuff once I’m sure of where I’m staying.” She nodded. “Well, if you decide to stay here, just remember to pay your rent. You’ve only paid me for this month.” Here, it happens, was a one-room apartment in a dingy complex on 131st street, a dark and dirty street in one of the cheapest areas of the city. I didn’t really expect to be staying here for long. Still, the rent was almost comically cheap, and it had a bed and running water. That would have to suffice until I found somewhere better. “First time in the city?” The old woman asked after showing me how to work the archaic lock on my door. I nodded. “Well, it’s not much different from any other city. But every city has its own little quirks you need to get used to.” I nodded again, pretending I was interested. “This city, for example, has a

The problem with being psychic is you never get a day off. I guess I should give context for this. My name is Kia Awara, professional exorcist. When you’re born with psychic powers, you’ll be encountering ghosts pretty much your whole life. Since basically any ghost powerful enough for you to see is also powerful enough to hurt you, you’re basically forced to learn some defensive measures. Some people just figure out the basics and try to avoid getting involved. Others – like me – figure that if we’re stuck in this situation anyway, we may as well make some cash off it, and go for more formal exorcist training. Normally, it’s a good deal. Exorcists get paid very handsomely, and as a self-employed psychic I don’t have to answer to anyone (well, except the government, when it’s time to renew my license). The downside is that, as a licensed exorcist, you’re technically always on duty. If the government finds out you were aware of a dangerous spirit and didn’t take any action against it

My name is Kia Awara, and I am a professional exorcist. It’s not quite as fancy as it sounds – I’m a high-school dropout with bright blue hair who dresses in baggy t-shirts and whatever skirt is at the front of my closet. Not exactly the sophisticated, stern priest most people envisage when they picture an exorcist. I discovered my psychic powers when I was young, which meant I spent a good few years running away from things nobody else could see before a more experienced psychic finally informed my family that I wasn’t crazy, I just had strong spiritual senses. In short, exorcism was something I just fell into. It pays well, it benefits society, I get to be totally self-employed (though the eventual goal is to nab one of those super high paying government contracts and become a millionaire), and I’m making a career out of something that’s an inherent part of me. Plus, it gives me a lot of unique stories to share. Here’s one that happened recently. The call wakes me around noon.