章 4: Ghost hunting

Tarik stood confidently beside Isen, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, his chin held high. The camera focused on their faces, capturing the exchange between the two figures. Isen, the self-proclaimed leader of the Paranormal Freaks, initiated the conversation.

"We, at Paranormal Freaks, the most subscribed channel in the paranormal section, believe in helping other channels out," Isen declared, his voice projecting a false sense of camaraderie. "Our secret guest has arrived. Keno, whose channel is Paranormal Truth. Keno, did you name your channel 'paranormal' as an homage to my channel, perhaps?"

Tarik, still sporting his sunglasses even in the dimly lit surroundings, shrugged indifferently. "No, I didn't even know your channel existed," he replied with an air of nonchalance.

Isen's irritation was palpable, his demeanor faltering slightly as Tarik's response defied his expectations.

"Tell me, Keno, how do you deal with the negative comments you receive? A lot of people..." Isen chuckled, a touch of condescension in his voice. "I mean, you only have a couple of viewers, but even they question the legitimacy of your methods. How does that make you feel?"

Tarik turned his gaze slowly towards Isen, lowering his head slightly so that his eyes were visible above his sunglasses. The intensity of his gaze seemed to unnerve Isen, as a flicker of unease danced across his features.

"You should focus more on honor," Tarik said in a low, measured tone, his words carrying a weight that seemed to echo through the corridors of the abandoned facility. "Enough talking."

With those cryptic words, Tarik took a step forward, delving deeper into the shadows of the facility. The others, intrigued by his enigmatic presence, instinctively followed his lead. Isen, however, found himself momentarily stunned by Tarik's audacity.

"What are you guys doing?" Isen hurriedly caught up to them, a sense of panic creeping into his voice. "I am your leader, don't forget."

****

The team crept through the dimly lit corridors of the abandoned psychiatric facility, their every step echoing with trepidation. The air was heavy with a sense of foreboding, and their flashlights cut through the thick darkness, revealing glimpses of the decrepit surroundings.

Tarik, seemingly unfazed by the eerie atmosphere, leaned casually against a peeling wall, taking a drag from his cigarette. The wisps of smoke curled around him, adding an ethereal quality to his presence amidst the shadows.

Isen, the self-proclaimed leader of the Paranormal Freaks, turned towards the camera operator, his voice tinged with a mix of excitement and nervousness. He pointed towards a door at the end of the hallway, his finger trembling slightly.

"Now we approach Room 56, where, according to legend, a couple of patients performed a ritualistic suicide by helping each other hang themselves," Isen explained, his words carrying a weight of macabre fascination. "They say that their spirits still roam this room."

The team cautiously moved towards the door, their breaths held in terror. Isen continued speaking, his voice amplified by a mix of anticipation and a desire to please their viewers.

"The team of Paranormal Freaks is here, bringing you the videos you requested," Isen declared, his eyes darting towards the camera. "Based on your recommendations in our comment section, we will conduct a spirit box session inside Room 56 in complete darkness."

Suddenly, a loud bang reverberated through the corridor as the door to Room 56 was forcefully slapped shut. The team froze, their hearts pounding in their chests, the air thick with tension. The door began to slowly creep open, only to be repeatedly slammed shut with a resounding force.

Panic ensued among the team. The girls shrieked in terror, their voices piercing through the oppressive atmosphere. The guys stumbled backward, their faces contorted with fear.

Isen, determined to maintain a semblance of control, grabbed hold of a gigantic cross and stepped towards the door. "I command you, spirit, to leave this place! In the name of God, the holy-"

However, Isen's words were abruptly cut off as Tarik nonchalantly strode past him, stealing the spotlight in the chaos. Isen stared at him, his expression a mix of shock and indignation. Tarik came to a halt in front of the door, which continued to slam relentlessly.

With the grace and precision of a seasoned fighter, Tarik sank into a boxing stance, his muscles tensing. With one swift, powerful strike aimed at the door's hinges, he broke it down with a thunderous crash.

The Paranormal Freaks stood wide-mouthed in astonishment, their disbelief etched across their faces. Only Kiki, the technician of the group, was visibly frustrated by Tarik's audacious intervention. "What the hell are you doing?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with exasperation.

Tarik turned to face her, his fist still held aloft in the air. "Hunting ghosts," he replied, his voice laced with a cool confidence that belied the chaos surrounding them.

Isen rushed to Tarik, standing toe-to-toe with him, their eyes locked in a clash of wills. "This is not how you hunt ghosts!" Isen asserted, his voice tinged with condescension. "We need the viewers to feel the terror and experience the phenomena of the evil spirits."

Tarik simply ignored Isen's admonishment, stepping past him and entering the room. The others in the group, torn between their curiosity and their allegiance to Isen, hesitated momentarily. However, Isen swiftly waved them off, a mixture of frustration and disappointment etched upon his face.

"We leave the room out. It's not worth anything anymore," Isen declared, his voice tinged with resentment. "That freak messed it up after all the hard work we put into it."

One of the team members spoke up, their voice filled with uncertainty. "So, what's the next location?"

Isen's face brightened with a renewed sense of enthusiasm. "We're heading to the basement," he announced, his tone brimming with determination. He turned his attention to Tarik who stood in the room, a condescending smile forming on his lips. "Next time, Keno, let the professionals handle it, okay?"

Tarik's gaze lingered on the broken door, wires protruding from the shattered hinges. With a subtle nod, he replied, "Sure."