Chapter 38: Find Charmel

Aaron finally untangled himself from Kai's grip and stepped back. He shot one last smug look at Kai before turning to walk away.

Kai watched him go, his mind racing with uncertainty and worry for Charmel. Kai was left alone, standing in the now empty street. The chips and sodas he had bought lay abandoned on the ground. He felt a mix of confusion, anger, and concern. He couldn't shake off Aaron's accusations, but he refused to believe them without concrete evidence.

"Charmel, where did you go?" Kai muttered under his breath. He couldn't just leave her alone, not after everything Aaron had said. He needed to find her and figure out what was really going on.

"Oh Kai, You still haven't come home" Kai was abruptly snapped out of his thoughts by the sound of Chika and Leo's voices. He turned to see Chika and Leo approaching him, their faces etched with concern.

"Chika, Leo," Kai managed to say, still feeling dazed. "I...yeah, I haven't made it home yet. Something came up." Chika and Leo took in Kai's disheveled appearance and the way he clutched the abandoned snacks in his hand. They could tell that something was troubling him.

"What's going on?" Chika asked, her voice laced with worry. "You look like you've been through hell." Kai hesitated for a moment, reluctant to share the situation with them. But he also knew that he could use their help.

"It's a long story," he finally said, running a hand through his hair. "But right now, I'm searching for Charmel. Have either of you seen her?" Kai shook his head, a mix of frustration and concern in his eyes. "No, I don't know where she's gone. We had a heated argument, and she suddenly left. And things just got more complicated."

"But it's getting late." Chika's reminder struck a chord with Kai. It was true that the sun had started setting, which made the search even more urgent.

"You're right," Kai said, his gaze turning to the darkening sky. "We have to hurry. But I have no idea where to start looking for her."

"Her house," Leo's suggestion gave Kai a flicker of hope. It seemed so obvious, yet he hadn't considered it in the midst of all his worries.

"Her house," Kai repeated, taking a deep breath. "You're right. That's the first place we should check." Chika and Leo nodded in agreement, their expressions determined. It was decided. They would head to Charmel's house and search for her there. But before they could take a step forward, Kai's phone rang.

Kai reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, his heart pounding in anticipation. He glanced at the screen and saw an unknown number.

"Who could be calling now?" he mumbled under his breath as he accepted the call. Kai's surprise shifted to annoyance when he realized it was his mom. He wasn't in the mood for another lecture from her, especially not at a time like this.

"What is it, Mom?" he asked, his voice edged with impatience. Kai could practically feel his mom's anger through the phone. He mentally braced himself for the inevitable scolding.

"I've been calling you for hours! Where have you been?" his mom demanded, her voice stern. Kai rolled his eyes as his mom's strict tone continued. He knew all too well how strict she could be, and he wasn't in the mood to deal with it right now.

"Sorry, Mom," he replied, forcing a respectful tone. "I got held up with some stuff at school." With a heavy sigh, Kai ended the call. He couldn't waste any more time dealing with his mom's scolding. He had more important things to focus on.

"Sorry about that," he said to Chika and Leo, forcing a smile. "Let's get going. Charmel's house awaits."

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The three of them soon arrived at Charmel's house, its familiar facade now illuminated by the dim streetlights. Kai led the way, his steps quick and determined.

He rang the doorbell, and the sound echoed through the quiet neighborhood. As they waited for someone to answer, Kai's heart beat a bit faster, hoping against hope that Charmel would be on the other side of the door.

The minutes ticked by, but no one answered the door. Kai tried the bell again, its sound breaking the silence once more. But still, there was no sign of movement or life behind the door.

Despair started to settle in Kai, his hope slowly fading. He looked at Chika and Leo, who mirrored his concern. Kai sighed, knowing he couldn't keep them in the dark any longer. He owed them an explanation.

"It's a long story, but...something happened at school today," he began, his voice heavy with worry. "Charmel was accused of kidnapping Lila, and...I don't know what to think. Aaron, an exorcist, seems certain of it."

Chika and Leo's eyes widened in surprise and confusion, their faces reflecting Kai's own turmoil. They hadn't expected such news, and the weight of the accusations hung heavily in the air.

"What?!" Chika exclaimed, her tone filled with disbelief. "Charmel...kidnapping Lila? It's a joke, right?"

Kai ran a hand through his hair, his expression weary. "I wish it was a joke," he replied. "But Aaron seemed dead serious, and he claimed that Lila saw Charmel on the abandoned street where she was going home."

Chika and Leo exchange alarmed glances, the gravity of the situation slowly sinking in. The implications of Charmel's possible involvement sent a shudder down their spines.

"But why would she do something like this?" Leo asked, his voice laced with uncertainty. Kai clenched his fists, feeling the same question gnawing at him. He couldn't fathom why Charmel would do something so terrible. "I don't know," he confessed, his voice tinged with desperation. "I can't wrap my head around it. It just doesn't make sense. Charmel wouldn't hurt a fly."

Chika placed a comforting hand on Kai's shoulder, her voice gently reassuring. "We should stay calm and look for a logical explanation," she said, her tone steady. "There must be some misunderstanding. Charmel wouldn't do something like this without a reason."

"Let's look in the abandoned street"Kai's suggestion caught Chika and Leo off guard. They exchanged uncertain glances, the idea of visiting the abandoned street filled them with unease.

"The abandoned street?" Chika repeated, her voice tinged with hesitation. "Are you sure, Kai? It's not the safest place to be at night."

"I... Can't stand something scary," Leo nervously confessed his fear of the abandoned street, his voice trembling slightly. He had always been a bit of a scaredy-cat and the thought of venturing into the eerie place filled him with dread.

Chika noticed Leo's discomfort and nodded understandingly. She turned to Kai. "He has a point. The abandoned street is known for its eerie atmosphere, especially at night. Are you sure you want to go there?"

Kai understood their concerns, but his determination overpowered his fear. He couldn't shake off the anxiety that Charmel was involved in something dangerous.

"I know it's not ideal," he replied, his voice determined. "But we have to try. Maybe there's something we missed, some clue that could lead us to Charmel."

Chika and Leo exchanged worried glances, but Kai's conviction was contagious. They reluctantly agreed, knowing they couldn't let him go alone.

"Alright," Chika finally said, her voice filled with resignation. "We'll go with you, but let's stick together, okay?"

Kai nodded, grateful for their support. "We'll stick together," he echoed, his voice firm.

With a shared sense of trepidation and determination, the three of them headed towards the ominous abandoned street.