Chapter 50

50 Springer heard Amber’s concerned words and saw the worry etched across her face, but he simply turned his head away, refusing to acknowledge her.

Beside them, Cutler darkened his face at the sight.

“Springer! Amber’s just looking out for you. What’s with the attitude, man?!”

“What’s it to you how I act?” retorted Springer Springer, who had reverted to his earlier brusque demeanor, shot back at Cutler defiantly, still showing no intention of engaging with Amber.

Springer had always treated Amber like an important family member, but that incident in the old. school building had left a knot in his heart.

Even knowing that fleeing danger was a natural human reaction, he couldn’t stand being abandoned, especially by someone.he trusted.

Amber, observing Springer’s response, blinked back a flicker of emotion and lowered her gaze, saying softly, “Springer, today’s mess was my fault. If I hadn’t dragged you there, you would’ve never been in that situation… I owe you an apology.”

Her words were sincere, but paired with her currently pale face, they immediately tugged at Cutler’s heartstrings.

“Amber, you’ve got nothing to apologize for! It’s that punk who should be apologizing to you.” Cutler said.

“Cutler, don’t talk about Springer like that. If anyone is to blame here, it’s me. He did try to protect me.”

“Don’t make excuses for him. If he really protected you, how come he’s standing here fine and you’re the one who ended up in the hospital?”

Beside them, Hobson chimed in, “Amber, you’re always too quick to shoulder the blame. He’s not a kid. You can’t keep babying him like this. And even if Springer had been the one in trouble today, it’s on him for not taking care of himself.”

As the two began to lay into him again, Springer felt like he was about to explode. He had originally wanted to confront Amber privately, but now he couldn’t hold back any longer.

“All you do is criticize me! Why don’t you ask her what she did?! I told her first thing in the morning I didn’t want to meet some damn online buddy or play some stupid game, but she insisted on dragging me along. And now, when things go south, you turn it back on me! Why don’t you ask her what happened? When the danger came, I was the one who stood in front of her! But what about her, huh?! She just let go of my hand and ran!” Springer had thought laying it all out would earn him some support, but to his dismay, both Hobson and Cutler looked at him with nothing but reproach.

“How could Amber ever do such a thing? Springer spewing nonsense!”

“Amber took you out with the best intentions, and you have the nerve to blame her?”

Amber suddenly started to sob, covering her face and saying, “Stop it. Springer is right. It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have taken him out with I put him in danger and failed to protect him…”

The two men immediately switched to consoling her while simultaneously scolding Springer.

Springer was nearly twisted with anger. He had explained himself, yet…why did no one listen And Amber’s words were so vague. Though she claimed , it still sounded like he was the one making a fuss for nothing!

At that moment, he understood exactly how Winnie must have felt when she had been the target of their blame.

Looking at Hobson and Cutler, all he saw were two complete idiots!

Just as he was about to burst with fury, he heard Winnie, who seemed oblivious to the heated exchange, casually speak up, “Now that everyone’s awake, I’ll be heading out.”

She glanced at Springer and asked, “Are you coming with?”

Springer was taken aback at first, but quickly caught on and nodded, “Yeah! Let’s get out of here. Winnie!”

He rolled his eyes at the group in the hospital room, then turned on a dime, giving Winnie a beaming smile as he followed her out, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.

Better to go home with Winnie and get some rest than to waste his breath arguing with fools.

Left behind in the room, especially Hobson and Cutler, exchanged puzzled looks.

They weren’t done lecturing yet. How did it end so abruptly?

Amber, meanwhile, lowered her head just a touch, her eyes brimming with a cold resolve and frustration.

The abandoned school building had been the scene of another incident. Though there were no fatalities, the matter had caught the attention of the police.

The internet was abuzz with talk of the school building once again, and those who’d had past encounters there were being dug up and discussed anew.

In the hospital, Kathryn, who narrowly escaped death, saw the reports online. In a panic, she hurled her iPad to the floor.

This time, she was beyond consoling, sobbing and begging for supernatural master.

“I’ll even take Winnie as long as she can help me. I don’t need to wait for her to come. I’ll go to her, just as long as she can get rid of that Catherine! I can’t stand it anymore! Catherine’s ghost is after me and she wants me dead!”

2/3 12:48 Elsewhere, the very Winnie that Kathryn was desperately seeking stood in front of a dilapidated apartment building.

It was a relic, its walls and doors plastered with layers of old flyers. From within its walls, periodic bursts of noise echoed out.

The building lacked an elevator, and Winnie climbed the stairs to the sixth floor, following a trail only she could sense until she reached a particular door.

She knocked. After a lengthy wait, footsteps sounded from within, and the door creaked open to reveal a gaunt middle–aged woman. Her face was tired and she looked at Winnie with a mix of confusion and wariness.

“Young … who are you looking for?” The woman asked.

Winnie eyed the woman, speaking gently but firmly, “I’m looking for Catherine ”

The woman’s eyes darted, and she moved to close the door, “She’s dead!”

Winnie shot out her hand, catching the door effortlessly. It was a simple touch, but the force behind it was enough to keep the door from budging.

“I know she’s in there.” Winnie paused, then added, “I’m here to help her.”

The middle–aged woman quivered as she looked at Winnie, faint red veins visible in the whites of her eyes. When she spoke again, her voice carried an undertone of barely restrained tremor.

“Who are you? Did the Quentin family send you?

Winnie shook her head, “My name is Winnie Bryant.”

The woman stared at her, storm of struggle and pain flashing through her eyes, before she slowly stepped aside, “Come in.”

The cramped little house lacked a living room sofa, but instead, a bed was placed in the common space.

The woman made no move to invite Winnie to sit. She led her straight to the only bedroom in the place.

She knocked on the door first, then without waiting for a response, pushed it open.

Winnie followed the swing of the door and finally caught sight of the room’s interior.

Inside the tidy room, there was a bed, and on it sat a young girl with long and unkempt hair, her gaze vacant, resembling a lifeless puppet.

It was Catherine, the very girl Kathryn had claimed was dead.

Winnie thought to herself, her hunch had been right.