536 The Entity Named Ellse, The Secrets He Held (1/2)

Day 129 - 11:36 - Haddon Lake, Audubon, Camden County, New Jersey, United States of America

Elise brightly smiled as she saw the man appear before her.

Ellse, it had been long she met this man. It should be about a few years ago before the outbreak started. Right after Felicia had gone missing and their family was too focused on looking for her older sister.

Yes, she knew this man even before the end of the world commenced.

He was an irreplaceable existence to Elise.

Since Elise was young, she was considered a child with psychiatric problems. When she was a baby, she could be seen glancing around her for no particular reason. It was as if she was looking at something, but her family never saw anything.

When she started to walk and talk, the first words she uttered were not Mom or Dad, but a name none in the family recognized. She was also pointing at somewhere while calling the name, but there was no one there.

The only time she stopped calling that name was when she fell unconcious with a very high fever when she was five. But things have gotten worse as her mood swings started.

It was triggered, especially when Elise started to get angry, saying someone or something was laughing at her.

And that continued until she met Ellse. She did not know where he came from. The first time they met was at this very same location. One thing was for sure, though...

Every time that Ellse was around, the voices would go away.

Because of that, she started to frequent the lake at almost any free time she could get.

It was even more so when she had problems. Ellse was always there to listen. She knew that he might not be human. At least, he was there, any time she needed someone to listen to her troubles.

Like now, she was troubled about the return of her sister. Yes, Elise hated Felicia because of what happened in the past. But even with that, there was also happiness within since they were still siblings. That should have been able to make her retrain herself.

But for some reason, she could not.

And Elise ended up slapping her sister at a burst of anger, she could not understand where it stemmed from.

At the appearance of Ellse, Elise narrated what happened before she fled from the school.

”Is that so?” Ellse said, sitting on the bench beside Elise. ”Maybe, that is your real feelings. You should just let it out, or you will feel more miserable.”

”But...”

Elise hesitated.

At that point, Elise did not notice, but there was a sharp glare on Ellse's eyes as he realized something.

”My manipulation is broken. Who did it?”

Ellse muttered in anger.

”Did you say something?”

Elise asked as she heard his muttering voice but did not manage to catch what he was saying.

”No, nothing,” Ellse replied. ”Did your sister bring other people with her?”

”Did any of them feel strange?”

Ellse asked once more.

”I don't know...” Elise replied. ”I only glanced at them. But I think... the man wearing black clothes felt weird for some reason.”

”Is it that guy?”

Ellse muttered while touching his chin.

”Do you know them?”

Elise asked.

”No, I don't. But in case, stay away from those people.”

Elise could not understand why Ellse said that. However, she could not also think of a reason why she should not follow what he said to her.

But then, Ellse suddenly turned his head towards the direction of the school.

”Tch!”

Elise heard him click his tongue for the first time.

There, Ellse waved his hand, as the two of them were enveloped by a thick cloud of mist.

***

After leaving the Audubon High School, Mark and Mei immediately flew towards the direction that Elise fled to. She was already out of his detection when they finished talking with Felicia's parents making the two hurry.

Finally, Mark found Elise in the vicinity of Haddon Lake. However...

She was not alone.

Sensing that, Mark urged Mei to fly faster.

But then, Mark frowned.

Elise and whoever ever the person with her was, suddenly vanished from his detection.

Reaching the place, where the two vanished, Mark and Mei landed.

”Gege, there's no one here.”

Mei said, looking around.

Of course, Mark knew that. But there were people here just a few seconds ago.

”Just wait a bit.”

Mark said as he closed his eyes.

Concentrating his mind, he tried to feel the surroundings.

Then, on the bench where Mark last felt Elise, he could sense traces of Magical Energy being used.

Furthermore, it was not something peaceful but was utterly evil in nature.

”Another Evil Spirit.”

Mark muttered as he opened his eyes. He was frowning deeply.

”Is she in danger?”

Mei asked, sensing Mark's mood.

”I don't think she is,” Mark replied. ”That Elise is not just a regular person either. For Evil Spirits, it is better to keep her alive than dead.”

Mei was quite confused. Well, anyone that would hear Mark say those words would since they did not know what he knew.

Without explaining anything, Mark took out his phone. He then looked at the lake.

”Lake, lake...”

He muttered as he searched the map on his phone. There was a lake in front of them, but Mark did not know what lake it was as they never asked anyone.

A lake near Audubon High School, there was nothing else but Haddon Lake.

Seeing the name, Mark sinisterly smiled as he remembered something.

”Let's go.”

Mark grabbed Mei's hand and led her to fly off.

”Gege, where are we going?”