A ringing sound echoed after I hit it for the last time, successfully collapsing the bars barring me from getting the hell out of here. Since the window is pretty big I could stick my body out and stand on the opened brink. The air from here is rather fresh, but it's still not enough to keep my nerves calm. I closed my eyes and gathered strength before planning to rappel down.
However, things turned south when a sudden change in scenery ensued, covering the sun with darkened clouds once more and blowing wind in a continuous streak of vigor. I almost fell down because it was so strong that it hauled my body out the rim. It's a good thing I play basketball and have great footing.
All of a sudden, behind me, a voice rang, catching me completely off guard.
"Joaquin…" I heard her voice clearly, so I turned my head around.
For a brief second, I was speechless, dumbfounded upon seeing Avery standing inside the detention room with a soft smile, her hands resting inside her pockets. "What the…" I muttered, keeping my eyes on her and carefully descending from the window and back into the room again.
"How the heck…" I couldn't carry on and landed on my feet almost slipping on the dusty tiles. Her body, it's freaking in tact. No signs of blood, wound, or anything that she fell from such a height was present.
"How did you get here? And how are you okay?" I straight up asked after composing myself.
She chuckled out of nowhere, bringing me to think that I'm slowly gaining insanity.
"Fuck it… Am I hallucinating?"
Avery hemmed and looked down. "Joaquin, I'm here to keep you company."
I furrowed my brows at her vague answer. "Keep me company? Hold on, what are you saying?! I saw you fall from the rooftop earlier! How come you're here?" I was pinned to my spot, my eyes widened and my jaws still dropped. I'm heaving with intensity, as things are hella unclear.
I didn't smoke any pot, how come this is happening? Am I beginning to really lose my mind?
Seeing her this close, I can attest that she's really present, but that's not enough for me to toil. Maybe she's an apparition, or worse, maybe she's already dead and this is her way of getting back on me.
"Fuck! Are you a…" I held my palm to my mouth, continuing, "Ghost?!"
With my last words, I witnessed her drawing backwards. Surprise was evident in her face, and she spaced out for a second. She's about to answer, but I race her to it.
"But that's impossible. Ghosts don't exist. You're… a sick-minded fucker playing mind tricks on me. That's the only explanation! You've been messing with me this whole time, aren't you? You know what, I should've known that you're nothing but trouble. I was so worried thinking that I killed you, but here you are, alive and standing in one piece. So, tell me, Avery, what's in it for you?! Do you hate me despite not having anything to do with you?!"
I exploded right away as things started to make sense.
"Shit! You're fucked in the head…" I whispered and found myself laughing like a maniac who just lost his mind.Shaking my head, I paced back and forth, chortlnig and then repeatedly spouting, "I would never forgive you for causing me such severe setback… I would never… You will pay…"
The whole time, I was looking down at the tiled floor with gritted teeth, mumbling and cursing her to fend my dread. I snapped out of it for a second and looked up at her, who's supposed to be sitting on a nearby chair.
But there, she was nowhere. Once again, Avery disappeared like the sicko she is. I heaved and kept my foot on place, resting both my hands on my hefty waist. "Do you really think this is funny? Disappearing and shit just to scare me?"
I'm nowhere near scared, just… angry for being played like a fool.
"Calm down, Astley." Her voice came from behind me, so I instantly know she's there.
"Shut the fuck up!" I hissed. "How am I supposed to calm down? I was planning to rappel down this fucking building just to check on you 'cause I thought you're dying!" As I yell the last of my words, I turn to my back, but she's still not there.
At this point, something seem off. Wind thrashed once more from outside the window as it comes in the room, sweeping the dust clean and making it rain around me. Just a liitle more, and I might believe she's some teleporting freak.
"Very funny… Go ahead and keep playing this joke after what you did. It's helping me forget!"
"I said calm down, Astley…" Her voice came from my side, and there she sits atop the contraption of broken chairs. I furrow my brows.
How did she get there in a second, without making a single noice and shit. But that's not my main concern. "Get down from there…" I commanded, my fist clenching as I feel my skin digging on my palms painstakingly.
"And you'll do what?" She inquired with a mocking smile. "You'll beat me up?" She chuckled like things are completely normal. Shaking my head and pursing my shaking lips, I ordered, "Get down here and explain what the fuck happened back there?"
Avery's face turned serious. "I don't think you can handle the truth."
I sneered, "I don't care! Just make it make sense and tell me—"
My words were cut off when she added, "But I'll tell you anyway."
She pulled her left hand up, snapped her fingers, and… disappeared? Automatically, my resentful eyes are blazed with wonder… I tried gathering my thoughts and composing heaps of possible explanation in my head, but I'm not smart enough to come up with a logical answer.
In the middle of my questioning self, a loud screech came from outside the window and upon turning my head in that direction, images flashed before my eyes. It was so fast and precise. Nothing made sense, and it happened so fast.