Just as Jojo brought the bike to a halt, stepped off, and nodded once at Rosalie and Alice.
The couple's eyes widened again, but this time with something closer to awe than fear.
Jojo gave them a small, calm smile.
"You're safe now. But stay put. We'll need to check something properly."
"____"
"____"
They nodded in silence, not daring to question him.
Not after what they'd seen.
Jojo stepped a few paces away from the couple, his boots tapping lightly against the pavement as he turned his gaze slowly around the parking lot.
His expression shifted—
Calm but focused, as though searching for something only he could sense.
His eyes briefly flickered, reflecting the faint glow of streetlights, before narrowing as if scanning the unseen.
The boy and girl, still seated on their bike, exchanged a glance.
"____"
"____"
"…What's he looking for?"
The girl whispered softly, clutching the boy's jacket a little tighter.
"I don't know,"
The boy replied, voice just as low.
"But he seems serious about it. Maybe… maybe he's checking if those people from before are still around?"
The girl's eyes darted around the lot, tension still sitting like a weight in her chest.
"I thought they were gone."
"Yeah. But the monster—"
He caught himself and nodded toward Jojo,
"—he looked like he knew what he was doing. These women clearly trust him. We probably should, too."
Even though they didn't understand who this teenager was, the couple could feel the quiet authority in how Rosalie and Alice deferred to him.
The same woman who casually spoke with the flaming demon earlier—
Now calm, collected, and listening to him.
They didn't know that the boy who now paced in search of hidden danger had once been the flaming monster who scorched the forest and crushed monsters with fire and chains.
Jojo had purposely remained transformed until Alice and Rosalie had led the couple far enough away.
He didn't want them to associate the terrifying Ghost Rider with the human face he now wore.
A small flicker of fire passed through Jojo's fingers for a brief moment—
Barely noticeable unless someone was paying close attention.
He was feeling the lingering embers of hellfire… searching for any traces—
whether any spirits—
Nearby.
His eyes swept once more over the perimeter.
Nothing yet… but Jojo didn't stop and walked out of the parking lot.
Rosalie leaned over and whispered to Alice,
"He's being thorough."
Alice nodded with a faint smile.
"He doesn't leave things to chance. Especially not with them involved."
Rosalie folded her arms.
"Good. Let's just hope whatever he's sensing doesn't decide to show up now."
And back by the bike, the girl murmured one last time, her voice trembling only slightly:
"…Who is that guy?"
The boy just shook his head.
After a few seconds...
Jojo returned with a steady stride, but what followed behind him made the air still.
To most people, it looked like he was walking alone.
But Jacky's eyes widened in disbelief, his breath caught in his throat as a pale, elderly woman floated gently behind Jojo—
Her feet never touched the ground.
He took a stumbling step back, his face drained of colour.
"G-Grandma…?"
The girl on the bike blinked and looked around.
"____"
"What are you talking about?"
She whispered, confused.
"There's no one there."
Jacky didn't answer.
His eyes were locked on the old woman—
Her familiar eyes crinkled with warmth, her smile as sweet as he remembered, her silver hair tied back in the same way she always had it when she was alive.
"____"
"____"
Rosalie and Alice immediately exchanged glances.
They understood now—
This was no ordinary visit.
They'd heard about a special human who could see spirits like Jenny, but watching it unfold in person… it was something else entirely.
Jacky's voice trembled.
"You… you died. I saw you. I was at your funeral. How are you here…?"
The old woman's face lit up with joy, tears brimming at the corners of her spirit-glazed eyes.
"Jacky, my sweet boy…"
She whispered, her voice echoing gently in the air.
"You can see me? You really can see me!"
And before he could react, she darted forward with a sudden energy and wrapped her arms around him—
Not cold, not terrifying, but warm and familiar.
Her presence glowed with love, like a memory that refused to fade.
Jacky didn't know how to react.
"____"
He stood frozen, his arms trembling, but slowly… almost instinctively… he hugged her back.
"I've missed you so much,"
She whispered against his ear, her voice now choked with emotion.
"I used to play with you every evening. Your little games, your laughter… they were the happiest moments of my time on Earth."
Jacky closed his eyes, overwhelmed.
"I missed you too… every day…"
His girlfriend watched in complete confusion, unable to see or hear anything, only watching Jacky's face change with each emotion.
She looked at Rosalie, silently asking for an explanation.
Rosalie gave her a gentle, understanding look.
"He's… seeing someone very dear to him,"
She said softly.
"Someone who's passed on."
"But…"
The girl's lips trembled,
"How is that even possible?"
Alice placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Because Jojo is not just anyone."
Meanwhile, Jojo stood a few feet away, arms folded, watching quietly.
There was no pride in his eyes—
Just a calm sense of closure, of having done something right.
He waited until Jacky was ready.
Until the boy could finally say goodbye.
As the old woman wrapped her arms around Jacky, tears filled his eyes.
His body trembled as he slowly returned the embrace.
"I… I missed you so much, Grandma."
Jacky whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.
"You died when I was thirteen. Everything… everything changed after that."
The old woman gently stroked his hair, smiling warmly.
"I know, my boy. I missed you, too. I've been watching over you all this time."
Jacky's sobs grew heavier.
"After you passed, Mom and her siblings started fighting. The whole family split because there were no proper documents left about the property. We've been in court ever since. You wouldn't believe how ugly things became."
The girl beside Jacky looked completely lost, unable to see the old woman.
"Jacky… who are you talking to?"
Jacky glanced at her, then turned to Jojo, confusion flooding his face.
"How… How is she even here? She died, I saw her funeral…"
Jojo stepped forward calmly.
"It's because of what happened earlier, Jacky."
Jacky looked at him, puzzled.
"What do you mean?"
Jojo gave a small smile.
"When you were healed by the Ghost Rider—by me—you received a blessing. It's rare… but sometimes, when someone is touched by angel fire, their soul becomes sensitive to the spirit world."
"____"
"So… I can see ghosts now?"
Jacky asked, his voice low, stunned.
Jojo nodded.
"Yeah. It won't be the same from here on. But maybe… just maybe… It's a chance to find some closure. Or even help others do the same."
Jacky looked back at his grandmother.
She beamed at him with so much love in her eyes, and despite everything, a small smile finally tugged at the corners of his lips.
"____"
Suddenly, Jack paused.
And turned to look at Jojo with a trembling finger pointed at him, and asked.
"Are you really that flaming monster?"
To which Jojo let out a chuckle and gave a nod.
Chuckle~ Nod~
After finishing his explanation about the spirit-seeing blessing, Jojo's tone turned a bit grim.
"There are downsides too, Jacky,"
He added, his voice serious.
"You'll start noticing things others can't. Spirits, energies… some good, some not. Some might even try to latch on or lead you into places you shouldn't go."
Jacky's face turned pale.
"T-Then take it back… remove the blessing. I didn't ask for this."
Jojo shook his head, giving a helpless shrug.
"If I could, I would. But even I don't know how to reverse something like this. It's not a curse… It's just the consequence of a miracle."
He gave Jacky a firm look.
"Just remember this—don't chat with spirits casually, especially not when you're alone or in places that feel… off. Not every ghost is your grandmother."
Before Jacky could say more, a strange chill crept into the parking lot.
A swirl of dark mist began to form out of nowhere, gathering and rising like a vortex. Rosalie and Alice grinned.
Swoosh~
From the swirling shadows stepped a woman with piercing eyes and an aura of overwhelming presence—
It was Inadu, summoned by Alice after sensing Jojo's transformation earlier.
The moment she fully emerged, the mist dissipated like smoke, leaving behind an eerie stillness.
Inadu looked around briefly before nodding at Jojo.
"I came as requested."
Rosalie stepped forward and turned to Jacky's girlfriend.
"Now that things are calming down, there's one more thing we need to address."
The girl blinked, confused.
"What is it?"
Rosalie's gaze was gentle but serious.
"You've seen things tonight that most people never will—flames that don't belong to this world, spirits of the dead, a monster that protects the innocent… but all of that comes with a cost."
Alice added,
"If you choose to retain these memories, you won't ever see the world the same way again. Knowledge like this draws in danger—creatures, cults, cursed places… they all seek people who know."
Jacky's girlfriend looked between them, her expression tense but determined.
"I want to remember. Jacky… he went through something I couldn't understand. I don't want to forget it like it never happened."
Inadu raised an eyebrow slightly, impressed.
She stepped closer and traced a glowing sigil in the air.
"Then you must vow. Once sealed, the memory will remain—but you cannot speak of this to the ordinary world. Breaking the vow will bring consequences."
The girl nodded firmly.
"I swear."
The sigil shone brightly and then vanished, absorbed into her chest like a breath.
The air shifted again—
Lighter, but more serious.
Jojo glanced at Inadu.
"Thanks for coming."
Inadu gave him a small nod.
Nod~
"The DMC has chosen this method for a reason. Best to protect the unaware… and guide the willing."
Inadu stepped back after sealing the vow, the glowing sigil fading into silence.
"____"
Rosalie gave a small sigh of relief.
Sigh~
"It's still strange every time I see that."
Alice nodded.
Nod~
"But it works. Fewer risks, fewer liabilities."
Jacky blinked in confusion.
"Do… do you do this often?"
Jojo turned to him, rubbing the back of his neck.
"We're still figuring that part out. This system… It's not been around that long."
Rosalie added,
"It was actually Inadu's idea. When he joined the DMC, she pointed out something important—that not everyone stays grateful just because you saved them. In the moment, sure. But people twist. Time changes perspective."
Inadu crossed her arms, speaking coolly.
"Fear becomes resentment. Superstition turns into blame. The more people remember the impossible, the more they feel threatened by it. Sooner or later, the same people you protected start calling you the danger."
Jacky's girlfriend looked down, suddenly grasping the weight of what she'd chosen to remember.
Jojo nodded slowly.
Nod~
"After she brought it up, I took it to Jenny and Freya. They agreed. Freya especially—she's seen how human nature warps when it can't understand something."
Alice added,
"That's how the memory-sealing vow system started. A new protocol. But…"
Rosalie sighed.
Sigh~
"We're still in the middle of implementing it. Right now, the DMC only has four witches strong enough to carry out the vow—Inadu, her two disciples and Freya. No matter how good they are, they can't be everywhere at once."
Jojo nodded.
Nod~
"So, we're careful. We call it in when we have to. And hope someday we get more support to make it standard everywhere."
Inadu glanced at the girl again, her resolve still solid.
"At least this one understands the weight of her choice. That's a start."
Cullen Mansion –
Living Room...
The atmosphere inside the Cullen mansion was heavy with unspoken tension.
The two former Volturi girls sat uneasily on the pristine white couch, still bearing the bruises—
Physical and emotional—
From their encounter with the Ghost Rider and Biffer.
Carlisle stood near the fireplace, his voice calm but firm.
"You both understand now—you can't return to the Volturi. Not after what happened. Aro is... not the man he once was. You're liabilities to him. If he finds out you survived and came here, he won't hesitate to eliminate you himself."
One of the girls flinched.
The other asked quietly,
"Then… what are our options?"
Carlisle looked at them with a hint of sympathy.
"Jojo—Ghost Rider—is part of an organisation known as the DMC. He didn't kill you when he had the chance. That alone says more than you realise."
"He's offering an out. Join the DMC. Learn. Work under supervision. You'll be watched, of course. But if you prove yourselves, there might be a place for you."
A silence followed.
"____"
"____"
The girls looked at each other—
Haunted eyes searching for meaning, weighing fate against fear.
After a pause, the one with a burn mark on her stomach nodded.
Nod~
"We'll join… for now. We want to try. See what this DMC really is before we commit fully."
From the far side of the room, Edward's voice rose sharply.
"That's insane, Father! They're Volturi. You know how dangerous they are! You're gambling with all of our lives."
Carlisle remained calm.
"Everyone deserves a second chance, Edward. You know better than anyone what a single choice can mean."
Before Edward could retort, one of the girls asked hesitantly,
"What if Aro does find out? What if the Volturi come for us? You'll have an army of cold ones to deal with."
Emmett, leaning against a wall with arms crossed and a smirk on his face, let out a soft chuckle.
Chuckle~
"Well then…"
He shrugged, glancing at Jojo, who was now quietly leaning on the stairs, arms folded.
"They'll just be EXP points for Ghost Rider."
The two girls blinked in disbelief.
Philadelphia...
Pennsylvania...
The cold wind howled through the empty streets as dusk fell over the city.
In the heart of Philadelphia, the heavy wooden doors of a small, old church creaked open.
A young boy, no older than ten, slipped inside and quickly shut the door behind him with trembling hands.
His chest heaved with ragged breaths, and his wide, fearful eyes darted around the dimly lit sanctuary.
His name was Cole Sear, and his small frame shook as though the very air around him carried something unseen and terrifying.
He clutched the strap of his backpack tightly and slowly walked down the aisle, the sound of his shoes echoing through the silent church.
The fading sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting fractured colours over the pews and altar.
Cole whispered, almost like a prayer,
"Please… just for a little while. Don't let them follow me in here."
There was no one else in sight—
But to Cole, that didn't mean he was alone.
**********************************************************************************************************************************************************
(Author's POV)
(A/N):
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review and power stone!!!