Chapter 36: In the Midst of Growth

Chapter 36: In the Midst of Growth

The moment Mr. Beach ended his phone call, every second felt like an eternity. The creaking sound of his front door opening echoed through the house, followed by the soft hum of a presence entering the living room from outside. The occasional shifting sound of trinkets hinted at the explorations of an invisible intruder, like a curious child rummaging through a toy chest.

Yet, these innocent noises sent shivers down Mr. Beachs spine, and his heart pounded in his chest. The mere idea that this unseen child was lurking just beyond the wall instilled in him an overwhelming sense of dread. The thought of confronting this mysterious visitor was too terrifying to bear; he couldnt bring himself to open the door, nor even approach it, for fear of coming face to face with the unknown.

However, there comes a time when fear must be met with courage.

The shuffling in the living room eventually ceased, as if the unseen child had grown bored of its playthings. Muffled footsteps began to approach, steadily growing louder until they came to a halt outside his door.

Its coming, its coming in. Mom, Dad, leave, its here for me, I can feel it, go now, Corals voice spiraled into panic as if she could sense the ghostly infants presence.

Honey, what are you talking about? How could we leave you? Mrs. Ocean responded, tears streaking her face, and turned to her husband. Whats out there? Whatever it is, well face it together.

Inspired by his wifes words, Mr. Beach steeled his nerves, arming himself with a coat hanger. He was ready to meet the intruder head-on, intending to banish the apparition at first sight.

No, dont, Dad! The detective said that ghosts cant be killed. We need to find Miles; only he can save us! Coral argued, attempting to prevent her fathers actions. Mrs. Ocean restrained her, however.

Ive already contacted Miles. I offered him five hundred thousand for his help; he should be arriving soon. Dont worry, well be fine, Mr. Beach tried to reassure them.

Suddenly, there was a faint click, and the door lock began to turn. The door creaked open, widening incrementally as if pushed by an unseen force.

In the next moment, the face of a child peeked in, its empty, inky black eyes scanned the room, landing ominously on Coral.

Screams of terror erupted from Mrs. Ocean and Coral.

Back off! Mr. Beach, fueled by his instincts as a husband and a father, lunged forward with the coat hanger at the ghostly figure.

Ignoring Mr. Beachs attack, the ghost baby darted towards Coral with a terrifying speed, its mouth gaping open, revealing an impossible abyss devoid of tongue and teeth. It was as if it aimed to swallow Coral whole.

Mr. Beach froze in terror and rage while Coral and Mrs. Ocean huddled together, their screams bouncing off the rooms walls.

Suddenly, the bedroom light flickered, casting a crimson hue across the room. The bulb glowed like a bloodshot eye, saturating the room with a haunting red glow.

Ghosts cant be killed. Only a ghost can combat another ghost. The two statements were not contradictory.

Having the power to repel a ghost doesnt necessarily imply the ability to destroy it.

So, according to Right, only a ghost can effectively repel another, correct? Miles pondered aloud, his eyes subtly flickering. Having dealt with numerous supernatural cases, he had slowly mastered his inner fears. Maybe this was tied to his dual existence as half-human, half-ghost.

Im not sure if you, a being such as yourself, comprehend human language or have any sense of reason. But, Ive committed to safeguarding this family today. Would you respect that and back off? Miles proposed.

However, before he could finish, a chilling green-black aura began radiating from the ghost baby, infecting the surroundings.

Is this the ghost domain? Miles exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief and his heart pounding with apprehension. The ghost baby was learning and evolving. It was evidently not a simple entity.

The ghost baby is dangerous. For safetys sake, its best to eliminate it first, Miles resolved, his expression hardened.

Suddenly, the ghost babys foot phased through the floor, causing it to plummet directly to the floor below. Simultaneously, Miles stepped forward, his red aura flickered and vanished before the eyes of Mr. Beach and his family.

The ghost domain descended with the plummeting baby from the sixteenth floor to the thirteenth, and then to the ninth.

Just before reaching the ground floor, Miles retracted the ghost domain.

Bang!

With a tremendous crash, the ghost baby plunged from the sixteenth floor straight to the ground. Its form was compressed, lying in an odd posture on the floor.

Miles peered down from above at the immobile ghost baby. He was certain it wasnt deceased.

Noticing the time, he realized that the duration of the ghost domain was nearing its limit.

First, I need to get Corals family to safety, then figure out the rest, Miles determined. Given his limited encounters with such vengeful spirits, erring on the side of caution was the best strategy.

In an instant, he vanished from the spot.

Moments after his departure, the ghost baby, appearing like a lump of meat flattened on the ground, began to slowly twitch. Its odd form stirred, gradually standing upright once again.