WebNovels

Chapter 7 - My Ghost Friend

After discovering something eerie on his laptop—the kind of thing that made his spine crawl—Devan couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong. He kept replaying the images he had seen and the strange webpage that somehow opened by itself. It was like the ghost of his friend Tama was sending him a sign. His heart pounded, and fear wrapped around him like a cold blanket.

Panicking, Devan grabbed his phone and called the one person he trusted the most.

"Ara, please come with me to visit a shaman," he said without hesitation.

There was a moment of silence on the other end.

"A shaman? Are you serious, Devan? This is crazy. I think you need to talk to a psychologist, not some stranger claiming to be magical."

"But Ara, this isn't in my head. Things have been happening. I've been seeing things—Tama... he's been appearing."

"Devan, that's grief. And fear. Not ghosts."

Despite Ara's refusal, Devan was convinced. He had already made up his mind.

"I understand, Ara. But I have to go."

Devan jumped into his car and drove around aimlessly near the Serang Mall, where the shaman was supposedly located. He circled the area multiple times, frustrated. His GPS didn't help, and the location pinned on the website only led him to empty streets and parking lots.

"Ugh, where is this place?" he groaned, slapping the steering wheel.

Then, like a lightning bolt, he remembered: "Wait... I saved his number!"

Fumbling with his phone, Devan found the contact and quickly made a call.

The shaman picked up on the first ring.

"Yes, I'll guide you," the deep voice said calmly. "Drive forward, take a right at the corner store, then follow the gravel road until you see the trees."

Devan followed the instructions, barely thinking about where he was headed. Soon, the surroundings began to change. The bustling noise of the city faded. Instead, tall, ancient trees surrounded a secluded hut that stood eerily still.

"Whoa… I never knew this place existed," he whispered. "And it's right behind a mall?"

As he stepped out of the car, he felt like he had entered a different world. The air was strangely cooler, and time seemed to slow.

Just as he examined the mysterious hut, the door creaked open, revealing a familiar figure. Devan froze.

The man looked exactly like the ice doger seller Tama had met weeks ago.

"Welcome, kid," the shaman said. "Come in."

Still unsure, Devan stepped inside.

The inside of the hut was dim, despite the daylight outside. Shadows danced on the walls, where ancient weapons, amulets, and scrolls hung like relics of forgotten times. A faint scent of sandalwood and burning herbs filled the room.

"Please sit," the shaman said, motioning to a wooden chair.

Devan sat down, eyes scanning the room.

"Tell me what troubles you," the shaman prompted gently.

And so, Devan spilled everything.

"I've been seeing my friend... Tama. But he's dead. I got a letter from him, but every time I try to show someone—like Ara—it disappears. Just like that. It's like the world doesn't want anyone else to believe me."

He paused, then added, "Weird things keep happening at home too."

The shaman nodded slowly, eyes closing for a moment. Then he opened them again and stared deeply into Devan's face.

"It is Tama. He's your friend. But he hasn't moved on. He is a prisoner now… bound to a snake demon."

"A… what?!"

The shaman explained patiently. "Many years ago, Tama picked up a snake scale near the lake where the demon Kirana resides. That act sealed his fate. He was chosen to become her servant—just like Mr. Udin before him."

Devan's mouth fell open. And then a memory surfaced, as vivid as if it had happened yesterday.

Back in high school, during a student council event, Devan, Tama, Ara, and Nadia joined a treasure hunt competition. They had followed a map through rice paddies, streams, and narrow jungle paths. Eventually, they got lost and ended up near a large, serene lake none of them had seen before.

"Hey! I found something!" Devan had shouted, picking up a shiny scale.

Tama examined it. "Looks like it came from a gurame fish."

"Fish? Who would raise fish out here?" Devan said, confused. "Come on, we need to get back to Post One."

Unbeknownst to them, the scale didn't come from a fish—but from Kirana herself.

And that moment changed Tama's destiny.

Returning to the present, the shaman leaned forward.

"Because Tama visits you often, your spirit is becoming more sensitive. Soon, you'll be able to see ghosts—clearly and without warning."

"What?! No no no—I don't want that! I don't want to see ghosts!"

"If you wish to block him, burn pepper near your bed. And sprinkle salt around your house. That will keep him from entering."

That evening, the Grim Reaper came to Princess Villa. A storm of black mist swept through the sky, followed by howling wind.

Inside the villa pavilion, Tama and Denok were playing cards.

"What the heck is that?!" Tama shouted.

Denok, calm as ever, looked up. "Oh… that's the Grim Reaper."

"Huh?! He's coming for me, isn't he?! I knew it!"

"No, no. Relax. He's here for Mr. Udin. His time has come."

Kirana, Tama, and Denok gathered to say goodbye to Mr. Udin, who stood with quiet dignity before them.

"Thank you, sir," Kirana said. "You've served me for fifty years. You may rest now."

Mr. Udin smiled warmly. "Princess, thank you—for letting me stay with you all these years. And for helping me visit my grandson."

He hugged each of them. To Tama, he said:

"Do your duty with sincerity. Very few are granted more time in this world."

With a calm breath, Mr. Udin was taken by the Grim Reaper—his spirit lifted into the sky.

Later that night, Tama approached Kirana.

"Princess..." he called gently.

"Oooh~ You're calling me 'Princess'? You must want something."

"Hehe... I want to request a day off. Just tonight and tomorrow."

"Go ahead. You've earned it."

"Yes!! Thank you!"

Tama rushed to Devan's house, planning to borrow his laptop again. But when he arrived, something felt... off.

He stepped onto the doorstep—and shrieked.

"AAAHHH!"

He had stepped directly onto a thick line of salt. Pain surged through his spiritual form.

"Devan! What did you do?! Are we even friends?!"

Tama couldn't enter. So he circled around to the neighboring house and slipped in through the side.

"Good thing I'm a genius. Thank you, cum laude brain!"

Inside, Devan was ready. He had laid a clay bowl beside his bed, filled with charcoal and ground pepper. Salt surrounded his doors and windows.

Suddenly, the bedroom door creaked.

Devan froze.

A shadow crept in.

"Van… can you see me?" Tama asked, surprised. "It's me, Tama!"

Devan trembled. He grabbed the pepper and threw it into the flame. Smoke filled the room.

"HWATCHHHOOO!!! HWATCHUMMMM!!" Tama sneezed violently.

"What are you doing?!"

"I'm saving myself!" Devan shouted through coughs.

Even Devan couldn't escape the pepper smoke.

"Hah… finally… I'm safe… Hatchhooo!"

Both of them were sneezing—one ghost, one human—as Tama stormed out of the house.

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