Love in the Limelight novel Chapter 488

As soon as she stepped out, Elio sidled up, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Astrid, you should head back. I'll tag along with them; it's cool."

"Not a chance," Astrid shot back with a wink. "Some things might stump these guys, but not me. Just don't go screaming like a little kid when things get spooky, okay?"

Elio grinned. "With my wife’s protection, scared is the last thing I'd be."

"Get outta here! Since when am I your wife?" Astrid rolled her eyes in mock disgust, then something caught her eye in the distance—a shape fluttering in the branches of a tree.

It was like the silhouette of a person, floating among the leaves, but it had no legs.

Even Elio, as macho as he tried to be, felt a chill creep up his spine. Fearing Astrid might freak, he reached out and covered her eyes.

But Astrid wasn't having any of it. She was too intrigued to appreciate the blindfold treatment. She swatted his hand away. "What are you doing? Oh my god, who's still using the old 'lady in white with long hair' gig? It's so cliche! That's a lousy prop, right there. It looks so fake! The eyes are bulging, but it's more funny than scary. And is that ketchup for blood? Seriously, this is amateur hour. And look, you can see right through that hole in the belly—clear to the tree behind!"

Maddox was speechless. To avoid frightening the viewers at home, the crew swiftly cut the feed from the camera pointed at the eerie figure.

Hearing Astrid's commentary, everyone started to visualize the scene, and the more timid among them were on the verge of tears. [This is the first time I wish Astar would just zip it.]

[Same here. I usually love her banter, but right now, I'd pay her to shut up. Her descriptions are way too vivid; I'm crying here.]