[Chapter 56: A Familiar Horror Movie]
Daniel immediately recognized the voice on the phone. It was Carlos, the Mexican leader of the construction crew that had renovated his shop. Daniel remembered that two days earlier, Carlos had hesitated about hiring him for an exorcism after hearing the price -- 100,000 dollars was a lot even for desperate people. Now, Carlos was calling again.
Daniel put the phone on speaker, pulling on his pants as he asked, "Don't panic yet. Tell me what's going on."
Carlos sounded tense. "It's not me -- it's my niece, Ambar. She'd told me before that the apartment she rented might have some kind of problem... something supernatural. At first, she wasn't sure, but just now she called me freaking out. Then I heard a scream before the call cut off, and I haven't been able to reach her since."
"Did you call the cops?" Daniel asked.
Carlos hesitated, lowering his voice. "I can't. Ambar's an illegal immigrant. She doesn't have papers."
Daniel kept quiet. Many people fear poverty far more than ghosts or demons.
"What exactly did your niece say?" Daniel asked.
Carlos took a shaky breath, trying to collect his thoughts. "A lot. She said her landlord seemed shady, and the apartment itself felt wrong. She kept dreaming about her dead mother, seeing her lying in a hospital room beside her. She thought her neighbor might not have just moved out -- maybe he'd died there. She saw his spirit a few times, but it vanished quickly."
Carlos rambled, his anxiety making his words jump around without much logic. "Oh, and she mentioned a box. It's been showing up in her dreams a lot lately."
Carlos added, "The box has weird symbols on it. Whenever she tries to see what's inside it, something crawls out, but she always wakes up before she finds out what."
Daniel's casual listening shifted to alert focus. The earlier details were common horror movie tropes, nothing to catch his attention. But the box was different -- he instantly felt a chill of recognition.
Could it be that movie? Daniel's heart quickened.
If it was, he needed to see it for himself. That box could be invaluable. Plus, the apartment building housed several restless spirits -- an opportunity for Merit Points.
"Where are you now?" Daniel asked.
"I'm driving over to Ambar's place now," Carlos said.
"Send me the address. And don't go inside when you get there. Wait for me," Daniel warned.
Carlos was relieved. He hadn't really believed he'd get help, just hoping for a miracle. "Mr. Cross... I can't pay the hundred thousand."
Before Daniel could answer, Carlos hurried on, "I have no money, and I can't help with much else. But I run a construction crew. If you ever need renovations or repair work, we're ready to go anytime."
Daniel doubted he'd get much cash from Carlos but didn't mind the offer. "That works."
...
After a few more thanks, Carlos sent the apartment address. Daniel was dressed when he finished the call.
He looked to Miranda, still naked from earlier. "I'm heading out."
"I'll walk you out," she said quietly.
Miranda went to the cabinet near the garage door, picked up the keys, and handed them to Daniel without a word, just locking eyes with him. "Keep these for now."
Daniel nodded, opened the door, and strode into the garage. He started the Cadillac's V8 engine, and the car rumbled out, fading into the night. Miranda watched the taillights disappear, biting her lip as a flood of unspoken emotions passed through her.
...
Ambar's apartment complex was a bit of a drive, but thankfully, the late-night streets were quiet.
It took Daniel over 40 minutes to arrive. The building was dark, and only a handful of cars were parked outside. Daniel nodded to himself. Carlos clearly knew how to stay under the radar.
He pulled out his phone and called Carlos. The stout man's voice answered almost immediately. "Mr. Cross?"
"You see my car?"
"I do. Headed your way now."
Carlos appeared shortly, and Daniel quickly cut the engine, stepping out. "When did your niece call you?"
"A few minutes before I called you. It's been almost an hour."
"One hour," Daniel said, calculating mentally. "We should still be in time. Let's go."
Carlos looked worried when Daniel approached empty-handed. "Just like this?"
Daniel snapped his fingers, and suddenly a blade and several ward sigils materialized in his hands.
Carlos didn't understand exactly what they were but instantly felt Daniel was a real exorcist. His confidence swelled.
...
The pair approached the building's front door. Daniel told Carlos, "You knock."
Carlos wasted no time, pounding on the door.
After a moment, a lean man with a long narrow face and scruffy beard cracked the door open just enough to peer out. "Who are you looking for?"
"My niece, Ambar."
"She already left," the man said casually, trying to shut the door.
Suddenly Daniel's boot slammed against it, sending the man flying backward.
Daniel stormed inside, Carlos close behind.
Daniel scanned the apartment and located the basement entrance immediately. The door was heavily locked, with several padlocks hanging from the hasp -- it was impossible to miss.
The lean man scrambled to block Daniel's path, but Daniel kicked him aside without effort. Then he slapped a ward sigil onto the man, who trembled violently and collapsed unconscious.
Carlos' eyes lit up in awe at Daniel's power.
...
As Daniel moved toward the basement door, a burly, bald man with a full beard rushed in from the side, roaring aggressively.
Daniel pulled out a paperweight and waved it gently in the man's direction. The man suddenly lost his bearings, crashing into the walls repeatedly. Blood poured down his head, but he kept ramming the wall until he finally collapsed, exhausted and broken.
"Carlos, stay here. And you too." Daniel's words trailed off as he glanced beyond Carlos.
Carlos scanned the room but saw no one else. A cold shiver ran down his spine. He nodded, unwilling to disobey.
...
Daniel flicked his wrist, and a crowbar appeared -- a tool he'd stored in his Inventory after learning the hard way he lacked proper gear during a recent encounter at Miranda's husband's ranch. The crowbar was about to prove invaluable again.
With precise leverage, Daniel pried off the padlocks quickly.
He swung open the basement door and descended carefully.
The scene in the basement struck Daniel. First, a jolt of shock, then a flush of excitement.
This was going to be more than just a routine job.
*****
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