CHAPTER 424: CHAPTER 424 DISGUSTING WITCH

Karl staggered out of the bathroom, still wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, when Lex followed him in with that same twisted smile. His whole body was trembling from both fear and rage, and his voice burst out louder than he meant.

"What the heck!!! Are you out of your mind?? You dared to do that with a married ghost??? Shame on you! I’ve never seen such a disgusting witch like you!!" Karl shouted, his face flushed with anger, his hands balled into fists.

Lex’s expression shifted instantly, her smile vanishing, her face turning cold as ice. "Don’t talk nonsense about me!!" she snapped, her teeth clenched, her eyes flashing with fury.

Karl stepped back a little, but his voice didn’t lose its edge. "And where is Kaelan!!! Tell me right now!"

Lex chuckled darkly, tilting her head as if amused by his courage. "Oh... that ghost," she said with mocking sweetness. "Though he’s good-looking, he didn’t have the luck you did. He’s down in my basement." Her chuckle turned sharper. "Poor ghost."

Karl’s blood ran cold. "What??" His voice cracked as shock and fear filled his eyes.

Lex leaned closer, her voice like poison. "And he’s about to be tortured to death. Don’t worry—you’ll soon join him. I gave you privileges, but it seems like you don’t enjoy them..."

Before Karl could shout again, she fisted her hand into his hair and yanked hard. He screamed in pain, stumbling as she dragged him down a dark corridor. "Let go of me!!" he yelled, clawing at her hand, but she only laughed, her grip cruel and unrelenting.

The air grew heavier as they went, the smell turning foul, a mix of damp stone and something rotten that made Karl gag. His stomach twisted, but nothing prepared him for what he saw when they reached the basement.

The moment the door swung open, his eyes widened in horror. There, in the dim flicker of a lantern, was Kaelan—his body slumped, his face smeared with blood, bruises along his jaw and arms. His chest rose faintly, proving he was alive, but barely.

"Kaelan..." Karl’s voice cracked, his knees almost buckling from fear.

Lex shoved him hard into the room, the impact making him stumble forward. The door slammed shut behind him, the metallic lock clicking in place. The walls were stone, damp and cold, and there were no windows, no way out—only the sound of Kaelan’s weak breathing filling the silence.

Karl pressed against the door, banging with his fists, his heart racing in his chest. "Let us out!!"

But the only answer was Lex’s cruel laughter echoing down the corridor, fading as she walked away, leaving them both trapped in the dark.

After the sound of Lex’s footsteps faded. Karl pressed his ear against the wood, making sure she was truly gone. His chest heaved, his hands shaking. The air in the basement was thick, damp, and heavy with the smell of blood.

"Kai..." he whispered, turning back toward the figure slumped against the wall. His feet moved quickly, but his knees almost buckled when he got closer. Kaelan’s face was pale, streaked with blood that had dried and cracked against his skin. His sleeve was soaked, dark patches spreading from his arm where blood was still dripping faintly onto the stone floor.

"Kai! Hey, hey, please—open your eyes!!" Karl cried, dropping to his knees beside him. His hands hovered helplessly, trembling, as though afraid that even the lightest touch would break him further. He reached out, then pulled back, his throat tight with panic.

"Don’t do this to me... please, just say something," Karl’s voice cracked, his tears falling fast. He cupped his hand just near Kaelan’s shoulder but didn’t dare to press. The sight of his strong, confident friend figure reduced to this broken state twisted something deep inside Karl, filling him with a raw, choking fear.

"Stay with me, Kai... you hear me? I’m here... I won’t let her touch you again." His words tumbled out in desperation, his sobs echoing faintly off the cold walls.

For a moment, Kaelan’s head shifted just slightly, his breath ragged. Karl froze, leaning in closer, his heart hammering. "That’s it... come on, Kai. Please, don’t give up on me."

The blood dripping from Kaelan’s sleeve pattered onto the floor, each drop pushing Karl’s fear higher, his own hands turning cold as he searched desperately for any sign of strength left in his friend.

****

Meanwhile, Ruby and the officers had been running from one corner of the city to another. Every street, every alley, and every hidden lane was being checked with care. The search was merciless—no stone was left unturned. The officers focused especially on houses that owned luxury cars, barging in to inspect garages and question residents, their eyes sharp for even the smallest clue. But still, nothing solid turned up, and with each passing hour, Ruby’s heart grew heavier.

The news of Karl and Kaelan’s disappearance spread quickly, and by now Adrian and the others had come rushing in themselves. Adrian walked with his usual composure, but Ruby noticed his fingers twitching as though he was forcing himself to stay calm. Milo’s face was pale, his eyes darting around nervously as though Karl might appear from a corner at any moment. Julian stayed closest to Ruby, his hand brushing hers often as if silently trying to reassure her, though his own face betrayed the quiet fear he carried.

Seeing their worry only deepened Ruby’s own determination. She knew they all needed somewhere to rest and regroup, so she quickly booked another hotel room, making sure they would have a place to gather when they weren’t out searching. It was a small comfort, but at least they would stay together instead of wandering the city alone.

Late that evening, Ruby stood in the hotel corridor after arranging the room, her hands gripping the railing as her eyes burned from exhaustion. Behind her, Adrian spoke softly with the officers about possible leads, Milo sat curled up on the couch clutching his bag of paints, and Julian moved between them, trying to keep everyone steady.

To be continued... 🪄