After a nice cold shower, Abby went downstairs to the kitchen to grab something to drink and maybe something to eat; anything to get her mind off that damn dream. Noah was there sitting on the countertop. With a smile, he gave her a relaxed wave.
Taking bottled water from the fridge, she twisted the cap open before directly drinking from the container. A sound of a clearing throat made her stop. She turned to look behind her.
Abby's eyes unconsciously stare at Noah's mouth.
"…draw for us? Abby?" Her eyes snap back to Noah's face nodding in response to whatever he just said. Concentrate Abby.
Noah flashed a dazzling smile. God help her. She might end up having the same dream again.
"That's good news! Thank you, Abby." He said grateful, closing in on her before draping his arms around her shoulders as if encasing in a hug. Moving back he happily asked, "So, was that person able to draw her?"
Oh, so we were talking about that drawing.
Abby shook her head, "Not yet. I asked her to come here this afternoon. You'll describe your mystery girl to me and then I'll narrate whatever you say to her."
Noah's eyes widen looking a bit bothered with the thought of having someone over.
"Oh, come on. You told me no one can see you except for me." Abby said her hand now on her hips.
"I know, but what if she can also see me and I scare her? No one's going to help us anymore," he said in a quiet voice, anxiousness clear in his tone. He floated to the sunroom and sat in front of the piano. Noah always does that whenever he feels some kind of emotion. He once mentioned that after being a wandering ghost for so long, he started having a hard time keeping his emotions in check. Abby watches him for a moment before finally agreeing to leave him alone for a while.
While waiting for Natasha to arrive, Abby decided to phone the manager of the diner she's been working part-time on every weekend.
"Hello," a monotonous sounding voice answered on the other line.
"Hi! It's Abby. Can I talk to the manager, please?" she replied unknowingly tapping her fingers on the wall beside her.
"Hold on," then the sound of rustling and other talking voices played in the background. Abby shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
A few minutes later, a high-pitched voice ringed her ears. "Abby, darling, how can I help you?"
Still feeling nervous about whatever is going to be her reaction; Abby's back stiffened when she heard her boss's voice. "Hi."
Abby worked at a diner called Eatz. The place started becoming popular after it has been accidentally featured on a TV show. This sudden rise in ranks is the reason the diner was able to hire her as a part-timer. They needed a few more people to be able to cater to their ever-growing customers.
"I called to let you know that I can't report to work anymore." Her voice came out a lot calmer than what she's currently feeling.
The silence stretched on the other line before Abby heard a reply, "Oh honey, I'd like to know why you're quitting but the diner's opening in an hour and you know how busy we are right now. I'll send you your last pay. Good luck. Come back anytime. You know we always need some extra hands around here."
"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks." and then the call ended with a click.
Abby sagged in relief, her back slumping on the wall. The owner of the diner she was working on was a good boss, she'd give her that. The only bad thing about working there is the owner's son. That perverted bastard tried to feel her up one time so she kneed him somewhere he'd never forget. It didn't go well with the owner though. She didn't want anyone manhandling her son. She was ready to lose her job at that time; only the boss offered to pay her and keep her silent to make sure she won't report that trash to the cops. Abby agreed and swallowed her pride granted that he won't go near her anymore and also because she needed the money at that time. Being poor is so hard that she almost cried that night from anger and frustration with herself.
A knock on the front door echoed across the hallway. She heard Natasha's voice on the other side.
"A moment," she shouted out before walking to the door.
Abby pulled the front door open and a smiling Natasha ushered herself in after giving her a cheek-to-cheek greeting. She handed Abby a paper bag that oozed out a very delicious smell. Abby's stomach almost growled good thing she ate a granola bar for breakfast.
"This is an amazing house, Abby! It has the feels that I've been looking for."
Abby looked at Natasha funnily as she closed the door behind her. She walked to the kitchen with Natasha in tow and then she placed the take-out bag on the counter. She saw Noah float to where they are. He was looking at Natasha, observing her.
"What feels?" Abby asked. Noah was now looking at her, his head tilting to the side.
Natasha smiled, pleased with her question. "Haunting feels."
Abby almost choked on her saliva and Noah burst out laughing. Good thing Natasha can't hear nor see him.
"What's that?!" Natasha's voice ringed their ears, almost in a high-pitched tone. Abby stilled her back straightening. Did she hear Noah?
Noah also stopped laughing. He moved his gaze to Natasha to observe her again.
"What is it?" Abby asked her, curious.
"Is that a…what's this?" Natasha moved in front of the fridge, removing a magnetic pin on its door before taking a white paper off it. "Is this some kind of voodoo?" she asked Abby, seriousness etched on her face.
Noah snorted and then burst into another frenzied laughter. God, did he put her drawing on display? Seriously, she'd smack him if she could.
Abby took out the paper from Natasha's grasp before crumpling it. "This is nothing." She said with a forced smile.
Natasha then gave out a slight shrug before nodding her head letting the topic go. "Okay, so where do we draw?"
As soon as they're seated on the living room floor, Natasha took out her iPad and started drawing. Noah sat behind her checking the sketch all while he describes the girl from his memory and then Abby would repeat whatever he says to Natasha.
With her eyebrows drawn together, Natasha carefully drew the face as Abby describe, making sure she won't make any mistake. Noah who's behind her nodded his head in satisfaction occasionally mouthing 'she's good' at Abby before returning his gaze to Natasha's sketch.
"Here." Natasha handed Abby her iPad once she was satisfied and done with her drawing. Abby bit her lower lip in anticipation. "I added a bit of color as you said," Natasha added.
Abby let out a gasp, "She's beautiful…" she whispered to herself.
She had dark hair that passed her shoulders. Her skin is fair and she has a softly curved jawline, a delicate nose, and almost rose-colored rounded cheekbones. She has deep-set eyes and full pink lips, like a model. Her smile was angelic with the little dimple on her cheek. She doesn't look like her at all. Abby thought recalling what Noah said before that she looked like his mystery girl.
"So, I'm curious why you'd want me to draw her?" Natasha asked while printing a copy of her drawing on the portable printer she brought.
"My friend asked me." Abby simply answered and Noah nodded while his arms are crossed above his chest.
Natasha let on a humorless laugh, "It's funny 'cos she kind of looks like Professor Carter. You know, the muse of the Science department, hour-glass figure, smart, funny. My ex-boyfriend left me for her. I mean, he became one of her most loyal fans ever since she performed during a school event." She surmised while her nose wrinkled in disgust.
"Have you met her?" Abby asked now curious. If Natasha says this professor looks like Noah's mystery girl then she can't let this chance go.
"Well yeah. You can say it that way. She's my Biology this semester." Natasha shrugged.
Abby's eyes twinkled. She glanced at Noah who was also smiling. This could be a step for him so he's pretty excited. It would've been much better if he could come with her to see if this Professor Carter is the one he's been looking for though.
Natasha grab the paper from the printer passing it to Abby then proceeded on changing the topic of their conversation, "So, I saw this at an antique shop on the way here-" Natasha began her tone excited before taking out a black rectangular device from her bag. The top part of the device showed five bars, each with different colors. These bars also had little light bulbs on top of each. Abby assumed they'd light in a way if used. At the center of the device, there are scribbles of numbers written in decimal with the words EMF meter below it.
"-This is an EMF meter. They told me this can measure electromagnetic fields." Natasha explained delight in her tone.
"O-okay…" Abby spoke unsure how to respond.
Noticing her reply, Natasha snickered before walking close to Abby, their forehead almost touching, her eyes super serious. "Ghosts, Abby. I'm talking about ghost hunting."
Abby's eyes widen before she slowly slid her body sideways to move away from her. She let out a dry laugh pretending to not believe what Natasha is saying.
Completely unbothered though, Natasha continued. "We'll use this for our club and then I'll show my brother that ghosts do exist once we find one. That way he'll approve of our club." And then she took out a glass jar from her bag, "-I'll put the ghost inside this jar when I catch one." She said satisfaction in her voice.
"I don't think he'll fit in there…" Abby mumbled to herself thinking of Noah. She glanced at Noah who looked horrified while staring at the glass jar. She tried to hold in the laugh bubbling inside her.
Settling for a silent chuckle, Abby took the glass jar from Natasha's hand. "I don't think they'll like it in here," she declared while shaking the empty jar as though she's examining it.
Natasha clicked her tongue before bringing a thumb to her lips to bite the tip of her nail as if in deep thought, "You're right, it does look cramped in there. Maybe a box will do. What do you think?" she said now looking at Abby.
Noah looked even more horrified now. He gapes at Abby as if pleading for help. She can't help but laugh this time. She shook her head in amusement. Natasha arched a brow at her response.
"We aren't even sure if that thing will work. How does it work anyway?" Abby casually asked trying to avert the topic of caging ghosts by pointing at the black device Natasha's now holding.
Natasha looked at the gadget she bought before smiling at her friend, her eyes thrilled. "That's easy, you just have to flick this switch open-" she began, a click echoed inside the room, and then a soft whirring sound started coming out of the device, and slowly a hiss like radio static resonated around them while the gadget shake.
"Are you sure it's not broken?" Abby asked staring at the EMF meter on Natasha's hand as if it's going to explode any moment now.
Natasha peered at Abby and then back to the loud gadget she's holding, her eyes widening in awe.
"Nat, I think it'd be a good idea if you turn it off now," Abby suggested stepping back from where she's standing. Sure they won't die if that thing explodes but they'll definitely have injuries and aside from it hurting like a bitch, hospital fees will be expensive and that's going to hurt her even more.
Natasha shook her head, her brows drawn in a thin line. "No, no I got this." She stubbornly responded her eyes fixated on the EMF meter.
The first thing she did is to violently shake the gadget around. Was that move supposed to fix it because, from the way she's shaking that thing, it looks like it's not going to last anymore? Abby thought.
And then she started beating it. Abby wanted to facepalm herself. Yup, it's gone now.
Miraculously, the device did not explode nor did it turn off. If anything at all, it started whirring to life like a revived zombie. The static sound calmed and became stable by the minute. Abby's mouth formed into an 'o' in shock. "Well, that worked."
Natasha grinned at her, "Told you I got this." She proudly said before holding the EMF meter close to her.
Abby is now nervous. The gadget on Natasha's hand finally looks like it's going to serve its function. She forgot Noah who seemed engrossed from Natasha's previous performance.
"Uh, okay we've proven that it's working so let's turn it off now." Abby voiced out nervously. Natasha glanced at her, slightly laughing. She waved her hand dismissively at her friend, "We haven't proven anything yet unless we find something, Abby."
Okay, shit.
She tried blocking Natasha but she only moved the other way, her eyes fixated on the device while she moved it around whenever it gave out a slightly high-pitched whir.
As she enters an empty room by the hallway upstairs, Natasha's eyes widen in surprise, her mouth curving upward as the device on her hand let out a shrill. Did it work?
Abby quickened her footsteps to follow Natasha and then she saw it. Natasha standing still, the EMF meter in her hand, the red light bulb was shining so much as it points at a smiling Noah who's holding his arms up in the air in surrender.
Yup. They're doomed.
Natasha's head turned to look at Abby, her face beaming with pure happiness and bliss. 'THERE'S A GHOST IN YOUR HOUSE!' she happily mouthed at her. Abby looked at her in worry. Noah should have stayed hidden as soon as Natasha talked about ghost hunting, now things got even more complicated.
As Natasha's eyes remain on the space the EMF detected, Abby waved her hand behind her in a signal for Noah to float away but to no avail, he just looked at her confused. God. Her life is so hard.
"Hello, my name is Natasha and I have come in peace. If you feel comfortable with me being here knock on wood twice."
When Abby met Noah's eyes, he burst into fits of laughter. Abby wanted to laugh too but then Natasha would wonder why and then she'd ask her questions or she even might get offended. Lucky for Noah, no one can hear him no matter how loud he laughs so Abby just stood there to glare at him. Noah let out a snort when he floated on top of the wooden table ignoring Abby who was mouthing him 'to not do it' before knocking on it twice.
Abby can't help but roll her eyes. She'll make sure to scold him later so hard, he'll cry. Natasha then breathily gasp before turning to Abby almost crying. "It responded." She whispered shout in a cry before running out of the room so fast Abby couldn't even stop her.
When she was out of earshot, Abby hissed at Noah in the quietest voice she could muster, "You scared her."
He was laying on top of the table sideways, his head resting on the palm of his hand. "I did not. I just did what she asked."
"You should've just stayed hidden. I thought you were scared to scare her off?"
"She didn't look scared at all, I swear. I'm the one who should be scared of her." The second those words left Noah's mouth, Natasha returned with the glass jar in her hand. She noticed that the lid was already taken off.
"I told you," Noah said in a matter-of-fact tone before quietly disappearing from the room.
"Hey, I'm sorry. That was me." Abby began with a soft laugh while meeting Natasha halfway into the room.
Natasha looked at her confused, "I was the one who knocked. Sorry. I was messing with you." Abby explained. However, Natasha didn't appear to believe her alibi as she only stared at her in disbelief, "But I saw the EMF fluctuate."
"There are a lot of old machines and wires in this room that the previous owner left. That must be why the EMF acted out." She started with a casual shrug, "-You can try again if you want. Here-" Abby said pointing at the busted light switch, "-point the EMF here."
Natasha pouted, clearly disappointed so she didn't try Abby's suggestion. "I did have this feeling that a ghost was here." She sighed before walking out of the room with the EMF and glass jar in both hands.
Abby also let out a sigh of relief. Phew. Hopefully, she just forgets everything that happened although she's sure that won't be the case. She sighed for the second time in a row. Well, a girl can hope. Abby muttered to herself.
_to be continued_