Mysterious Awakening

Chapter 29: The Handprint in the Bathroom

The concept of a ghost in the house was enough to deter even the bravest soul from continuing their stay. However, for Miles to regain possession of his precious red newspaper, he had no choice but to confront this chilling ordeal.

With some trepidation, Miles resolutely decided to stay and wait for the ghosts return. He needed that bloody newspaper if he wanted to suppress the ghost eye within himself. Such an act of staying put despite knowing the haunting presence, undeniably, was a display of tremendous bravery.

Miles realized this and mustered every ounce of his courage. He was resolved to endure, even at the cost of his life. Choosing a life plagued by fear was akin to slow suicide, and that was a choice he refused to make.

In the meantime, in an upscale neighborhood of Dachang City was Corals residence.

Since the day before, Coral had not ventured out of her home. She remained in her dwelling, sensing that something was out of place. As a result, the poor ladys been cooped up in the shower, feverishly scrubbing a patch on her neck as she gazed into the mirror, her eyes reflecting terror interspersed with madness. Her aggressive scrubbing had reddened her skin.

Ordinarily, anyone would recoil in pain.

Coral, however, seemed impervious to it. Instead, she intensified her efforts with growing terror in those eyes. Finally, the rubbing had caused her skin to bleed, revealing a stream of fresh red fluid to trail the floor.

Unfortunately, the painful act did nothing to aid the situation. On her neck, two small, greenish-black handprints remained etched on her skin, unscathed. They seemed to have melded with her flesh, almost like a birthmark she was born with, proving impossible to remove.

At the same time, Corals mother, Mrs. Ocean, anxiously glanced at the clock from her spot on the living room couch.

Corals been locked in the bathroom for more than two hours. She had a shower this morning too. Is she sick or unwell?

Mr. Beach, Corals father, also appeared concerned. Ever since she returned from school yesterday, she has been off. She barely ate, stayed secluded in her room, and kept all the lights on even in broad daylight. She seems to have developed a fear of darkness. Today, she spent the entire day showering. If this persists, we might have to consult a doctor tomorrow.

Husband, were you able to figure out what transpired at the school two nights ago? Ive been trying to contact her teachers, but they are unreachable, Mrs. Ocean questioned.

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I visited the school yesterday. Theres definitely something amiss. The school has been temporarily shut, with students given a leave of absence until further notice. I saw many other parents while I was there, Mr. Beach spoke as he smoked, his expression fraught with worry.

Those parents claimed that their children havent returned since that fateful night. Their calls go unanswered, and the children are nowhere to be found. And there are quite a few of them.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Ocean gasped, How could this be possible?

There must have been an incident at the school; were just in the dark about the details. I considered asking Coral, but considering her current condition, I dont want to add to her burden, Mr. Beach reasoned, putting out his cigarette. His tone became solemn as he added, Coral appears to have been deeply frightened by something.

Mrs. Ocean wondered aloud, Dear, do you think Coral might have run into some troublemakers who bullied her?

That seems unlikely. This is a large-scale disappearance involving students. The school is undoubtedly hiding something. Besides, wasnt it Corals classmate who brought her home yesterday morning? Mr. Beach retorted.

Yes, Ive met that classmate, his name is Miles, Mrs. Ocean affirmed.

He might know what happened to Coral. We should get in touch with him, Mr. Beach proposed.

Ive considered it, but unfortunately, I dont have his contact details, Mrs. Ocean confessed.

Just then,

Ahhh! A piercing scream resonated from the bathroom.

Mr. Beach and his wife turned ashen-faced and rushed towards the locked bathroom door.

Open up, sweetheart! Whats happened? Your mom is right here, Mrs. Ocean implored, banging anxiously on the bathroom door.

Inside, the screams only intensified.

Reading the urgency of the situation, Mr. Beach didnt waste a moment and forcefully burst open the bathroom door.

Bang!

The door swung open.

Mrs. Ocean instinctively rushed in first, and the sight of the blood-smeared bathroom floor left her colorless. Then her eyes fell on her daughter huddled in the corner, finding the girl smothered in blood from the neck down and her face buried in her hands, seemingly petrified from some immense shock.

Oh sweetheart, whats happened to you?!

Mrs. Ocean felt her heart sink, her eyes welling up with tears.

Its here, its here, outside the window. It came for me, Coral stammered, her voice choked with terror. Dont dont come closer. Stay away.

Theres nothing outside the window Coral. Youre scaring yourself! Mrs. Ocean reassured, her eyes quickly scanning the bathroom window. It seemed perfectly normal.

No, its out there. Its watching me.

I want Miles. I want to go to his house. I cant stay here anymore, Mom. I dont want to die. Everyone else is dead. Su Lei, Zhao Yan, Liu Jiayi theyre all dead, Coral pleaded, clutching her mothers arm tightly. Her voice wavered as she buried her face in her mothers embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.

Its okay, Coral. Youre safe, Im right here, Mrs. Ocean comforted her daughter, tears streaming down her own face.

Its found me, its outside the window, right outside. Im going to die, Coral wept.

Again, Mrs. Ocean glanced at the window, Theres genuinely nothing outside Coral. Were on the 16th floor, theres nothing out there. Look for yourself.

Mom, its really here. I want to stay with Miles. I dont want to die, Coral continued sobbing, her body shaking with fear.

After a moment of silence, Mr. Beach spoke, Firstly, lets get Coral dressed and into her room. We can then take her to the clinic downstairs to treat her injuries. Tomorrow, Ill find Miles and ask him about what happened.

Mrs. Ocean nodded, assisting her daughter out of the bathroom.

Once his wife and daughter had exited, Mr. Beach proceeded to turn off the hot water in the bathroom and began cleaning up the blood-stained floor.

Just as he prepared to leave, his gaze lingered on the bathroom window.

Stretching his neck, Mr. Beach looked outside, probing for any signs of the presence his daughter had claimed was there.

Living on the sixteenth floor, it seemed absurd for anything to be outside.

As anticipated, he saw nothing. However, as he moved to close the window, he froze.

The window, now fogged due to the mist, had a distinct handprint etched on its slippery surface.

The handprint was small, too small to belong to an adult it looked like it was from a child around four or five.

Moreover, the handprint seemed to extend from outside the window into the bathroom, trailing along the ceiling and across the walls. Before Mr. Beach realized it, these handprints were all over the place.

A shiver ran down the mans spine as he sensed something unsettling.

That night, no one in the family managed to sleep.

William, too, remained awake like his friend. He had only just returned home from his venture to the internet caf when his father confronted him at home.

Assuming he had misbehaved, Mr. Noble had given William a harsh beating as soon as he arrived and refused to let him return to his room to sleep.

Standing on the balcony and gazing into the night, William pondered over the recent events.

Who could have possibly set him up?