[Chapter 45: Gothika]
"Have a seat."
After Daniel spoke, Robert Downey Jr. sat back down. But his face remained filled with shock. "How do you know all this? I heard some people can see things through divination -- do you have that ability too?"
Daniel certainly wasn't a fortune-teller. What Robert Downey Jr. was describing was the plot of a horror movie.
In Daniel's experience, the way horror movies bleed into reality varies. Sometimes, only the monster from the film appears -- like what Amanda went through in Paranormal Activity. Other times, the events mirror the original story very closely, like the case of The Amityville Horror with Kathy.
Now, listening to Robert Downey Jr.'s account, Daniel realized this situation resembled Kathy family's -- almost identical in plot.
The horror movie behind Robert Downey Jr.'s girlfriend's best friend's nightmare was called Gothika. The storyline matched perfectly with what Robert Downey Jr. described. The female lead was a psychiatrist named Miranda, who worked at a mental hospital. Her husband was the director of the hospital. One stormy night, while driving home from work, Miranda encountered heavy rain that backed up her usual route. Forced to take a detour, she nearly hit a young woman on the alternate road. She swerved just in time, avoiding the girl, but got out to check on her. Suddenly, the girl burst into intense flames and reached toward her.
After that, Miranda didn't remember anything. When she awoke, she was locked inside the mental hospital where she worked -- and her husband had been brutally murdered. Even more bizarre, all the evidence pointed to Miranda as the killer.
Of course, she vehemently denied it, rejecting her lawyer's advice to claim intermittent psychosis. With the help of a former colleague, she escaped the hospital and began investigating the truth.
It turned out Miranda did kill her husband, but at the time, someone else was controlling her body.
Interestingly, this horror film was the very movie that brought Robert Downey Jr. and his girlfriend, Susan, together. In a parallel timeline, Robert Downey Jr. played the male lead in the film, though his character wasn't exactly likable. Susan was the producer.
Daniel hadn't expected that, even though the film didn't exist in this reality, Robert Downey Jr. and Susan still ended up together. Moreover, that horror movie still crept into their lives, shining into reality.
...
After mulling over his random thoughts, Daniel said, "How I know isn't important. What really matters is what you want me to do."
Robert Downey Jr. was stunned by Daniel's insight and nodded with new respect. "Miranda insists she didn't kill her husband, but all the evidence shows she did. Susan and I believe in Miranda completely. There's only one possibility -- the girl she nearly hit that night is involved. She's probably not human. Because of that girl, Miranda ended up committing murder."
Daniel nodded thoughtfully. "So you want me to find that girl?"
"Yes. If we find her and make her confess, Miranda can be cleared."
Daniel gave him an amused look. In the movie, Dr. Pete -- played by Robert Downey Jr. -- never believed Miranda. He didn't believe the girl even existed. It wasn't until the film's end that he apologized to her after the truth came out.
Now, Robert Downey Jr. seemed to trust Miranda wholeheartedly. Seeing Daniel's expression, he rubbed his face nervously. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No," Daniel replied. "Your idea is bold but logical."
A big smile broke out on Robert Downey Jr.'s face. "Then, Mr. Cross, can you help me -- or rather, help Miranda?"
"As long as you're willing to pay a fair compensation."
If it had been any other case, Daniel might have declined. His body still hadn't fully recovered. But the spirit here wasn't powerful, and the case was simple. Saying yes wouldn't hurt.
"Of course." Seeing Daniel agree, Robert Downey Jr.'s smile widened. "Name your price."
Daniel said flatly, "One hundred thousand dollars."
The smile vanished instantly. That was far beyond his expectation. His current pay for a movie was only about $100,000 to $200,000 before taxes, and that didn't happen often. Daniel's fee was equivalent to an entire film's paycheck, and in his current condition, he barely landed any roles in a year.
Robert Downey Jr. asked awkwardly, "Can it be a little cheaper?"
Daniel shook his head firmly. "That's my absolute minimum."
Robert Downey Jr. looked torn, weighing his options. He'd wanted to surprise Susan, but now that surprise demanded six figures. It felt too steep.
Daniel began eating the appetizer on the table. "There is no rush. Just tell me your decision before we finish the meal."
Robert Downey Jr. clenched his jaw. "No need. I'll pay."
Daniel smiled, put down his fork and knife, and extended his hand. "You're a good boyfriend -- and you'll make an excellent husband someday."
With a relieved sigh, Robert Downey Jr. shook Daniel's hand. "I hope so."
Daniel withdrew his hand and resumed eating. "When is Miranda's trial?"
"Three days from now."
"Then we have enough time. Give me the hospital's address. We meet there tomorrow at 10 a.m."
Robert Downey Jr. nodded, feeling more at ease with Daniel's confidence.
"Wait," Daniel added. "I need a $20,000 deposit first. If things go south, the advance is refundable."
Since he'd already agreed, Robert Downey Jr. didn't hesitate. "That's fine."
...
After leaving the restaurant, Daniel already had a $20,000 check in hand. He drove back to Cross Hall. Lighting a row of green incense sticks, he released Flesh-Mangled Face. The monstrous entity sprawled before the incense and started healing.
Daniel stepped aside and entered the System. Killing Morian had earned him 5,000 Merit Points. Adding his original 1,300, he now had 6,300 -- still far short of the 25,600 points needed to level up his exorcism.
Not only was his Exorcism Level stuck, several of his spells remained maxed out. Going from third to fourth tier demanded 10,000 Merit Points, and Daniel had barely over half that. The situation felt frustrating.
...
The next day, 10 a.m.
Daniel met Robert Downey Jr. outside the mental hospital. Standing beside Robert Downey Jr. was a white woman in her thirties with a pleasant appearance. She wasn't tall -- just slightly over five feet even in shoes -- but she was Robert Downey Jr.'s lucky charm, his savior.
Noticing Daniel, Robert Downey Jr. introduced him, "Susan, this is the incredibly powerful Exorcism Master I told you about, Mr. Cross."
Daniel extended his hand to Susan. "Hello, Susan."
Susan shook his hand and said, "Robert says you can read fortunes and see a person's destiny. Is that true?"
"Sometimes," Daniel smiled. "But right now, what matters most is getting your friend Miranda out and proving her innocence, right?"
"Absolutely." Susan's impatience showed. "Let's go now."
The three entered the hospital and asked to see Miranda, but the request was denied.
Susan grew anxious. "You have no right to block her visitation."
But the receptionist stood firm, citing Miranda's fragile condition.
Susan was on the edge of losing it when Daniel calmly said, "Don't rush. Let me handle this."
*****
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