Ghost Behind You

1.27. The Conversation (2)

Rose was drenched in sweat, unsure if it was from the oppressive heat of the blanket or the cold sweat of fear. She sat uneasily, her eyes locked on Zach in the darkness. Right now, he felt like her radar—the only one who could tell her where that damned ghost was lurking.

"She's getting closer," Zach said, his voice steady once more. "Now, don't make a sound. Breathe slowly."

Rose nodded, focusing on her breathing. She inhaled through her nose and exhaled softly into the blanket. She had no idea if this would really conceal her from Lana, nor did she want to imagine what would happen if it didn't.

In the dark, Zach flicked his lighter, briefly illuminating his face as he lit three more incense sticks. The flicker of light only lasted a moment, but it made Rose feel like Zach was slipping away—like a ghost himself, drifting in the void, summoning Lana's spirit to come closer.

Suddenly, Rose felt the hairs on her neck rise. A familiar chill crawled down her spine. She resisted the urge to turn around, fear paralyzing her in place. She sat frozen, cold sweat trickling down her back. Lana was already here—silent, unseen, and utterly unpredictable.

Zach had now turned to face her, still sitting cross-legged. He took a deep breath, gripping the small soul jar Rose had seen earlier. There were no grand gestures, no dramatic movements that Rose might have expected from a spirit summoning. Zach simply sat, waiting for the ghost behind her. Rose, caught between Zach and Lana, couldn't see anything.

"You summoned me?" A voice echoed in Rose's mind, as if it were being transmitted directly into her brain. The sound came from everywhere and nowhere at once, making it impossible to locate. She realized with a start that it was Lana's voice. Though she was speaking to Zach, Rose could hear it too—likely because she was trapped between them.

"I did," Zach replied, his voice steady. "Thank you for coming."

"How do you know my name?" Lana's voice held a faint note of confusion.

"I found out you stayed here," Zach said. "And you died here, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"Were you murdered?"

"Yes."

"Do you remember who killed you?"

"Yes."

"Where is he?"

"Far away."

"Tell me his name."

"I don't know."

A wave of disappointment washed over Rose, but it made sense. Lana had been killed in a place where she probably hadn't known many people. Asking for the killer's name wasn't likely to yield much, but it had been worth trying.

"Where is your body?" Zach asked after a pause.

As soon as the words left his mouth, a vivid image flashed in Rose's mind. It was a place she recognized—a clearing surrounded by trees, just like the burial site she had seen in her dream.

"Tell me the name of the place," Zach urged, having seen the same image but unable to identify it.

No response. No more images.

"Can you take me there?" Zach pressed.

Silence.

"I can avenge you," Zach said.

"No need."

"You don't want revenge? Why haven't you left this place? You could find a newborn to reincarnate into easily. Why stay here?"

Still no response.

"I summoned you to learn more about your life. Can you tell me?"

"You want to absorb my energy. You have a soul jar," Lana replied, her tone flat. "I came because I need the woman you're protecting."

Rose's heart lurched. In that instant, a vivid image of herself appeared in her mind—she was lying in her own bed, fast asleep. A jolt of fear shot through her, shocked that Lana had mentioned her directly and showed such a clear vision.

"You want to take her, don't you?" Zach asked, his voice calm but firm.

"Yes."

"Let her go. If it's revenge you seek, we can help you get it."

"I made a promise to Ony. Ony needs her."

"Who is Ony?" Zach asked.

A new image appeared in Rose's mind—a sleek black cat with piercing blue eyes, staring directly at her. It was the first time Rose had truly seen Ony. The cat's eyes were intelligent, almost human, gazing deep into her soul.

"Ony's soul has moved on," Zach said, his voice hard. "It's no longer here."

There was no reply.

Suddenly, a sharp, searing pain shot through Rose's arm. She flinched, instinctively wanting to cry out, but Zach's warning to stay silent held her back. She gasped, trying to suppress the agony. The pain came from the same spot as the night before—the mark. The black cat's spirit had embedded itself within her again.

The pain grew worse, overwhelming her senses. Rose struggled to hold on, trying not to cry out and reveal herself. She bent forward, pulling the blanket over her face to muffle any sounds. Tears welled in her eyes, the pain becoming unbearable.

Zach noticed her distress. He knew what it was—the black cat's soul, back to claim her. Panic flared in his chest. Time was running out, but the conversation with Lana was far from over. If Lana discovered Rose now, everything could fall apart.

"Ony is still here," Lana said, her voice emotionless.

"Either let her go or give me a clue," Zach demanded, his voice quickening. "I command you."

No response.

"We can bring the killer to you," Zach said, glancing anxiously at Rose, who was now curled up under the blanket, trembling in pain. "But only if you help us."

Still no answer.

"A clue!" Zach hissed through clenched teeth. "If you don't help us, the killer might never come back! You're running out of energy—you need us!"

"You want me to let her go? A trade?" Lana finally replied.

"Yes! A trade. Leave a mark as proof," Zach said, raising his right hand.