Chapter 45

Springer thought Amber’s online date would be at some café or a shopping spree at a downtown mall. Little did he expect that their meeting spot would be an abandoned school.

Aside from Nina, there were several other young men and women, all apparently internet acquaintances. Among them claimed to be Nelson, an heir to a real estate empire.

“

dad’s company purchased this school, and we’re planning to transform it into an amusement park. This building here is going to host escape room games. It’s still in the planning phase, but we can sneak in for a real–life survival game Nelson, whose family held clout in Emerald Bay, was known for his penchant for gaming and novel entertainment, including orchestrating live–action survival games at the school.

The school had a history of tragedies, from student suicides to mental breakdowns. Just last year, a teenage girl had tried to take her life on the rooftop, pregnant and desperate. The school was shuttered amidst public outcry, and the government decided to auction it off for redevelopment.

“I’ve got a buddy who owns an escape room business. He’s sent over all the gear and gadgets. we need. We’ll split into two teams and go head–to–head. Sounds good, right?”

Nelson’s eyes were fixed on Amber as he spoke. Among the group, her grace and beauty had already captured the attention of several guys, and Nelson, the playful scion, had orchestrated this game with her in mind. But he hadn’t anticipated her bringing along her cousin.

Amber, used to being the center of attention, simply smiled off the gazes. She turned to Springer, whose pallor had shifted since entering the school, and asked with concern, “Springer, what’s up? I thought you loved these games?”

Springer was in no mood for games. The towering structures around him seemed to echo Winnie’s warning, and he felt an urge to bail.

“Why didn’t you tell me we were coming to a place like this? I don’t want to play.” Springer shot back with a cold response. His stubborn streak reflected in not feigning a smile for anyone, not even Amber if he wasn’t happy.

Amber’s face fell at his complaint. “I thought you’d enjoy coming out…

Her distress didn’t go unnoticed, and the other guys jumped to her defense.

“How can you talk to Amber like that? If you don’t wanna play, fine. No skin off our backs.”

Nelson bristled; his crush was upset, and not even her family could get away with that.

“What’s the matter, little boy? Afraid you’ll lose? Want me to call you a cab so you can go home and have some milk?” Nelson provoked. His tone was dripping with mockery. Springer, unable to take the bait, retorted, “Scared of losing? Let’s play! I’ll have you all calling me ‘daddy‘ by the end!”

Springer had forgotten Winnie’s words, only intent on putting these guys in their place Winnie returned to her flat at dusk, and as she reached her doorstep, a sense of unease washed over her. Fishing the Secondary Charm out of her pocket, she saw it crumble into ash–a sign that the Primary Charm was also destroyed.

With a sigh, she realized that Springer had gotten into serious trouble.

Feeling a twinge of responsibility and recognizing a faintly familiar energy in the remains of the charm, Winnie decided to take action, despite her initial reluctance.

She called Horace for the driver’s number who had taken Springer and Amber out, and hurried towards the school As she approached, a familiar Maybach pulled up, its muted luxury matched only by the glint of from within.

Without hesitation, Winnie flagged down the vehicle, “Boss…I mean, Mr. Patterson, I need a lift Drake was speechless. It seemed the siblings had latched onto him.

Nevertheless, Winnie unapologetically hopped into the backseat of Drake’s car, directed the driver to the school, and, upon arrival, thanked Drake and strode towards the derelict building. Once inside, she was immediately confronted by a surge of malevolent energy emanating from a decrepit tower.

Her brows furrowed at the realization that this was more serious than she’d expected–a powerful spirit was at work here, shielded by some sort of barrier.

Winnie wasted no time and made her way towards the source of the energy, using talismans to clear the path and lighten her steps. Springer’s terrified scream led her to the fifth floor.

Without a second thought, she sprinted upward, reaching the fifth floor with supernatural speed, all the while wondering what sort of spirit had ensnared her cousin and what it would take to free him from its clutches.

Just as Winnie stepped onto the fifth–floor corridor, she caught sight of Springer in full flight He was hurtling toward the other end of the hallway with an enormous cocoon on his back. which seemed as out of place as a surfboard in a snowstorm.

Trailing behind him was a series of wispy threads, like cobwebs made by some monstrous spider, snaking through the air in pursuit. They brought with them chilling aura that seemed to seep into the very marrow of her bones.

Springer’s legs pumped furiously, but each step felt as if he were treading on a floor made of ice, the cold seeming to wrap around his ankles drag him .

Despite the creeping dread of the silvery threads drawing ever closer, Springer clung to the giant cocoon as if it were his lifeline. Regret washed over him like a bitter wave.

He was riddled with it, dead with regret.

Winnie had warned him, but still, he had ventured out to come here, not just meeting with online. friends but foolishly ascending to the rooftop, attracting some ghosts..

Springer wanted to cry. He wanted to call Winnie for help, but he didn’t even have her number.

A blur of motion caught his eye as strands of silvery threads whisked past his face. Before he could react, they were wrapping around his throat and ankles.

Fear filled Springer’s eyes. As the threads began to cut into his skin, he felt certain that this could be the end.

Tears finally broke free, spilling down his cheeks. In that moment of despair, a familiar female voice pierced the chaos.

Clear and sharp, it was like a melody from the heavens –

“By the thunder that cracks, by the earth that quakes, from the guardians above to the forces. below. I invoke the decree, to sever and smite, to blast away this tempest with all of my might!”