[Chapter 15: New Car, Amanda is Back]
Daniel flicked on the light, and there, standing silently at the foot of his bed, was the ghost with the Flesh-Mangled Face, his skin rotting and writhing with maggots.
The sight made Daniel recoil with disgust. "What are you doing here?"
The figure said nothing.
Annoyed, Daniel waved his hand, shooing the ghost away. "Go ahead and leave. Don't stand here making me sick."
"I... have... nowhere... to go."
A faint, eerie voice whispered from the figure's lips, sending a chill down Daniel's spine.
"What do I care if you've nowhere to go? I'm an exorcist. I can't just keep ghosts hanging around, can I?"
The ghost repeated, "I... have... nowhere... to go."
Daniel felt a wave of frustration, as though this ghastly creature had him trapped in some sinister game. The problem was, if this were a beautiful female spirit, it'd be one thing -- maybe even tempting. But this? The mangled, maggot-infested face wasn't just ugly; it was revolting to the point of ruining one's mood and appetite.
He tried to drive the spirit away several times, but it stubbornly refused to leave, endlessly repeating, "I... have... nowhere... to go."
Finally defeated, Daniel pointed toward the bathroom. "Go stay in there."
The ghost obliged. Its form flickered, and it slipped inside the bathroom, never emerging again.
...
That night, Daniel couldn't fall asleep for hours. When he finally woke, it was past 9 a.m.
He headed straight for the bathroom, ready to relieve himself.
As he pulled out his penis, the grotesque figure appeared again.
Daniel froze, and with a sudden loss of urgency, the urge to urinate vanished.
"You son of a--"
He stopped himself. The ghost's eyes held an almost innocent look, which made cursing impossible.
"How about I send you where you're supposed to go?" Daniel offered.
The Divine Incantation for Purifying Souls could slay ghosts and guide wandering souls.
"I... won't... leave," the spirit stubbornly refused.
"Damn it..." Daniel swallowed his curse. After all, the ghost had helped him twice already. He couldn't repay kindness with spite.
Keeping it around might even prove useful.
'I need to find this guy a home,' Daniel thought with a sigh. Otherwise, his life would remain a mess.
He remembered his studies on exorcism essentials -- many old items could serve as temporary shelters for wandering spirits. Things like vintage vases, jewelry boxes, pottery jars, even photos or old films could host ghosts, though they offered no benefit to the entities themselves.
Certain materials could genuinely sustain a spiritual presence. Most notable was Gethsemane Olive Wood valued for its ability to house and strengthen lingering spirits. Entities anchored to it could slowly regain stability and awareness.
Objects that had absorbed spiritual residue over long periods -- such as wood from trees grown on consecrated burial grounds, former sanctuaries, or sites marked by repeated rites -- also served as suitable vessels. Over time, such materials developed a natural affinity for holding spiritual imprints.
But Daniel wasn't planning to spend money on Gethsemane Olive Wood or similar precious materials. Firstly, they were nearly impossible to find; secondly, they were outrageously expensive.
He scoured his house but only found large, old furniture and no antiques. It was odd that his predecessor's father hadn't even left a single photograph.
'I really need to get out and look around. And it's a good excuse to buy a new car.'
He detested driving his rickety old Chevrolet, which rattled angry warnings with every mile.
...
Daniel's first stop was a religious goods store. There, he found a paperweight -- not exactly an antique, but its aura suggested it was about sixty or seventy years old. It could serve as a dwelling for the Flesh-Mangled Face.
He also bought some other materials but was unprepared for how pricey the top-grade raw materials and things like that were. His predecessor's supplies were all mid-grade at best.
When he inquired about premium cinnabar, the dealer's prices shocked him -- almost as expensive as gold, and orders had to be placed well in advance.
Daniel clicked his tongue. Since he still had usable cinnabar, he decided to hold off on splurging.
By the time he returned home, his beat-up Chevy had been replaced with a shiny Cadillac Escalade -- over $60,000 out of pocket.
It wasn't his first pick, but it was available immediately, so he didn't hesitate.
...
Back home, Daniel took out the paperweight and summoned the Flesh-Mangled Face.
"What's your name?" he asked.
The ghost said nothing, seeming to have lost much of its memory.
"Alright, then. You're Flesh-Mangled Face from now on." He waved the paperweight, and the spirit flickered before darting inside.
Suddenly, Daniel sensed a surge of dark cold energy from the paperweight. It was like carrying a portable air conditioner -- summer wouldn't feel so brutal with this around.
But an ordinary person's body couldn't handle that much spirit energy -- over time, it could cause severe illness -- or worse.
...
Time flew. Before he knew it, it was early May.
Cross Hall had seen no customers in days, and Daniel hadn't earned a cent.
Plans to replace his old furniture stalled.
Without business, gossip started creeping back again.
"Those two seals he sold last time? Just beginner's luck."
"Once everyone finds out he's a fraud, no one will come back."
Many people quietly wished for his downfall -- envious and resentful.
But not everything followed their wishes.
That afternoon, a minivan rolled to a stop outside Cross Hall.
The sliding door opened, and out stepped a graceful young woman with golden hair and doll-like features -- Amanda Seyfried.
"Mr. Cross."
Before she even stepped inside, her voice carried bright warmth.
"Amanda, what brings you here?" Daniel asked, surprised.
Amanda smiled, walking in. "I came to thank you."
"Thank me?"
"You predicted my recent work would become popular... You were right."
The mention snapped Daniel's memory -- Mean Girls had already premiered.
Amanda lowered her voice. "The movie is really taking off. Playing Karen has gained me tons of attention."
She pointed outside. "The studio even assigned me a minivan and driver for promotions and events."
...
Around the shop, nearby merchants gathered, whispering.
"Who's that? Another pretty woman?"
"I think that's Amanda Seyfried. My Jenny loves that movie."
"So, another celebrity?"
"How come Daniel's suddenly so close to all these stars?"
No one had answers.
"Daniel's changed. He's not the same guy anymore."
One sighed, filled with awe.
...
Daniel noticed the small crowd but paid them no mind.
Just some regular shopkeepers. Let them talk -- words couldn't hurt him.
When the gap is wide enough, gossip fades. Envy turns into admiration.
"Mr. Cross, your prediction was spot on. Many people have been asking about you. I've done a lot of promotion for you."
Amanda beamed, genuinely happy.
Daniel smiled back. "Then I should be the one thanking you."
"No need. I actually need one more favor."
*****
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