Demons Beside You

Smith walked to the abandoned building and saw someone standing before it. It looked like a woman, but there was no light here, so he couldn’t see her features clearly. The woman seemed to be talking to someone, but there was no one next to her.

Smith hid to the side and watched the woman walk out. He vaguely heard her say, “How come there are more evil spirits here again?”

He was shocked. Did this woman know about evil spirits? To be honest, Smith had caused all the paranormal activity here, but he’d never seen an evil spirit before.

He didn’t hesitate or doubt the term “evil spirit” like a normal person. He was sure about evil spirits, so his first impression was that this woman wasn’t an average person.

“These evil spirits are so strange though. They seem to be missing something.”

“Yeah, you’re right. If that’s the case, that person is going to die.”

The woman’s voice faded into the distance. She seemed to be talking to an invisible person.

Smith cared most that the woman had said, “That person is going to die.”

He didn’t come out of hiding until the woman was completely gone.

Looking at the coin in his hand, he knew that it couldn’t be a good thing. However, it hadn’t brought any disadvantages to him, so he never thought about if his life would be in danger.

But when he heard that woman’s last sentence, he had a feeling that she was talking about him.

For the first time, he felt unsettled. No matter how many people this coin killed, Smith never felt unsettled.

In the past, he felt guilty due to his morals and was worried about the consequences if the truth was revealed. Now, he actually felt unsettled because of a single sentence.

Smith looked at the coin and grasped it. It was trembling slightly. He started hesitating if he should release the spirits in the filled coin. If he didn’t, the coin would become scalding as if it had been baked.

It kept following him too. Sometimes, Smith would toss it into a corner, but the next time he felt his pocket, he would find it there again. This was why Smith couldn’t stand the feeling.

After some experimenting, he found a way to release the spirits. If he dropped a drop of blood on the coin, it would release the evil spirits and go back to normal. Right now, he wondered if he could stuff the coin to “death.” Then perhaps he could be freed.

He would never be followed by this nightmare again and he could enjoy his life.

…

Morning

“Chen, Walter and I aren’t coming back tonight,” Fali said while brushing her teeth.

They weren’t dating, but they were used to living together now. They wouldn’t hide their living habits from each other either.

“You’re working overtime tonight?”

“Yeah.”

“If you run into something weird, remember to call Sienna or I.”

“I know.”

After Fali left, Chen Zhao got Ethan’s call and went to the motel. As soon as Ethan saw him, he gave Chen Zhao a check.

Accepting it, Chen Zhao glanced at it and asked, “What? Did you get some fatal disease and you’re writing your will now?”

“I know you spent a lot of money.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Just take it.”

“You’re crazy.” Chen Zhao stuffed the check back into Ethan’s hands.

“I heard that you’re strapped recently,” Ethan said.

“How do you know?”

“It’s not hard to find out. You want to buy land in Mountain Town. I’m from there too, so I obviously know. Just see it as money I’m lending you and take it.”

“Fine. I’m borrowing this.”

Chen Zhao thought for a bit and accepted the check. Ethan didn’t inquire how Chen Zhao had done it. He just knew that Chen Zhao had done everything for him.

For these things, they’d formed tacit understanding. Neither of them would pry too deeply into the other’s secrets. Ethan wasn’t an average motel owner either.

“Oh, do you have any solutions for losing weight?”

“You want to lose weight?” Chen Zhao studied Ethan. “You’re a bit fat right now, but you don’t have persistence. Using drugs will harm you too. I think it’s best for you to maintain your current weight.”

“Who said I want to lose weight? There’s a big client that needs it. I’m not sure you can do it though.”

“Big client? How big?”

“Four hundred thousand dollars. But the client wants to lose 160 pounds in 30 days.”

“Wait…160 pounds? Are you sure it’s not 16 pounds?”

Ethan took a picture out. When Chen Zhao saw the girl, he was shocked.

Oh my god, she’s a super fatty. She’s practically a meatball.

“Is she rich?”

“It’s her dad’s money, not hers.”

“I’ll do it. Give me her address and contact info.”

“Before that, can you get your dogs spayed?” Ethan’s tone changed 180 degrees.

Chen Zhao turned around and saw the Silly Twins circling Ethan’s golden Sasha. The size difference was honestly too big though. Chen Zhao worried for Sasha.

Walter was okay. He was big, but he wasn’t so big that Sasha couldn’t take it. The Silly Twins really weren’t suitable though. Chen Zhao massaged his temples.

Kicking them, he said, “You *ssholes. Sasha is Walter’s wife.”

“Who said Sasha is gonna marry Walter?” Ethan shot back. “I don’t agree!”

“You’re so old already and you still want to get involved in the kids’ relationships. Where’s your shame?”

“Your Carrie is a female, right? I’ll go get a male tomorrow,” Ethan threatened.

“Then you better get a lion. Otherwise, I’m afraid your pet won’t be able to win Carrie over.”

A taxi parked before the motel, but whooshed away after seeing the Silly Twins behind Chen Zhao. Regardless of whether they were dangerous or not, it would be a problem if they peed on the car.

“Ethan, can you drive us? For your commission?”

“Why do you have to take them out? Can’t you leave them at home?”

“Just answer me. Will you drive or not?”

“Seeing as I’ll get $80,000 in commission, I’ll drive you one last time. Can’t you go buy a car? And then get a license?”