Lisa slouched against her locker, absently thumbing the edges of her notebook, still rattled from her strange encounter in the graveyard. The image of Jonathan Price's hollow eyes lingered in her mind, and she wondered if the events of that night were just her imagination or a sign of something deeper, something she wasn't ready to share with anyone.
But, of course, this particular quiet moment didn't last.
Hey, Lisa! The sound of footsteps and a cheerful, too-loud voice startled her. She looked up to see Jake approaching, clutching a book that seemed suspiciously like a vintage horror novel. Jake was the type of guy who wore his heart on his sleeve and his crushes even more obviously. He had a mop of sandy hair and an earnest smile that probably worked on most people—just not Lisa.
Oh, hey, Jake. She gave him a small nod, already half-turned back to her locker, hoping he'd take the hint and leave her be.
I, uh... I thought maybe you'd like this. He handed her the book, his smile tentative. It's about ghosts and... well, you know, hauntings and stuff. He shuffled his feet nervously. I thought it'd be... you know, up your alley?
Lisa glanced down at the book, not bothering to hide her slight smirk. It was a very well-meant attempt to connect, but the book was barely on the level of the morbid studies she dabbled in every night. She gave him a polite nod, biting back a laugh.
Thanks, Jake, she said, her voice just a bit too flat. I guess I could give it a skim
Jake beamed, clearly unaware of the sarcasm in her voice. I knew you'd like it! I actually went through some of it last night, just so I could— he stammered, "so, uh, we could, you know... talk about it. Together."
She raised an eyebrow, glancing up at him. Really? Her tone was a mix of curiosity and skepticism. She could hardly imagine Jake getting through the first few pages of something supernatural, especially anything dark or disturbing. What did you think?
Oh, I thought it was... spooky! His voice hit an octave higher, and he swallowed, trying to keep cool. Like, that part where the ghost... um... floats. He shrugged, laughing awkwardly. Pretty intense, right?
Lisa forced a smile, patting the book. "Yeah. Spooky.
An awkward silence settled between them, thick enough that Jake began to fidget again, glancing down at his feet, then back up at her. She almost felt bad for him. Almost.
So, Lisa, Jake tried again, visibly gathering courage, I was thinking… there's this, uh, horror film festival this weekend? They're showing all kinds of, like, scary stuff, and I thought maybe… we could go? Together?
Lisa took a slow breath, looking into Jake's eager eyes. A tiny part of her wanted to say yes, just to give him a shot. But the truth was, movies didn't satisfy her need for horror; they felt too staged, too contrived. She was more interested in the real mysteries, like the shadowy figure in the cemetery or the spirit that knew her name. An actual mystery to uncover, something that felt personal and raw.
She didn't want to hurt Jake's feelings, but at the same time, she had to be honest. I don't really do festivals, she said, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. I prefer… a different kind of scare, you know?"
Oh. Jake's face fell slightly, but he quickly forced a smile. Yeah, I get it. Different kinds of horror. You like… the hardcore stuff. He laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. Maybe I should try getting into that, too. Like... ghost hunting or séances? His voice trailed off, and he gave her a hopeful look, trying to seem serious.
Lisa raised an eyebrow, half-amused, half-horrified at the thought of Jake trying to navigate the world of the supernatural. She doubted he'd last ten minutes in the graveyard at night, much less in front of an actual ghost.
Trust me, Jake, she said, it's not exactly as fun as it sounds. Real ghost hunting... it's more of a solitary hobby. Kind of personal. She offered him a small, understanding smile, hoping he'd take it for what it was—an indirect way of saying it wasn't something they'd ever do together.
But, as always, Jake misread the situation.
Oh! Well, maybe I could help you... like, you know, carry things? Or, I don't know, be a lookout? He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. I wouldn't even scream if we saw something creepy, I swear.
Lisa bit back a laugh. I don't think it's really your thing, Jake. Besides, I'm pretty good at handling myself. She patted the strap of her bag where she kept her flashlight, a small notebook, and other 'ghost-hunting essentials.'
Jake nodded, a bit deflated but still determined. Alright, but if you ever change your mind… He cleared his throat. I mean, I'm just… here. Anytime.
Lisa nodded, giving him a faint smile before she turned back to her locker. Jake lingered for a moment, clearly reluctant to leave, but eventually, he shuffled away, glancing over his shoulder once before disappearing down the hall.
As he left, Lisa couldn't help but shake her head, laughing to herself. It was oddly sweet, his efforts to fit into her world. But she knew he'd never really understand. No one would. Her fascination wasn't a quirky interest she could share over a date or a cup of coffee. It was something darker, something she couldn't even fully explain to herself.
Just as she shut her locker, Lisa felt a strange chill sweep through her. It was as if the very air around her had shifted. She turned, half-expecting to see the figure from the cemetery, but there was nothing there—only the bustle of students moving through the hallway.
A sudden pang of frustration hit her. She was surrounded by people, people like Jake, who would do anything to know her better, yet she felt more alone than ever. All she wanted was someone who saw the world as she did, someone who didn't think her obsession was weird, who might even share in her dark curiosities.
Sighing, she headed for her next class, the weight of loneliness pressing down on her. As much as she appreciated Jake's efforts, she knew he would never be that person. He wasn't haunted by the same shadows, drawn to the same mysteries. And, in some strange way, she found herself wondering if maybe she was fated to face her obsessions alone.
But then, just as she slipped into her seat, her phone buzzed. She glanced down, seeing a message from an unknown number.
The words made her blood run cold:
Meet me at the cemetery. Midnight.