"Master, w-what should we do next?" The short-haired girl was in a panic, though she dared not move due to past experiences.
"You started the Pen Fairy game, didn't you?" Alex Carter asked, puzzled. "You must know the next steps better than I do, right?"
The long-haired girl replied, her voice trembling, "After summoning, we ask the Pen Fairy three questions before asking our own."
"And who will ask the questions?" Alex inquired.
All three—Michael and the two girls—bowed their heads like ostriches, too scared to speak.
"Fine, if none of you will, I'll do it!" Alex shrugged, ignoring their hesitation, and focused on the pencil on the table.
Michael stole a glance at Alex. Seeing his nonchalant demeanor, he felt a bit relieved. Alex's calmness was contagious, easing the girls' anxiety as well.
Alex eyed the pencil and casually asked, "Pen Fairy, have you eaten?"
Instantly, silence enveloped the room. The three onlookers stared at Alex, dumbfounded.
What kind of question was that?
The pencil stood upright, slowly tracing a question mark on the paper.
Isn't this a bit off-script?
Michael and the girls watched in disbelief, feeling out of their depth. Yet, this was only the beginning.
"How old are you?"
"Are you married?"
"Do you have kids?"
"How are your kids' grades?"
Alex's barrage of questions flew out like bullets. The pencil, once steady, now scribbled furiously across the paper.
"Shhhhh!"
Marks covered the page as the table began to tremble violently. The weak candle flames were snuffed out, plunging the room into darkness.
It's over. We're doomed!
Panic-stricken, Michael attempted to flee, but his legs gave out, and he collapsed.
"Ahhh!"
The girls screamed, clinging to each other in terror. Suddenly, silence descended.
Cautiously, Michael raised his head, freezing at the sight before him.
In the darkness, a white figure stood silently on the table.
"G-ghost!" Michael stammered, the word escaping in a scream.
The girls, already on edge, joined in his cries.
"Will you all stop it?" Alex said impatiently, plugging his ears.
Michael swallowed hard, incredulous. "Big brother, that's a ghost..."
"So what? It's just a ghost," Alex replied. "Go turn on the light."
"B-but... I'm too scared..." Michael whimpered.
"Just do it!"
With a roll of his eyes, Alex shouted.
Trembling, Michael weighed the fear of the Pen Fairy against Alex's command. Ultimately, Alex seemed scarier. Obediently, he got up to switch the lights on.
"Click!"
The room flooded with light, revealing the Pen Fairy.
A female ghost in white, her hair disheveled, stood with her head bowed, obscuring her face. Even so, the sight sent shivers through Michael and the girls.
This was a ghost! For the first time in their lives, they faced one.
"Not bad!" Alex commented, nodding at the Pen Fairy. "If I sold you to a dance hall, you'd fetch a good price, right?"
Michael and the others didn't notice, but at Alex's words, the Pen Fairy trembled.
Alex approached, saying, "Lift your head, let me see."
Please, big brother, don't provoke it further!
Michael felt completely numb. The girls were on the verge of tears, feeling their lives slipping away.
But what happened next defied all logic.
The Pen Fairy slowly raised her head, revealing a beautiful yet terrified face.
Yes, terrified!
"What the heck? It's scared?" Michael exclaimed, unable to believe his eyes.
The girls turned to Alex, their expressions silent but questioning.
What scares the Pen Fairy is probably obvious.
Is Alex really that intimidating?
They wondered.
Alex retrieved a sack from behind, flicking it open with practiced ease.
"Are you coming in by yourself, or shall I help you?"
Okay, he's definitely scary.
The three silently lowered their heads.
The Pen Fairy glanced at the sack, then at Alex, shaking her head frantically.
"Your choice doesn't matter!" Alex grinned, lunging forward.
Without hesitation, the Pen Fairy turned and fled.