EPISODE 3: CONFRONTATION

As darkness descended, Mr. Charles strolled down the sidewalk, unaware of the 5'6" figure trailing behind him. The follower, Lilith, maintained a safe distance, her casual gait deceiving the few passersby who didn't notice her surveillance. When Mr. Charles turned onto Budson Street, Lilith followed suit, her eyes fixed on her target.

The streets grew increasingly deserted, and Mr. Charles's next move caught Lilith off guard: he ducked into an abandoned three-story hotel. Lilith hesitated, her instincts screaming "trap." Before she could react, a black tentacle burst from the shadows, snatching her ankle and dragging her inside. The grip felt like acid, searing her skin as she was pulled into the hotel lobby and slammed to the ground.

As the tentacle released its grip, Lilith sprang to her feet, ignoring the burning pain in her ankle. Mr. Charles loomed over her, his expression grim. "Humans aren't as sneaky as they think," he remarked.

Lilith's response was laced with menace: "So, I was right. Your body's been possessed by one of your own spirits." She tilted her head, her smile unwavering.

As two black tentacles burst from Mr. Charles's back, Lilith's eyes widened in alarm. "This isn't Mr. Charles anymore," she thought, her mind racing with caution. The tentacles sprang to life, one lunging at her with deadly precision. Lilith dropped into a swift squat, narrowly avoiding the attack. Before she could react, the second tentacle charged, forcing her to roll away desperately.

The tentacles continued their relentless assault, one striking at her again. Lilith darted behind a tattered sofa, the tentacle tearing through the worn fabric mere inches from her head. She sprinted toward a nearby pillar as the second tentacle gave chase, its tip barely missing her as she dodged around the column. She leapt behind the bar counter, but the tentacle pierced through it with ease.

Undeterred, Lilith bounded up the stairs, a sly smile spreading across her face. "You gonna keep chasing me like a useless housecat that can't do its job?" she taunted. Mr. Charles's expression twisted in a scowl.

The tentacles persisted, attacking her individually as she evaded and maneuvered through the hotel. Finally, Lilith jumped down to the first floor, the tentacles straining to reach her. She flashed a triumphant smile. "Dumbass, you couldn't even tell what I was doing. I noticed you can only use your tentacles to attack one at a time. I gambled on that, and it looks like I won. You've gotten yourself tangled up in this entire hotel, and I doubt you're smart enough to untangle yourself."

The spirit controlling Mr. Charles nodded in approval. "Impressive. But you realize I still have two more tentacles at my disposal. How do you plan on dodging them without getting burned by the tangled ones?"

Lilith's smile turned unnerving. "I don't plan on fighting you alone," she said, the red gem on her golden necklace beginning to glow. "I'll be using help, and she's not exactly friendly with men." As she spoke, a towering figure materialized behind her – a massive, pale-skinned woman in a tattered wedding dress. The woman's arms crossed over her chest as Lilith smiled. "Let's get this over with."

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