The Paranormal Freak team descended into the depths of the basement, their footsteps echoing through the damp and dirty surroundings. The air grew heavier, permeated with a musty odor and the distant sound of dripping water. The feeble beam of their flashlights cut through the darkness, revealing a labyrinth of narrow tunnels interconnected by branching paths.
Isen, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and unease, turned to address the camera. "The basement is renowned as the most haunted place within these walls," he stated, his words laced with a tinge of trepidation. "Countless ghost sightings have occurred here. Legend has it that disobedient patients were brought here and subjected to unspeakable torture."
As the team continued their exploration, one of the teammates spoke up, his breath visible in the cool air. "Did you guys feel that?" he asked, a hint of awe in his voice. "The temperature just dropped."
"I can sense the presence of evil surrounding us," Isen declared dramatically, his eyes fixed on the camera. He held his cross tightly, seeking solace in its supposed protection.
A sudden interruption jolted the team's attention. One of the girls aimed her flashlight toward the end of a tunnel, revealing a dark figure peeking out from the entrance. The flashlight trembled in her hand, casting erratic shadows on the walls.
"Whoa! There's someone there," another team member exclaimed, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
Isen turned to his team, attempting to restore a sense of calm amidst the growing tension. "Fear not, my team. As long as we pray and stand together, no harm can--"
Before Isen could finish his sentence, Tarik swiftly darted past him. The camera operator followed Tarik, capturing the unexpected turn of events.
Tarik reached the corner of the tunnel where the dark figure had retreated, only to find it mysteriously gone. He came to a screeching halt, his eyes scanning the intersection with confusion. The camera recorded this moment of suspense.
"Where did it go?" the camera operator asked, his voice laced with a hint of frustration.
A slow, mechanical whirring sound resonated from above, catching Tarik's attention. Without hesitation, the dark figure reappeared at the end of another tunnel. Isen and the rest of the team caught up to them,.
"What did I tell you, Keno? Let me handle this. You can't catch a shadow person," Isen asserted, a smirk playing on his lips as he turned towards his team.
Tarik, undeterred by Isen's condescension, grabbed a piece of debris from the floor. Suddenly, his focus shifted to a small device fixed to the ceiling. With a swift and accurate throw, Tarik shattered the plastic device, causing it to burst into pieces.
In an instant, the shadow figure vanished from the tunnel, leaving the team in stunned silence. Isen's face froze, his sense of superiority shattered as the truth unfolded before them. Kiki, overcome with mourning, rushed over to the broken device on the floor, her frustration evident.
Tarik, his gaze piercing, directed his words towards Isen. "Don't resort to cheap tricks if you want to uphold honor," he admonished, his voice firm and unwavering.
'I need to make sure that there is no evidence that I was here. The others in my organization would be uncomfortable if they would find out.'
He approached the camera operator, who had lowered his head in defeat. With a swift motion, Tarik grabbed the camera and threw it into the air. As it descended, he readied himself, delivering a mighty punch that shattered the camera into a million pieces, scattering them across the dirty tunnel floor.
Isen's rage consumed him as he lunged forward, his fingers clenching Tarik's collar in a vice-like grip. His face contorted with anger, his eyes blazing with fury. "What are you thinking, you worthless piece of sh*t with no viewers?" Isen seethed, his voice laced with venom. "You will pay for this!"
But Tarik remained unfazed, his expression unwavering as he met Isen's gaze head-on. There was something unsettling about the way Tarik held himself, a calm confidence that seemed to unnerve Isen. Sensing the tension in the air, Isen gradually loosened his grip, stepping back cautiously.
In that moment, Tarik seized the opportunity, his hand swiftly reaching for a box of cigarettes tucked inside his pocket. He withdrew one with practiced ease, the flame of his lighter flickering to life as he brought the cigarette to his lips. Inhaling deeply, he exhaled a cloud of smoke, his demeanor exuding a quiet determination.
"I don't like to be in debt," Tarik stated, his voice low and resolute. He turned to face Isen, the glow of the cigarette illuminating his features in the dimly lit basement. "So here is your payment."
Without warning, Tarik's fist shot forward with explosive force, connecting squarely with Isen's face. The impact reverberated through the air, and Isen was sent hurtling backward, his body propelled by the sheer strength of the blow. Time seemed to slow as Isen's figure tumbled through the air, his limbs flailing, before crashing to the ground in a sprawled heap.
****
As Tarik walked out of the dilapidated building, he tossed the spent cigarette onto the concrete road, his mind already preoccupied with thoughts of work and the burden of people who couldn't afford to pay the defend money. Time was of the essence, and he hurriedly made his way down the street, his footsteps echoing in the quiet night.
Just as he was about to disappear around a corner, the entrance of the building burst open, and a figure emerged, calling out to him, "Hey, wait up!"
Tarik halted, turning to see Kiki standing there, her expression determined.
"I'm done with your bunch," Tarik replied curtly. "Goodnight."
But Kiki wasn't ready to give up so easily. She stepped forward, urgency in her voice. "I have a proposition for you, rather than giving me money to replace my equipment."
Tarik regarded her with a skeptical gaze, his features revealing his indifference. "I never pay to scammers," he retorted.
Undeterred, Kiki pressed on, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "I know you're angry about faking ghosts, but even if the real ones don't appear, we still have to make an entertaining ghost hunting show. That's where I come in with my innovative inventions."
Tarik remained silent, his expression unreadable. He began to walk away, but Kiki wasn't ready to let him go so easily. She chased after him, determination etched on her face.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!" Kiki called out.
Tarik halted momentarily, lighting another cigarette with a flick of his lighter. Smoke swirled around him as he turned to face Kiki. "Ghost hunting, my ass," he muttered under his breath.
Undeterred by his dismissive attitude, Kiki moved closer, inspecting him with curiosity. "You inspired me with your unconventional approach," she said, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "You've shown me a side of ghost hunting I've never seen before."
Tarik remained unmoved, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. "I'm late for work," he stated matter-of-factly, preparing to resume his hurried pace.
But Kiki refused to give up, her determination unyielding. She reached out and grabbed onto his leg, prompting Tarik to pull her along effortlessly. "Just help me test my new invention, and we'll be square," she pleaded, a note of eagerness in her voice.
Tarik's gaze hardened, his skepticism evident. "I'm not in debt to you, so p*ss off, kid," he replied.
Undeterred, Kiki persisted, her words taking on a more seductive tone. "Surely there's something that can change your mind," she murmured, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She reached up, slowly lowering the strap of her shirt from her shoulder, hoping to sway him with her feminine charm.
Tarik abruptly stopped in his tracks, his mind briefly considering her proposition. He regarded Kiki with a wary gaze, contemplating the possibilities that lay before him.
"How much do you know about real haunted sites?" Tarik inquired, his voice tinged with cautious curiosity.
HE? This gorilla just rejected me?' Kiki thought as she put the shirt back on and coughed. "Calm down, girl," she thought, coughing slightly to regain her composure. "Everything in the name of science."
Tarik stepped closer to Kiki, his eyes focused on her intently, as he reached into his pocket and retrieved his phone. With a sense of anticipation, he held the screen towards her, showing the last video of Kone. "Do you know this place?" he inquired.
Kiki's eyes widened with excitement, and she quickly zoomed in on the image on Tarik's phone. "Sure, I know it," she responded, a hint of enthusiasm in her voice. "And I'm happy to tell you, after we're done with the test."
"What kind of test?" asked Tarik.
"We are gonna catch a real ghost." Kiki said with an obsessed smile on her face.
Tarik hesitated for a moment, his gaze shifting between Kiki's outstretched hand and her eager smile. The stakes were high, and time was not on his side. With a reluctant nod, he made his decision and reached out, gripping Kiki's hand firmly in his.
"Deal," said Tarik.