Chapter 1 The Woman I Live With

I sold clothes at a market.

Just last month, I moved into a cheap apartment. All I had to pay was one month's deposit and three months' rent upfront. It even came furnished with decent appliances.

My roommate was a beautiful young woman named Scarlett Grant. She was soft-spoken, with a smooth complexion.

Scarlett always left before dawn and came home late at night.

I cooked regularly, and whenever she returned, I'd invite her to eat with me. But she always declined.

Instead, she would compliment my cooking and take a deep breath, inhaling the aroma. She claimed she didn't want to gain weight—that just smelling the food was enough for her.

Over time, we grew closer.

Some nights, after Scarlett got off work, I'd ask if she wanted to take a walk around the block with me. I wanted to take things further with her.

Scarlett never outright refused. However, every time we stepped into the elevator, she'd wrap her cold hand around mine. Her whole body tensed as she shrank into the corner, as if she were trying to stay out of sight.

One evening, the elevator was packed. So, I stood in front of Scarlett, shielding her from the crowd.

Despite the lack of space, an elderly woman forced her way in. Once inside, she shot me a sharp look and muttered, "Young people these days have no respect for their elders. I can't believe he wouldn't make room for me."

Scarlett had an amazing figure, but she was still a woman. There was no way I could press up against her in such a cramped space.

I wanted to snap back at the old woman. But before I could, Scarlett grabbed my hand and nervously shook her head, signaling me to let it go.

So, I stayed silent.

…

A few days later, that same elderly woman was hit by a truck right outside our apartment complex.

Her head had been crushed, and blood and brain matter splattered across the pavement. It was a gruesome sight.

After that, Scarlett and I would take the stairs whenever we went out.

We'd walk around the block and feed the stray cats by the entrance. Slowly, our bond deepened.

…

One day, I finally asked Scarlett to be my girlfriend. To my dismay, she shook her head.

I couldn't help but ask if it was because of my job or my lack of a degree.

But Scarlett said no. Before disappearing into her room, she simply told me to think carefully.

…

Lately, I hadn't had much of an appetite. Even so, Scarlett always left an apple for me in the living room.

Somehow, those apples tasted different. It was as if they were magical.

Before I knew it, I started craving them. The ones I bought from the supermarket tasted waxy and bland in comparison.

At the same time, my body grew weaker and my anxiety spiked. Over the next few days, I lost more than 12 pounds.

…

That morning at work, my boss asked, "You look like hell, Maverick. Have you been gaming all night instead of sleeping?"

I told him I had been getting plenty of rest. I hadn't even had nightmares, yet I still didn't feel like eating much.

My boss thought I was coming down with something, so he handed me a couple of hundred-dollar bills and said, "You've been working too hard. Go see a doctor. If something's wrong, get it taken care of. But hopefully, it's nothing."

Knowing I hadn't been feeling right, I nodded and headed to the hospital.

Once I arrived, they ran bloodwork and a bunch of other tests.

When the doctor finally looked over my results, he told me it was just hypoglycemia—nothing serious. He then prescribed me two types of medication. One was for digestion and the other was to help me sleep.

He also told me to come back if things didn't improve. With that, he sent me on my way.

…

By the time I headed home, the sky had already darkened.

I planned to ask Scarlett where she got the apples so I could stock up the next day. Whatever she had been giving me had killed my appetite. Worse, my body had grown weak.

But as soon as I stepped off the bus, a rich, fruity scent filled the air. It smelled exactly like the apples Scarlett had been leaving for me.

The aroma was strong and intoxicating. In the next second, my stomach growled with hunger.

Drawn by the scent, I followed it instinctively, figuring I could grab some before heading home.

However, when I finally saw the source, I froze.

Just off the sidewalk, three partially melted candles stood in a patch of grass. A faint trail of smoke still rose from the blackened wicks.

Beside them sat a paper plate, empty except for a few crumbs. Nearby, a pile of burnt ashes lay scattered.

I was stunned. The apple scent I had been following all this time was just the smoke from those candles.

Since when did candles like that smell like fruit?

Without thinking, I leaned closer and took a deep breath. The moment the scent hit me, I felt at ease. Even my mood lifted.

I couldn't stop myself; I wanted to breathe it in again.

But before I could, a raspy voice sounded behind me.

"You brat! How dare you sniff my candles!"

Chapter 2 She Is Coming for Me

A shiver ran down my spine at the sound of that voice.

I spun around in a panic. About ten feet away stood a short, frail old woman dressed in black. She looked to be in her late 60s.

Her grim expression never wavered as she glared at me, her dark eyes gleaming with something unreadable.

She looked eerily familiar.

Wasn't she the same old woman from the elevator the other day? The one who had snapped at me?

But that was impossible. She had been hit by a truck. She was dead.

So, did that mean the woman before me now was a…

Before the shock could fully settle, the old woman in black spoke again. "Go on, take another breath. Does it taste as sweet to the living?"

"T-The l-living?" I stammered, terror plain on my face.

I took a closer look at her. That was when I noticed she was standing on her toes, and she cast no shadow. But the living always had one.

My heart pounded as ice crawled through my veins.

I had heard stories of hauntings, of people encountering things they shouldn't. But never in my life did I think I'd become one of them.

The old woman in black must have noticed the fear creeping into my expression and how my breathing turned ragged. Out of nowhere, she let out a raspy chuckle.

"Since you took what was mine, I have no choice but to claim your life."

As soon as her words settled, her eyes widened and her mouth stretched open.

I watched as the corners of her lips cracked, splitting apart. In the next second, a gust of cold air escaped her throat.

Then—inch by inch—a long, bloodied tongue slithered out.

I had never seen anything so horrifying in my life. Every hair on my body stood on end at the sight. Goosebumps prickled my skin, and terror seized me whole.

"Y-You're a g-ghost…"

My voice trembled with dread. Right then, it felt as though reality had shifted.

Almost immediately, I spun on my heel and bolted toward my apartment complex. I didn't dare look back.

The sound of my footsteps pounded in my ears. Even so, I could hear the old woman's eerie laughter.

"Run all you like. Let's see how far you'll get," she hissed.

I didn't turn around and kept running, my breath coming out in wheezing gasps.

By now, cold sweat drenched me.

The terrifying image of the old woman in black opening her mouth, her bloodied tongue slithering out, flashed across my mind over and over.

Darkness shrouded my surroundings. It was so quiet I could hear a pin drop. Worse, there wasn't a single car in sight.

The more I ran, the more unease crept in. The bus stop was just 650 feet away from my apartment entrance. Logically, I should've reached it in seconds.

However, after running for quite a while, I still couldn't see the entrance. Even the streetlights that should have been glowing near my building had vanished.

The empty road stretched endlessly ahead of me, and the trees lining the sidewalk stood motionless. It felt as if I were the only one left in this world.

There was no end in sight, only an abyss of darkness behind me.

Something was wrong.

I lived in a residential area. Even in the middle of the night, there should have been light. Yet, now, there was nothing.

Fear crashed over me like a tidal wave, and I trembled uncontrollably.

I had heard of things like this before—old stories passed down in my hometown. The elders called it a time slip. A place between the living and the dead.

In this case, the old woman in black had trapped me. Clearly, she had no intention of letting me go.

I was told there were only three ways to survive if you ever found yourself caught in such a situation, especially if you had nothing to ward off evil.

One was to sit and wait for the morning light to save you. Another way was to beg the spirits for mercy, promise them offerings, and try to strike a deal. The last chance at survival was to fight back—spill your own blood, run without looking back, or scatter salt around you.

The old woman in a black dress had already made her intentions clear. She wanted to claim my life.

I knew for sure begging wouldn't work. However, sitting and waiting was as good as being dead.

I was only 20 years old and had never been intimate with a woman. Maybe that meant something, like I was a pure soul.

Regardless, I wasn't going to sit there and let her take my life. I would much rather fight my way to survival.

I had no idea if the tricks I had heard would actually work, but I had no other options. Without hesitation, I rolled up my pant leg and scraped my skin just enough to draw blood.

Then, I ran as fast as I could.

My mind was a tangled mess. At that moment, all I could hear was the pounding of my footsteps and my ragged breathing.

My heart slammed against my ribs as I picked up speed.

Suddenly, the silence that had swallowed the streets lifted, and the dim pathway brightened again. Even the roads were no longer empty. I could see cars driving by.

Right then, I glanced back. The entrance to my apartment complex, which had vanished before, was right there. It was just 100 feet away from me.

Relief crashed over me. I had escaped the loop!

With that, I spun around, ready to sprint home.

But the moment I turned, the old woman in black was standing inches away from my face.

We locked eyes. She stood there, motionless. Her dark pupils bore into mine, and her lips curled into that same eerie smile.

My breath hitched, terror flashing across my face.

Before I could react, a shrill screech filled the air. The old woman's mouth stretched open as she lunged at me.

My legs went weak. I couldn't move fast enough. In the next instant, she slammed into me, knocking me to the ground.

I scrambled to get up, but she was inhumanly strong. Her grip crushed my wrists like iron shackles, pinning me down.

I tried to scream, yet no sound came out.

The old woman's eyes widened with twisted excitement, and her face lit up with anticipation.

"You're mine now," she murmured in a hoarse voice.

As soon as her words settled, she opened her mouth and began to drain the life out of me.

I felt it immediately as the air in my lungs was sucked away. Before long, my body went limp and my head spun.

I knew exactly what was happening. I had seen this in horror movies, where demons and ghosts steal the life from their victims.

Once the old woman had enough, I'd be dead.

Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do. I didn't even have control over my own body.

A crushing sense of helplessness swallowed me whole. With no other options, I lay there, waiting for death.

Out of nowhere, a sharp meow snapped me out of my thoughts.

A tabby cat shot out of the nearby bushes and launched itself straight at the old woman in black.

Claws unsheathed, it raked its sharp nails across her face. The tabby meowed furiously while attacking her.

The old woman was caught off guard and stumbled off me.

This cat was the meanest of the strays in my neighborhood.

Every time I came downstairs with Scarlett, we'd bring food for the strays. But this one always hissed at her. Whenever it did, I would scold it.

Moreover, the other stray cats never dared to eat or come near us until this one had its fill.

I never imagined that in a life-and-death moment, the same stray I had scolded would be the one to save me.

By now, the old woman's face was covered in scratches.

Furious, she grabbed the tabby by the throat, slammed it against the ground, and snarled, "You wretched thing!"

Even as blood trickled from the cat's mouth, it still didn't run. Instead, it sprang back up and lunged at the old woman again.

Only then did I realize it was risking everything to save me. The tabby was repaying me for every meal I had ever given it.

Chapter 3 The Crime Scene Apartment

As soon as the old woman in black was no longer pinning me down, I scrambled to my feet.

My whole body felt weak, and my legs were unsteady. I could barely stand, let alone help the tabby. But at least I found my voice.

Without hesitation, I staggered toward the entrance of my apartment complex and yelled, "H-Help! Someone, help me!"

At first, my voice was hoarse and barely more than a whisper. But it gradually grew louder.

My shouts drew the attention of an elderly security guard. He poked his head out from the booth and flicked on a flashlight. Though faint, the beam was enough to illuminate me.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion.

This time, I shouted with all the strength I had left, "Help! Please, help me!"

The old guard hurriedly unlocked the gate and hobbled toward me, flashlight in hand. Behind him, a younger security guard followed closely.

I gasped for air as I continued running. Every few seconds, I stole frantic glances over my shoulder.

The tabby cat lay motionless on the ground, its fur matted with blood.

Meanwhile, the old woman in black stood beneath the trees. Her face was covered in claw marks, and she watched me, her stare cold and unsettling.

But to my horror, the wounds began to heal. Within seconds, they had vanished, as if they were never there at all.

Right then, the two security guards reached my side.

"What's going on?" the younger one asked.

The older guard must have recognized me from all the times I had fed the stray around the complex, because he asked, "Hey, aren't you the guy from the 18th floor?"

Fear gripped me as I pointed toward the trees.

"T-There's a ghost!" I stammered.

The two security guards exchanged skeptical looks. Then, the older one swung his flashlight toward where the old woman was standing.

She was still there. In the next moment, her form flickered and grew faint, dissolving like steam into the night.

Just before she vanished completely, she smirked and whispered, "I've got my eyes on you, kid."

And then she was gone.

Yet, her words unsettled me deeply. It was evident the old woman in black had no plans to let me go.

Was it really just because I had taken a whiff of her candles?

Dread surged within me, but my heart clenched at the sight of the bloodied tabby. If not for it, I would have died at the hands of the old woman.

The younger guard scoffed. "Are you serious? There's no ghost—just a dead cat."

I ignored him and rushed to the tabby. "Kitty!"

I had only been here for a month, but I had fed this cat every single day. Now, it was barely breathing, all because it had tried to save me.

Seeing it in such a state filled me with sorrow.

As I reached for it, the tabby let out a weak, pitiful meow.

"Kitty, thank you for saving me. I'll take you to the vet," I murmured.

As I spoke, I carefully lifted it into my arms. I believed in repaying kindness—no matter who or what, even if it was just a cat.

Then, I turned to the security guards and explained, "I-I saw a ghost. It was the old woman who had an accident outside our building.

"This tabby attacked her, and that's the only reason I managed to call for help. She vanished the moment you showed up, so t-thank you!"

Both security guards stared at me in disbelief. I stood there with a blood-soaked tabby in my arms, yet my voice was deadly serious.

I watched them exchange a nervous glance before the older one, who clearly recognized me, spoke up.

"You know what, it's late. This is probably not the best time for jokes like that," he stated awkwardly. "I mean, you're the guy renting 18-7, right? If you've got the guts to live in a crime scene unit, you're not seriously scared of ghosts, are you?"

I had turned to leave when his words hit me like a punch to the gut.

"A crime scene unit?"

I stared at the older security guard, confused. Of course, I knew what that was.

Some landlords bought dirt-cheap apartments in buildings with dark histories. Then, to squeeze more rent money out of them, they'd divide the space with flimsy partitions and cram in as many tenants as possible.

These weren't just cheap rentals. They were places where the dead had left their marks.

But my apartment had two proper bedrooms. Moreover, Scarlett was my roommate. We each had our own space.

I refused to believe a woman would willingly move into a crime scene apartment. So, how was it possible?

The younger security guard chimed in with a smile, "You're the only person in this entire building who dared to rent on the 18th floor. And now you're telling me you're scared of ghosts?"

His words left me in a daze.

Noticing my silence, the older guard hesitated before asking, "Wait… You really didn't know?"

I shook my head, then replied, "You guys must be mistaken. I live with a roommate. Her name's Scarlett Grant. She's been feeding the stray cats with me these past few days. She's tall, slim, and always in a white dress. You must have seen her."

The older security guard's face turned ashen the moment he heard that.

"I've only ever seen you feeding the cats. What do you mean there's a woman with you?"

Beside him, the younger one nodded. "Exactly. It's always just been you. You even talk to the strays sometimes, but I've never seen you with anyone else.

"P-Please don't tell me y-you've been living with a ghost."

My expression fell in an instant. It turned out Scarlett was a ghost!

I went completely silent. The older guard must have noticed the terror on my face because he spoke again.

"If you're not messing with us, then take my advice. Don't go back there tonight. Just find somewhere bright and crowded."

Having said that, he patted my shoulder before shooting the younger guard a look. In the next second, the two of them turned and made a beeline for the security booth, leaving me frozen in place.

I couldn't believe it. For a whole month, I had been living with a ghost. But that probably explained why the apples Scarlett had given me affected me so much.

By the time I snapped back to my senses, the two security guards were already long gone.

Though terrified, I dared not stay put, not even for another second. What if the old woman in black came back for me?

Without another moment's hesitation, I tightened my hold on the tabby cat and stumbled toward the other end of the complex.

Beyond it lay one of the busiest nightlife districts, where a popular veterinary clinic was located.

The place was crowded and bright. I believed that as long as I stayed there, the old woman in black wouldn't dare follow me.

Chapter 4 In the Veterinary Clinic

My thoughts spiraled out of control, but I quickened my pace.

As I passed the security booth at my apartment complex entrance, the old security guard leaned out.

With a serious expression, he said, "You don't look good. Listen to me, okay? Don't go home tonight. Stay where it's crowded and avoid dark, empty places.

"Go to Oak Street first thing in the morning. There's a place called Everpeace Sanctuary. I've heard there's a psychic there who can help you."

I nodded in appreciation. "Thank you. I'll remember that."

There was such sincerity in his voice that I couldn't brush him off. It was rare enough for anyone to believe in this sort of thing, let alone offer actual advice.

Then, he waved dismissively and said nothing more.

With that, I hurried away, the tabby cat still cradled in my arms.

…

Before long, I reached the main street—one of the busiest nightlife districts in the city. Food stalls, diners, bars, and hotels lined the streets. The area was lively and packed with people.

Without hesitation, I made a beeline for the veterinary clinic. Even though it was late, the clinic was still open. It was a well-established and reputable 24-hour facility, after all.

Even at this hour, the place was busy. However, most of the customers were there for pet grooming rather than emergencies.

As soon as I stepped inside, I rushed to the nearest staff member, urging them to help the injured cat.

The veterinarian asked, "What happened? These wounds are deep, and I see bite marks too."

Of course, I couldn't tell the truth. So, I lied.

"A stray dog attacked it."

The veterinarian didn't ask any more questions. After finishing the examination, he told me to pay 2,800 dollars upfront.

After some time, the veterinarian returned. "Your cat is stable now, but we'll need to keep it under observation for a few days. Why don't you leave your contact number? We'll call if anything changes. You should go home and rest."

A wave of relief washed over me. But there was no way I was going home.

I was certain that the moment I left this crowded street, the old woman in black would come for me. So, I shook my head.

"It's okay. I'll stay."

The staff didn't seem surprised. After all, plenty of pet owners were too attached to their animals to leave. They probably assumed I was one of them.

Seeing that I wasn't going anywhere, they said nothing more and went back to work.

With that, I sat in the waiting area, keeping to myself.

Suddenly, exhaustion hit me all at once. A tightness settled in my chest, and my body was sluggish. I was unbearably uncomfortable.

Leaning back, I closed my eyes just for a moment. Then, my phone buzzed twice.

I glanced at the screen and froze. It was a message from Scarlett.

"Why aren't you home yet?"

I stared at the text for a long moment, unsure if I should reply.

Still, I needed proof that the old security guard had been right. With that in mind, I scrolled through my contacts and called the real estate agent.

The moment the call connected, his usual cheerful voice came through. "Good evening, Mr. Callahan! Why are you calling me at this hour? Looking to rent another place?"

I ignored his small talk and got straight to the point.

"Is the apartment I'm renting a crime scene unit?"

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line after my question. Then, the real estate agent chuckled.

"Well, you wanted something affordable, didn't you? I gave you what you asked for. It's nothing, really—just superstition. Besides, I did mention there was a long-term tenant. You didn't press for details, so I didn't think I had to explain further.

"If you're not happy with it, I can find you another place. All you have to do is fork out some more money. I've got plenty of listings—"

I hung up before he could finish.

The answer was clear. The old security guard had been right. My apartment was indeed a crime scene unit.

And in that moment, I understood why Scarlett had told me to think it through when I asked her to be my girlfriend.

I read her message again. After a moment's hesitation, I replied, "Are you a ghost?"

Her response came instantly. "Yes, I am. Are you coming home tonight?"

I hadn't expected her to admit it so easily. But for some reason, I wasn't afraid of her.

Even so, I had barely escaped with my life tonight. It was dark outside, and I feared that the old woman in black would come back for me.

I couldn't bring myself to go home just yet. Thus, I typed, "Not tonight."

To my surprise, Scarlett's reply popped up within seconds.

"Come back in the morning and take the apple. I'll leave it by the door. I promise I'm not here to hurt you."

Having read the text, I wanted to send her another message. But before I could, my screen went black.

When it turned back on, Scarlett's messages were gone. In fact, the entire chat history had been erased.

I sat there, brooding in silence for a long time. My life was on the line, and I couldn't afford to make the wrong choice.

The old guard had told me to go to Oak Street in the morning. As for the apple Scarlett left me, I'd decide once the sun was up.

At that point, exhaustion weighed me down. I could barely keep my eyes open. Eventually, I drifted off to sleep.

…

Around 2:00 am, a gust of cold air swept through the veterinary clinic's entrance, jolting me awake.

Shivering, I instinctively hugged myself and turned toward the door.

To my horror, a woman in a long white dress stood at the entrance. Her dark hair cascaded down her shoulders, swaying slightly in the breeze.

Her skin was so pale it looked almost cold and lifeless. I couldn't help but think she was yet another ghost.

As the thought crossed my mind, she slowly lifted her head.

Her face was as white as a sheet, and her eyes bore an eerie resemblance to the old woman in a black dress. Her pupils were dark, gleaming with something unreadable.

Her gaze locked onto mine. Then, in a soft but chilling voice, she said, "Sir, please step outside for a moment."

Chapter 5 The Woman Outside

The woman in white spoke in a soft voice, laced with a faint trace of resentment.

As soon as I heard that, alarm bells went off in my head. I didn't know her, so what did she want from me?

More importantly, something about her felt wrong. Her face was deathly pale, utterly devoid of color.

I was almost certain she was a ghost.

I acted as though I hadn't heard her, shifting slightly in my seat and refusing to acknowledge her presence.

She stood by the door and called out to me once. When I didn't respond, she moved beneath the trees and spoke in the same soft voice.

"Sir, just step outside for a minute. I need to talk to you."

Even so, I pretended not to hear, though a creeping unease settled in my chest.

But I had to be sure. Was she human or something else entirely?

So, I turned to the male veterinarian at the reception desk. "Hey, doc. I think someone's calling you outside."

The veterinarian leaned forward and peered toward the entrance.

"Is someone there?" he asked, eyeing me with confusion. "I don't see anyone."

The woman in white was right there—standing motionless beneath the trees—yet he couldn't see her.

Fuck! She was yet another ghost.

My heart pounded violently at that fact. Forcing a sheepish smile, I replied, "Sorry. I must've heard wrong."

The veterinarian shot me a strange look but didn't press the issue.

Meanwhile, I kept my eyes locked on the woman outside. She wanted me to step out, which meant she was afraid of the bright lights, the people, and the caged dogs and cats inside.

Of course, I wasn't stupid enough to give her what she wanted. So, I stayed put.

A few more minutes passed. When she realized I had no intention of acknowledging her, she finally spoke again.

"Your cat scratched my grandmother. Do you really think you can just walk away from this? If you won't come out, I'll go in."

In an instant, a shiver ran down my spine.

My cat?

I didn't even own one. I only fed the strays around my apartment complex. But earlier tonight, the tabby had scratched the old woman in black.

Realization hit me like a punch to the gut.

Was this woman her granddaughter?

Then, she stepped out from under the trees and moved toward the clinic.

Yet, something was off about the way she walked. She advanced in that same unsettling, tiptoed manner as the old woman in black.

As the woman in white drew closer, panic surged through me. I shot to my feet and was ready to bolt.

Right then, I noticed the dogs in the kennels snap to attention. Their heads lifted in unison as their ears perked and their eyes locked onto the entrance.

With every step she took toward the clinic, a low growl rippled through the room. The bigger dogs even erupted into frenzied barking, snapping in the direction of the door.

The moment the barking started, the woman in white recoiled. A visible shudder ran through her, and her face twisted with fear before she stumbled back.

Resentment crossed her face as she stared at me. "I'm afraid of dogs. Just step outside for a moment. I won't hurt you."

As soon as she finished speaking, the corners of her lips curled into a faint smile, revealing sharp, pointed teeth.

My blood ran cold at that sight.

However, knowing that she couldn't enter, a hint of relief washed over me. So, I ignored her and sank back into my seat.

Seeing the chaos, the two veterinarians on duty rushed over to comfort the animals. They even handed out treats in an attempt to calm them.

With the woman in white now back under the trees, the animals gradually settled.

One of the female vets must have noticed how I kept standing and sitting. She probably assumed I was just anxious about the tabby I had brought in.

Hence, she reassured me, "You don't have to stay all night, you know. This is a professional clinic. We'll take good care of your pet.

"It's already past 2:00 am. Why don't you go home and get some rest? You can come back first thing."

I forced a chuckle. There was no way I could tell her the truth.

"It's fine. I'm okay," I said instead.

Sensing my insistence, she said nothing more.

After soothing the last of the restless animals, she plopped into her chair behind the reception desk. Then, she opened a bag of chips and turned her attention to a show on her phone.

I, on the other hand, remained seated on the hard steel bench, my gaze locked on the woman in white outside.

She hadn't moved from beneath the trees. She just stood there, glaring at me. It was as if she wanted nothing more than to kill me and was furious that she couldn't.

At around 3:00 am, I glanced up again. That was when I realized she was gone. There was no one under the trees anymore.

I wasn't sure if she had actually left or if she was just lurking somewhere out of sight. Either way, I wasn't about to find out.

Whatever the case, I wouldn't be stepping outside before sunrise.

I leaned back against the seat and shut my eyes. However, sleep wouldn't come. My body was drained, but my nerves remained on edge.

…

By 6:00 am, the sky had begun to lighten. Only then did I finally muster the courage to step toward the door.

Surely, ghosts wouldn't appear in the daylight, right?

Standing at the entrance, I let out a long breath. It felt like every ounce of energy had drained from my body.

It had been one hell of a night. But I knew this wasn't over.

I needed to find someone who could actually help me and get to the bottom of this. Otherwise, I'd be living in constant fear, scurrying for safety the moment night arrived.

Before leaving, I cast one last glance at the tabby resting inside its kennel. Then, I walked out.

My stomach twisted with hunger, and my limbs felt heavy with exhaustion.

On the way home, I stopped to grab a burrito and a cup of coffee.

People around me ate like it was the best meal in the world. Yet, every bite I took was tasteless, like chewing on cardboard. Worse, it made me feel sick.

In the end, I could only manage a few sips of coffee.

Suppressing my hunger and exhaustion, I started walking back to my apartment complex.

Scarlett had said she'd leave an apple for me. She even claimed she wouldn't hurt me.

I had spent the entire night thinking it through, and in the end, I decided to go back.

It was broad daylight now, so there was no reason to fear ghosts.

If there really was an apple by the door, I'd take it with me. After that, I'd head to Oak Street and see if I could find the psychic. Maybe they could help me or, at the very least, tell me whether the apple was safe to eat.

But my body was too weak. I could barely take a few steps without feeling lightheaded. So, I ended up hailing a cab.

By the time I stepped out of the vehicle, the sun was high in the sky, its warmth settling over me like a comforting embrace.

Still, when my gaze drifted to where I had seen the old woman in black last night, a chill ran down my spine.

Without hesitation, I headed straight for the apartment complex.

When I arrived at the entrance, I noticed the old security guard was still in the booth. He was hunched over his phone, watching videos.

The younger one, however, was nowhere to be seen.

The old man had helped me the night before. As soon as I saw him, I called out, "Morning, sir!"

He lifted his head at the sound of my voice.

I gave him a friendly grin through the booth's window. Out of nowhere, he screamed. He jerked so hard that his phone nearly slipped from his hands.

"Sir, it's me! The guy from last night," I said quickly.

Yet, the terror and shock didn't leave his face. He pointed at me and stammered, "Y-Your face… W-What happened to you?"