"Because we are still researching and making progress here." It was Carl who answered.All eyes turned to him again.Carl glanced at me and signal me through his eyes to stick with his story."We first witnessed this phenomenon in this area. So we believed the breakthrough in that matter would be here as well. Mr. Lin Ze and the Capital have been researching the door-to-the-afterlife for so long, right? But the Capital hasn't made any progress. Why do you think we can offer results greater than the Capital when we only discover this matter a few months ago? Can't you see that the potential lies in this place?"I opened my mouth at Carl's nonsense excuse. It was full of shit but the way Carl said it seemed like it was true. It makes me even think it was reasonable.Mr. Lin Ze thought for a moment. Then asked, "What is special about this place then? What difference does this place have from the Capital? In the Capital, you can use all the resources right away, while in this barren place
A/n: This chapter is fixed. Thank you for waiting. **** "Kelly, wait!" Carl ran after me. The exhausting meeting finally ended. After Mr. Lin Ze dismissed us, I ran out of the room immediately. Staying there any longer made me uncomfortable as if my lies and secrets would be exposed. I stopped and stared at Carl. "Why the heck did you become my assistant?" "Do you think I want to?" Carl's face showed anger. "That damn Lucas pushed me to clean up your mess!" "What mess! I handled it well!" "You handle it? You almost cut your tongue. If I did not help you, you could have been dragged away!" Carl's words were right. If Carl did not speak for me and buy me time, I would be dragged to the Capital while still thinking of ways to escape. Thankfully, we can fool Mr. Lin Ze at that time. "I-it's true...that you somehow helped me. But why didn't you tell me earlier that the people from the Capital are here?" It's really hard to say 'thank you' to Carl's disdainful attitude. Carl sig
A/n: This chapter is fixed. Thank you for waiting. *** Two weeks might be short, but it's quite long for me. Especially when the Capital was watching my back. Fortunately, they did not pressure us by supervising our daily lives with the excuse of observing our 'experiment' personally. They just stayed inside the haunted mansion and did not summon me or bother me anymore. It was as they said, they were waiting patiently for my reports. Mr. Lin Ze usually stays in Sir Reynold's room to talk about business matters while Marcus would come out from time to time to visit the ghost market owned by the haunted mansion. However, when we crossed paths, the man would squint his eyes at me. As if I owe him a huge debt. Although it looked like they settled down, I won't still slack around, because they might have placed eyes on me anywhere. I stayed in the haunted mansion for the past week. When the appointment day has come, Carl and I prepared to leave and went to Sister Nancy's place. Bu
The altar was made of antique wood. There were plenty of yellow papers with red characters written on them pasted on the altar. The closer I was to the altar, the heavier the pressure was. I felt like my skin was burning, my mouth was dry and my feet felt like a hundred pounds each."S-sister Nancy..." I tried to call out to her again. When I felt that I could not take a step further I stopped.This must be how Carl and Marcus felt downstairs.I stared at Sister Nancy who still had her eyes closed. I could not help but feel amazed. Sister Nancy could reach the altar without feeling burned. She had really made huge progress in just less than a month.Her aura changed drastically. I could barely feel the cold energy from her. As if I was meeting the grandma I met back then. The Sister Nancy right now doesn't feel like someone who died long ago.I was glad. It means that Sister Nancy was able to dispel some of the cold energy after staying here for almost a month.I called out to her aga
On the way back, I was silent. Sister Nancy's words hunted my mind. She wished to depart with her family, the monastery. In order for one to achieve Nirvana, and to successfully summon the door to the afterlife, one must fulfill the conditions. It was not sufficient for one soul to be in a pure state, the most important condition that could not be ignored was one needs their regrets to be fulfilled. In Sister Nancy's case, she would not be able to leave without her family. She chose to stay in this world because of her family, so she could only depart with her family leaving with her. I thought about it hard. But it seemed impossible to achieve this. According to Sir Benjamin, the monastery was about to give birth to a baby-greater- demon that could cause disaster. That place was filled with rich Yin energy that causes everyone to be demonized faster than they were supposed to be. To purify that place together with its people, it would need an abundant amount of Yang energy. A
His soul was stuck between the dead and the living world. He thought he already suffered enough for five years in the coldness of the dead's world and the torment of the demon constantly hunting him. There's nothing that could faze him anymore. However, it was only a peak of an iceberg.That empty darkness with nothing but everlasting pain was more brutal. It was endless torment of mental and spiritual torture. At the time, he was in pain as countless cruel mouths were biting his skin with its sharp mouths. Even if he wanted to faint, he could not. His consciousness was alive, allowing him to feel every little bit of pain. The nerve-wracking pain was a hundred times more severe than the pain he suffered for five years.He stayed like that for what he thought was an endless amount of time.He thought he would be suffering like that forever. He even began to wonder what kind of grievous sin he committed to be tormented like that. It hurts. It was so painful...that he even wish to die
Following Kelly's advice, Lucas arrived at Sir Benjamin's mansion. The door automatically opened for him. As he took a step forward, a figure appeared. Sir Benjamin had a bright smile, "I did not expect you would come here so soon. Are you here to give me a reply?" Lucas lowered his eyes, "...Not yet." Sir Benjamin's smile turned sluggish. He then sighed. "Young man, you should think about it carefully. You have little time left." "And so are you," Lucas replied with a mysterious glint in his eyes. Sir Benjamin did not comment on that and asked another thing instead. "If you are not here for me? What else did you come here for?" "Jia-" He haven't finished his words when Sir Benjamin snapped his fingers. Jia who had just finished buttoning the last button of her shirt appeared. She looked surprised and horrified. "Sir Benjamin! I told you to not summon me anytime! I was just changing seconds ago!" Lucas looked at Sir Benjamin as if he was a pervert. Sir Benjamin coughed. "My
Before the door was slammed to her face, Jia saw a nun coming down.'It must be that Sister Nancy.'She shouted once more telling Sister Nancy that Lucas was waiting outside.The shop owner got angry and cursed Jia to leave. Jia immediately ran away, winking at Lucas to stay before disappearing to the next alley.Thankfully, Sister Nancy heard her shout and came out. When she stepped out, she saw a familiar face smiling at her."Lucas..." Sister Nancy teared up and hugged the child she had not seen for so long. At this moment where she could disappear at any time, seeing the child she treated like a son appeared, make the regrets in her heart lessened.Lucas chuckled but his eyes too were a bit red. He hugged her back."I'm sorry, Sister. It took me a long time to visit you."Seeing their tearful reunion, Jia sighed in relief and did not come out where she was hiding to avoid the shop owner's glare....The reunion of the two lasted for an hour. For a long time they haven't seen each
That weekend, I crashed at Jia's home and dragged her to my apartment. Colt was sad but since it was rare for me and Jia to have a girl's party night, Colt finally let go of his soon-to-be wife. Seeing them lovely-dovey and could not even be separated for one night, made me feel bitter. Tsk. With beers and snacks, I told Jia about Laurance's offer. "I told you! He liked you!" "I don't want to think that you are right. But...if Laurence really looks at me that way...it would be hard for me to reject him." "I saw that Laurence twice. I could say he is handsome, tall, and rich. What's not to like about him?" "If Colt heard you he would be heartbroken and jealous." "Colt is not here anyway. Why are you having difficulty rejecting him?" "Because he is my boss. If he confesses to me and I reject him, how would I face him afterward? Would he want to see me after that? I think my job is in danger." "Girl, why don't you just accept Laurence? Since the man like you, give him a chance."
It's been nine years since that incident. It was said that a momentary earthquake around the area caused the club to have cracks in the wall and its ceiling to give out. Nevertheless, the people were injured that night and the club has been investigated. That was when the dead body count increased. There were actually people who died in the club because of an unknown incident. But because they were no proof that they were murdered or any motives behind their deaths, it was only branded as an accident. But there was one thing in common, they died while they were in the club. They were only declared dead when they arrived at the hospital. The club was suspended for not reporting this strange anomaly but they were back in business after a month. After all, it was not the fault of the club owner. Some people said it might be related to the accident eight years ago. But after that, there was no incident that happened again in that building. When I mentioned it to Jia, she just shrugge
Seeing him, I felt my heart tightly squeezed. My body shook. As if I was struck by lightning, I remained dazed and rooted in the ground.It was a strange face that I haven't seen before. But...why...why the sight of him affected me so much?I felt like crying, yelling, rampaging, and crying all over again. As if a pandora's box was opened and all my crazy emotions that I have kept were released. It was an emotion that I could not define.However, what I knew was that the feeling of loss I have suddenly found its meaning- longing.I have never felt such longing before. As if the empty hole in my heart found its piece. It was as if I finally found a light in the darkness where I have been wandering for so long.My nose went sour and my sight blurred. I held back my tears.I don't understand why these overwhelming emotions suddenly came out. But I know it was all related to this man.The man crouched down and checked my ankle.Our surrounding was chaotic. There were people screaming, ob
Jia then told everyone in the group. "I think you guys already have fun. How about we call it a day? Let's all go home."I looked strangely at Jia. Was she hinting at everyone to leave?Is something about to happen?"The night is just starting. When things heated up we will go to the dance floor. Don't leave yet." The group was hot-blooded and wanted to dance all night until dawn.Jia tried to convince them but they were determined to get wild this night.Jia turned silent, she was a bit frustrated.I pulled at her sleeves, "Why are you hinting them to leave?""Well, based on the story of this place I am now sure that there is a demon here. A vengeful one. It has been hiding for eight years after it killed the students. Now, it must have been hungry and looking for victims. What is strange though is that there is no news of accidents that happened here even though this place is running for a year."I don't doubt Jia. So I made a guess. "Could it be the owner is covering it up?""Perha
I asked the group which university they were from, what course they were in and etcetera.My social skills were okay. I could answer and ask questions effortlessly. However, it was just that I don't make deep connections with other people aside from Jia. So oftentimes, after making friends, I won't contact them afterward."It is the first time we saw you two here. Don't you go clubbing in this area?" One of them asked."Honestly, it is the first time we went to the club. We are still adapting to college life." I replied. Some of the people here were seniors. They were kind and gave me advice on what to look out for in the club. Such as not accepting drinks from strangers.We got lucky that we met such a nice group. Even Jia seemed to open up too.They were talkative and kept us interested. At least with them, we don't have to be bored and dance on the dance floor.One of them even opened a spooky topic."Hey. Do you guys know that before this became a club it is a dormitory eight yea
Jia sighed, "That's right. I can see some things that other people don't."I expected it. But I am still surprised."...Can you see ghosts and spirits?""You can say that."I clenched my fist. "...Then can you see if I am haunted?"Jia was surprised. "...Haunted?""I have always felt it. It is always in my dreams, at the bottom of my heart, in the depth of my consciousness. I am haunted. But the problem is I don't know what is haunting me."Jia turned silent."...Is it a person?" I asked.Jia did not answer."Is it my mom?"Jia looked away. "There's no one behind you. You are not haunted by some ghosts.""Then what I am haunted with? What is it? What is making me restless?"Jia shut her mouth tightly. But I could see her struggling.Her hesitation and strange reaction made me think of something ridiculous.Could it be that...Jia was hiding something from me? Could she know about it?However, Jia just looked me in the eyes with pained and complicated emotions."I can't tell you, Kelly.
Another year had passed since then. Although I can't explain this feeling of loss and this emptiness in my heart, as if a deep hole appeared and was never filled, I continued my daily life. I figured that when I wasn't busy with something I end up dazing and thinking about what I lost. It was confusing and all the thinking made my chest hurt. To distract myself, I studied hard at college and work part-time in my free time. My busy schedule kept me going. My thoughts and my unexplainable emotions were put aside. Jia was worried for me ever since I broke down at my graduation. She tried to cheer me up by visiting some other places and letting me meet some new friends. However, even Jia was not good at making friends. She sometimes end up screwing it up or my awkward silence and blank stares made the people we met looked strangely at us. In the end, only our friendship remained. "I am not really interested in meeting other people. I am already busy at school and at my part-time
One year later.... I watched our Principal make an emotional speech for the graduates. The teachers were all proud and smiling. While the students were bored and wanted to finish the speech soon. When the Principal finally congratulated us and ended the speech, the graduates cheered up. The whole venue was filled with loud cheers. I just stood there in a daze, feeling everything was unreal. Today is my graduation from senior high. After I woke up from the coma, I have undergone treatment for two months before I got discharged. When I tried to go back to school, I learned that the entire school got banned and the Miguel family who tortured me so much had been punished severely. Alejandro and Claire were in jail while the recent news about Ella was that she had killed her husband and she was facing a trial. The old man's relatives won't let her go and will make her life worst. She won't be able to bother me anymore. Many things changed after I woke up. The things I wanted to b
A/n: This chapter is fixed. *** Sir Benjamin also looked sad. "Lucas has included this in our deal. I have to make sure you return even if I have to force you. Please accept our last goodwill for you." My tears fall. I understand Sir Benjamin and Lucas' concerns and sacrifice. They were only thinking about me. But my heart and soul were really unwilling. And how could I turn back on Sir Benjamin and Lucas' great effort? Sir Benjamin wanted to use his last remaining energy for me while Lucas was willing to endure a long journey mainly because of me. I looked down at Lucas. He was still unconscious and the black veins in his face reduced a lot. He was not frowning in pain anymore, he looked peaceful as if he was asleep. Would it be the last time that I would see him? Wouldn't I be able to even say goodbye? "You bad man...We can't even say goodbye to each other..." I hugged him tightly as my tears fell on him. Sir Benjamin stood up and turned his back on us. He looked at the