Chapter 21: The Operator


    The moment Miles had left, the remaining group slowly returned to reality.


    Wait, Grace suddenly realized, Miles saved us, and we didnt even thank him. Isnt that rather thoughtless of us?


    How about we take Miles to dinner in a few days? suggested Peter, Maybe we could have some skewers?


    William,ughing softly, interjected, Just skewers? Youre setting the bar pretty low. Id take him out for avish meal at a high-end restaurant, maybe a karaoke session after, and even some luxurious rxation therapy. I heard hes renting; his living conditions arent ideal. Perhaps I could convince my dad to buy him an apartment nearby. Regardless, Ive decided to stick by Miles. No one, especially you, Grace  considering you were middle school ssmates  better try to take him from me.


    Finishing his sentence, he shot a suspicious nce at Grace. No seducing him.


    What are you going on about, William? Grace replied, blushing.


    Isnt that a bit excessive, William? Peter was taken aback.


    Excessive? William scoffed, causing the others to recoil slightly, stepping back from him.


    The girls looked at William with a mixture of surprise and bewilderment. They were aware of Williams capability, but this was bordering on the absurd.


    What, you dont believe me? William countered, Would you rather face a ghost?


    At the mention of a ghost, the memory of the previous nights horror surfaced, and fear reflected on their faces once more.


    Peter hesitated before reluctantly speaking, Given the options, Id rather pick the former. Even the girls blushed, remembering how Miles had reassuringly saved Coral andmented about how a girl could be a wife and such after being saved.


    Indeed, Miles presence brought them aforting sense of security.


    Turning serious, William added, Right mentioned that these supernatural phenomena would persist, escting into a global disaster. While we were fortunate to survive a ghost encounter today, what about in the future? We, ordinary people, are ill-equipped to handle ghosts. It seems only people like Right, and potentially Miles, can.


    We are fortunate to know Miles. Hes our best hope.


    With that, William fell silent, understanding the importance of Miles more profoundly than before. The prior night had been a terror beyondprehension, an experience he wished to never repeat. If he were a girl, he might already be clinging to Miles, much like Coral.


    He looked over towards the bus stop where Coral had insisted that Miles apany her home.


    Currently aboard the bus, Miles slumped in his seat, thoroughly drained. He gazed at the familiar streets, the routine flow of people, the everyday hustle outside the window. The cacophony, strangely enough, wasforting.


    At least there were no ghosts now.


    Indeed, Coral was sticking close to Miles. If their rtionship was more advanced, she might have already been angling to move in with him. However, she was content to have him escort her home for now.


    Miles, will wee across such events in the future? Coral asked, tightly gripping his arm, taking her time to gather the courage to ask.


    Im unsure, Miles admitted. Though its usible. It really depends on our luck. If were lucky, we may nevere across such a thing again. The world is vast, and even if supernatural incidents do ur, the chances of them happening in every city, every neighborhood, are rtively slim. Theyre not like earthquakes or floods, which are widespread natural disasters.


    Of course, this was only an attempt tofort her. The truth was that the future remained unpredictable.


    Suddenly, Miles noticed the lingering dark imprint of two baby handprints on Corals neck. It was reminiscent of a tattoo yet to fade. It wasnt a mark left by the ghostly infant. Rather, it seemed like a brand.


    Feeling a cold shiver, Miles debated whether he should mention it. Given Corals fragile state of mind, he decided against it.


    Its often said that the most terrifying thing is to scare oneself. Maybe this mark was merely a scar.


    Be vignt in theing days. If anything troubles you, dont hesitate to reach out, Miles gently cautioned her.


    Thank you, thank you so much, Coral responded, visibly touched by his kindness.


    Suddenly, a phone began to ring.


    Ah~! Coral instantly went pale, letting out an involuntary scream.


    Dont worry. Its probably just a regr call, Miles assured her as he searched through several phones.


    Finally, he retrieved a walkie-talkie-styled device, a standard-issue satellite phone from the ghost tamer, Right. The bulky phonecked inte capabilities and was only capable of making calls. He wasnt sure why hed chosen to carry such a device.


    With a bit of hesitation, Miles answered the call.


    Hello, Right, please update us, requested a female operator on the other end of the line.


    Right is dead, Miles reported.


    Dead? How did he die?!


    He died in childbirth, Miles replied.


    Childbirth? The woman seemed taken aback.


    Yes, childbirth. It was a cesarean, but there wasnt enough time for surgery. Maybe the child was impatient and ripped through the belly toe out. I witnessed it firsthand. The baby, however, was quite mischievous. Perhaps it was my fault for not assisting properly. As soon as it was born, it bit me. I almost became its meal, Miles detailed.


    On the other end of the call, the operator, named Rain, seemed ready to explode. This is nonsense! Who are you exactly? How did you get a hold of Rights satellite phone? Are you aware that youre interfering with a special active case from Interpol? Im Rights exclusive handler, Rain, and I have the right to demand an honest report about Rights condition.


    I already told you, Right is dead, Miles repeated calmly. If youre keen to know the truth, shouldnt you send someone to verify it? Do I need to dere that Right died due to a vengeful ghosts awakening, creating panic among everyone on the bus? Didnt they teach readingprehension in your school? Can you discern the main point? Yourprehension skills make me question yourpetence as an operator.


    Either bring in someone experienced or Im done talking, he dered, his demand ringing clear.


    Nestled in the heart of Interpol Asia, the relevant department hummed with activity at Ghost Tamers HQ


    Decked out in her uniform, Rain, the operator, clenched her teeth, fury threatening to bubble over. The pencil in her hand was whittled down to a fine point, her strokes on the paper beside her bing more aggressive, as though she wished she could skewer the insolent voice at the other end of the call through the lines.


    Stay calm, Rain. This irritation pales inparison to the life-or-death trials the field agents undergo, she reassured herself.


    Taking several deep breaths, she resumed herposed and professional front, Sir, your cooperation is necessary for our investigation in this matter.


    His reply was a derisive Heh.


    Sir, we need your cooperation.


    Heh.


    Sir, youre hiding something. We can pause for five minutes if youre ufortable talking in a public space. Please use this time to find a private ce and report the current situation, she offered.


    Heh.


    What in the world does heh mean?


    Rain was teetering on the edge of frustration. Biting her lip, she fought to maintain herposure. Sir, if its not convenient for you to talk, can you at least provide your name? Well dispatch someone to continue with the investigationter.


    So, youre nning to probe into me, huh? Well, Ive got nothing to hide. My first name is William,st name is Wei. Come if youre brave. If you dont, youre nothing but a coward, was his defiant reply.


    All right, wait for us. Just you wait. In a moment of fury, Rain discarded her usual restraint and fired back, her voice resounding.