章 8: Ghost Snatchers

The van sliced through the veil of night, its headlights cutting through the darkness as it carried its unlikely trio of passengers toward their destination.

Inside, Tarik sat on one side, his expression troubled and contemplative.

"A documentary? I just want to find that place," Tarik murmured, trying to assert his original intent.

Astral and Kiki, seated in front of him, exchanged knowing glances. Their faces hinted at a blend of determination and excitement, fueled by the prospect of capturing a captivating story on camera.

"We've still got a couple of hours before sunrise, so we're heading there right now," Astral declared, her voice holding an air of certainty.

"But... a live show? I am not good with cameras" Tarik hesitated, his discomfort evident.

Kiki interjected, her voice teasing yet supportive. "Oh, don't worry about cameras; he's good at breaking them," she said, a hint of mischief in her tone.

Astral's curiosity piqued at Kiki's remark, but she continued with her proposition. "You can just share your story in the beginning, and then we'll help you search for clues about the young man in the videos, where he might be."

Tarik's mind was torn. The idea of finally unraveling the mystery surrounding his brother's disappearance was tantalizing, but the thought of exposing himself to the world through a live show made him uneasy. The clan wouldn't approve of this. He took a deep breath, considering his options and what he was willing to sacrifice.

"Okay," Tarik finally agreed, "But I have one condition. I won't show my face on camera."

Astral's face contorted in frustration, and she let out a sharp whistle, causing Kiki to grab her ears in surprise. "John, turn this van back. We're going home," Astral commanded.

The driver, John, hesitated, unsure of how to handle the sudden turn of events. The van began to slow down, as if complying with Astral's command.

Kiki, however, wasn't ready to give up so easily. "Come on, that's a good deal for both of you," she pleaded. "John, keep heading toward our destination."

John glanced back, caught in the middle of this impromptu conflict, uncertain of whose orders to follow. Tarik and Astral locked eyes, each waiting for the other to relent.

"Am I right?" Kiki's voice interrupted the tense standoff as she firmly grasped Astral's arm.

Astral stared at Kiki in shock, her resolve waning under the intensity of Kiki's gaze. Slowly, she withdrew her arm from Kiki's grasp, defeated yet intrigued by the prospect of uncovering a compelling story.

"Right," Astral acquiesced.

With the driver receiving a clear directive, the van once again picked up speed, moving steadily toward the tunnel.

****

The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as the live show, streamed to thousands of viewers, began to unfold. Tarik stood beside Astral, his face concealed by a haunting skull-like mask.

"Our esteemed viewers tonight, we, the Ghost Snatchers, bring you a special case," Astral announced, her voice carrying a blend of authority and excitement. "We find ourselves here, at the legendary Yukomanon Tunnel—a place haunted for millennia. The locals have long warned against venturing here, particularly after nightfall and alone. Tonight, we are in search of... I'll let our guest reveal the details."

The camera panned closer to Tarik's masked face. He stood in silence for a few moments, allowing the weight of the moment to sink in before speaking.

"We are in search of Kone, a fellow ghost hunter and my dear friend," Tarik's voice resonated with a touch of melancholy. "His last known video was captured within the depths of this tunnel before he vanished without a trace two weeks ago. If anyone has any information about his whereabouts or what transpired here, I implore you to reach out to me."

With a slight bow, Tarik concluded his heartfelt plea, leaving the viewers intrigued and emotionally invested in their quest.

Astral, ever the charismatic host, reassured the audience. "Do not fret," she said, her tone brimming with confidence. "The Ghost Snatcher team is here, determined to uncover the truth about Kone's disappearance. Join us as we delve into the enigmatic darkness of this place, unearthing its mysteries."

The camera panned out, capturing the expansive mouth of the Yukomanon Tunnel, its eerie presence accentuated by the dim lighting and flickering shadows. The tunnel's walls, weathered by the passage of time, bore witness to countless tales and whispered secrets. The air hung heavy with a palpable sense of foreboding, as if the spirits of the past were silently watching, waiting for their stories to be unveiled.

****

In the dimly lit, rundown restaurant, Koji and his men sat huddled around a small table. Laughter and camaraderie filled the air as they indulged in food and drink, momentarily escaping the weight of their daily lives. A mobile phone rested in the center of the table, its screen displaying a captivating shooter game stream.

"I'm telling you, Call of Duty is the reigning king of FPS games right now. Just look at those graphics," Koji proclaimed, his voice filled with conviction.

One of the men at the table raised an eyebrow and chimed in, "I don't know, boss. Fortnite still has a massive viewership."

Koji regarded the man with a mixture of amusement and incredulity. "How old are you?" he asked, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"28, boss," the man responded, his tone tinged with a hint of uncertainty.

Koji shook his head in mock disappointment, exchanging a knowing glance with another one of his men. The table erupted in raucous laughter, the shared camaraderie punctuating the evening's festivities.

"That game is for kids," another man interjected, struggling to contain his laugther.

As the laughter subsided, another man at the table, a touch more serious, offered his perspective. "I don't know about that, but lately, I've been drawn to watching streams that showcase real-life experiences."

Koji raised an eyebrow, his expression filled with curiosity and a hint of mockery. "Oh, we have an intellectual here," he teased.

The man shrugged, undeterred. "Right now, I'm into ghost hunting streams. They give you the raw scare, the same adrenaline rush you'd get if you were out there hunting ghosts yourself. Maybe we could try it sometime?"

A playful smirk curled on Koji's lips as he leaned in, meeting the man's gaze. "You sound so intellectual, but you're really dumb," he jested. "You're a gangster, and if the clan were to find out that ghost hunting is your hobby, it would bring great shame to the association."

The man nodded, acknowledging the truth in Koji's words. "Yeah, I know," he admitted, a hint of wistfulness in his voice. "But it still looks like a lot of fun, doesn't it?" the man held out his phone for Koji to look at.

Koji paused, momentarily captivated by the stream on the man's phone. Curiosity piqued, he snatched the device from the man's hand, his eyes scanning the screen intently. A flicker of recognition danced across his face, his wide grin transforming into a mixture of surprise and intrigue.

"Is that who I think it is?" Koji exclaimed, his voice laced with a mix of excitement and intrigue.

On the phone's screen, the Ghost Snatchers' stream unfolded.