As Anhur left, Miranda and I sat in silence. The strange energy I'd felt earlier lingered, growing heavier with each passing moment. My mind kept circling back to my apartment, the pull growing stronger. Finally, I stood, the unease driving me into action."I'll be back. I need to check something out," I said, breaking the silence.Miranda jumped up, alarm flashing in her eyes. "Do you think it's smart to be wandering off alone? The guy who killed you might still be out there!"I hesitated, caught between caution and the urgency clawing at me. "I can't just sit here and do nothing."She crossed her arms, her voice sharp with exasperation. "Anhur will be back any minute. Literally."Ignoring her, I floated toward the door, the pull too strong to resist. Miranda bolted after me."You know this is a terrible idea!" she shouted.I stopped, guilt creeping in. "Just stay here. I'll be back soon.""No, no, no," she snapped, stepping in front of me and blocking my path. "You're the key to whatever paranormal craziness is happening. If I'm with you, Anhur can find us if things go sideways."Reluctantly, I nodded. Miranda let out a huff, but she followed me without another word.As we walked toward my apartment, Miranda glanced at me, her voice softening. "So, what was your life like before all this?"I paused, caught off guard by the question. "I grew up with my dad. My mom left when I was young. The last thing I remember was a fight between them—a loud noise—and then she was gone.""That sounds… tough," Miranda said quietly.I shrugged, trying to push the memory aside. "I made it work. I graduated from Harvard. I wanted to be a doctor."my eyebrows shot up. "Did you always dream of becoming a museum guide?"I gave her a pointed look, and she smirked. "Of course not. It's just a front. My real job is helping Anhur track spirits—helping the ones who need it move on and stopping the ones that terrorize people.""How do you do that?""I can feel their energy. If I focus, I can track them. It's… exhausting.""Sounds like it," I said."You have no idea."We reached the apartment, and I stepped inside, leaving Miranda by the door. The air felt wrong like a distorted echo of Anhur's presence lingered in the space. But there was something else faint, menacing, and unfamiliar. I phased back into the hallway."I feel someone else here but can't see them," I said.Miranda raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "So, you can't see something you feel. Very helpful."Ignoring her, I returned inside, closing my eyes and focusing. At first, there was nothing. Then, like a spark, a golden glow appeared—Anhur's energy. But it flickered and shifted, turning crimson, darker, and more menacing. A faint trail lingered, pulsing with Malik's presence.I returned to Miranda. "I found something. A trail."She frowned, reaching for her phone. "I should call Anhur."But the pull was too strong. Before I could stop myself, I began to follow it."Melody! What are you doing?" Miranda shouted, running after me."I don't know. I can't stop!""You have to focus! Think about something else!"I squeezed my eyes shut, searching for an anchor. The memory of Henry's arms around me, warm and steady, surfaced. The pull released its grip, and when I opened my eyes, I was standing in the middle of a graveyard.Jin AppearsThe graveyard was cold and eerie, shadows tugging at me as flashes of lives long gone flooded my mind.Thomas Jenkins, a businessman, was crushed by falling beams.Lora Florence, a gardener, is betrayed by love.I staggered, overwhelmed. Shadowy figures reached for me, pulling harder. Miranda appeared just in time, throwing salt onto the ground. The shadows hissed and recoiled as she rubbed her hands together in a strange ritual."What was that?" I gasped."Poltergeists," she said. "Vengeful spirits with unfinished business that been on earth long enough to warp their minds. They can touch and alter their surroundings. Nasty things."I steadied myself; I closed my eyes focusing on the trail again. As I did, a man's voice cut through the stillness."Can I help you?"Miranda stiffened but turned smoothly, masking her nerves. "No, just visiting family."The trail pulsed crimson, sharper now. I opened my eyes to see the moon turning red, bathing the graveyard in eerie light. Then I saw him.He stood tall in a sharp red suit, a black shirt beneath it with the sleeves rolled up. His katana rested at his side. Jin."Stay back," I whispered to Miranda.Jin's voice was calm but commanding. "I am here on business. If you interfere, I will defend myself. I don't harm women if I can help it. So, please, don't make me."His words were deliberate, almost respectful, but his presence was imposing. He didn't move to attack—only waited, his grip on the katana loose, almost reluctant."What kind of business?" Miranda asked, narrowing her eyes.His expression remained unreadable. "The kind that doesn't concern you. Walk away, and you'll stay safe."Miranda crossed my arms. "I'm not scared off that easily. I'm a black belt in taekwondo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu."Jin sighed, drawing his katana. The blade began to glow, shimmering fire. "Miranda, wide-eyed, shook her head and took a step back. "Welp, have a nice day," she muttered, turning to leave. But before she could, a massive poltergeist emerged—a writhing figure with five grotesque heads.Poltergeist (snarling): "You dare enter my domain and desecrate my body? I'll devour your soul!"Jin (calmly): "Cap. Spirits don't have digestive systems."The poltergeist hesitated, then lunged. Jin sidestepped effortlessly, his katana flashing as he cut through the figure.Miranda: "Do you always have to taunt them first?"Jin: "It's not taunting if it's true. Besides, they fight better when angry. Makes it more interesting."Smaller spirits swarmed from the shadows. Desperate, I focused on the memory of Miranda's exorcism attempt on me. A pulse of purple energy radiated from me, making some of the smaller poltergeist's dissolve into smoke. The effort drained me, and I crumpled to the ground.Jin glanced in my direction while dodging the huge poltergeists, his expression unreadable. "Interesting." Still trying to figure out do he sees me or just feel my presence.Miranda, still fighting off lingering spirits, shouted, "A little help here?"Jin (slicing through three spirits at once): "Help yourself. It builds character."Miranda: "You're such a show-off."Jin: "Don't hate me because I'm great."With one smooth cut, Jin destroyed the last poltergeist. Miranda dusted herself off, glaring at him.Miranda: "Thanks. I guess."Jin (with a smirk): "Don't mention it. Seriously, don't. I have a reputation to maintain."