CHAPTER 432: CHAPTER 432 SAVE KAELAN

One of the doctors, an older witch with sharp eyes, stepped forward to help. But the moment her gaze fell on Karl’s face, she froze. Her brows furrowed as she leaned closer, her mind racing. That face... I’ve seen it before.

Then it struck her. Just a few nights ago, the city officers had come by, showing photos of two missing ghosts. They had asked if anyone had seen them, warning that they might be in danger. And one of those photos—yes, it was the same face lying unconscious before him now.

The doctor straightened, her voice urgent as she called to the nurse beside her. "Quick! Inform the Civil Services Office immediately! This is one of the missing ghosts the officers are searching for."

The nurse’s eyes widened, but she nodded and hurried off toward the phone. Meanwhile, the doctor bent down again, checking Karl’s breathing, his tone steady but grim. "Hang on, ghost... you’re safe now. Just hang on until help comes."

And so, while Karl was taken inside for treatment, the first true lead in the city’s desperate search had finally been found.

*****

Ruby’s heart nearly burst when the officer burst into the hotel lobby with the news. "Karl has been found!"

She didn’t waste a second. She grabbed Julian’s hand, called for Adrian and Milo, and together they rushed with the officers straight to the hospital. Her chest heaved as she ran through the hallways, fear and relief twisting inside her.

When they entered the ward, Karl was already awake, lying on the bed. His face was pale, his body weak, but the moment his eyes landed on Ruby, they lit up as if life had returned to him.

"Karl..." Ruby whispered, her eyes glistening. She had expected him to reach for her, maybe hug her or at least smile in his usual playful way. But instead, his lips trembled, and tears spilled down his cheeks.

"Save Kaelan..." he cried, his voice breaking.

Ruby froze, her heart twisting. She bent closer, gripping his hand tightly. "Where is he? Tell us, Karl."

An officer leaned in too, his voice urgent. "Do you know the location?"

Karl nodded rapidly, his words spilling out between sobs. "Yes—yes, I noted the way! It’s near Thread’s special shop of Amy—on that street leading into the forest. There’s a big house there! The witch’s name was Lex! She—she took us there!"

Ruby’s eyes widened, her heart stopping for a second. Lex. The bitter taste of guilt spread in her chest. She clenched her teeth, anger and sorrow rising in equal force.

"GOOOO! SAVE KAELAN!!!" Karl shouted, his tears flowing as he gripped Ruby’s hand tighter. "He was shot—two times! He can’t last long—please, Wife, please save him!"

Ruby’s throat burned, her stomach dropping like a stone. She turned to the officers, her voice fierce. "You heard him! Let’s move—now!"

****

The cars screeched to a halt in front of the dark mansion Karl had described. Rain still poured over the rooftops, the forest around them heavy with shadows. Ruby jumped out first, her boots splashing into the mud, her eyes fixed on the tall iron gates, followed closely by Adrian. Milo and Jules were still at the hospital, taking care of Karl.

"Spread out!" one of the officers commanded. "Check every corner of the property!"

They stormed the mansion, their footsteps echoing through the grand but eerily empty halls. The chandeliers swayed above, dust thick in the air, as if the place had been abandoned in a hurry. Ruby’s chest tightened—too quiet.

"There’s no one here," one of officer muttered, his voice low but tense as his eyes swept the walls.

"Search again!" Ruby snapped, her voice firm. "There has to be something—Karl wouldn’t lie!"

They fanned out, combing through rooms until Adrian’s sharp voice called out, "Over here!"

Ruby and the others rushed to where he stood, in the back corridor. A servant in torn clothes had been dragged out of a closet, his face pale with fear.

"Where are they?" one officer barked, shoving the ghost against the wall.

"I–I don’t know!" the servant stammered, shaking his head.

Ruby’s eyes narrowed. "You do know. Where’s Kaelan?!"

"I–I don’t know!" the servant stammered, shaking his head again, though fear was clear in his eyes.

She stepped forward, her voice like steel. "If you don’t tell me where he is, I’ll make sure you regret siding with Lex."

The servant whimpered, clutching his face. His eyes darted between Ruby and the officers closing in. "P–please, don’t hurt me... I’ll tell you!"

"Then speak!" Adrian demanded, his voice cold.

The servant swallowed hard, his whole body trembling. "The basement... it’s hidden under the east wing. Lex—Lex keeps her captives there..."

Ruby’s breath caught, her eyes flashing with rage and fear. "Show us. Now!"

With no choice left, the servant nodded quickly and began to lead them through the empty corridors, his hands shaking as he pushed open a heavy wooden door at the far end.

Ruby clenched her fists, her heart pounding.

And the moment Ruby stepped into the basement, her heart almost stopped.

The air was damp, heavy with the stench of blood and stone, and in the corner, she saw him. Kaelan. His head leaned limply against the wall, blood streaking down where it looked as if it had been banged against it again and again. His lips were split, his breath shallow, his entire figure soaked in crimson. He looked less like the proud ghost she knew and more like a broken body tossed aside.

"No!!" Ruby cried out, her voice raw as her eyes filled instantly with tears. She rushed forward, her knees hitting the cold ground beside him. Her trembling hands hovered for a moment, afraid to touch, before she finally cupped his bruised face gently. "Kaelan..." she whispered, her voice breaking.

The officers hurried inside, and without wasting time, two of them carefully lifted his limp form from the floor. Ruby stayed right beside them, her hand never leaving Kaelan’s as they carried him up the stairs. Her chest felt like it was caving in with each shallow breath he took. Please don’t leave us... please don’t leave me.

And Lex was nowhere to be found.

As Ruby rushed out with the officers to get Kaelan to the hospital, Adrian stopped at the entrance stairway. His face was grim, his eyes sharp. "Go," he told Ruby firmly, his voice calm but filled with quiet steel. "I’ll stay with the others and find her."

To be continued... 🪄