After a few more words about the unavailability of the laptops, Allen went back to the counter. The cafe was eerily quiet except for the soft hum of the computers.
Neal leaned back on the gaming chair, he tried to focus on the bright blue screen in front of him.
But the chair was too soft, too warm. His eyes grew heavy, he already felt too tired, cool breeze coming from the A.C. worked liked a lullably, and in seconds he drifted into sleep.
Though this time around someone interrupted his regular A to B sleep routine. Neal found himself surrounded by a deep mist, a cold emptiness wrapped around his body.
He could tell that he was still dreaming, as there was nothing under his feet, he was floating in the air like a balloon.
The surroundings were too quiet. Complete silence ruled this place. Then something changed, a flash of lightning scattered the mist away, and he could hear a voice calling out his name.
"Neal... Neal... Neal..."
He turned his head around, searching for its origin in the darkness.
"Who are you? And why can I hear your voice in my dreams?"
"That's only thing that I can share with you right now — I'm here to help."
"Help. I don't need any help. I'm fine."
"Don't distance yoursef from reality. I know, you know, that you desperately need my help to save your life."
"You didn't even tell me your name. You must have an agenda. I don't want to be your puppet."
"Really. You really think that I'll choose a loser like you to commit nefarious deeds."
"I am a talented man."
"But not in the right areas."
"So what are you then? My golden finger — old gramps stuck inside the ring, betrayed by his lover and good mates, or something like that?"
A faint chuckle rippled through the air.
"Call your mom, grandpa. I'm still too young."
"Then what in the dog's name are you doing here? Why have you invaded my mind? Are you an enlightened buddhist monk healing others mental problems?
"I ain't a bald idiot. You have caught my eye. I'm here to check up on your condition. How's your body holding up?"
"I'm fine. Tired, broken, bruised, but still fine."
"Your soul looks like a trashed meat bun that someone left on the middle of the road."
"That's an over-exaggeration."
"You could have died tonight."
"But I didn't die."
"So you wanna talk about the Kuchisake-onna rip-off?
"We don't have to talk about her, a complete amateur, more like trash." Neal muttered. "She had only two things going on for her — Everest of ugliness and a big mouth."
"You made her angry with your insensitive words. She lost her cool and the rest is history."
"Killing sentient ghosts is way too easy, it's like taking candy from a baby."
"And what are you thoughts on the red-eyed malevolent spirit—the ghost that only attacks from behind?"
"That evil entity was a nightmare. You can never see it, only feel it's position behind your back. I couldn't even turn around, the moment I shifted my position, he broke my arms, snapped them at odd angles. A ghost like that.. could really make my life a living hell."
"But why are these ghosts after you?"
"I don't know. Since I was young. These evil entities have followed me everywhere. The only way I can survive is being next to another human being."
"That's quite weird. No one can see them except you."
"I'm cursed. I can't ever escape this cruel fate."
"Don't be such a gloomy sourpuss. I'm here now. I'll change your destiny."
"Like a voice in my head could ever help."
"There's a way out. You can live a normal life."
"I'm listening. Keep talking."
"Transfer the spirit to someone else."
"Transfer! How?
"The one you are transferring the spirit to must trust you completely."
"Let's assume someone completely trusts me. What's the next step after that?