Chapter 34: A Visit


    Throughout the day, Mr. Beach had been trying to get in touch with Miles, only to end up feeling irate when the audacious teenager, who hadnt even grown a full beard, demanded a staggering fee of half a million dors. If not for his daughters insistence on seeking Miless assistance, Mr. Beach would have never entertained such an idea. He doubted whether an adolescent couldprehend, let alone handle a situation as grave as a haunting.


    The stress of his daughters predicament had weighed heavily on Mr. Beach,pelling him to take a few days off from work. He wanted to provide her with emotional support during this challenging time.


    Corals health seems to be deteriorating, Mrs. Ocean, Mr. Beachs wife, voiced her concern. Despite being physically healthy, she appears to have a weak nervous system, probably due to a traumatic event. Should we consider consulting a psychiatrist tomorrow?


    Yes, it seems like the only viable solution, Mr. Beach responded, his voiceced with frustration. That Miless demand for such an exorbitant fee is unreasonable. How did Coral get mixed up with such an audacious individual? We need to limit her interaction with him.


    Ive been skeptical about Miles since our first encounter. His audacity knows no bounds, even demanding two hundred dors, Mrs. Ocean concurred, her face twisted in disdain.


    As the couple was engrossed in their discussion in the living room, a loud bang reverberated. Corals bedroom door had mmed shut abruptly. Out of the corner of their eyes, they saw a figure darting into her room.


    Mr. Beachs expression transformed instantly, and he swiftly rose from his seat. Mrs. Ocean was equally shocked, stammering, Dear, did you see that it looked like a child just ran into Corals room.


    Lets not jump to conclusions and scare ourselves, Mr. Beach cautioned, despite looking ashen himself. He had seen it too  a childlike figure with skin resembling a stillborns, bolting into Corals room. This seemed impossible since they lived on the sixteenth floor, and the main door was securely closed.


    Suddenly, a piercing scream emanated from Corals room. Mr. Beach immediately rushed towards the door and swung it open, revealing a room swallowed in darkness, an unusual sight given Corals recent fear of the dark.


    As he fumbled for the light switch, his hand brushed against something eerily cold and soft, like a childs hand. Startled, he recoiled.


    Just then, a panic-stricken Coral bolted out of the room, her face ashen and body trembling. Mrs. Ocean quickly embraced her, asking in a trembling voice, What happened, dear? Are you okay?


    Mustering up his courage, Mr. Beach once again reached for the light switch. This time, his hand didnt encounter the eerie touch of a childs cold hand.


    With the light flooding the room, it stood empty, devoid of the supposed child they had spotted earlier. However, what he saw next left him feeling cold; the room was adorned with tiny, grimy footprints  on the floor, around the bed, and inexplicably, even on the walls and ceiling.


    This sight thoroughly shattered Mr. Beachsposure. His hand trembled as he quickly dialed Miless number,ing to the dreadful realization that their home might indeed be haunted.


    Ocean, take Coral and leave this ce immediately, he instructed, his voice shaky. Well check into a hotel for a few days; this ce isnt safe.


    Complying with his urgency, Mrs. Ocean nodded, Ill pack a few essentials.


    On the other end of the line, Miles answered the call.


    Hello, is this Miles? Mr. Beach inquired.


    Currently on a break at his security job, Miles responded, Yes, Mr. Beach, how may I assist you?


    We need you at our ce immediately, Mr. Beach pleaded, his voice fraught with worry. The matter we discussed earlier, we can negotiate the payment.


    Im at work, but if its not an urgent matter, we could discuss it over the phone? Miles suggested.


    No, I must see you in person. Where are you working? Ille to you, Mr. Beach decided, feeling the gravity of the situation at home.


    Furen Mall, Miles disclosed.


    Well be there shortly, confirmed Mr. Beach. But as he was about to exit, the front door refused to open.


    Is something wrong? Arent we leaving? Mrs. Ocean asked, a hint of worrycing her voice.


    The door its jammed. It wont open, Mr. Beach replied with a puzzled frown.


    Perhaps something is obstructing it, Mrs. Ocean suggested.


    Deciding to check, Mr. Beach peered through the doors peephole. His heart pounded as he spotted a child, its naked bluish-ck body pressed against the door. The childs eyes, entirely ck without any visible pupils, stared back innocently yet eerily.


    Stumbling back in fright, Mr. Beach paled, Miles, are you still there? Please dont hang up. Theres a child outside our door, we cant leave. Can you help us? We can negotiate the price


    Miles, taken aback, quickly regained hisposure. Stay away from it and be cautious. Ill try to reach you as soon as possible, he advised, hanging up the call and hastily leaving his post.


    His coworker called after him, Hey, Miles, where are you off to?


    I have an emergency; Ill be back soon, he responded curtly, already on his way.


    In the midst of his fear, Mr. Beach noticed the door handle begin to twist slowly, hinting at the entitys attempt to enter. Panicked, he rushed towards the door, ensuring every bolt was securely fastened, every lock firmlytched.


    The thing is trying to get in! Wheres Miles? I need Miles! Coral wailed, teetering on the edge of hysteria due to the intense fear gripping her.


    Mr. Beach, though shaken to his core, attempted to keep hisposure. The front door, now eerily quiet, brought him nofort; instead, it magnified his unease.


    Husband, whats going on? Mrs. Ocean asked, clearly perplexed and rmed by the situation.


    We need to move away from the door. Lets retreat to the bedroom, Mr. Beach urged, sensing the increasing danger. He shepherded his wife and daughter back into the master bedroom, turning on all possible lights for sce and securely closing the bedroom door behind them.


    His gaze remained locked on the bedroom door, praying for no signs of intrusion. As moments passed without any disturbance, he permitted himself a brief sigh of relief.


    However, his peace was short-lived. A sound echoed from the living room  the distinct creak of the front door opening.


    Impossible, he thought, panic seizing him again. He was certain he had secured the front door with multiple locks. How could it open so easily? Was the child hed seen truly a ghostly entity?


    Lost in a whirl of anxiety, Mr. Beach desperately sought a way out.


    His gazended on the window. They were on the sixteenth floor  a dangerous height. An attempt to scale the wall and reach the neighboring apartment was fraught with risk, a single misstep spelling certain doom.


    Were they destined to simply sit in their fear, waiting for whatever fate was closing in on them?