Chapter 128

"How could I mind? I'm more than happy to!" Alice beamed with joy as she escorted Randy out the door. She watched him walk away before returning inside.

Most clients who came for séances were notoriously stingy, usually handing over only twenty or fifty bucks, and even the generous ones wouldn't go beyond two hundred. Yet, they bombarded her with endless questions.

The truly wealthy, like David, always sought the personal guidance of an abbey's head or a high priest like Glen. They wouldn't ever set foot in her humble place.

Clients like Randy, who paid so generously and so freely, were truly rare.

She didn't dwell on what Randy might have done with her daughters downstairs, even though they had been gone for over half an hour. Both of her daughters were there, after all, and Pauline was old enough to report anything out of the ordinary. Besides, Randy exuded an air of integrity—he didn't seem like a bad person at all.

Her thoughts shifted to her youngest daughter, Doris.

"How are you feeling, darling?"

After all, Doris was her golden goose now!

"I'm fine, just a bit tired," Doris replied casually.

"Alright, then rest up."

Alice then glanced at her older daughter, Pauline, and only then noticed that something seemed off. Pauline appeared distracted, her expression dazed, and her hair and clothes were slightly disheveled—almost as if... she had been violated.

But how could that be? Doris had been there the whole time.

"What's wrong, Pauline?" Alice asked.

"Huh?" Pauline was startled and, after noticing Doris's expression from the corner of the room, she quickly cleared her throat and played it off. "Nothing, I just tripped and fell."

"Be more careful from now on. You're so clumsy. Go freshen up. You wouldn't want Randy to see you looking like this, would you?"

Alice's concern was genuine but brief.

Pauline felt a deep sorrow in her heart. She had gone through so much, but her mother's concern wasn't for her—it was for that despicable man. How could her mother still be thinking about him?

Cough, cough.

Doris, who had been eavesdropping on Pauline's thoughts from upstairs, coughed to remind her. Even cursing in her mind was not allowed.

Pauline could only sigh, dragging her aching body up the stairs and back to her room. Once inside, she immediately dialed Mike.

"Hello, Pauline? What's up?" Mike's voice was casual.

Pauline remained silent for a long time before finally speaking softly, "Mike, be careful. It's best not to go out for the next few days."

But then, a terrifying voice answered from the other side.

"I'll let him know, and I'll protect him well... for the next three days!"

It was Randy's voice. He had made a detour to Mike's house in the eastern suburbs and had decided to kidnap him just to prevent any future complications. He had overheard Pauline's call.

Pauline froze in terror, her hand clapping over her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Pauline, you've been very naughty," Randy said coldly. "I won't do anything to your little lover, but you will have to pay a price. Understand?"

"I... understand."

"Good. Accept your fate. Until next time."

Randy hung up the phone, dragging Mike's unconscious body as he leapt out of the window.

He found a secluded spot and called out, "Pennywise! Pennywise!"

Soon, the grotesque clown emerged from the storm drain.

"Randy, is this food for me?"

Randy dropped Mike next to the drain. "No, just hold onto him. Knock him out when he wakes, and after three days, return him where you found him. His house is at..."

"Got it."

Pennywise reluctantly accepted his task, dragging Mike down into the sewers.

"One more thing," Randy added, "find the Graveyard Rat. Have it dig a tunnel to this address. Collect all the useful corpses and bring them to the nest. As for the skeletons, let the rat gnaw on them as a reward."

For the Graveyard Rat, such bones were a feast, perfect for sharpening its teeth.

"Understood," Pennywise nodded. He felt like he had become Randy's assistant, constantly delivering messages and doing grunt work.

"Oh, and another thing!"

"..."

"Has Dave's body been buried yet? It's prime material for feeding."

Dave's massive size made him worth more than six regular bodies. Plus, the eerie energy in his corpse would make it a perfect nutrient source. Ordinary corpses might take two or three days to absorb fully, but Dave's body could be consumed in just one day!

"It's still in the morgue, held up by the storm. They might transfer it to the hospital for research, given how large he was. He's bound to attract some scientists' attention."

"Good. Be sure to intercept it en route. If there are any other valuable corpses, grab them too. And don't forget to take out the drivers and guards—they'll make good feed as well. If things get out of hand, call Max and his crew for help."

"Alright, alright!" Pennywise was thrilled. As long as there was death, there was fear, and consuming fear greatly empowered him.

He was now strong enough to face adults, though inducing fear still required careful manipulation.

"Alright, you're dismissed."

Randy waved his hand, and Pennywise disappeared into the sewers, taking Mike with him.

Randy then set off for his next destination.

From the city to the eastern suburbs, the most influential figure in the occult world was none other than Alice, the medium.

In the city center, the established church dominated.

To the west, the most reputable figure was the old Native American chieftain.

The chief was said to be the last living Native in the area, now over ninety years old. Despite facing discrimination throughout his life, he had survived to become one of the town's living legends.

When Mike had sought advice on dealing with Pennywise, he had gone to the chieftain for information.

Convincing the old chief to join him might prove difficult, Randy thought.

But, in reality, it might turn out to be surprisingly easy.