[Chapter 93: What Was That? It Really Appeared]
Although the teacher hadn't yet grasped the full situation, she could sense the gravity from the tense demeanor of everyone around her.
"Follow me," she said, jogging ahead to lead the way.
The others quickly fell in step behind her. The restroom wasn't far, and in little over a minute, the group reached the entrance to the women's restroom.
The female teacher, about thirty years old, was about to step inside when Daniel pulled her gently back. "Wait."
Using his Spiritual Perception Technique, Daniel detected a murky gray-black aura -- foul energy lingering at the entrance. Within the grime of that color, there was something distinctly malevolent mixed in. There really was something tainted inside.
"Come with me," he said, guiding the female teacher inside the restroom.
Having her there meant Daniel wouldn't be mistaken for a pervert sneaking into the women's restroom alone. The Bane family followed closely behind; Daniel made no move to stop them.
...
Once inside, Daniel's eyes caught sight of a shadowy black figure on the wall, slowly creeping toward one of the stalls.
Everyone immediately froze at the sight.
"What is that?" the female teacher gasped.
"It really showed up!"
"Go!" Daniel ordered, tossing several copper coins toward the dark figure.
The coins struck it, and the shadow immediately began to recoil, vanishing in a flash.
Relief swept through everyone. They exchanged looks of surprised gratitude toward Daniel.
Just then, a toilet flushed loudly.
The stall door creaked open and a little girl, about ten years old, stepped out.
Startled by the attention, she blinked in confusion.
"Dad, Mom, Amy -- why are you all here?" she asked.
Bane's wife stepped forward and pulled her daughter into a tight embrace. "Erin," she whispered soothingly.
The girl looked even more bewildered, unsure what was going on.
But Daniel's keen eyes noticed something troubling: Erin's face, much like her sister's Amy, bore a faint shroud of Death energy. Compared side by side, Amy's Death aura was much stronger, indicating she was the first to face danger, with Erin next in line if nothing changed.
...
When they left the restroom, the group's mood lightened considerably.
The female teacher still looked uneasy but asked Daniel, "What was that black figure?"
"A malicious spirit trying to do harm," he answered.
"How can that even exist in a school?" she asked, shocked.
Daniel chose his words carefully, not blaming Erin outright. It would make her a target of ostracization or bullying.
"I don't know how it got here," he said.
"Will it come back?" she pressed anxiously.
"Maybe," Daniel admitted. "It's uncertain."
The teacher sighed, resigned.
Daniel suggested Erin leave school early that day. The female teacher readily agreed.
...
On the way back, Erin seemed unusually happy.
She kept looking at Daniel. "Who are you? Why are you in our car? Why did you all come to pick me up? Are you taking me somewhere fun?"
No one smiled back.
Erin gradually noticed the strange atmosphere. Her smile stiffened. "What's wrong with all of you?"
Amy interjected, "Did you watch the Slender Man video? Did you do the ritual?"
Erin didn't sense the seriousness and just admitted, "Yeah, why?"
Even though the family had prepared themselves mentally when they saw the shadow earlier, hearing Erin confess sent a sinking chill through them.
Amy was furious. "How could you do that?"
Erin looked hurt. "Mina made me do it."
Amy's anger softened, shifting to a sigh.
Mina was one of her three closest friends. Now, she was dead. There was no use arguing anymore.
"What's wrong with that ritual? Can't I do it?" Erin asked softly.
Amy hesitated.
Daniel cut in, soothingly, "It's nothing. We'll be fine."
"Oh," Erin relaxed and started feeling grateful toward Daniel.
...
They arrived at the Bane home safely, without any further incidents.
Curious, Erin asked Daniel, "Who exactly are you?"
Bane answered, "He's a guest in our home. You can call him Uncle Daniel."
"Uncle Daniel," Erin repeated eagerly.
Daniel felt a little awkward -- he was only 23 and already getting called uncle. But since she said it, he just smiled and went with it.
"How long are you going to stay?" Erin pressed.
"That depends," Daniel said.
"On what?" she asked, puzzled.
"You'll find out," he replied.
...
Dinner was naturally at the Bane family's house.
Bane's wife was a fantastic cook, serving charcoal-grilled steaks and fried pork chops -- both suits to Daniel's appetite.
Seeing Daniel happily devour the meal, she smiled with satisfaction.
Afterward, Bane pulled Daniel aside and whispered, "Mr. Cross, will the Slender Man show up tonight?"
Daniel answered, "It's hard to say. We're out in the open, it lurks in the dark. It can come anytime."
"You made a move against it today. Will it hide because you're here and strike after you leave?"
Daniel shook his head. "Today, I barely made a move. It can't sense my true strength and isn't scared off."
Bane breathed easier. They couldn't keep Daniel at home forever.
But Daniel hadn't said everything yet. The Slender Man might be even more drawn to him -- the unique Exorcist. Eating ordinary people wouldn't feed its dark power nearly as much as consuming an exorcist's essence would.
Before, Bane feared the Slender Man appearing. Now, he feared it not showing up.
This was also thanks to Daniel's slight action earlier, which had repelled the creature and bolstered their confidence.
...
No sooner had Bane left than Amy approached Daniel.
"Mr. Cross, can you really kill the Slender Man?"
Daniel said, "I can't promise. I haven't seen its full power yet."
Amy bit her lip, as if making a decision. "If I die, please save Erin."
Daniel was surprised. "Why?"
"I should never have watched that video or done that ritual. None of this would have happened," she said, blaming herself.
Daniel nodded quietly, acknowledging her point. If she hadn't courted death herself, none of this would've unfolded. Naturally, Erin would never have been tempted to perform the ritual either.
But the past couldn't be changed now, and self-blame was useless. Amy's willingness to sacrifice shifted Daniel's impression of her.
"I'll do my best to save both of you," he promised.
"I hope so," Amy said, though she wasn't so sure.
...
Time passed slowly; soon after 10 PM, Erin moved into Amy's room.
She was excited -- she hadn't slept with her sister in a long time.
Daniel positioned a chair by the door and sat quietly.
Bane and his wife were in their bedroom, but Daniel knew they weren't asleep.
Minutes ticked by, and the house grew still.
The neighborhood was silent, no one stirring outside.
Then, Daniel heard a phone vibrate.
*****
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