The man took his chance and slipped away swiftly. Just as Eliza was about to dash after him, a handful of folks dressed like house staff stepped in her way.
"Ma'am, this isn't a place for you. You really need to leave," one of them said.
"Where did he go?" Eliza's voice trembled with a mix of urgency and a hint of desperation. "The guy with the mask, where did he go?"
"Ma'am, you must be mistaken. Please, it's best you head out now," one of the servants said, sharing a knowing look with the others. "This is a private property. For your own safety, you should leave now."
They gently but firmly escorted Eliza downstairs, closing the heavy front door behind her.
She pounded on the weathered wooden door, her voice echoing through the stillness of the night. "Casper, you coward, come out and face me!"
"Casper..."
"Casper, don’t hide. I know it's you..."
Her voice was filled with a mix of frustration and hope, longing for some sign from behind the door. But no matter how hard Eliza knocked or how loud she shouted, the silence inside was deafening.
Just then, Juan came down the stairs, sensing something was off. He hurried to Eliza, concern etched on his face. "Eliza, what's going on?"
Eliza turned to Juan, tears glistening in her eyes, both angry and vulnerable. "Juan, the man with the mask, it's Casper. It really is him. Help me knock on the door; he's in there."
She clung to Juan’s arm, her voice tired but resolute.
Juan's eyes narrowed in thought. He gently squeezed her shoulder, speaking softly. "Are you sure it wasn’t someone else?"
"No, I didn’t get it wrong. It's him, those eyes... they're unmistakable. It's Casper." Eliza banged on the thick door, her frustration spilling over. "Casper, come out! What kind of man runs away like this?"
"Come on out, Casper..."
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