Chapter 27: Blinded by Red Paper

Chapter 27: Blinded by Red Paper

Inside a public restroom after fleeing his apartment, water spurted vigorously from the faucet as Miles scrubbed the stubborn blood stains from his face. The chill of the tap water had a soothing effect on his fraught nerves.

There was something off, he whispered to himself, reminiscing about his recent encounter. The ghost had the power to alter memories, crafting a non-existent entity in my mind and manipulating me into believing its reality. Even my special eye was unable to perceive the deception.

I would still be entangled with the ghost if it werent for Rains intervention.

He looked up, meeting his own gaze in the mirror. The unique eye that usually adorned his face had vanished, and he momentarily resembled his normal self.

Miles, if you can hear me, please respond. Its Rain, a voice emanated from the satellite phone resting by the sink, a conversation that had been left open.

Im here, Miles acknowledged.

What transpired at your end? Rain inquired.

Your speculation was accurate, Miles confessed. My father did pass away in a car crash during my early school years. The entity at home was not a person but a ghost.

Did you manage to get away?

Yes, he affirmed, drying his face. His eyes landed on a crimson scrap of paper adhering to his hand, remnants of an earlier newspaper.

Your safety is paramount, Rain expressed. Could you describe the ghost?

Miles shared, The ghost has the ability to manipulate memories. Its intent and manner of killing are yet to be deciphered. However, I did experience near-suffocation from a blood-drenched newspaper earlier. Thats all I can provide for now.

Understood. Rain quickly jotted down the information.

Given that my father was a ghost, what happened to my mother? When did the ghost make its first appearance? You should be able to access local surveillance footage. Could you assist me? Miles implored.

I can support you, but in return, you must collaborate with us, Rain negotiated.

What kind of collaboration? Miles queried.

For now, just basic information collection. You must notify us immediately if you come across any powerful ghost, Rain explained.

And the benefits? Do you expect me to risk my life without compensation? Ive visited your website, and unless theres a tangible advantage, I wont work for you, Miles stated, a serious tone underlying his words.

Whatever, lets hold off on this conversation. I have an urgent matter to address. Well resume later, Miles declared, ending the call.

Rain heard the terminating beep and couldnt help but feel a pang of frustration.

Miles wasnt avoiding the subject. He was just distracted by the red paper adhered to his hand and decided to attend to it. He peeled off the eerie, palm-sized red paper, intending to dispose of it as it radiated an unsettling aura.

No can do, youre not going anywhere until we get the cash. The knife-wielding youth smirked malevolently.

Come on, its not a big deal. Think of it as a friendly loan. We can sort it out next time we cross paths. Friends dont need to be so strict, Ah Fei interjected, grinning mischievously.

Miles conceded, Since youre so persistent, I guess I dont have a choice. The moneys in my pants pocket. Help yourself.

Wise decision.

The youth with the knife seemed eager, his hand darting into Miless pocket for the money. However, as his hand made contact, he was met with something cold and glass-like.

On instinct, he yanked it out.

To his sheer terror, the young man found himself clutching a red, subtly twitching eye, its uncanny gaze boring right into him. His hand was now soaked in fresh blood.

Ahhh! The youth yowled, his face blanching in shock as he recoiled.

Suddenly, their surroundings were awash in a vibrant crimson hue. The apartment buildings, the street lamps, even the moon overhead and ground underfoot were all shrouded in a red glow.

Since were friends, you wouldnt mind stepping into my ghost domain, would you? Miles leisurely said as he emerged from the restroom.

Ah Feis eyes bulged in disbelief. The individual who was now sauntering out of the restroom was the same person hed been chatting with just moments before. Then who was the one he had been leaning on?

At that instant, he didnt dare turn around. The body next to him was chilling to the touch, like a cadaver.

A ghost, its a ghost, Ah Fei stammered, his complexion ashen. He spun around and bolted, fleeing from the public restroom. The other youths followed suit, running in terror.

At that moment, Miles glanced at his hand. An eye manifested beneath the red paper, only to be quelled once again by the paper. Then the eye resurfaced as if caught in a relentless tug-of-war.

With all six eyes, I can command the ghost domain. But with the red paper dampening one eye, only five eyes are operational, yet I can still invoke the ghost domain. The ghosts resurgence has been stemmed, he pondered.

He felt the throbbing ache from five splits in his body, and from five viewpoints, he could discern everything around him with a crystalline clarity.

Six eyes are the maximum my body can tolerate, but the condition is notably improved with five eyes. Although side effects persist, theyre less severe, Miles concluded, gaining a clearer understanding of his own limitations.

If I secure that red paper and quell all six eyes, could it mean I can harness the ghosts power without any backlash? And no longer fret over the ghosts resurgence?

But before that, I need to master this ghost domain.

Miles watched the retreating group. They seemed like the perfect subjects to test his capabilities on.

Gaining control over the ghost domain would be vital for his impending encounter with the ghost. As such, making use of the ghosts power once was a necessary move, not wasteful in the slightest.