Chapter 47: Action
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Miles stared intently at the photograph displayed on his phone, his shock evident in his widened eyes and dropped jaw. In the photo, a figure dressed in the mall’s security uniform was vaguely visible. Given that there were only two guards in the entire mall – Miles himself and a man named Strong – and since Miles was sure he wasn’t the one in the photograph, the implication was clear: Strong was the mysterious ghost everyone had been talking about.
Miles reminisced about the day he first started working at the mall. On his arrival, he remembered the distinct and unsettling scent of decay that filled the air. It was then that Strong had materialized from the dim corners, greeting him with a casual air and explaining that he had just been to the restroom.
That memory sparked a question in Miles’s mind: If Strong had been at the restroom, how had he overlooked River hiding there? The pieces of the mystery were starting to form a clearer picture.
Confusion marred Miles’s face, his brows furrowing deeply. “This doesn’t make sense. If Strong is the ghost, why was I spared? I fit the profile of his typical victim.”
But even with mounting evidence pointing to Strong, Miles wasn’t fully convinced. Jumping to conclusions would be a mistake; he needed more concrete evidence. With his renewed determination to uncover the truth about the ghost’s identity, he felt ready to face whatever came next.
A trembling voice broke his train of thought. River, her voice shaking with fear, whispered, “Is the ghost gone? Are we out of danger?”
Miles tried to sound as reassuring as possible, “We’re okay for the moment. I think the ghost has moved on.”
River, uncomfortable and squirming, complained, “Can you give me some space? And what’s poking me?” She was pressed against the door, with Miles leaning over her, blocking her way.
“Oh, that? Just a sausage. Remember you said you were hungry? Want to eat it?” Miles teased.
River looked puzzled, “Seriously? We’re in the middle of this and you want to snack?”
“If you’re not in the mood, no problem. I wasn’t planning on sharing anyway,” he replied cheekily.
River rolled her eyes but finally gave in, “Fine, but make it quick. We need to leave soon.”
“You’re quite chatty under pressure,” Miles noted with a smirk.
He flicked on his flashlight, revealing their immediate surroundings. From his pocket, he pulled out a sausage.
“I got this for breakfast. Paid three dollars for it. I’d say you’re getting a good deal, given our situation,” he joked, handing it to River.
She held the sausage, her expression a mix of amusement and disbelief.
“Eat up. I’ll be right back,” he said with a wink.
Miles then ventured out, his flashlight’s beam cutting through the darkness. The hall seemed peaceful and quiet. However, when his light landed on a restroom stall, his heart raced. The stall that had previously been destroyed by the ghost was now inexplicably intact.
Miles examined the door carefully. It was shut firmly, and there was no evidence of any recent damage. Considering the chaos he had witnessed earlier, this seemed utterly illogical.
“Then again,” Miles mused to himself, “since when did ghosts operate under the laws of logic?” He tried to dismiss his rising apprehensions about the supernatural powers at play.
River’s voice echoed with anxiety from behind him, “Where are you heading? Shouldn’t we stay put until it’s daylight?”
She emerged from her hiding spot, looking disheveled with her hair tousled and clothes in disarray.
Miles turned to face her, determination evident in his eyes. “There’s work to be done,” he declared. “I might finally be close to understanding this ghost and its motives. Besides, I’m here for a purpose. If Mr. Calm were to perish, wouldn’t my efforts here be in vain? The enticing million-dollar reward he’s offering for solving this paranormal puzzle at the mall is my end goal.” With that, he strode out of the restroom, letting the beam of his flashlight guide him through the dim corridor.
Hurrying to keep pace with him, River asked, “What do you expect me to do while you’re confronting this spirit?”
Miles glanced back, a hint of irritation in his voice. “I’m not responsible for you. You need to make your own decisions. Maybe stay in the restroom? I’ll inform you when the coast is clear.”
River’s voice trembled, “What if the ghost comes back while I’m alone in there? Do you have a plan of action against this entity?”
“I’ve formulated a basic strategy,” Miles acknowledged.
River’s eyes glistened with desperation. “Promise me you’ll ensure my safety.”
Miles stopped momentarily, exasperated. “Why should I risk my neck for someone I’ve just met? The stories might romanticize heroes saving the day, but reality often paints a different picture. I’m not looking to be anyone’s savior. I have my own objectives.” He continued his path, illuminating the vast expanse of the mall with his flashlight.
Attempting to gain his favor, River grabbed his arm, her voice shaking. “If I became your girlfriend, would that make a difference?”
Miles raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. “You’re being absurd. You barely know my first name, and you’re proposing a relationship? Do you genuinely expect us to have any connection once we escape from here? Or are you simply using this as a leverage for me to risk everything for you?”
River’s voice held a hint of desperation. “I’m genuine in my offer. I promise.”
Miles shook his head, unimpressed. “I have reasons not to trust you. Associating with you offers me no benefits. In fact, it might just complicate things even more. I’ve already had my share of troublesome alliances.”
As he continued to scan their environment, River tried one last time. “I promise I won’t be a burden. I’m smart, and I can help.”
River was reaching her limits. In her daily life as an accountant, she was accustomed to the comforts of her profession. She was a striking woman who had never lacked admirers. Yet now, in a dire situation, she was offering herself to a security guard, only to face rejection.
Despite her increasing fear and the dire circumstances, River refused to give up. She was well aware that Miles was her only lifeline in this horrifying situation.
Suddenly, the beam of Miles’s flashlight landed on a gruesome sight – a human head.
The decaying, fetid head belonged to someone named Blush.
It appeared to have been resting undisturbed in its present location for some time.
“If the apparition River encountered was Blush, and the one in my photograph was Strong… and considering River has no motive to lie and I trust my own judgment, it implies that this ghost possesses the ability to morph into different identities,” Miles deduced aloud. “It could take on the appearance of Blush, Strong, Sister Pear, or any other mall staff.”
He paused, lost in thought, “In fact, anyone here might be the ghost in disguise. It’s also possible that the ghost could be masquerading as Mr. Calm, Mall Manager Li, Master Catch, or any member of their team since they’ve been in this mall long enough.”
Miles then had an epiphany. “The surveillance room. It will hold the answers.”
Any and all recent events would have been captured by the mall’s security cameras. Reviewing the footage would provide crucial evidence.
Turning to River, he asked, “Do you know where the surveillance room is?”
River nodded, “It’s located on the fifth floor.”
“If you lead me there, I promise to do everything in my power to ensure you get out of here safely,” Miles vowed.
Her eyes lighting up with a mix of relief and hope, River asked, “You truly mean that?”
Miles met her gaze squarely. “Yes, but you need to follow my directions to the letter. If you let fear overwhelm you and act irrationally, I can’t guarantee your safety.”
“I swear I’ll do as you say,” River quickly assured him.
“Good. It’s in both our interests that you do. Now, let’s make our way to the fifth floor,” Miles decided.
Looking towards the upper levels of the mall, Miles noticed that the lighting was dimmer but sufficient to see clearly. The upper floors seemed in a more preserved state than the ground level. However, they were eerily quiet.
Miles couldn’t help but wonder about the whereabouts of Mr. Calm, Master Catch, and their associates, including Ethan, the ghost tamer. Maybe they had found a way out or, worse, had fallen victim to the malicious ghost. Whatever the case, he had to go up and find out for himself. If they were indeed gone, there would be no point in staying any longer.