Thalia: The Medium
The Pianist
DISCLAIMER:
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Marie
Argh! I don't want this shift, you know I hate walking around at night.
She heaved a huge sigh while holding her flashlight and expandable baton.
Marie
We also look like policewomen with this stuff!
Thalia
You know we need that, Marie.
All I can do is smile at her. She's been my partner ever since we were tasked to do the 'night patrol'.
No. We aren't police officers or community workers — we are students, currently in school and checking every corner before going home. This might not be practiced in other institutions but it is a must in here. Why? Because students who attend this school are the worst of the worst. They say whoever is kicked out from another school will definitely land here, which is true.
No one takes academics seriously. They do all kinds of things, be it smoking, fighting during class hours, taking drugs and all the unimaginable activities of high school students. Well, during my first day I can already say that they can no longer be called learners — they do look like thugs. So, I won't be surprised if other people have that kind of perception about our school.
Marie
I mean, it's past 7 already. Do we have to wait until 8 pm?
Thalia
Oh, I didn't notice the time. Let's do a last round, okay?
All the lights are off already, so the surroundings are not very visible. We are relying on the flashlight to illuminate our way. As we check the classrooms, gymnasium, gazebo and even faculty rooms, there is not a single soul.
Marie looks at me with excitement in her face, perhaps she really can't stand wasting another minute here.
Marie
I guess that's it --
A loud noise echoed, it sounded like something just dropped. Marie and I looked at each other. She swallowed hard and starts to feel uneasy.
We've checked everywhere and didn't see anyone else. No one's here aside from us.
Marie
Maybe that was just the cat? You know, it roams all the time.. ah.. yeah..
Marie is a tall girl that's why everyone feels intimidated by her when in fact she's the complete opposite. She gets scared and nervous in every little thing.
Thalia
Why are you shaking? Come one, let's check. I'm sure it's just one of those hard-headed juniors.
I'm trying to assure her that it isn't what she thinks it is. If I don't, she'll surely run away.
She grabbed my arm tightly and I felt how cold her palms are.
Thalia
Trust me, it's nothing.
I pulled her with me as I try to look where the sound came from. It's pitch dark making it harder as I take a step forward.
Thalia
Oh crap! I can't see properly!
Marie
There it is again...
I followed the sound and reached the junction which we actually forgot to check earlier. It is the space near the stairways which connect the two buildings together
Marie whispers on me as she points the gate using her lips and her hands still grasping onto my arm.
Marie
Are you sure it's okay to go in there?
Matthew
What are you guys doing here?!
Marie
What are YOU doing here?!
Marie
YOU ALMOST GOT ME KILLED FROM SHOCK!
Thalia
I told you it's just a student...
Marie
You better go home before I hit you with this baton!
Matthew
I was just checking --
Thalia
You better go home, kid
I took a few steps and noticed that she is not moving at all.
I turned around and saw a pair of eyes staring at us
It stood out despite the darkness
Marie
I ALMOST PEED MY UNDERWEAR!!
Thalia
I knew it was a cat AHAHAHA!
Marie
How many more jump scares do I have to experience tonight?!
Thalia
You should've used your flashlight!
Marie
Who knows what will pop up?!
I laughed at her as we walked back to our classroom to get our bags.
Another moment of silence
Marie
Who's playing the piano this late in the evening?
Marie
It might be the kid earlier, come on!
Marie
I'll drag him out of here!
She hurriedly went to the music room as I follow
I'm trying to stop her...
I don't really feel good about this...
We reached the stairway to the music room and took a step
I can't reply. My throat feels dry...
She run to the music room and the more steps she takes, the louder the piano is
DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN
Marie kicks the door open
Marie
WE TOLD YOU TO GO HOME ALREADY!
Marie
What are you still doing-- huh?
We both felt chills when we searched the room.
Cold sweat starts to run down from my forehead
Suddenly, the piano starts playing again...
Whose hand is it?
DISCLAIMER:
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
We run down the stairs, wishing to escape
But even though we are far from the music room,
the sound of the piano seems so close
Due to panic, Marie tripped and accidentally hit her head on the ground.
She groans in pain as I immediately help her stand
The sound is drawing near...
Goosebumps start to cover my nape and arms
It wasn't a cat or a person ...
Marie
OUCH!! MY HEAD HURTS!
I don't wanna see it now..
We came to a halt right at the center building
Thalia
Where's your flashlight?
Marie
I must've dropped it earlier ...
I got mine with me, but it is blinking..
Probably running out of battery
Marie
Who would've thought that there is really a ghost in our school!
Thalia
I feel kinda dizzy ...
Marie
I.. also.. feel like throwing up..
It was only for a minute that we decided to take a breather
Marie
I might have a nightmare..
She looks like she's about to faint
And I know exactly how it feels..
Everything turned black when my flashlight stopped working
Thalia
My flashlight's out!
Marie
Fudge! Where's my phone??
Only our breathing is heard while we both look for our phones.
We are rummaging our bags when a cold breeze of air suddenly hit my skin
I felt a hand on my shoulder...
I know for sure that it isn't Marie's
She's in front of me based on her voice
It feels like it belongs to someone who's not ..
For some reason, I can't move.
It's getting harder to breathe..
Marie
I found my phone but it's turned off. I forgot to charge it earlier...
Marie
Why are you so silent?
Her voice sounded so distant
I'm struggling to release from it
It sent shivers down my spine when the hand felt longer..
Now there are two hands...
I panicked when it suddenly grabbed a hold of my mouth
Thankfully, Marie somehow found me.
Catching my breath, I held her hand tightly
Thalia
Let's get outta here!!!
Even though we can't see anything, I dragged her with me.
I mustered all the courage to extend my hand forward
Just so I can touch anything
Anything that may guide me out of here
We are panting, running non-stop
Marie
I think..that's... that's the exit..
It feels forever before we reached the school gate.
We stride away from the school
We are both silent on our way home, shocked, scared, speechless..
This is where we separate ways.
I didn't tell her about the hand..
I don't want to scare her even more
My hands and knees are still trembling..
I was just fighting myself earlier
Pretending that I'm strong..
I know that spirit didn't only intend to frighten us...
My Secret
DISCLAIMER:
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Marie
It was so tiring last night. I couldn't sleep a wink.
Marie
I'm still afraid that I might see it again...
Thalia
Don't worry, I'm pretty sure it won't happen again.
We walk to school together everyday.
I may not mention but Marie is my bestfriend.
She's a good friend of mine but still doesn't know my secret.
Because I'm afraid she'll find me weird....
Thalia
It's the cat from last night.
Marie
It gives me the creeps!
She might say the same words to me if she knew it.
Walking to the gates, we both come to a halt.
The memories of last night are coming back
Even without talking, we know that both of us are still hesitant in moving forward.
Looking at each other, we both swallowed the lump in our throats.
Heaving a sigh, she nodded and said,
We started walking to our respective classrooms
We're not in the same class
But she's just three classrooms away from mine
Waving goodbye, we went our ways
The sunshine, morning breeze, gentle swaying of trees and even the busyness of the place
They all exude positive energy.
At least for a normal person..
Intentionally or not, I can see auras from people.
The lighter the aura, the purer the person.
But sadly, I see darker ones more than the other.
In a blink of an eye, our classes ended. Well, I didn't really understand a thing.
Only one fourth of us attended. The others are nowhere to be found.
This happens all the time that even teachers grew tired of always trying to find where their students are.
I can't blame them though....
Time flew so fast and I was just staring out the window
Thinking how can I deal with the spirit in the music room
I can simply brush it off, to be perfectly honest. But that spirit may cause greater danger to others.
It can be anyone, anywhere, anytime...
Marie
Hey, that's your 3rd sigh within 5 minutes!
Marie
You're acting weird, you know!
She clings her arm on my shoulders and dragged me out of my classroom.
Marie
Thalia, have you ever considered transferring?
Marie
Students here are trashes
Marie
One to two out of numerous teachers here are doing their jobs properly.
Marie
Facilities are too old.
Marie
In short, our school is a trash bin!
I looked around to check if anyone can hear us.
Marie
What? I'm stating a fact here!
Thalia
Yes, I get your point but tone down your voice a little.
We walked down the stairs
Thalia
You know that our house is just around the corner. I don't have to travel far, lesser expenses, not time consuming to prepare.
Marie
But there is another school just a few walks from here!
Thalia
It's a private one.
Thalia
I don't want to add another bill on my list.
Thalia
You know I'm in a tight situation. I can't afford to have more expenses.
I've never even had a chance to get things that I want.
Bills are occupying my cabinets.
That is not an exaggeration.
I just want to graduate in order to get a diploma and gain more chances to have a stable job in the near future.
Thalia
Why do you chose to stay?
Thalia
Don't you want to stop attending here?
Thalia
Especially after what happened last night.
She suddenly smiled widely and messed my hair.
Marie
It's because you're here!
Marie
You've been my friend for as long I can remember. I don't wanna separate from you HAHAHA!
She's smiling genuinely at me.
Marie
I'll follow you wherever you go, even if it's in hell!
She hugged me tightly and I hugged back.
How can I keep my secret from her?
Her aura is so light which indicates that she's a good person.
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