The village, precariously perched on wooden stilts above the waters, seemed frozen in a moment of hasty departure. Empty boats, their hulls rocking against the stilted houses, spoke of fishermen who had cast off their ties to the sea with urgency. Fishing nets, once meticulously tended to, now lay in disarray, entangled in a web of neglect. The houses themselves told a poignant story of abandonment. Utensils lay scattered on tables, a hearth still smoldered, its flames now reduced to mere embers, and children's toys were left strewn across the wooden floors.
Their group, drenched by the relentless downpour, eagerly scanned their surroundings for any sign of life. As the approaching thunderstorm's fury intensified by the moment, desperation led them to seek shelter in one of the vacant houses. Inside the bamboo and wood structure, they found a fleeting refuge from the elements. Uneasy glances were exchanged among them as they settled in, confronted by the unsettling notion that they had become intruders in a forsaken village, trapped in a place where time had come to a standstill.
Satisfied that his students were safe, Dave rose from his seat, "Kids, wait here. I'll look around to see if I can find anyone." An uneasy knot tightened in his stomach. He couldn't shake the feeling that this place held secrets that were best left undiscovered. Better to investigate now than face the consequences later.
"Dave, I'm coming with you."
Dave paused, a flicker of concern clouding his features and protective instinct taking precedence over the gnawing worry in his gut. "No, Toji, it could be dangerous." His gaze swept the hut, urgently searching for a makeshift weapon amid scattered belongings. Simultaneously, Toji's grip tightened on Dave's arm, a determined gaze signaling him to stop. "Actually, we're more worried you're the one who would cause trouble."
"Let him follow. We can't take any chances with your luck. Once we get back, let's try the exorcism thing again," Jack chimed in.
Cornered, Dave turned to Ann for support, trusting that his most sensible student would grasp the gravity of the situation.
"Ann, you're with me in this one, right?"
Ann handed a machete she had unearthed from the kitchen to him, "Sensei, Toji will prevent you from doing anything stupid. Now hurry up and go. Bring back food. I'm hungry!" Deflated, Dave walked out of the hut with Toji in tow.
Having found no one, they reluctantly gathered whatever meager provisions they could find before making their way back to the hut. A swell of pride bloomed in Dave's heart, and his lips curved into a contented smile as he observed his students savoring the makeshift meal. Despite the grim circumstances, laughter and enjoyment still echoed within the shelter. Sure, the kids could be a bit dramatic at times, but they were resilient, and their spirits remained unyielding. Bellies satisfied, laughter subsided, and one by one, they succumbed to the embrace of a dreamless slumber.
A gnawing discomfort at the edges of her consciousness stirred Ann awake from her sleep. It was an unsettling sensation, as though the very air around her had thickened with a malevolent presence. The oppressive weight of this feeling pressed against her, causing her breath to hitch and her skin to prickle with goosebumps. Her heart raced; every nerve in her body screamed for her to move, to flee.
Trembling, Ann slowly turned her head, eyes straining against the darkness. And there, in the obsidian stillness of the room, her worst fears were realized. The elderly woman, her cataract-covered eyes milky and pallid, stared at Ann with an unwavering intensity that sent terror coursing through her veins. Ann's scream tore through the night, jolting everyone awake from the depths of their dreamland.
Jack's instincts propelled him onto his feet before his mind could fully register what was happening. The room seemed to warp and twist as his eyes zeroed in on Ann, who, in the dim light, appeared both terrified and desperate. She held onto Dave with a vice-like grip.
"What's wrong?"
Her response was a jumble of frantic words. Unable to decipher her panicked ramblings, Jack turned to Dave. "It's nothing, really. Ann just saw the old lady awake and thought she'd seen a ghost."
Jack and Toji exhaled in relief.
"Lay off those horror movies. They're messing with your brain," Toji complained grouchily.
Dave continued speaking to Ann softly, attempting to soothe her frayed nerves. Watching him, Jack felt a tinge of jealousy. Dave always had a soft spot for Ann. If it were him and Toji, Dave would probably knock them on the head and tell them to keep it together. Not that Jack wanted to be comforted in that manner—he shuddered at the thought. Still, Dave should treat all his students equally.
The old woman grumbled something in a rough tone, a language none of them understood or had heard before. They exchanged puzzled glances, completely clueless on how to interact with her.
"Her name is Waya, and she's from this village," Jack stated, his words met with quizzical glances from the group. "My grandparents are from around here, so I can piece together a few words."
Dave moved closer, "Ask her, where is everyone?"
"The villagers left in a hurry because someone died recently." Jack continued translating for them.
"They believe that when a person dies, their soul roams the village from sunrise to sunset before moving on to the next life. It's considered bad luck to stay in the vicinity during this time. Apparently, the soul is mischievous and enjoys playing tricks on the living."
The revelation hung heavy in the air as Jack's eyes widened with a sudden realization. Without a word, he averted his gaze from the old lady. Inch by inch, he shifted closer to Dave. "Dave, you don't think she's a gh—"
Before Jack could finish, Ann's hand clamped over his mouth. A hushed whisper escaped her lips, "Stupid, don't – jinx us! Don't say that word in front of her."
"Guys, come on. She's human." Toji handed a glass of water and a banana to the old lady. In return, she nodded her head in gratitude. "Look. Ghosts don't peel bananas before they eat," he said confidently.
The old lady's gaze shifted to Ann, who quickly averted her eyes and buried her face in Dave's arm. It could be due to the dim lighting, but in a flash, Ann saw her blackened teeth look a bit too long and sharp.