CH.18 Bad Birthday

Just after Calvin boarded the bus and settled in the back row, a wave of intense unease hit him—from the direction he'd left, Tyler's rented villa, an overwhelming surge of malevolent energy.

With the mask on, his sensitivity to auras had sharpened dramatically. This presence was far stronger than any ghost he'd exorcised before, raw and ravenous with primal hunger.

Is this why that mysterious guy sent me here? Calvin thought.

Without a second's hesitation, he hit the stop button. As the bus pulled over, Calvin bolted off and sprinted back toward the villa. It was over three kilometers away—he'd need at least seven minutes at full speed,

Upstairs in the villa, Stella clutched her throbbing head, feeling like it might split open. Downstairs during the dice game, she'd downed way too much alcohol—her tolerance was lousy, and her luck even worse, losing round after round until she nearly puked. She'd made an excuse to slip away and rest. Any more drinks, and she'd black out completely—that was too risky.

The headache lingered, but at least it had dulled a bit.

Where was Tyler? Stella fumed inwardly. Her boyfriend was proving unreliable, even if her calm demeanor toward him was deliberate.

I haven't even cut the birthday cake yet, she grumbled to herself, calling out, "Hey, love, I don't think my party's over, do you?"

No response for what felt like ages. Just as irritation bubbled up, the door swung open.

It was Tyler. He'd washed his face repeatedly, scrubbing away the blood, but his cheeks were puffed like overinflated balloons, bruises purpling around his eyes in a gruesome display.

"Love, are... are you okay? You scared me half to death—I almost didn't recognize you," Stella gasped, hand over her mouth. Tyler stayed stone-faced, silent.

"What happened? Never mind—don't talk. Sit down; I'll grab some ice." Stella moved toward the door.

"No need," Tyler stopped her, his tall frame blocking the exit, stirring a flicker of unease in her.

"What's going on?" Stella pressed.

"What's going on? Some bullshit happened. I got my ass kicked like a chump down there, damn it!"

"You... want some water? I'll get it."

"Don't go. Or do—whatever. You'll dump me tomorrow anyway, right?"

"What on earth happened?" Stella grew more confused.

"Heh, you're just a vain girl, aren't you? Stringing me along, playing hard to get—for my money and status? Tomorrow, you'll see me as a joke, and so will everyone else. You'll bail. I know it—I see it all."

"You're... acting so weird." Stella felt a twinge of fear. Sure, she had her share of vanity, but right now, de-escalating was key. "You should rest, love. I'll grab water if you want. Look at you—those injuries break my heart."

"Heh, baby." Tyler suddenly gripped her hand. "Don't go home tonight. Stay here—I want more time with you."

"Uh... love, that's a bit rushed, don't you think?" Stella forced a smile to hide her panic. She grabbed her phone. "Oh, my mom's calling—I missed it. She's probably worried."

"Since when are you the go-home-early type?" Tyler sneered. "Unless you've been lying all along. Just stay."

"But we've only been together less than a month... and I'm not feeling great today. Calm down, okay?"

"I know—you like money. I can give you plenty. As for leaving? Forget it—you're not going anywhere." Tyler's grin turned feral. "You're my girlfriend now—this was bound to happen eventually."

"But we haven't prepared anything—this is too sudden..."

"Condoms are in my pocket, baby."

This guy, Stella realized, words wouldn't work. She placed a hand on his chest. "Sorry. But look at you, so hurt. Let me comfort you properly."

"Baby, I knew you still loved me." Tyler's smile widened, eerie under the dim lamp light.

"Come here..." Stella pulled him close. As they reached the bed, she snatched the bedside lamp and smashed it into his face.

"Ah! You bitch!" Tyler howled as the bulb shattered, shards embedding in his wounds.

Stella dashed out, racing downstairs. She needed to get outside, flag down a cop—anything for safety.

Tyler staggered up, blood streaming, roaring, "I'll kill you!"

"Help!" Stella screamed as she ran. She hit the front door, yanked it open.

Tyler, seeing her freeze, smirked. "Not running anymore?"

But when he caught a glimpse of what lay beyond, he sucked in a breath.

Outside loomed a grotesque figure stitched from flesh, vaguely humanoid but grotesquely oversized, reeking of decay.

"Found you..." it rasped, voice like grinding gravel.

Stella slammed the door shut, bolting it fast.

"Call the cops—call the cops..." Tyler fumbled for his phone, hands shaking. Tonight had spiraled into a pure nightmare.

"Idiot—run first!" Stella yelled, bolting for the back door.

The front door splintered inward, wood shards flying.

"Monster!" Tyler tried to flee, but the hulking flesh-beast was quicker, seizing him and hurling him into a table.

Tyler spat blood, ribs cracking as the table legs buckled. He crumpled, unconscious.

"This is the main course... and a side." The creature muttered, its voice an unnatural wheeze from somewhere amid the writhing meat. Its body quivered, then it leaped—three or four meters high.

Run—Tyler's probably done for, maybe it won't chase me. Just get out! Stella burst from the building, fleeing through the backyard gate. No pursuit sounds—she might be safe.

Thud! The monster crashed down from above, having vaulted over the roof, shattering her escape route.

"No..." Stella's eyes widened, terror flooding her.

"You're the side." The monster extended an arm.

She backed away, evading its grasp.

"Don't run." Its arm compressed, then shot out, grazing her side and sending her flying. She hit the ground hard, covered in dirt and grass.

It hurts so much, Stella retreated as it advanced, despair closing in.

I haven't even had my birthday cake. If I die, will the news say I was a year younger? Absurd thoughts flickered in her final moments.

Everything tonight had gone inexplicably wrong. Now, Stella will be devoured by this gaping-mawed abomination.

Mom would cry her heart out if I died. Another flash: If only I really were a witch.

The monster's jaws unhinged, lunging to bite.

But a white flash struck it, toppling the beast sideways.

"What?" Stella realized she was alive—saved by a burst of light!

"That's disgusting," a voice said.

Stella looked up: a man in a black-and-white striped mask stood there, the white stripes glowing faintly.

It was Calvin. His power fully awakened, the mask had materialized on its own, white flames surging from his palm, blindingly bright.

"Roar!" The monster bellowed, scrambling up.

Calvin hurled the flames; the beast erupted in white fire, howling.

"Thanks for saving me..." Stella panted, ducking behind him.

"Hey, is Tyler dead?"

"I... I don't know. He was behind me—I didn't see."

"Then who are you?"

"I'm Tyler's girlfriend—no, I'm..." Stella almost laughed. She wasn't his girlfriend anymore; that ended minutes ago.

"Oh, you're the witch, huh?" Calvin said offhandedly. He regretted that Tyler hadn't died outright and couldn't care less about upsetting the guy's ex.

"You..." Stella's face flushed, lips pursed in a mix of embarrassment and fury.

"Roar!" The flames hadn't killed it—the monster swelled, charging Calvin.

What the hell is this thing? Calvin tensed, ignoring Stella's reaction, bracing for the next clash.