"Hurry up dimwit!" Jonathan scolded.
"Why do I have to go to school on the day after my release from the hospital?" Gabriel sulked, exhausted because he's running again towards his classroom.
Jonathan, "Whether you like it or not, you have no choice. You're already behind the lessons. You need to catch up."
Gabriel groaned.
Both of them entered their room together. Luckily, the teacher wasn't there yet. They hurried to their chairs, located at the back that was near the door, and caught their breaths.
"I swear, you two are getting later and later each passing day." Ashley noted, seated beside Gabriel.
"Good that you noticed." Jonathan huffed, sitting behind Gabriel.
"Wait, wait, wait, where's Justine?" Gabriel asked, worried. "He's usually earlier than the three of us."
Ashley, "I have no idea."
Jonathan, "You two chat every night, what do you mean you have no idea?"
"T-THAT!" Ashley stuttered, her cheeks flushed a light shade of red.
"Oops!" Gabriel covered his mouth. "Exposed."
"W-we don't chat every night. What are you talking about?" Ashley averted her gaze from her friends. "He didn't even chat this week."
Jonathan, "Yeah, keep lying. You're so pro at it."
Ashley was about to hit Jonathan's shoulder, but Jonathan brought a book in front of him to serve as a shield, avoiding the slap.
"Good morning class! It's math time. Go back to your seats." The teacher greeted the class, startling the students. The teacher sat down on the chair and took out her logbook, putting it on the table. "Roll call! Say present if your name is called."
The roll call was nearing its end when Justine suddenly barged in the classroom. He looked at his teacher and he bowed down as a sign of respect. "Sorry ma'am, I'm late."
"Mr. Leviste is late? Are you rebelling my dear?" The teacher asked, partly scolding.
Justine still had his head low, embarrassed. "No ma'am."
The teacher sighed. "Go take your seat."
"Thank you." Justine nodded his head and walked towards his seat. He sat down and grabbed his notebook from his bag, fixing himself for class.
"Yo." Gabriel tapped Justine's table. "Why are you late?"
Justine was about to speak, but their teacher beats them to it. "No talking or I'll give you kids a minus!" She warned.
Justine, "Let's talk later."
And the class went on with many students annoyed because of their lack of understanding of the lesson. They blamed it on the teacher who was just reading her PowerPoint slides without explaining anything at all.
***
Lunchtime arrived. The four friends were staying at the cafeteria, eating their meals. Except for one.
Jonathan, "Aren't you gonna eat?"
Justine was laying his head on the table, not bothering to move even the slightest. "I wish I could."
Ashley, "What do you mean? Are you sick?"
Justine lifted his head and sat properly. He looked at his friends, soulless. "I'm not in the mood to eat."
"You look dead." Gabriel pointed out, aghast with his friend's appearance. "What's with all those baggy eyes?"
Justine whined, placing his head back on the table. "I can't sleep these days."
Jonathan, "And why is that?"
"Every night." Justine started, sitting up straight again. "Every night feels like someone is staring at me. Watching me while I sleep and it's very bothersome."
Gabriel tensed. "Don't you think---"
Ashley slammed a piece of her sandwich inside Gabriel's mouth, shutting him up. "Don't scare him."
Justine, "And lately, I've been having those nightmares of a burning house and children screaming."
Jonathan, "I think you should stop watching those documentation shows. It's already affecting you."
Justine pouted. "You think so?"
Jonathan waves his hand in the air. "Just give it a try."
Justine sighed. "Okay."
Ashley patted Justine's back. "Cheer up, you'll be fine. We're always here for you."
Justine smiled at the action. "Thanks."
Jonathan coughed. "Obvious." And coughed again.
Ashley glared at him, mouthing a "shut up".
***
The classes were ongoing while Gabriel was taking a break in the lavatory, minding his own business. Once he was done, he went out and was about to return to his classroom. He stopped in his tracks when he heard someone crying. He searched for the source of the sound and ended up in a secluded hallway with only a little amount of light. On the very end, he saw someone hugging her knees on the floor.
He neared the crying girl, concerned. "Hey, are you okay?"
The girl stopped crying but remained in her position. She didn't move nor answer the question thrown at her.
Gabriel nudged her shoulder gently. "Hey?"
The girl slowly lifted her face and looked at Gabriel. Tears were flowing down her rosy cheeks. Her hair was covering her eyes.
Gabriel, "What's wrong?"
"Y-you c-can see me?" The girl spoke.
Why are people asking me this sort of question? Gabriel thought, confused. "Yes, I can."
The girl grinned. There was something on that grin that made Gabriel tumble backward. He felt his legs going numb.
"You really can." The girl stood up from her place. The tone of her voice changed. Demonic.
Later, a cracking sound resonated in the place. The girl screamed, her body doing bone-breaking gestures. Gabriel was horrified, his body stiffened. He wants to run, but his body won't cooperate with him.
The girl stopped screaming. She slowly lowered her head and that's what made Gabriel dashing away. The look on her face was terrifying. Her eyes turned black and her hair was in the air, as well as her body. On every part of her skin were scratch marks or scars.
"HELP ME!" Gabriel shouted, running as fast as he could. Little did he know that no one could hear him.
"That's no use little boy." The girl laughed maniacally. "No one can hear you. You have nowhere to hide."
Gabriel halts, hitting the wall at the process. It was a dead end. He turned around to change direction, but the girl reached him, blocking his only way out for escape.
"You can't run now." The girl chirped, sending a bloodlust aura that made Gabriel's body shiver.
Gabriel fell to the floor. "S-stay away from me." He cried pleadingly.
The girl failed to listen and jumped towards him. Her claws were aiming at Gabriel's chest. "That heart is mine!"
"AHH!!!" Gabriel screamed, trying to protect himself behind his arms.
He waited for the impact, thinking that today will be his time of death. But it never arrived. He slowly took a peek and saw nothing, but black and ashes on the floor. He looked up and saw the stranger he met at the hospital.
"Hi." Halden greeted apathetically. "We meet again."
Without even greeting back, Gabriel collapsed.