Chapter 32

"Ariel!" Mandy shouted as she approached from behind.

The medium extended a pale hand,

"Not a word, Kinsley," she cut in sharply, glaring back to emphasize her point.

Ariel saw that the familiar mask was firmly in place, dashing her hopes of catching her off guard. An uneasy silence enveloped them as they navigated through the hall towards the dressing rooms.

Ariel's mind buzzed with countless thoughts, as if the case was a complex puzzle with scattered pieces, waiting to be assembled. Moments later, her head began to ache.

If this is what Jasper feels like constantly thinking, it's no wonder he's always grouchy...

They rounded a corner and passed through yet another hall. The theater felt like a labyrinth of similar passages, each lined with low-burning oil lamps and windowless walls. Ariel blinked and rubbed her eyes after staring too long at one of the lamp flames. Outside, the rain pattered continuously; inside, footsteps echoed rhythmically.

Ariel estimated they were nearing the dressing rooms—and that office.

With watchful eyes on Mandy, Ariel scrutinized each door they passed. She wasn't really focusing on the doors themselves but rather on the crack beneath them, looking for a small tattered rug corner that depicted a faded but beautiful scene of Greek gods in moonlight—a detail she remembered from walking over it before.

Minutes ticked by and Ariel grew increasingly aware that the long hall was shortening, yet she hadn't spotted the door. Ahead, less than nine doors away was the marked entry to backstage and dressing rooms. With determination, Ariel scrutinized every room they walked by.

Where is it? I should have seen it by now... wasn't it further back?

Then—just as she turned away in frustration—it sprang out from the shadows. Ariel halted abruptly. Like a hidden beacon only she would notice, there lay the corner of the rug, layered in years of dust. Mandy reached the backstage door and glanced back down the hall. Noticing this, Ariel hastily suppressed a triumphant grin and feigned grabbing her foot in pain.

Mandy's face showed exasperation as she turned back without another glance. The moment her back was turned, Ariel stuck out her tongue and released her foot. She gave one last look at the door, committing its location to memory before reluctantly following Mandy.

Moments later, Ariel stepped through a star-marked door onto a silent stage. The rain's patter grew louder here and when she looked up she saw why—above were numerous skylights she hadn't noticed before. She watched each raindrop splatter thoughtfully; they mirrored her case—countless tiny details forming one big mystery...

"Are you coming?"

Ariel blinked and snapped her head forward again. Just a few feet away, Mandy waited expectantly in the shadow of the left stage curtain. Ariel composed herself and pressed on.

"It's kinda quiet today..." Ariel murmured after a moment, the silence unsettling her.

Mandy began to nod but then added, "Yes...very," almost as an afterthought.

Desperately, Ariel scanned the stage for actors rehearsing, but there weren't even the small groups she usually noticed. The stage lay silent, dark, and empty.

"Maybe they're in their dressing rooms?" Ariel suggested, noticing Mandy glancing around just like her.

Mandy started to nod again but caught herself and muttered a small, "Perhaps..." into the ensuing silence.

Suddenly, a small cry pierced the air. The medium spun around just in time to see Ariel clutching her foot, glaring angrily at a wooden prop. She winced in pain; she had really stubbed her toe this time. It didn't help that Mandy was already turning back around, unfazed.

That Mandy.

Carefully avoiding more props, Ariel trailed behind Mandy to the dressing rooms set just off stage. Ten doors stood ominously in the gloom, waiting for their inspection. Ariel glanced over her shoulder and then at the nearby shadows. Perhaps it was standing so close to the open stage that gave her the unnerving feeling she was being watched.

That Jasper.

The medium moved with her usual grace and without a sliver of hesitation, opened the first door. Behind her, Ariel followed skeptically, growing increasingly uneasy though she couldn't pinpoint why. The medium's pale hand reached for an oil lamp, and in an instant, the dark dressing room was bathed in a warm amber glow.

This comforted Ariel slightly, and she eagerly stepped into the light. Mandy went only a few paces further before stopping and closing her eyes. While the medium focused inwardly sensing nothingness, Ariel hurriedly noted down the temperature, strangely alert to the open door.

58.5—a little cooler than usual...

Mandy opened her eyes and blinked for a moment as if trying to remember something just out of reach. Ariel watched uncertainly and sent a quick glance out of the dressing room toward the stage.

Is he here? Could she be sensing him..?

The medium collected herself and breezed past Ariel with a simple,

"Nothing," as she exited through the door. Confused and suspicious, Ariel trailed behind her. The next room followed a similar routine—lighting up with oil lamps before meditation and temperature checks ensued. This time too, Ariel found it quite cool inside.

They've been empty; maybe that's why... she mused as she jotted down 57.4.

When Ariel finished, she looked up, scrutinizing the medium's expression. However, there was no odd blinking or hesitation; Mandy simply opened her eyes and left, murmuring another "nothing." Ariel followed her to each dressing room, noting the consistently cool temperatures and the inconsistency of Mandy's psychic abilities.

Upon exiting the final dressing room, Ariel compared her latest reading with the previous ones. Behind her, a soft click echoed as Mandy closed the door, followed by the sound of her dainty feet padding across the hardwood floor.

"Well, it seems we're done. I'm sure Jasper won't be shocked that my conclusion remains unchanged," the medium declared triumphantly, her dark eyes gleaming.

Ariel raised an unimpressed eyebrow at her rival. "I'm sure he won't be surprised. You couldn't sense a ghost even if it were right in front of you."

A flush crept into Mandy's pale cheeks, but she quickly composed herself and smirked. "And I'm sure you believe you're much more perceptive."

Ariel didn't bother to hide her irritation as she glared at Mandy. "In fact, I do."

The medium scoffed, "Please, Kinsley; your delusions are concerning."

A fire ignited in Ariel's eyes as she prepared to retort when an odd creak interrupted their argument. Her fists unclenched as her eyes scanned the floor and then met Mandy's confused gaze.

An eerie sensation filled the air around them, and Ariel couldn't be sure if it was fear, danger, or both. Their heated exchange had led them to a dark, dusty corner far from the exit where thick black cables lay like snakes at their feet.

Taking a deep breath, Ariel closed her mouth and swallowed. Mandy adjusted her dress, stepping back in an attempt to regain composure.

"What?" she asked, her voice small in the growing silence.

Ariel glanced over her shoulder but saw nothing. The medium crossed her arms defensively. "You really are delusional."

Ariel snapped her head back around and narrowed her eyes at her rival. "You sense it too, don't you? Even through your thick skull..."

Mandy's dark eyes flashed with annoyance. "Excuse me?" she protested, taking a cautious step forward.

A long groan reverberated through the air. Both women froze as a bizarre sensation washed over them. It lasted only a few heartbeats but felt like an eternity. Ariel had just enough time to exchange a look with Mandy before realizing—they were going down.