บท 6: Ghost trap

Kiki raced through the dilapidated house, her breath coming in ragged gasps, while a shadow figure pursued her relentlessly. Its form was an embodiment of darkness, a void that consumed the feeble light around it. The figure possessed no distinguishable features, save for the impenetrable darkness that shrouded its body, the hollow eye sockets, and the gaping maw devoid of teeth.

With a surge of defiance, Kiki glanced over her shoulder, her eyes reflecting both fear and a daring smirk. "Come on, I'm not scared of you," she taunted, her voice laced with a mixture of bravado and trepidation.

Navigating through the labyrinthine corridors, Kiki veered around a corner and burst into a room bathed in flickering light. She came to an abrupt halt, her back pressed against the wall, her gaze fixed upon the door through which she had entered.

The shadow figure screeched to a halt just inside the room, its presence casting an ominous pall over the space. Kiki, undeterred, leaned casually against the wall, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Could you stay in one place for a second for me?" she quipped, her voice filled with playful audacity.

The shadow figure emitted a piercing sound, akin to nails scraping against a chalkboard, emanating from all directions. Kiki, a resilient spirit in the face of terror, remained unimpressed by the eerie cacophony that surrounded her.

Sensing a shift in the air, the shadow figure ceased its unnerving screeches, a feeling of unease seeping into its essence. A sudden whooshing sound echoed through the room, drawing the attention of the figure. It turned its faceless visage toward the ceiling, instinctively seeking the source of the disturbance.

From above, Tarik descended through the air rapidly, his presence heralded by the faint hum of advanced technology. His fists clenched, encased in gleaming high-tech gadgets that crackled with energy.

****

Back in time, Kiki and Tarik enter a dodgy building. Stepping into Kiki's workspace was like entering a realm where the boundaries of the ordinary and the supernatural blurred into one. High-tech equipment adorned every surface, their colorful lights flickering and dancing with an otherworldly allure. Spirit boxes hummed softly, emitting fragments of ethereal voices, while electromagnetic pulse generators stood as silent guardians against the unseen. It was a haven for paranormal investigators, a sanctuary filled with gadgets that could fulfill their wildest dreams.

Kiki led the way, her steps purposeful, as she guided Tarik through the maze of technological marvels. Her workbench stood as the centerpiece of the room, bathed in the glow of focused lamps that cast elongated shadows across its surface. It was upon this sacred altar of discovery that a circular device, emanating a soft blue light, took center stage.

Settling into her chair, Kiki swiveled to face Tarik, her eyes fixed upon him with an intensity that belied her playful demeanor. "Before we delve any further," she began, her voice tinged with curiosity, "Who are you really? Because you sure ain't Keno."

Tarik maintained his composure under Kiki's scrutiny, his gaze meeting hers. "How do you know?" he inquired, his tone steady and measured.

A knowing smile played at the corners of Kiki's lips. "I've watched his videos," she confessed. "He's quite talented, appealing to a niche group of individuals who seek to uncover the truth behind the paranormal, rather than simply scare their viewers like a cheap horror flick."

Tarik's expression softened, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features. "The only thing that matters is finding him. He went missing after the video I showed you," he explained, a trace of concern seeping into his voice.

Understanding the weight of Tarik's quest, Kiki nodded empathetically. "Fair enough. Now, speaking of goals, mine is crucial to our test," she stated, anticipation gleaming in her eyes, hoping for Tarik to take the bait and inquire further.

Yet, Tarik remained silent, his stoic demeanor unwavering. Undeterred, Kiki pressed on, her voice brimming with excitement. "I want to catch a paranormal entity," she proclaimed, her words laced with a mixture of determination and triumph.

Tarik's eyebrows arched in surprise. "You want to catch a ghost?"

"Ghost, shadow figures, even the elusive Sasquatch, it doesn't matter," she declared boldly. "I want to prove to the world that they are real, that the supernatural exists beyond the realm of mere speculation."

Tarik lit and took a long drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling upwards like a wisp of ephemeral mist. "Okay," he finally responded, exhaling a cloud of smoke.

But before Tarik could fully savor the moment, Kiki abruptly snatched the cigarette from his mouth, surprising him. It was the first time Tarik had shown a crack in his calm demeanor.

"These are expensive and intricate shit," Kiki scolded playfully, extinguishing the cigarette. "I'm sorry, but you can't smoke here."

A moment of silence passed between the two, that Kiki brake up "And I will achieve my goal with this," she declared, gesturing toward the array of equipment adorning the workbench. "This is my baby."

Intrigued, Tarik approached the workbench, his gaze fixed upon the circular metallic contraption emitting its mesmerizing blue glow. His fingers traced the intricate design, marveling at its high-tech craftsmanship. Kiki watched him expectantly, an impish grin playing on her lips. "You're not much of an asker, are you?" she remarked, teasingly.

A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of Tarik's mouth. "I figured you would tell me anyway," he replied.

Leaning closer to Tarik, Kiki's voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper. "It's a ghost trap," she revealed, her eyes shining with excitement. "One that won't let them escape. I tried testing it out during a Paranormal Freaks shooting, but Isen accidentally tripped over it and stumbled in front of everyone. Needless to say, he wasn't too pleased about it. But it was worth it just for the look on his face... It was priceless."

Tarik raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Kiki's invention. "So, you want me to help you lay a trap?" he inquired.

"After seeing what you've done," she replied, a sly grin tugging at her lips, "I've come up with another way to utilize it. With a few modifications, we won't have to wait for them to walk into the trap. Instead, we can bring the trap directly to our target." She punctuated her words with a playful wink.

****

With a swift and powerful strike, Tarik's fist connected with the shadow figure, propelled by the high-tech gadget adorning his knuckles. The impact sent the enigmatic entity hurtling into the wall, momentarily dazed and disoriented.

Kiki observed the unfolding scene, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of excitement and scientific intrigue. "In a normal case, it could vanish as easily as it appeared," she explained, her voice tinged with a sense of confidence. "But my technology disrupts its energy waves upon impact."

The shadow figure regained its footing, blue crackling energy swirling around its form, its confusion evident. Tarik positioned himself in front of the entity, his gaze fixed upon it with unwavering determination.

"I've got you now," Tarik declared, his voice firm and resolute.

With a renewed sense of purpose, the shadow figure lunged forward, attempting to strike at Tarik. However, Tarik's agility proved superior as he skillfully evaded the attack, swiftly countering with another powerful blow. The figure recoiled, retreating in the face of Tarik's relentless assault.

"Don't let up the attacks, as this effect is short-lived," Kiki urged, her voice a steady reminder amidst the chaos.

Tarik continued his pursuit, relentlessly chasing the elusive shadow figure, his strikes becoming a symphony of controlled force. Each punch landed with precision, causing the figure to recoil further, its fear and desperation palpable.

Amidst the intense encounter, Tarik couldn't help but wonder about their ultimate goal. "So, what exactly is the plan?" he asked, his voice carrying a tinge of curiosity amidst the adrenaline-fueled excitement.

Kiki's laughter rang through the air, echoing with a touch of madness. "You kill it, and then we have a dead ghost to show to the world," she exclaimed, her words laced with a twisted sense of delight.

Tarik glanced at Kiki from the corner of his eye, a flicker of exasperation crossing his features. 'Why do I always end up with the crazy chicks?' he mused silently, his thoughts momentarily drifting.

As Tarik's gaze returned to the dark figure, he noticed a flicker of terror within its inscrutable countenance. An unsettling realization settled within him—his intentions had never been to take a life. All he had sought was to find his missing brother.

Summoning a split-second decision, Tarik charged forward, his punch deliberately slow and devoid of force. It was a calculated move, one that an experienced fighter would discern as intentionally non-lethal. To Kiki, however, it appeared as yet another attack in their pursuit.

Reacting to what seemed like an impending strike, the shadow figure adeptly evaded Tarik's attack, causing him to collide with the unforgiving wall instead. The crackling energy within Tarik's gadget flickered and died, its brilliance fading into nothingness.

"No, my baby!" Kiki's anguished cry pierced the air as she rushed to Tarik's side. She tore the equipment off Tarik's hand, then cradled the defunct device in her hands, her tears flowing freely, mingling with the remnants of her shattered hope.

In the midst of Kiki's grief, the shadow figure seized the opportunity, a chance to escape, its dark form darting toward freedom.

"I think your gadget-" Tarik's words faltered as he was met with a piercing glare that cut through her tears. Realizing that words were insufficient, Tarik nodded solemnly, his remorse evident. "Your invention... It needs some upgrades. In the meantime, you can show me the location from the video, as we agreed."

A brief moment of silence hung in the air, filled with unspoken regret and the weight of missed opportunities. Finally, Kiki composed herself, sniffing back her tears, and rose to her feet with determination.

"What time is it?" she asked, her voice carrying a sense of urgency.

Tarik checked his watch, his confusion momentarily lifting the heavy atmosphere. "It's 3 am," he responded.

Kiki wiped away her tears, her resolve reignited. "We might still have a chance to catch them if we hurry," she declared.