After the Lights Go Out: Evil Spirits Lurk in the Shadows

##DONE##

[Name: John Smith]
[Level: 5]
[HP: 100/100]

Jennifer sat on Li Dan's lap, her hands crossed as she flipped up her top, revealing a black bra and a large expanse of fair, delicate skin. She then moved her hands behind her back to undo the clasp, her eyes full of allure as she looked at Li Dan. Her meaning was obvious.

Normally, she'd just call him "baby."

Li Dan was resistant at first, but he found it too difficult to refuse and could only go along with Jennifer's wishes.

Jennifer gently stroked Li Dan's head with one hand and looked down at him. She felt like he was just a newborn puppy now, his head bobbing, and a hint of maternal love couldn't help but surface in her eyes.

"Baby, take it slow. It's all yours, no one's going to take it from you."

Li Dan's mind told him he shouldn't be doing this, but his body was more honest.

Emma, upstairs, cursed under her breath, calling her shameless, but her gaze never left the two of them.

Watching Jennifer's flushed face and the look of enjoyment on her features, she couldn't help but wonder if it was really that comfortable.

Could this woman be faking it to anger me?

The two didn't get too carried away, as there was still something inappropriate for children upstairs.

The next day.

The sky was overcast with dark clouds. It had rained lightly last night, leaving the road surfaces wet.

Li Dan's destination was Georgia, not too far away, so he decided to travel by car.

The location was a remote small town in Georgia.

Li Dan didn't choose to drive himself or rent a car; instead, he opted for a ride.

His arranged route was too rigid.

A ride might bring a surprise.

At the entrance to Round Clam Town.

Li Dan waited until a gray MPV stopped in front of him after seeing his sign.

A young man and woman got out of the car; they looked like a couple.

The man extended his hand in a friendly manner.

"Hi, I'm James. Are you Li Dan?"

"I am." Li Dan didn't engage in much small talk and immediately produced cash to pay on the spot.

Upon seeing the money, James's smile widened, and he introduced the woman.

"This is Kirsten, my wife."

It seemed Li Dan had guessed wrong; they were married, not a couple.

Kirsten smiled and greeted Li Dan, a simple introduction.

There was no need for further interaction; it was just a ride.

Li Dan didn't recognize them this time. He thought they were just a normal couple going on vacation.

The couple drove in the front, while Li Dan sat in the back, watching the scenery.

The destination wasn't much.

The scenery along the highway was beautiful. By noon, the dark clouds began to dissipate, and the sun started to peek through.

James even played a song to liven things up.

It was a country folk song.

Li Dan didn't enjoy it and put in his earplugs, turning his gaze back to the window.

They drove on.

James suddenly had an idea and turned onto a small road, planning to go to the neighboring town and rent a small inn nearby as a tourist spot.

Even though there was no one for kilometers around their small wooden cabin.

The main appeal was being close to nature.

Li Dan took out his earplugs and heard their conversation, suddenly having a bad feeling.

However, it wasn't his business this time. He still had to transfer vehicles after getting off and pass through a city before reaching his destination.

As for whether to follow the couple and save someone or not, he decided against it.

Li Dan was a rather selfish person.

Besides, he wasn't familiar with them. James was on his honeymoon with his wife, and Li Dan, a stranger, suddenly wanting to butt in – what would that be?

Of course, he might be overthinking it.

Perhaps it was just a simple trip for the couple?

It's impossible to just run into monsters or anything like that.

Last stop.

After Li Dan got off the bus, he gave the two a piece of advice: if anything happens, run immediately without hesitation, and pretend you didn't hear any knocking.

A kind, small piece of advice, the limit of what Li Dan could do.

He stayed in the city for one night.

Li Dan contacted the second driver early in the morning. This time, nothing unusual happened on the road.

Ten o'clock in the morning.

Li Dan got off the bus in this remote small town. The first thing he did was find a hotel and contact Rebecca.

While waiting.

He replied to a message from someone, Jennifer's best friend, Heather.

This woman had been contacting him ever since Halloween.

She often said she wanted to travel to Texas, and that some Black guy was pursuing her and it was very annoying.

Li Dan occasionally replied to pass the time when he was bored.

He turned off his phone and went to open the door after hearing a knock.

Outside the door.

Rebecca was a little anxious. She had many fantasies about this exorcist.

She fantasized that he could subdue the Evil Spirit and free her brother and mother from its harassment, while also fearing he might be a swindler.

The door opened quickly.

Seeing that face and casual clothing, Rebecca was disappointed.

He didn't look like an exorcist at all, more like a passing traveler.

Rebecca asked with hope.

"Hi, are you Li Dan?"

She hoped she had mistaken him, but Li Dan gave a positive answer.

So Rebecca confirmed again and again whether Li Dan could really exorcise spirits.

Li Dan could tell that Rebecca was extremely tense, it seemed she had suffered a lot.

Getting a little impatient from the questioning, he showed off a little.

For example, a minor ability of the Evil Spirit Wendigo.

Making light objects float, like playing cards.

Looking at the suspended cards, Rebecca seemed to have convinced herself.

"I'm sorry, sir, I shouldn't have doubted you. I'm just too scared. Do you really not need any payment?"

Li Dan said, "I've already told you the price, which is that Evil Spirit."

Rebecca thanked Li Dan profusely.

Li Dan quickly stopped her and asked her to describe the Evil Spirit's appearance.

"Do you remember what she looked like?"

Rebecca thought carefully when she heard this.

"She always seems to be in the darkness; I've never seen her in the light. Her claws are very long. Once, I found a black hand on the door frame above my mother's head. At that time..."

Rebecca's expression suddenly became terrified halfway through her recollection.

"No, no... I can't think about her, she'll find me."

Seeing her neurotic state, Li Dan could only comfort her first.

"Didn't you say she only appears in the dark? It's daytime now, it's okay."

Rebecca repeated Li Dan's words, "It's okay, it's okay..." as if that could give her a sense of security.

Li Dan had reason to suspect Rebecca had gone mad; her mental state was comparable to that of a mental patient.

Fortunately, Rebecca, who stopped recalling, slowly became normal again.

Li Dan suggested that Rebecca take him to her house.

"I have to wait a moment, until I pick up my brother from school," Rebecca said. Her mother wasn't well either, so she and her boyfriend, Brett, usually took Martin to and from school.

Li Dan nodded when he heard this. It was good that she had a boyfriend; he wasn't in a hurry.

Rebecca stayed by the window in the hotel, basking in the sunlight.

Only light could give her a sense of security.

The Evil Spirit only appeared in the shadows.

Friendly reminder: James and Kirsten are from the suspense thriller "Stranger."