Chapter 4: Fifth Crow
As I approached the car door, there he was—the coward Joseph, tears streaming down his face, trembling, and clutching a gun that likely originated from his policeman father. "Don't come near me! I'll shoot you!" he threatened, the firearm pointed menacingly in my direction.
His feeble attempt at intimidation only fueled my growing annoyance and anger, triggering memories of our shared childhood. Back then, Joseph wielded an undeserved power, instilling fear in all of us by incessantly boasting about his father's authority and the consequences we'd face if we dared defy him.
The familiarity of the red car triggered recollections of the times he used it as a tool of intimidation, a locus of our shared torment. In that moment, a surge of anger enveloped me, and my gaze darkened as the unresolved grievances from our past converged on the figure of the trembling Joseph, holding a gun he likely never had the courage to use before.
Fueled by an overwhelming surge of anger, my initial impulse was to unleash my blood upon Joseph, a manifestation of my fury. However, a sudden recollection of the tarot card's inscription brought a momentary pause.
"Crows Count: 1 Effect: You can control anyone's brain for three minutes, but you must always carry this card." The words echoed in my mind, presenting an opportunity to test the legitimacy of the mysterious power bestowed upon me.
Contemplating the deserved punishment for the trembling figure before me, I retrieved the card from my pocket, gripping it tightly. Fixing my gaze upon Joseph, I embarked on an experiment to delve into his consciousness, attempting to wield the enigmatic power inscribed on the tarot card and dispel any lingering doubts about its authenticity.
In a matter of seconds, the tarot card in my hand emitted a radiant glow, coinciding with a noticeable shift in Joseph's eyes, now resembling a trance-like state. The synchronicity between the illuminated card and the entranced expression in Joseph's eyes fueled a growing conviction that the card's power was indeed real.
Emboldened by this apparent manifestation of control, I wasted no time and delved into the experiment of manipulating Joseph's thoughts. The tarot card had stipulated a concise window—three minutes—to wield this power. With unwavering determination, I probed into Joseph's consciousness, the weight of my inquiry laden with the gravity of the accusations against him.
"Tell me the truth," I demanded, my voice taking on a commanding tone. "What did you do to your girlfriend? Is it true that you raped and killed her?" The seconds ticked away, and I sought to unravel the mysteries shrouding Joseph's actions and the accusations that had cast a sinister shadow over him.