Waiting for her outside was Chief Murillo. "The captain is already in the lobby," she informed Cecilia with a tone as blank as a newly opened notebook.
Chris and the other three were waiting for the ladies in the lobby. "Captain, where are we?" Cecilia asked as she kept looking around. She marveled at the intricately designed wooden panels that adorned the walls of the rectangular-shaped lobby. The paintings and golden earthenware that decorated the lobby added a deft touch of sophistication. Expensive couches and cushion lines on both sides, ready to accommodate any weary visitors.
The group proceeds to the information desk. Chris presented a calling card to the attendant, who gestured for them to wait as he called someone on the telephone. "Wow, look at those expensive paintings, do you think that is the real Mona Lisa?" Cecilia asked Martinez
The three ghosts slowly turned their judgmental gazes on the human. Chris, on the other hand, didn't bother to glance her way. "What?" Cecilia blurted out, "What's with those looks?" her voice a mixture of embarrassment and irritation.
"Are you talking to me, ma'am?" one of the nighttime lobby attendants asked.
She was reminded that only the captain and she could perceive the three ghosts. She shot a fierce glare directed at Martinez, who was snickering. "You look like an idiot," she snapped at the helmsman.
"Excuse me?" The attendant's voice showed hints of being offended
Cecilia quickly answered, "Oh no, it's not you…uhm…sorry," she sheepishly said. The attendant turned around and pretended to be busy with a stack of papers. Seeing the helmsman in fits of laughter, she discreetly sneered at him.
"Mrs. Osario is waiting for you. Take elevator B to the twentieth floor, unit 312." The man at the desk directed Chris once he confirmed they were guests. The attendant followed the pair with his gaze. As soon as they entered the elevator, he made another call: "They are on their way."
A few minutes later, Chris was ringing the doorbell of unit 2012. The door opened, and they were greeted by the head maid. "Mr. Chris Flores?" The maid asked, Chris only nodded in response, "Please come in, the madame is waiting for you."
Cecilia's eyes grew wide in awe at the spacious and luxurious dwelling. Expensive items of furniture, state-of-the-art electronics, and expensive wood paneling with intricate designs. To her, it was like she had entered a whole new world, a world where only the rich exist. The group was led to the living area, and Cecilia squinted her eyes from the bright lights that were magnified by the shining white walls. The scent of incense merged with the stench of nicotine, assaulted her senses.
Huddled on the long sofa was Betheliza, deep dark circles surrounding her eyes, her hands trembling from fear, strong coffee, and cigarettes. Beside her was the ghost of Gani, trying to embrace and console his wife, only for his hands to pass right through her. Each failed attempt to hold her brings out more tears. "That must be her, she looks familiar," she thought to herself.
"Madame? The exorcists that had been requested had arrived," the maid informed her employer, though she gently tapped her on the shoulder. Betheliza was jumpy, flinching because she was on the edge, the terror of the hauntings nearly pushing her to the brink of insanity.
When Betheliza saw Chris, she dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around the captain's leg. "Get rid of the ghost!" she panted. "Get rid of Rick, and I will pay whatever you ask! I don't care how much…just get rid of him!" She sobbed as she pleaded, "I beg of you…I am about to lose my mind."
Cecilia helped the madame to her feet and sat her gently back on the couch. Chris sat opposite her and asked, "How long ago did these hauntings start? Can you walk us through everything that has happened?" Chris saw the fear in her eyes, but he pressed on, needing to know the facts.
Betheliza closed her eyes and drew a deep breath, steeling herself, preparing to recall the harrowing series of events. "The night after my husband's interment was the first time that thing started to haunt me. Then, whenever the sun sets, it comes when I least expect it. It starts as sounds, then flickering images, and then…" She shuddered at the thought of the harrowing events. "Then it would claw at me, drag me, laugh while it watches me descend into terror and madness."
When the woman showed her wound-laden ankles, Gani gasped, "My wife, my poor wife," he expressed as he helplessly watched Betheliza's pitiful state.
The distraught woman stopped and started frantically looking around her as if she dreaded something. "It's here! It's here! Save me…save me!" the woman screamed, curling herself into a ball. Cecilia was quick to wrap her arms around the woman, to shield and give her comfort.
Gani stood up, rage filled his eyes, gritting his teeth, he yelled, "RICARDO, you asshole, come out and face me, this is between the two of us, leave my wife alone!"
The lights started to flicker. "Take your positions," He instructed his team. he took the kamidana out of his coat and placed it on the center table. "Pink, whatever happens, don't leave her side."
"Don't worry, Captain," Cecilia assured Chris. She glanced at Gani. "Go, retreat to a safe distance; you might get caught in the crossfire." She advised the spirit
"NO! I won't leave her!" he declared as an eerie, low humming sound emanated out of nowhere. It seemed that it was coming from all directions.
Chris approached the spirit, "Go, don't worry about your wife, she will not be harmed. If you stay, you might get caught in the spell, and you might end up sealed away as well." He warned Gani. The spirit took one more look at his wife and left despite his great reluctance.
After the spirit left, Chris took his position and left the two women alone. With her eyes shut, Betheliza nestled into the sofa's corner, her legs wrapped around her as she buried her face in her knees. Cecilia's gaze darted around, her head jerking at the faintest sound. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of something fleeting. She turned, but it had vanished. A shiver ran down her spine as she felt a whisper of air against her hair. She tightened her grip on the trembling Betheliza, who was murmuring a frantic prayer.
"Leave or die!" a voice breathed ominously in her ear. She turned sharply but found only silence behind her.
"Stay away, leave her alone!" Cecilia fiercely shouted, her eyes darting all over the place, trying to locate the spectral intruder. As if her words angered the entity, the fluorescent lights exploded one after the other, until the once brightly lit area was engulfed in darkness. Suddenly, she felt something push her, and she fell on her back hard. She wasn't even given time to feel the pain when she felt something cold grab her ankles and drag her away. Betheliza watched in horror as Cecilia struggled to break free.