Chapter 50: Head Recement


    Have you observed anything out of the ordinary about yourself, Strong? Miles questioned, his gaze holding him with a prating intensity.


    Strong was shaken by the events unfolding in the surveince video. His mind raced, trying to piece together fragments of memories that seemed missing, like a jigsaw puzzle with misced pieces. On the surface, nothing seemed untoward. He was just at work, doing nothing of particr note.


    Miles, are you insinuating that Ive been altered like the individuals in the footage? Strongs expression turned incredulous.


    You seem oblivious to your own state. Do you remember your whereabouts before you found yourself in this surveince room? Miles probed further.


    I was Strong began, but halted abruptly. How did he end up in the surveince room? Was it after the ckout? Which path did he take? Had he interacted with anyone, seen anything out of the ordinary?


    The answers eluded him, either from genuine forgetfulness or because those memory segments were just missing.


    Take a look at your surveince recordings, Miles suggested, The malls cameras typically have night vision. Even in pitch ck, you should be able to discern what happened.


    Ill review it, Strong dered, immediatelyunching into an examination of his surveince archives.


    It wasnt long before he stumbled upon the relevant sequence.


    The footage rewinded to the spectacle of Master Catch performing his rituals. The malls visitors were all huddled on the ground floor, and their eyes were transfixed on the spectacle. Miles, finding the unfolding drama mildly amusing, interrupted Master Catch, instigating a fiery exchange.


    However, Strong in the footage seemed nonchnt about the whole event, quietly exiting the scene unnoticed.


    Why would I venture into the power room? Strongs shock was evident as he viewed his own actions in the clip.


    ording to the recording, a brief moment after Strong entered the power room, the mall plunged into darkness. The ckout was Strongs doing.


    An absent memory doesnt equate to an absent event. Keep watching, Miles advised.


    Following the malls descent into darkness, Strong remained stationary as if in a trance. But thissted only momentarily before he was on the move again, this time towards the first-floor restroom.


    It all clicked for Miles. The phantom they had previously encountered in the restroom was none other than Strong.


    This cannot be. Why cant I recall any of this? Fear washed over Strong as he sprung up from his seat, turning a pallid face towards Miles.


    Miles stepped back, calmly stating, During your memorypse, you werent human. You were a specter, or at least reced by one. Your memories are preserved because your head is intact, still resisting dposition. However, once decay sets in, your memory will dissolvepletely.


    Youve technically been dead for a few days. Feel your neck, the scar from the head recement should still be there. Without ghostly interference, such a wound is unfathomable.


    Without a second thought, Strong brought his hand to his neck, tracing the small incision. Beneath his fingers, he felt the raw, bloodied flesh, apanied by a pungent stench. He was dposing. This cant be! Im not dead. Im alive, and Im perfectly alright!


    Strongs agitation escted as he persistently prodded at the wound on his neck, desperate to debunk Miless ims. However, if he had indeed been swapped with a spirit several days ago, the wound shouldnt have been so fresh. As he poked and prodded, the injury expanded, and his skin began to ke and slough off.


    The putrid scent of decay intensified.


    What do I do? I dont want to die. Miles, can you help? Strong pleaded, panic gripping him. His hands were smeared with blood, and his rotting head hung at an unnatural angle. His gazended on Miles, skewed and imploring.


    Strongs eyes reflected fear, desperation, and despair. Miles replied with a heavy voice, Im sorry, but theres nothing I can do. Your best option is to call your family, and say your goodbyes. Its all that remains for you.


    Strong fished out his phone with trembling hands, preparing for the call he never imagined making. His eyes brimmed with tears. However, as he bent his head down, his disced head lost its bnce.


    There was a sickening thud as Strongs head detached from his body, rolled across the floor, and finally came to a stop against the wall.


    His headless body stood frozen in ce, the phone screen still glowing, the call never ced. Casting a look at Strongs lifeless face, now pallid and colorless, Miles exhaled a sigh. Another casualty of the vengeful spirit.


    Turning his gaze away from the gruesome sight, Miles noticed River quaking in terror against the wall. He strode over, roughly sping her delicate face and pressing her head against the wall. His fingers traced over her neck with a forceful scrutiny.


    Youre not a ghost? He sounded genuinely surprised, finding no scar on her neck.


    Scared yet defiant, River snapped back, Did you seriously think I was a ghost?


    I had my suspicions. Youre an employee here too. Whos to say your head wasnt swapped? All those whove had their heads reced are spirits, unbeknownst to them, Miles let her go.


    So, whats our n now? How do we escape this ce with those entities lurking outside? River questioned, her tone devoid of anger. Her eyes implored him, a fearful plea as she gripped his hand.


    We still have survivors in the mall. Ill round them up and exit. The key to the main door should be with Sister Pear. Once we have it, we can make our escape, Miles exined.


    Before we leave, youll need to stay put and scrutinize these recordings. Try to determine the ghosts true identity. Find out where it came from if you can.


    No, I cant stay alone. I want to apany you.


    Rivers voice hitched as she tightened her grip on Miless arm. He shook his head, No, I need you to monitor the surveince. How else would I know if a ghost is nearby? Or verify the ghosts identity? I cant afford to lose time here. Its nearing nightfall, and the mall will be too dim to discern anything, which isnt to our advantage.


    But Strong is here. Im afraid, she murmured.


    Unswayed by her fear, Miles picked up the phone from Strongs lifeless grip and dialed his own satellite-connected phone.


    Keep this line open and report any developments promptly. And bear in mind, never turn your back on anyone. The spirit can only substitute heads from behind. If youre facing it, with your head misaligned for its intent, it wont strike, Miles instructed before cing the phone in Rivers hand.


    But, Im still frightened, she confessed.


    Do you recall the promise you made to me on the first floor? If you dontply, you wont make it out of here alive. Youre smart. You understand whats required. Be courageous and youll have no trouble. Enough talk now. Its time to act, he said firmly.


    With these words, Miles exited the surveince room without further ado.


    Wait! River tried to detain him, but the door shut with a decisive thud. She made to follow but quickly rethought, realizing the dangers lurking outside were far greater. Only a guard as dauntless as Miles could dare to roam a mall infested with phantoms.


    After a moments hesitation, she steeled herself, pushing aside her fear as she headed to the control desk, gripping Strongs phone tightly in her hand. As for the sight of Strongs decapitated body and the head resting against the wall, she couldnt muster the courage to look again.


    Hey, can you hear me? Miless voice rang out from the satellite phone as he navigated the eerie mall.


    Yes, yes, I hear you. I can see you on the monitor, Rivers voice came back, tinged with anxiety.


    Excellent. Stay vignt and update me on any movement in my vicinity.


    Miles affixed the walkie-talkie style phone to his chest, directing his path towards the unfortunate group, which included Mr. Calm and Sister Pear, thetter already a ghost without the groups awareness.


    Will I lose that million? Miles mused, But if River coborates efficiently, I can bag this money without resorting to the power of the ghost eye.


    As he moved, the once silent and vacant mall began to liven up. Shadowy figures materialized from hidden corners and shuttered shops. Their faces were pale white with shut eyes and stiff movement.


    Upon seeing this unfold on the monitor, River nched in fear. The shadows near Miles were closing in.


    They theyvee out, River alerted, her voice shaking.


    Im aware. Keep updating me about the phantoms positions. Remember my earlier advice, Miless cool voice did wonders in pacifying Rivers frayed nerves.