Chapter 37: Escape
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Miles returned to Mr. Beach’s home with a grave expression on his face. “I urge you to leave this place immediately if you want to steer clear of danger,” he cautioned. “The ghost infant has shown an unsettling fascination with Coral, an attraction that’s intensifying with every passing day. When I first crossed paths with this ghost child, it couldn’t venture into my ghost domain. But just now, it’s showing proficiency in doing just that. Its next move is anyone’s guess.” The weight of his own words made Miles shudder, “Once this entity reaches its full potential, we can’t even begin to imagine the terror it could unleash.”
Mr. Beach, deeply troubled by Miles’s warning, pressed, “Who or what are you, Miles? Are you a living person or a ghost?”
“It’s complicated,” Miles responded, his eyes distant. “I might be a human, or perhaps I’ve crossed over to the other side. Even I’m not certain of my state. But our priority now is your safety. Let’s not get sidetracked by my identity.”
Nodding fervently, Mr. Beach replied, “We need to evacuate immediately. I’ll start packing the essentials.”
Mrs. Ocean, her face pale from shock, asked, “That ghost child… is it gone for good? Will we see it again?”
Gazing at her with somber eyes, Miles confirmed, “It’s not defeated, and there’s a strong possibility it might return.”
“Why didn’t you eliminate it?” Mrs. Ocean demanded, her voice quivering. “You were brought in to deal with this haunting! It’s still out there because of you! How can we trust you didn’t intentionally let it escape?”
Miles responded defensively, “The fact that Coral and I happen to be classmates doesn’t compromise my professional commitment. Are you insinuating that I’m trying to defraud you?”
Mrs. Ocean, anger evident in her eyes, shot back, “If you can’t fulfill your promise, why should we compensate you? And a hefty sum at that! Did you think we’d just hand over half a million without any results?”
“You’ve got your figures wrong,” Miles countered. “The agreed fee wasn’t half a million, it was one million.”
Mrs. Ocean’s voice rose in disbelief. “Who told you it was a million? I clearly heard my husband discuss a sum of half a million with you.”
Overwhelmed and exasperated, Miles collapsed onto a nearby sofa. “This debate is draining me. I pride myself on my integrity. If you’re questioning my actions, I’m at a loss. I may not be the most cultured or savvy individual, but I’m genuine in my intentions. Let’s think of my efforts as a goodwill gesture for Coral’s sake.”
Seeking to divert the tense atmosphere, he asked, “Mrs. Ocean, do you have a favorite flower?”
She regarded him with a perplexed expression. “Jasmine flowers are my favorite. What’s the relevance of your question, though?”
Miles responded with a hint of jest, “I just wanted to know which flowers to lay on a grave during my next visit. If that ghost child returns, you might have to face it alone. With your stern demeanor and sharp words, perhaps you could persuade it to leave you be. I think it’s time for me to take my leave. Do take care when trying to exit this place.”
He rose from his seat, signaling his intent to depart. He wondered, deep down, if Coral’s mother prized her wealth above her family’s safety. However, he wasn’t inclined to linger and engage in a drawn-out debate.
But as he made to leave, Mrs. Ocean’s demeanor changed rapidly. She implored, “Hold on, Miles. Let’s discuss this rationally. Please, don’t let momentary anger dictate your actions. I genuinely regret if I’ve offended you. You share a bond with Coral as classmates, and isn’t it customary for friends to support one another? Coral has expressed a great deal of worry for you recently.”
Miles nodded in understanding, “Indeed, Coral and I are classmates, and it’s customary for friends to aid one another. I’ve just assisted you and your family in a dire situation. Given my current financial difficulties, wouldn’t it be appropriate for you to reciprocate by helping me with the agreed amount? It’s rather unjust if I’m expected to render favors while you insist on treating our arrangement as a mere business transaction. It appears that individuals like me, less privileged, consistently find themselves at a disadvantage, whereas the wealthy, like you, always seem to prosper.”
With passion in his voice, he added, “Over time, I’ve come to realize the importance of standing up for my worth. I won’t settle for anything less than the million we discussed.” His measured demeanor in the face of her accusations was already a significant compromise on his part.
Mrs. Ocean shifted uncomfortably in her seat, recalling an earlier incident where she had given Miles a meager two hundred dollars as a token of gratitude for escorting her daughter, Coral, safely home.
Miles went on, “There’s no need to try and butter me up. Coral and I might be classmates, but our interactions have been limited to only a few occasions. It’s prudent for us to keep our dealings purely professional: you pay for my services, and I deliver. This is a fair exchange. You utilize your vast resources to ensure the safety of your family, and I put my life on the line to earn my rightful due. It’s an equitable arrangement.”
She nodded in agreement, “You’re right; that’s reasonable. But once you receive your payment, you’ll have to come up with a way to resolve this haunting issue. Why is this entity fixated on targeting my family?”
“It’s not that the entity has a vendetta against your family as a whole; its attention is particularly centered on Coral,” Miles elaborated. “I had meant to discuss this with her at school, but we were constantly sidetracked by immediate dangers. From what I’ve observed, those peculiar handprints on Coral’s neck might be a result of a prior attack by this ghost child at the school. I stepped in to protect her at that time. Unfortunately, it seems the ghost infant has formed a disturbing attachment to Coral, relentlessly pursuing her. Still, this is just a theory. I need to consult with an expert to confirm my suspicions.”
Mrs. Ocean’s voice trembled with anxiety, “Is there any way to put an end to this nightmare?”
Miles eyed her discerningly, “I’ll be in a better position to provide a solution once the agreed payment is settled.”
As if on cue, Miles’s phone buzzed with a notification. Upon checking, he saw a confirmation that one million dollars had been credited to his account.
Mr. Beach, looking composed yet sincere, stepped into the room. “I’ve ensured the transfer of the funds. We’re relying on your expertise to safeguard Coral. If you require any additional resources or assistance, just let us know. If it’s within our capabilities, we won’t hold back.”
Miles gave a genuine smile, “Mr. Beach, your candid approach is indeed commendable. It’s evident why you’re so successful in your endeavors. However, I’m intrigued. How did you manage to procure my banking details?”
Mr. Beach cleared his throat, “I’m associated with a credit agency, so accessing such information is part of my job description. I happened to photograph certain documents during one of the school’s parent-teacher conferences.”
Miles’s eyes widened in realization, “So, that explains why Coral was always surrounded by the school’s elite, keeping someone like me—a simple guy—out of her inner circle.” Miles looked at Mr. Beach with newfound respect, “Seems like you’ve been paving the way for Coral’s connections for quite some time.”
Mr. Beach offered a sheepish smile and a slight chuckle, opting not to reply. His maneuvers weren’t entirely self-conceived; he was merely participating in a broader strategy devised by a group of affluent parents.
Feeling the weight of the situation and the urgency, Miles announced, “We should make our exit now.” He quickly checked his watch, noting that they had mere seconds before the ghost domain would converge with theirs.
Without delay, everyone made a swift exit and hopped into their vehicle. Due to the impending overlap of the ghost domain, they were spared another encounter with the ghost child. Miles pondered on this phenomenon, wondering if the ghost domain somehow impeded other spirits’ perceptions.
As they sped away, Coral, her voice soft with emotion, whispered, “Miles, I’m truly sorry,” gently squeezing his hand for comfort.
Miles gave her a reassuring smile, “Don’t worry about it, Coral. I’m here for the job and the compensation.”
She looked at him with tearful eyes, whispering, “Thank you.”
Navigating the roads skillfully, Mr. Beach threw a concerned glance towards Miles. “Given the circumstances, where do you suggest we go next?”
“As of now, distance is our ally. Let’s put as much space as possible between us and that haunted building. While the entity might be determined, it’ll undoubtedly need time to trace us,” Miles advised.
Mrs. Ocean leaned forward from the backseat, her voice tinged with desperation. “Would moving to another country keep the ghost child at bay?”
Miles looked thoughtful. “Escaping geographically might seem like a solution, but it’s not foolproof. Do you believe that the supernatural is exclusive to our homeland? In reality, other countries have their share of paranormal incidents, and in some places, they’re even more intense. Moreover, the infrastructure there to deal with such events might not be as established as here. You’d likely have to resort to private, and often exorbitant, services. To deal with a situation similar to this overseas, it wouldn’t be surprising to face costs in the multimillion-dollar range. If you’re skeptical, Mr. Beach, consult with your international contacts. I wasn’t exaggerating during our phone conversation.”
Feeling the weight of their situation, Mrs. Ocean gently probed, “Is there any possibility you can address the mysterious handprints on Coral’s neck? We’ve already made the agreed payment, and if you refuse to help because of a disagreement, our family might be in dire straits.”
Choosing his words carefully, Miles replied, “I can certainly investigate and attempt to discern the root cause of Coral’s affliction. However, if it proves to be beyond my expertise, there’s only so much I can do. It might then become a matter of fate for Coral.”
Wanting to strategize further, Miles pulled out his phone equipped with a specialized GPS system and called the dedicated operator, Rain. Handling a case like Coral’s could bolster his understanding of advanced ghostly entities, potentially aiding him in future assignments.
When Rain picked up, her voice was crisp. “Is that you, Miles?”
“Yes,” he affirmed. “I’m starting to think you operators are perpetually available. Can I reach out to you anytime?”
Rain’s tone was professional, “Each ghost tamer has a dedicated operator. You’re my primary responsibility, ensuring seamless communication is crucial.”
Miles, keen to move the conversation along, said, “Let’s bypass the formalities for now.”
Rain sounded puzzled for a moment, “?”
“I’ve encountered a complex situation,” Miles began, “I’ll fill you in on the specifics. Perhaps, with your resources, you can offer some insights or guidance.”