When a Hitman Gets Haunted by a Ghost
Chapter 31: Back From the Dead

Chapter 31: Back From the Dead

"How exactly did you possess him? Was it because of fear? Can you get riled up again?" Kant tried to find a solution, pacing back and forth.

Hale’s expression shifted from confusion to a hint of a teasing smirk. "How about Ouija board?"

Gabriel’s suggestion was met with a deadpan stare from Kant. "Very funny," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

The situation just kept spiraling, and Kant’s patience was wearing thin. "How the hell do we fix this? If we drag it out, Hale’s body will die and all of this will go to waste."

"You know, I’m really starting to think this whole thing is getting out of hand," Gabriel murmured.

"Yeah? You think?" Kant shot back, his sarcasm sharp.

A sudden chill shot through the room like a ripple on still water, causing both of them to pause.

"What..."

A shiver ran through the possessed cult leader’s body. Gabriel’s eyes widened in surprise as the skin on Hale’s face tightened, and he felt a strange pulling sensation from within.

"Wait, something’s happening," Gabriel said, uncertainty creeping into his voice.

With a surge of energy, Gabriel’s spirit was kicked out of Hale’s body.

The ghost hit the floor unceremoniously with a yelp, "Ow! God! That hurts!"

He quickly got to his feet, circling to hide behind Kant, as if the cult leader could hurt him.

Hale groaned, lifting his hand to his face sluggishly.

Kant didn’t wait for the cult leader to come back to his senses before moving on. He opened the fridge. "Get in."

Gabriel glanced at the fridge door swinging open, his eyes narrowing at the sight of his body still awkwardly crammed inside. He let out a long, exasperated sigh.

"Really? Is it too much to ask for a little dignity?"

Gabriel hesitantly walked towards the fridge, peeking inside at his own lifeless face. "Ugh. I look awful."

"Yeah, well, not much I can do about that. You can moisturize later. Just... get in."

Hale groaned again from the floor, starting to shake off his confusion. "Where... am I?"

Gabriel looked at the cult leader, his lips parting in indecision as he turned to stare at his own corpse, his expression turning repulsed.

"Stop doubting it, Gabriel," Kant urged, gesturing for him to get in for the third time.

"Or what? Will you start charging me rent?" Gabriel joked weakly.

The ghost reluctantly went into the fridge, aligning himself with the position of his body. He frowned, focusing deeply, and after about twenty seconds, the body opened its eyes. He slowly unfolded his legs, like a marionette with broken strings trying to move on its own.

Hale blinked several times in disbelief as he watched Gabriel step out of the fridge like some kind of bizarre resurrection performance. The color drained from his face, making him almost blend with his white robed. He scrambled to his feet, wobbling slightly.

"Wait a minute... you—" Hale pointed his shaky, bloody finger at Gabriel. "You’re the one who possessed me, aren’t you?"

Gabriel raised an eyebrow in surprise. "How did you know?" His voice was hoarse after sitting in the fridge for days.

Hale’s expression shifted from bewilderment to a strange sort of wonder. "The summoning incantation... It worked!" he marveled, then winced in pain, remembering his stab wound.

Hale, still wobbling slightly, looked positively radiant despite the gash in his side and the gunshot wound on his thigh. "I can sense your energy."

"You summoned me on purpose?" Gabriel murmured.

"I prayed for a nearby spirit to come to my aid. And it was you! You..." Hale squinted, recognition passing over his features. "...Child, what’s your name?"

Gabriel hesitated, unsure whether telling him was a good idea, but eventually still told him.

The cult leader’s eyes widened upon hearing it. "Gabriel Byers? Jefferson Byers’ nephew? Your uncle was a visionary!" he exclaimed. "We created Lazarus Blessing with our bare hands!"

Gabriel furrowed his brows. "Until he pulled funding, right? Because of your little... methods."

The cult leader scoffed, shaking his head. "Pulled the funding? Jefferson insisted on pocketing all donations. Greed is the bane of his existence!"

Remembering that Gabriel was supposed to be dead, Hale’s eyes lit up again. "Child, how did you achieve it? The miracle of resurrection?"

"I’m still dead," Gabriel said quietly.

The cult leader’s eyes narrowed slightly, scrutinizing Gabriel as curiosity washed over his features. "Still dead? But you’re standing right here. How is that possible?" He extended his arm, beckoning, "Come closer."

After a moment of hesitation, Gabriel staggered over to Hale, extending his wrist for the cult leader to check his pulse.

"Your skin... it’s cold, but your breath..." Hale paused, his eyes gleaming with an almost manic excitement. "Your soul is exceptional! It has the power to breathe life into your lifeless vessel!"

Gabriel swallowed hard, trying to not get creeped out. "It can’t... That’s why we kidnapped you." He watched as Hale’s enthusiasm faltered, confusion flickering across his face.

Kant stepped in, hoping to speed up the process. "To use you as a sacrifice."

Hale’s confusion morphed into intrigue, his eyes lighting up again. "Fascinating! You believe my life holds the key to your resurrection?"

Kant glanced at Gabriel, who shifted uncomfortably, his shoulders tense as he avoided eye contact with Hale.

Kant had a feeling that if the cult leader wouldn’t offer himself willingly, the whole plan would fall through due to Gabriel’s awakened discomfort over taking a life for his own sake.

Hale’s eyes shimmered with excitement as he stared at Gabriel. "If my death is the key, then perhaps I was destined for this moment after all! Your uncle was right—I will be the one to bring you back!"

"What?" Gabriel reached out for answers. "He said that?"

But the cult leader grabbed Gabriel’s hand. The contact sent a jolt through the air, setting the ritual in action.

A blinding, blue light exploded. Shadows expanded and shrunk across the room, their forms flickering like specters caught between worlds.

"W-Wait!" Gabriel stammered, feeling his soul’s heartbeat thudding in his dead chest. "I still have questions about—"

The air turned foggy and chilled, like diving headfirst into clouds. It was impossible to see anything. Or hear anything. The sound seemed to be suspended in some void, impenetrable and distant, echoing like wrapped in plastic.

Kant squinted, watching the light coil around the two figures. It felt like a scene from a fairytale, except this was all too real.

The glow intensified, and Gabriel looked like he wanted to scream, to pull away, but his body was locked in place by the ritual.

Hale’s lips curved into a serene, almost euphoric smile. "I’ve... fulfilled my purpose..."

With one final flare, the cult leader’s body slumped. His hand slid from Gabriel’s, and he collapsed to the ground, lifeless, his role in the ritual complete.

Gabriel stood motionless. For a moment, he felt nothing but the echo of Hale’s last breath hanging in the air.

His skin tickled as if a thousand warm ants ran over him as his soul settled back into his body. Newfound energy coursed through his body, his muscles contracting and carrying him properly.

"I’m alive..." Gabriel looked around, dazed, his vision still spotted with the bright light of the ritual.

The realization hit him in waves, running through relief, amazement, and guilt. Gratitude was the fourth thing that ran through his mind.

For all of cult leader’s madness and his unshakable belief in some higher purpose, he had brought Gabriel back. Thank him. If not for that...

But then... there was another feeling, darker and cold, snaking its way through Gabriel’s chest.

Hale’s serene, lifeless smile made his skin crawl. His hands clenched into fists as he forced his gaze away.

Grateful. But creeped out. Very much so.

Gabriel’s gaze darted to Kant, who had kept his distance during the ritual.

"I’m alive..." Gabriel whispered again and took a sharp breath. "This actually worked, somehow... I don’t really know how..."

Kant sighed. "Doesn’t matter. It’s over."

Gabriel nodded. He closed the distance between them, crashing into Kant with a forceful embrace. "Thanks. Even though it’s weird to say, considering the circumstances..."

The motion startled Kant, his arms coming up to push away by reflex. But he softened when he felt the tremble in Gabriel’s grip. He let his hands loosely circle around Gabriel and pat him on the back gently.

"...Happy second birthday."

"Yeah," Gabriel chuckled, "I’ll mark it in the calendar like an anniversary of my rebirth. Now I can celebrate two days in a year, haha."

Kant slowly pulled back, the finality of the moment settling over him.

Gabriel watched him cover Hale’s body with a blanket, but the air was stuffy with something unsaid. "So... What now?"

Kant didn’t look back, his voice back to the cool indifference, as if this was the last conversation they’d ever have. "You go on with your life. And I go with mine."

Gabriel’s throat tightened, confusion and something else swirling in his chest. "That’s it?"

Kant’s calm gaze swept over Gabriel, then turned away. "Yeah. That’s it."

Gabriel opened his mouth, but no words came out. For a long beat, neither of them moved, dragging the moment out. He never thought he’d feel this empty after coming back from the dead.