"Belief in ghosts or inexplicable powers is only a matter of perspective. Everyone has a distinct perspective on what is unknown or less known. It was only speculation. The total absence of verifiable proof. There is no reason to believe without proof, and individuals' stories aren't evidence. People might have hallucinations for a variety of reasons, or they can just misinterpret what happened."
That was Jerrod's belief before he finally experienced meeting one real ghost in his cabinet.
He was always telling people who believed in ghosts that they were cowards and were sharing stories without actual proof. However, now that proof that ghosts really exist was shown in front of him, Jerrod wished he had never acted like a cocky asshole to the people who might have suffered the same spooky experience as him.
"Oh my, Sir, what happened?"
Jerrod's co-worker asked worriedly after seeing the dark circles under his eyes. He was not in the mood to smile but still forced himself to look lively in front of his co-workers who were staring at him with concern.
"I was just sick yesterday. I am sorry for leaving the presentation to all of you." He politely apologized.
Although he wanted to go to work yesterday, the ghost kept hunting him. He wasn't able to go to work because he hadn't solved his problem, even with his effort to get away.
"No, it's okay."
"You still look sick."
"What really happened, sir?"
"Did you see a doctor?"
His officemates flock around him, very concerned. They asked him about visiting a doctor, but deep inside, Jerrod wanted to tell them that he wouldn't be needing a doctor but that he needed an exorcist.
He wanted to bluntly respond to them, but still chose to be polite.
"No. I am fine. I can work now. Thank you for the concern."
It is impossible for him to tell anyone what happened to him yesterday because he will only appear crazy in front of them. He could only deal with this on his own.
Still with his pride as a man, he thought, "There's no way they would believe me that there is a fucking ghost in my cabinet whenever I go."
Jerrod spent his whole day yesterday running away from the translucent lady that keeps popping inside any cabinet he tries to open. He gives up on finding a new home as even at the hotel, the ghost can follow him.
Later that day, he decided to hire an exorcist and received no cure at all.
It was only Jerrod who could see the ghost, and even the mighty exorcist could not ward off the ghost. He had no choice but to return to work without sleep in order to at least distract himself from thinking about the ghost.
That was what he planned to do, but he couldn't even work properly as his vision was slowly becoming blurry.
"Ah, right, aside from sleep. I forgot to eat." he mumbled to himself.
Jerrod walked out of his office and decided to look for food in the pantry, but the hallway was now dancing in his vision.
"W-what the…"
Thud!
"Oh no! Help! Sir Guillermo collapsed!"
Jerrod could still feel his officemates crowding around him, but he could not even stand up again as his vision turned black.
…
…
…
"Awake?"
A reluctant voice asked Jerrod while his eyes were still having a hard time opening up. But before he could completely open his tired eyes, the man beside him started to speak really fast, as if he was not breathing.
"Rest more. We admitted you to the hospital. I know you're obsessed with dieting, but you can't starve yourself to death. And don't worry, I asked the hospital to not report this to your parents. I have dealt with all of the important things, so you better not let this thing happen again. How can you collapse? Are you trying to kill yourself by starving?"
"The fuck, man. I haven't opened my eyes yet, and you're nagging."
Jerrod saw his friend peeling apples without even looking at him. The quantity of peels on his lap shows how many apples his friend had already eaten before Jerrod regained consciousness.
Erwin. His blunt friend was not that expressive and always showed reluctance, but he knew how concerned this friend was for him.
"You're cursing. You might be fine now."
"Yes. I am fine. I was just exhausted and forgot to eat yesterday."
"You forgot? How come a human forgot to eat?"
Erwin stopped eating the apples and glared at Jerrod. He knows that his friend is obsessed with maintaining his fit body, but this case seems different than usual. That is why he suspiciously asked, "Is there something you're not telling me?"
Jerrod looked the other way as he planned to make some excuse, but his friend's suspicious eyes made him tell the truth.
"Why didn't you go to my house rather than pointlessly running around the city?" Erwin asked after hearing the details from Jerrod.
Jerrod clasped his friend's hand after hearing Erwin's concerned response to his crazy story.
"Thank you, my friend! I thought you would judge me as a crazy person!"
Jerrod's worries about being mocked disappeared. He felt guilty for doubting his friend's ability to understand him.
Erwin pulled his hand away from Jerrod. He then let out a sigh before speaking.
"Dude. Your story is not quite realistic; you can't force me to believe it all, but still, my house is open for you to stay."
Jerrod was touched by his friend's words but still rejected his offer as he was disappointed that Erwin didn't completely believe him.
"No. I'll find another place. I can't barge into your house. Your wife and children won't be comfortable if I squeezed myself in." He rejected.
Erwin lives in an apartment with enough space for his wife and two daughters. Jerrod knows that he is welcome to their home, but he will only cause them trouble.
"You don't have to worry about that. At least you're safe in our home."
"No. It's okay. I don't want to bring the ghost into your home as well."
The two heave a sigh together.
"Anyway, you're saying that the ghosts keep following you and will always appear in any cabinet around you."
"Yes. She looks very terrifying. The ghosts in the horror films are nothing compared to this ghost!"
"Then can you show me? There's a cabinet here as well. Let's see if I can see her too."
"Hey, are you not scared?"
"I am more curious."
Jerrod was speechless at his friend's bravery. He then agreed to open one of the cabinets inside his hospital room.
"Don't leave me behind if you see her, okay?" Jerrod clings onto his friend's arm as he holds his other hand to the cabinet's handle.
"Okay."
Erwin is more surprised to see his usually brave and tough friend cowering in fear.
For the first time in their long years of friendship, this is the only time he sees Jerrod shaking in fear. Jerrod was always tough and good at fighting. Between the two of them, Jerrod is the one who mostly protects him.
Erwin narrowed his gaze toward the cabinet to anticipate the fearful creature that made his tough friend tremble.
"I'm opening it. Aaaahhh! T-there she is again!"
Bam!
Jerrod slammed the cabinet door shut again as his knees gave in fear.
"D-did you see her? She's looking straight at us!"
Erwin supported Jerrod back to his bed and looked at him worriedly.
"Tell me honestly, Rod. You're not into drugs, right?"
"The fuck, dude! I am not!"
Jerrod slapped Erwin's hand that was touching him. He knew that it was impossible for the others to believe him, but still felt upset.
"Sorry. I didn't see anything. The cabinet was empty. Do you think you just need to see a doctor?"
"Didn't I just get checked by the doctor?"
"No. like... I think you need to visit a mental doctor?"