Georgia and the squad arrived at Mateo's house and immediately began their search. However, the building appeared deserted, with an eerie desolation filling every corner. Undeterred, Georgia's curiosity led her to dig deeper into Mateo's identity. She entered his room, meticulously inspecting the contents of his chest of drawers, which held neatly organized documents presumably related to his work and owned companies.
As she sifted through the papers, Georgia's investigative instincts paid off when she stumbled upon a weathered photo book. Its back cover had aged to a rustic brown hue. Opening it, she discovered an address and turned the pages, revealing pictures of Mateo with his parents, where she could also recognize Ava among them. Georgia continued to flip through the pages until she reached one with various images marked with red ink.
With the photo book in hand, Georgia rose from her chair and left the room, determined to unravel more about Mateo's mysterious past.
"We should leave now," Georgia alerted the squad, prompting them to swiftly exit the building and head towards their waiting vehicle. Georgia promptly contacted Eliz to gather more information about the address she had uncovered in the photo book.
"It's the address of an old building in the woods of Marcoversia," Eliz responded.
"Does it still exist?" Georgia inquired.
"Yes, but I doubt anyone lives there, as it's rumored to be haunted by spirits," Eliz explained.
"Alright, thank you. I'll keep you updated in case we encounter any difficulties," Georgia assured.
"Good luck."
With the address in hand, Georgia provided it to the driver, and they immediately set out on their journey towards the woods of Marcoversia.
"I don't believe in ghosts," Georgia stated.
"They are real, although I haven't seen any before, and I don't wish to encounter any," Karen Cruse shared his perspective.
"Then you don't have the right to convince us of their existence without clear evidence, do you?" James Cleary challenged Karen's belief.
"You're absolutely right," the rest of the group chimed in, and they continued to relish their time together, regaling each other with entertaining tales. Sheriff Smith then delighted them with an endearing story about his son, Ben, who had always been a playful child, especially when it came to his beloved dog, Jamie.
On one particular day, Ben and Jamie ventured outside to enjoy some playtime. However, Sheriff Smith had left the house before their return. During Ben's wait, he concocted a mischievous scheme. In a matter of minutes, he transformed his appearance by donning an oversized white coat with a hoodie and generously applying powder to his face. After checking his reflection in a full-length mirror and discovering his spooky appearance, he couldn't help but release a witch-like cackle before concealing himself.
Upon Sheriff Smith's arrival back home, he called out for Ben, but there was no response. He also called for Jamie, who remained conspicuously absent. Out of nowhere, Ben leaped out of his hiding spot and materialized right in front of his startled father. Sheriff Smith, completely taken aback, was so startled that he nearly lost his balance, his breath coming in short gasps as he struggled to regain composure.
Ben's infectious laughter couldn't be contained, and he merrily giggled away for an extended period.
Sheriff Smith, still recovering from the shock, finally managed to speak. "Don't you ever try that again," he sternly admonished.
With a mischievous grin, Ben replied, "Just a harmless trick, all in the spirit of fun," as he cheerfully headed back to his room.
* * *
Mateo's infatuation with Mitchie ran deep, but he found himself ensnared in an irreversible path with no room for retreat. Seeking refuge, he withdrew to an inner chamber, sprawling on a bed. His gaze became fixed on the ceiling fan as he journeyed through cherished memories of his time with Mitchie. Just as he contemplated a change of heart, Albert's voice intruded on his thoughts like an eerie refrain, urging him to "Save your star."
"We're approaching, everyone, stay alert," the driver's announcement abruptly halted Georgia and the squad's conversation. The vehicle came to a halt a short distance from the building. With sharpened senses, Georgia and the squad disembarked and swiftly advanced toward the structure. Taking the lead, Georgia forcefully swung the door open, and they meticulously scoured every corner of the premises. Despite their efforts, their search yielded no results.
However, Stephen Evans directed Georgia's attention to a circular cover at the building's center. Georgia raised it and descended a ladder, closely followed by the others. They forced their way through another door and entered a chilling chamber adorned with a disturbing display—human bones, skulls, and other gruesome remnants.
Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the eerie silence, demanding their immediate attention. They pivoted swiftly and rushed toward the origin of the cry. There, they encountered Mateo garbed in surgical attire, poised to operate on Mitchie. She had regained consciousness, emitting a desperate scream while attempting to free herself, struggling against the chains that Mateo had employed to restrain her.
Mateo found himself in a dire situation with Mitchie's persistent agitation. In an effort to calm her, he approached the surgical table and swiftly prepared an injection, administering it to Mitchie, which promptly induced unconsciousness. However, before he could proceed with the operation, Georgia and the squad reacted swiftly, apprehending him. They then lent their assistance in releasing Mitchie from her restraints and transporting her to safety, all while keeping a vigilant eye on Mateo's actions.
As they departed from the ancient and imposing structure, Georgia couldn't shake the feeling that she had entered an entirely unfamiliar realm. The atmosphere and surroundings appeared entirely foreign and inexplicable to her.
Conversely, Mateo carried a burden of unhappiness and guilt. He struggled to comprehend how he had been captured so easily. Nevertheless, he had undertaken his actions with the intention of making amends. He recognized that his involvement with the Black Palacers cult group wasn't solely his fault; it had arisen from a place of frustration and under the influence of his now-deceased friend, Roberto Singapop. Roberto had been a prominent figure in his time, amassing considerable wealth and achieving worldwide renown as a musician.
Mateo could clearly recollect his life in the music industry before fate brought him into Roberto's orbit. He had wholeheartedly devoted more than half a decade to nurturing his musical career. Their serendipitous encounter unfolded during a competitive event in which both participated. Regrettably, Mateo failed to secure a top-ranking position, unlike the exceptional performance of Singapop, who rightfully claimed the highest honors.
Mateo's reverence for Roberto ran deep, finding every facet of his persona utterly captivating. Roberto's attire exuded an aura of sophistication, and his meticulously coiffed golden hair shimmered like the stars. Beyond appearances, Roberto possessed a melodious voice that exuded an irresistible charm, leaving audiences yearning for encore performances.
Their introduction materialized after the competition's enthralling concert. Summoning his courage, Mateo approached Roberto, expressing his eagerness for a conversation. Roberto promptly recognized Mateo as one of the competition's participants.
In a magnanimous gesture, Roberto extended an invitation to Mateo, offering him a ride to a nearby restaurant for tea. Initially apprehensive, Mateo eventually embraced the opportunity, holding out hope that this encounter might provide answers to his lingering questions. Taking his place in the back seat of Roberto's vehicle, they embarked on a journey to Jenks restaurant, with a driver at the helm.