Chapter 12: The Ghost in His House
I was still standing there, frozen in place, staring at Precious.
What the hell was happening to my friend?
Who had he been associating with?
Why did that strange woman cling to him like a shadow only he could recognize?
These questions wouldn't stop pounding against the walls of my skull.
Precious slowly turned toward me, his face dim under the twilight light spilling through the window. His lips trembled before he forced a soft smile.
> "I'm sorry for scaring you like that."
The way he said it was gentle, almost like he was apologizing for something he couldn't control.
I forced a smile in return, trying to reassure him that I was fine, but my voice betrayed me.
> "Precious… what have you turned into?"
He lowered his gaze, disappointment weighing heavy on his shoulders.
> "Divine… you've got it all wrong. That lady you saw here, she is—"
Before he could finish, Miracle, a member of our group project, ran across the schoolyard shouting his name.
> "Bro, you're going already?!"
Precious turned, smiled faintly, and replied,
> "No."
Then he glanced back at me. His eyes weren't the same anymore. There was sorrow in them—no, desperation.
> "Divine, I want you to forget what just happened here… and just pretend you didn't see her. For your own good."
The words were calm, but the weight behind them was suffocating. It felt like a cry for help wrapped in a warning.
Before I could respond, he left, walking toward Miracle as if nothing had happened.
But my chest wouldn't stop tightening.
Why the hell would he call a ghost his friend?
No. Something wasn't right. Precious was hiding something—something that terrified even him.
---
On my way home, I couldn't stop thinking about it. My feet moved on their own, slow, restless. Eventually, I pulled out my phone and typed a quick message to him. My thumb hovered over the send button… then I switched it off.
No. A message wouldn't cut it.
Instead, I changed directions. I was going to Precious' house. If he wouldn't tell me, maybe the truth was waiting there.
---
By the time I reached the familiar mansion-like building, the evening had already swallowed the sky. The golden glow of the streetlights reflected off the windows. I hesitated, but then knocked firmly on the door.
A moment later, a warm, motherly voice answered.
"Divine? Wow, what a pleasant surprise."
Precious' mother. She looked genuinely happy to see me, her gentle smile carrying the same warmth I remembered from childhood.
> "Yeah… long time no see," I said.
"Indeed, it's been long. How have you been, dear?"
> "I'm fine. Life's just been a little… pushy."
She laughed lightly. "Life always is. And how's your mother? I haven't seen her in a while. I hope she's doing well."
I nodded quickly, though my mind wasn't on the conversation. These weren't the answers I'd come for. Should I just ask her about the strange woman? Would she even believe me?
> "She's fine, ma. Actually, I came to wait for Precious. We've got some school projects, so I figured I'd catch him here."
She smiled warmly. "Of course. Come in, make yourself at home."
---
Inside, the house felt the same as always—quiet, elegant, but with a lingering heaviness in the air. I sat on the couch. The television was on, tuned to a news report.
> "…strange attacks have been occurring across the city. Victims vanish without a trace. Families mourn, but authorities remain baffled. No evidence, no suspects… only silence."
I froze. This wasn't the first time I'd heard such reports. People disappearing. Deaths without cause. My chest tightened. Could this… could this be connected to the creatures I had glimpsed before?
Before the thought could finish, Precious' mother's voice cut in.
"Would you like something? Tea, drinks, or food?"
I shook my head quickly, but my mouth betrayed me.
> "Tea will be fine, ma."
"Alright, I'll have it prepared in a minute."
---
As she left, I kept my eyes glued to the screen. My hands trembled slightly. Are these… the judgments of God? Or is something darker crawling in our city, hidden in plain sight?
Her return broke my thoughts. "Your tea is ready."
I accepted it politely, taking a small sip. "Ma, this tea is really good. It reminds me of how my mom prepares hers."
She laughed softly. "Ah, thank you, dear. Precious also loves it. He never leaves for school without drinking a cup."
> "So he loves tea that much?"
She nodded with a smile. "A lot."
I tried to ease into the real subject. "And the family is… doing okay?"
Her tone faltered. "Yes, everything is… okay."
Her voice dipped from warm to heavy. My instincts sharpened. Something was wrong.
> "Ma, is everything really fine?"
She hesitated, then sighed. "Not entirely. It's about your friend. Precious has been acting strange lately. As if he's carrying a heavy burden. I try to help him, but he won't open up. He keeps everything locked inside."
My throat tightened. So it wasn't just me. He was changing here, too.
"I always wonder," she continued, "does he have any friends other than you?"
Before I could answer, a voice came from upstairs.
"Where's the shampoo I kept in the bathroom?"
My body stiffened.
Descending the staircase casually… was her.
The same woman I saw at school. The one Precious called his "friend."
The one he said was a ghost.
My blood turned cold.
Her steps were light, her expression unbothered. This time, she didn't radiate the same ominous aura. No shadows curled around her body. No cold, threatening stare. She looked… human. Ordinary, even.
But I knew.
I knew what I had seen.
I tightened my grip on the teacup to stop my hand from shaking.
What the hell is going on here?
---
🔥 (End of Chapter)