Chapter 133: Vacation Starts... Mysterious Farmhouse...

Rhode Island...

Rhode Island's airport...

As Jojo, Freya, and Leah stepped off the plane at Rhode Island's airport, the cool breeze of the coastal state greeted them.

The scent of the ocean mixed with the crisp freshness of the countryside—a stark contrast to the dense forests of Forks.

The airport was moderately busy, with traveller's moving in and out, but it lacked the chaotic rush of a major city hub.

The moment they retrieved their luggage, Jojo pulled out his phone and dialled Rosalie's number.

It only rang once before she picked up.

"You better not be calling just for the sake of it,"

Rosalie's voice came through, though her tone was lighter than usual.

Jojo chuckled.

Chuckle~

"Of course not, baby. Just landed. Thought I'd check in before you send a search party after me."

Tch~

"Hmph."

Rosalie tch'd but didn't deny it.

"Good. How's the place?"

"Haven't left the airport yet, but it's got a different vibe from Forks. Feels… peaceful."

"Enjoy it while you can,"

she warned.

"And don't slack off on your magic training just because you're on vacation."

"Yes, ma'am."

Jojo grinned, rolling his eyes playfully.

After a bit more teasing, he switched to Alice, who sounded way too excited.

"Jojo~! You better be taking pictures! I want to see everything!"

Alice's voice was bubbly with excitement.

Hahaha~ 

"I haven't even left the airport yet,"

Jojo laughed.

"No excuses! The moment you see something cool, snap a picture and send it to me, got it?"

"Yes, yes, I'll keep my cute pixie updated."

Satisfied, Alice giggled before ending the call with a reminder to text often.

Meanwhile, Leah, being the ever-efficient assistant, was busy on her phone.

"Hello, yes, this is Leah. We have a pre-booked rental under my name…"

she spoke professionally.

After a few confirmations and a brief wait, a sleek black SUV pulled up to the curb.

The rental company employee handed Leah the keys before leaving.

"All set,"

Leah said, tossing the keys to Jojo, who caught them with ease.

"Alright then, let's hit the road,"

Jojo grinned, sliding into the driver's seat as the GPS navigator lit up.

With Freya riding in the passenger seat and Leah in the back, Jojo followed the GPS toward Klaus's farmhouse.

The one-hour journey turned into a leisurely drive, with all three of them enjoying the scenic views.

Golden fields stretched on either side of the road, dotted with patches of lush greenery and rolling hills.

Occasionally, they passed small lakes that shimmered under the daylight, and Leah even pointed out a historical landmark as they drove by.

The ride was filled with casual chatter, occasional laughter, and moments of peaceful silence as they took in the beauty of Rhode Island's countryside.

As they neared their destination, the roads became less paved and more rugged, leading them into an isolated part of the countryside.

When they finally arrived, the farmhouse came into view—

a warm, welcoming home standing amidst green fields and wooden fences.

It had a rustic charm, with white walls, a wooden porch, and a chimney that made it feel cozy.

A small garden out front brimmed with herbs and wildflowers, added to its homely feel.

However, directly opposite the farmhouse stood another house—one that gave off an entirely different aura.

This house was dark, old, and unsettling.

It was slightly larger, but its wooden exterior looked aged and worn.

Unlike Klaus's farmhouse, which radiated warmth, this house seemed to repel it.

In front of the eerie house stood a large, twisted dead tree, its gnarled branches stretching toward the sky like skeletal fingers.

A chill ran through the air, and even though it was broad daylight, the place felt cold and unnerving—almost as if the house itself was watching them.

Leah shifted uncomfortably, clutching the strap of her bag.

Her instincts told her this place was no good.

"…I don't like that house,"

she muttered, narrowing her eyes, her body visibly tense.

Freya, who had been studying the eerie house, also narrowed her eyes.

"That place… has something unnatural about it,"

she murmured, analyzing the unsettling aura.

"I can feel it."

Jojo, standing between them, simply grinned.

"Well… this trip just got a lot more interesting."

As the uneasy silence stretched between them, Jojo—never one to let things stay heavy for too long—cracked a few jokes.

Smirk~

"Well, at least if we get haunted, we won't have to pay for entertainment,"

he smirked, shaking his head while unloading the luggage.

Leah let out a forced chuckle, but it was clear she still felt uneasy.

Jojo then nudged Freya, winking.

"Didn't we come here to relax? I mean, if you want, we can go ghost-hunting right away, but I thought the plan was to let you have a break first."

Freya, arms crossed, sighed before shaking her head with a small smile.

"You're right. Let's not get distracted. I need this break."

She still had an odd feeling about the dark house across the way, but she wasn't about to let it ruin their trip.

She knew how hardworking Jojo was when it came to these things, yet here he was, trying to make her feel better.

But deep down, she also knew one thing for certain—whatever that house was hiding, Jojo would face it.

It was in his nature.

Jojo, however, knew better.

Unlike Freya and Leah, who simply sensed something was off, he could see it.

With his Ghost Rider abilities, his eyes naturally picked up the dark, disturbing aura swirling around the house.

The air carried a strong stench of sin.

Shadows clung to the walls like they were alive, and the gnarled tree in front pulsed with something sinister.

But he chose not to say anything.

Not yet.

They were here for a vacation, not a mission.

Whatever this house had to offer—they'd deal with it later.

Turning away from the eerie sight, the three of them approached Klaus's farmhouse and knocked on the wooden door.

It didn't take long before it creaked open, revealing an older man in his late fifties.

He had graying hair, sharp eyes, and wore simple yet well-kept clothes.

"You must be the guests Klaus mentioned,"

the man said, his voice gruff yet polite.

Jojo nodded.

"That's us."

The man stepped aside, allowing them to enter.

The inside of the farmhouse was just as warm as it looked from the outside.

The scent of aged wood and herbs filled the air, and a fireplace crackled gently in the living room.

The furniture was simple but comfortable, exuding a rustic charm.

"I'm Gerald,"

the man introduced himself.

"Master Klaus left instructions yesterday over the phone to make sure you're comfortable. If you need anything, just ask."

Freya smiled and nodded in appreciation.

Gerald returned a small nod before heading back to his duties.

The three of them were each assigned rooms.

Jojo and Freya shared one.

Leah got a separate room down the hall.

After unpacking their bags, the exhaustion of the journey caught up to them.

"I don't know about you two, but I need a bath,"

Leah sighed, stretching her arms.

Sigh~

Jojo smirked and teased her about the farmhouse next door.

He could tell Leah had a bad feeling about it—being a shapeshifter, she could sense the danger lingering in that place.

"What, not interested in ghost-hunting yet?"

She shot him a flat look.

"I swear, if you joke about ghosts one more time, I'm sleeping in your room."

Chuckle~

Freya chuckled, but Jojo just grinned wider.

"Fine, fine. Let's all freshen up first."

With that, all three of them took turns bathing, washing away the exhaustion from their long journey.

The warm water soothed their bodies, melting away the fatigue of travel.

After a short rest, Jojo, Freya, and Leah hopped into the SUV and headed toward Cliff Walk, one of Rhode Island's most scenic spots.

The drive was smooth, the salty sea breeze drifting through the open windows.

As they arrived, breathtaking coastal views stretched before them.

Ocean waves crashed against the rocky shoreline, sending up white froth as seagulls circled above.

Freya, taking in the fresh air, let out a content sigh.

"This is exactly what I needed,"

she murmured, closing her eyes for a moment as the cool ocean breeze kissed her skin.

Leah, ever the planner, had a map in her hands.

"Okay, so if we follow this path, we can see some of the famous mansions from the outside too."

Jojo walked beside them, hands in his pockets, simply enjoying the moment—until something made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

A feeling.

Not of danger.

But of being watched.

Jojo's casual demeanor didn't change, but his sharp eyes subtly scanned the surroundings.

Then, he saw them.

Standing far away, half-hidden behind a tree, were two girls.

Their pale faces peeked from behind the bark, their eyes locked onto him.

Jojo's gaze narrowed.

Even from this distance, he could tell—they weren't human.

'Ghosts.'

The moment they saw Jojo notice them, they vanished behind the tree.

Jojo exhaled through his nose, shrugged his shoulders, and continued walking as if nothing had happened.

This wasn't the time to deal with it.

He was here for a vacation.

Their next stop was The Breakers, the famous Vanderbilt mansion.

The grand estate stood before them, a testament to Gilded Age opulence.

The intricate architecture, sprawling gardens, and massive ocean-facing balconies made it feel like stepping into a different era.

Freya, ever the history lover, admired the craftsmanship.

Leah, meanwhile, was busy snapping pictures.

"This place is insane. Imagine living here."

Jojo?

Jojo was bored.

"Rich people really knew how to waste money,"

he muttered, earning a playful smack on the arm from Freya, who giggled at his antics.

No matter what, Jojo had no right to say that—she knew exactly how much he spent on things, like a curious kid who had accidentally gotten his hands on his daddy's vault.

Still, the sightseeing was enjoyable, and after a few hours of touring, their stomachs started growling.

They stopped at a local restaurant, eager to try some native Rhode Island dishes.

Jojo went for a classic clam chowder and lobster roll.

Freya opted for stuffies—Rhode Island's famous stuffed quahogs.

Leah tried the Doughboys, fried dough sprinkled with sugar.

The meal was delicious, and the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant made it even better.

By the time they finished, the sun was starting to dip lower in the sky, painting the horizon in shades of gold and orange.

As they drove back, the sky transformed into a breathtaking canvas of warm hues, a perfect end to their day of exploration.

Pulling into the farmhouse's driveway, Jojo immediately noticed something different.

The house across the way—the eerie one—was no longer empty.

In the courtyard, five girls of various ages were playing, their laughter ringing through the air.

A woman, likely their mother, stood outside laundering clothes, calmly humming as she worked.

Jojo's eyes lingered on them for a moment.

Before, this place had felt abandoned, drenched in an unsettling aura.

Now?

It looked... normal.

Too normal.

'Something's off…'

Jojo thought, narrowing his eyes.

But for now, he decided to let it be.

After all, this was supposed to be a vacation.

Just as Jojo was about to step into the farmhouse, he suddenly paused.

His sharp eyes flickered toward the empty air beside the parked SUV.

Without turning, he spoke calmly:

"You can come out now."

For a moment—silence.

Then, after a few seconds, two little girls emerged from behind the SUV, their ghostly figures faintly shimmering in the evening light.

Their wide eyes studied Jojo curiously.

"You can really see us?"

one of them asked.

sigh~

Jojo sighed, running a hand through his hair.

He had been through this enough times to know when ghosts were simply curious rather than malicious.

"Yeah, I can see you,"

he replied.

Immediately, the two girls perked up, their curiosity growing.

They began bombarding him with questions—

"How can you see us?"

"Are you a ghost too?"

"Why aren't you scared?"

"Do you know our names?"

Jojo answered them patiently, his tone casual and slightly amused.

After a while, he gestured toward the house.

"You wanna come in? No point standing out here all night."

The two girls hesitated before nodding, their transparent forms flickering slightly as they followed him inside.

As Jojo stepped in, Gerald, the servant Klaus had assigned to the farmhouse, noticed him talking to thin air.

The vampire arched an eyebrow.

"Sir… who exactly are you speaking to?"

His voice was polite but laced with curiosity.

Jojo glanced at him and smirked.

"Ghosts,"

he said simply.

Gerald's expression remained neutral, though Jojo caught the flicker of intrigue behind his eyes.

"I see,"

Gerald mused.

"And you are… accustomed to this?"

Jojo shrugged.

"It's part of my job."

Seeing Gerald's interest, Jojo took a seat on the couch and gave a brief explanation about DMC (Devil May Cry) and the work they did—dealing with supernatural cases, hunting dangerous creatures, and occasionally helping lost souls move on.

Gerald listened carefully, his sharp vampire senses catching every word.

Meanwhile, Freya sat on the couch, watching a comedy show on TV, a small smile on her face.

Leah was nearby, completely absorbed in Candy Crush on her phone.

Neither of them looked surprised when Jojo walked in, talking to thin air.

Without even turning her head, Freya muttered:

"Ghosts, huh?"

Leah, still tapping on her phone, nodded.

"Figured. This place had that kind of vibe."

Jojo chuckled and took a seat while Gerald served tea and snacks.

The two little ghost girls hesitated, but Jojo gestured for them to sit as well.

Noticing how nervous they were, Jojo decided to lighten the mood.

He cracked a few jokes, and despite their initial hesitation, the girls giggled softly.

Once they seemed a little calmer, Jojo leaned forward, his tone shifting to a gentler one.

"Alright, tell me your story."

The two girls exchanged glances, their expressions solemn.

Then, they began to speak.

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(Author's POV)

(A/N): 

Thanks for reading the chapter!

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