Maya
Episode 1: Missing
Maya? Did she get bullied again?
I walked into the classroom and approached Maya who was sitting and crying.
Asandra
Maya? What did they do to you?
Asandra
Don't be jealous of our relationship with Carmelia and the others. They are my friends and you too Maya my bestfriend.
Asandra
And i i feel comfortable there. They aren't using me like you said.
She's still not responding. She still won't talk to, she began to tremble and her sob got even more louder.
Asandra
Come on Maya, let's go home.
I pulled maya's arm and help her to stand up. She turned her head....
I tried to scream as hard as i could.
But, nothing came out of my throat.
It feels like i'm paralyze i can't move, i could only feel the cold air.
Her head was tilted unnaturally, as if her neck was broken.
Maya
WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP ME?!
I was startled awake, my breathing heavy
My head hurt. It seemed like i feel from my bed
As i tried to get up, my feet touched something on the floor.
I stared at the photo for a while and then put it back on the table.
Asandra
New message? Who could it be
Mom
Be good at home okay~?♡
Asandra
You and Dad left again?
Asandra
When will you come back home?
Mom
Maybe in a week or two.
Mom
We have to finish something in US
Mom
Just tell me if u or ur friend's want anything
I threw my phone on the bed
Asandra
You just got home yesterday...😔
I forced my self through the cold morning to go to school.
A Police car was parked at the school courtyard.
Near it, a group of girls were gossiping.
Gossip Girl 1
Hey, Asandra!
Gossip Girl 1
Hey, why are in such a hurry?
Gossip Girl 2
We just want to ask
Gossip Girl 2
You're Maya's bestfriend, right? How are the investigations going?
Gossip Girl 3
Comeeeee oooonnn, is she still missing?
Gossip Girl 3
You gotta tell us!
Asandra
I told you i don't know!
Gossip Girl 1
Ugh, you din't have to be so rude.
Eilis
Hey, stop it you guys!
Gossip Girl 1
Ah... Eilis is here. There goes the fun haha..
Eilis
Don't you have feelings? Don't bother Asandra!
Eilis, my class president, stomped her feet in annoyance. She then looked at me.
Asandra
I'm okay, thankyou.
Eilis
You must be fed up getting all these questions about Maya...
I walked away and left Eilis alone.
Eilis
Hey! Don't forget that you're on the cleaning duty afterschool!
Maya this, Maya that... When will this end?
I don't know anything damn!
When i arrived at the class, the atmosphere wasn't any better.
Everyone would start gossiping. Sometimes, they would glance at me.
Female Student
Eh? What info did find out?
Male Student
They said the finger that the police found yesterday was confirmed to be Maya's finger.
Female Student
How did you find out? Did you eavesdrop?
Female Student
Oh my, don't tell me Maya's really dead.
Male Student
Shhhh! not so loud!... Asandra could hear us!
I slumped over the table. The dream from lastnight flashed through my mind again.
I stopped daydreaming when someone hit my back.
Ivan
Stop day dreaming, it's still morning, y'know... Wake up😉
I turned and saw my friend's behind me.
Tedd
Why? Did you play games all night? Did you do something all night?
Ivan
Hey. Quit teasing Asandra
I looked up and stared at him
Ivan's word were simple, but it felt like a breath of fresh air in the middle of this gloomy atmosphere.
Karina
By the way... Asandra, why din't you tell us that your parents were home?
Karina
You din't forget to ask for souvenirs, right?... tell your mom i want dresses..
Asandra
Oh, Sorry my parents left again, just this morning.
Asandra
They din't give me anything.
Tedd
Aww come on, i thought we were friends.
Ivan
It's not like she wants her parents to leave her like that all the time.
Carmelia
So, where are they going this time?
Ivan
There are alot of clothes i want to buy there.😁
Asandra
Maybe my mom could look for it.😏
Ivan
Your mom bought me too many things already.
Carmelia put her arms around me.
Carmelia
You're being too nice to my boyfriend.
Carmelia
What are you trying to do? 🙃
Well its kind of true thought.
Does it bad for being too nice?
But atleast i'm happy with them.
Mr. Linton
Hello! Good morning, everyone!
Karina
Ah! Morning, Mr. Handsome!
Carmelia
Hey, Stop flirting!
Mr. Linton, our homeroom teacher, started laughing with us.
Finally the bell started to rang. Our lessons are over.
I yawned and stretched...
Ivan
To the cafe as usual?
I stood up to leave the classroom with Ivan and the others.
But, Eilis was standing infront of the door with a stern face.
Eilis
Asandra, where are you going?🤨
Eilis
I won't let you run away from cleaning duty!
Asandra
Cleaning duty....😑
Tedd
Hahaha! Asandra gave up just like that!
Tedd
Come on, let's just go Asandra... You can clean up next week.
Asandra
No, i will clean, you all go first and I'll go to the cafe next.
Carmelia
Just follow after us later.
I sigh and nod to Carmelia
After Carmelia and the others left, i started cleaning lazily.
I glanced towards the door and found that brown-haired girl was still watching me.
Eilis
What? You want to run away?🤨
Eilis
You better still be here when i come back from my infirmary duty.
I wasn't sure when that girl left the class, since i wasn't paying her any attention.
Asandra
I should finish cleaning quickly... Ughhhhhh
But, as i erased the blackboard the memories of maya and me filled my mind.
Asandra
When was the last time i did chores together with maya? 😔
Us having fun together...
The times i would listen to Maya humming her song...
Those memories kept flowing around in my mind.
It feels as if... I can still hear you humming, even now... 😕😊
Asandra
No, it can't be... This is real i can hear her humming!😨
I threw away the blackboard eraser i was holding.
Asandra
It must be her... Maya!
Asandra
Only she knows this song!
Asandra
I need to check first
I ran through the hallway looking for the source of voice.
There wasn't any reply.. But the humming could still be heard.
I saw the back of a girl who resembled Maya walking through the infirmary door.
I immediately follwed her.
As i grabbed the door handle, i remembered what my classmates said
Male Student
... They said the finger that the police found yesterday was confirmed to be Maya's finger.
Female Student
Oh my, don't tell me Maya's really dead.
My hands started to trembling, as if it refused to open the door.
Asandra
....Last night was just a dream... Right?
Asandra
What is happening....😟
Asandra
But, maya clearly wen't inside...
Asandra
Calm down asandra, calm down...
Asandra
Why.... Is.... Eilis-
Eilis
oh, uh, Asandra, what's wrong?
Eilis
Why are you here? Do you need something? Are you injured?
Eilis
Are you finish cleaning?🤨
I did not respond and started to look around the infirmary.
Eilis
Are you looking for something?
Asandra
...No one else is here...
Asandra
I saw someone enter here
Eilis
There's only two of us here, no one else
I sat on the bed, busy with my thoughts.
...That was maya, wasn't it?....
Eilis voice snapped me out from my thoughts
Asandra
Y-yes, it was just nothing...
Eilis
Seems like you are in a deep thoughts
Asandra
N-no, i'm just tired
Eilis
By the way, sorry because i yelled you and make you stay because of the cleaning, i will do chores with you next day okay?
Asandra
It's fine Eilis, Thankyou
Eilis
You know, when Maya was still here...
Eilis
She would always say that it's alright for her to do cleaning duty alone.
Eilis
'Let Asandra chase after her happiness first', she said.
Eilis
She would then do the cleaning duty all by herself.
I fell silent. I thought Maya hated it when i hang out with Carmelia and the others.
Eilis
Oh, sorry for making the mood all somber.
Asandra
Were you close to Maya?
Eilis
Well, we were quiet close ever since she started coming here to ask for disinfectant.
Eilis
Yes. She didn't tell me why. But a few days before she went missing...😔
Eilis
She looked really messed up.🙁
Eilis stood up and looked for something in the book shelf.
Eilis
The last time i patched up her wound, it looked strange.
Eilis
It looked more like.... Cuts?
Eilis
How did she even get those kinds of wounds?😕
I know Ivan and the others liked to tease Maya. But....cuts? Seriously?😦
Asandra
What did you find?
Eilis
The infirmary's visitor record.
That brown-haired girl took a notebook and gave it to me.
Eilis
This was from her last visit.
I didn't understand why Eilis showed me that book, but i took it anyway.
When i opened the book, a piece of paper was slipped between the pages.
The paper had brown smudges and smelled a bit like mud. Vaguely, i could read Maya's writing.
Maya
September 27th, today, Karina suddenly dragged me behind the school.
Ivan, Tedd and Carmelia were already there. They cut my hair. I got cuts on my fingers when i tried to fight back.
Should i report this to the teacher? I think Asandra will be dissapointed in me if i do.
I stared at Eilis, did she do this letter?
When she noticed my stare, she looked back at me with confused face.
Seems like she doesn't know anything.
Without realizing it, i stood up and crushed the note. And left the infirmary
I heard Eilis calling for me. I couldn't hear what she said, but i didn't care.
I left the school passing through people who were busy with their activities.
Theres only one thing in my head
Am i being haunted by Maya?
Episode 2: Maya's Note
As i arrived at the cafe, Tedd immediately notice me.
Tedd
Hoho! The janitor's is here!
I ignored tedd's joke and sat at my usual spot.
I don't know if it's because of the nervous expression on my face or something else...
But Karina noticed me that there was something wrong with me.
Karina
What's wrong?? Hnmm?
Karina
Did Eilis annoy you?
My head was still full of questions about what happened at school.
Was that....really Maya's ghost?
If all those things in the paper were true...
No way...did Maya die because....
Tch! There's no way they'd be that cruel, right?😠
Did she commit suicide, because she couldn't take it anymore?😣
Ivan
Hey, cut that daydreaming habbit
Ivan put her arms around me
Carmelia
Ivan, your arms....🙄
Ivan
O-oh...i'm just talking to her... What's wrong with that?
Karina
You okay? You always thinking of something... Because of Maya?... Don't think about that, Police is there ya know.. They can solve that.
I stared at Ivan, Carmelia, Karina and tedd, full of suspicion.
Asandra
What did you do to Maya?
Hearing my questions, their face suddenly changed.
Karina
W-what do you mean?
Asandra
I know you all always bullied her whenever i'm not around! 😡
Ivan
H-hey calm down, we didn't d-
Asandra
Take your hand off me!
Asandra
But, i let it all that happen because i thought it was just all teasing!
Asandra
But it seems like you all kil-
Before i could finish my sentence, Ivan had already moved next to me.
He sharply looked at me as he wrapped his arms around my shoulder again
Ivan
Hey....you can't really be thinking that we killed her, right?
Ivan
And that's even if she's really dead.
I tried to avoid Ivan's eyes.
Carmelia
You know that we couldn't hurt a fly, don't you?🙂
Ivan
Of course. Right, tedd?😁
Karina
Hey, admit it you're like this because you watched too muck K-drama, right?😏
Asandra
Since when i watched K-drama?
Karina
D-don't you r-remember?😅
I just laughed while scratching my head. I realized that i have no evidence to accuse them.
We continued our conversation with random topics as usual.
Without realizing, it had gotten dark outside and we decided to go home.
I saw Carmelia approaching Ivan who seemed reluctant to go home.
Carmelia
Ivan let's go home
Carmelia
You still want to stay?
Ivan
Yeah, you can go on ahead with Karina. Is that okay?
Carmelia
Uh-huh, don't go wandering around now.
Carmelia left the cafe with Karina and tedd.
I also stood up, but Ivan grabbed my hand.
Ivan stared at me but there seemed to be something different in his eyes.
Ivan
You must be missing Maya alot...
I looked down and walk, sometimes i would kick a can.
Ivan
You think what i said was lipservice, don't you?
Asandra
What do you think?
Ivan
Well, we did intimidate your friend.😓
Ivan
But.... It's because she tried to split you from us.😓
Ivan held my hand tight, so i have no choice but to look in his eyes.
Ivan
I don't want our relationship to turn sour.
Asandra
....Our relationship?😳
Ivan
You're very important to me, Asandra😊
That night, i forgot all the bad things that happened. I was happy.
I lied down the bed to rest
I turned towards the table. The framed photo that i dropped this morning seemed to be staring at me.
I looked at the photo. Memories of me and Maya flashed through my mind.
Maya appeared out of nowhere. She suprised me, who was busy looking at the schoolyard.
Asandra
Hey! I could've fallen, you know! 😑
Maya
No way, the railing's pretty high
Maya looked at the schoolyard, trying to find out what i was looking at.
Maya
Well well, seems like you really have feelings for Ivan, huh?
Asandra
I was just looking at that food stall over there!
Maya
You're horrible at lying, you know.😊
Maya
Well, it's up to you who you have a crush on.
Maya
But, do you realize that he already had a lover, don't you?😕
Maya
....he already has a lover....
Ah, i could still hear her.
In any case, it's true that i am in the gang because Ivan is there.
Ivan
There's no test today, right?
Asandra
Eh? I don't think there is.
Ivan
Then....let's skip school!
Asandra
Huh? Skip school? But-
Asandra
....Ah, i'm really skipping school, aren't i?
Ivan
Why? Wanna go back to school?
Ivan
Then, let's go on a date.
Ivan
Yeah, you don't want it?
Before i could finish my word, Ivan suddenly grabbed my hand.
Ivan
Hey! This shirt suits to you!😁
Ivan
The strawberry shortcake's suprisingly delicious!
Asandra
Since when have you liked sweets?😨
Ivan
After this, Dylan will get caught by the police.😧
Asandra
Hey, no spoilers!😁😊
Ivan
Hey....can i go to your house?
Ivan
Yes. To your room, if you don't mind.
Asandra
Today was really...Fun😊
Ivan
So this is why you hang out more with them. :<
Asandra
Huh? What are you talking about?
Maya
THIS WAS THE REASON YOU LET ME DIE?!
At that instant, Ivan's face turned into Maya's rotting face.
I woke up and rushed to the corner of the bed. I cowered in fear.
Asandra
....Another dream.😨
I stared at the photo of Maya and me.
I took the photo and threw it to the wall in anger.
Because of all the nightmares. I couldn't focus at all during the lessons.
I turned towards Ivan. He was stealing glances with Carmelia.
Of course, last night was just a dream. A bad dream.😔
What was i hoping for....?
I covered my face with my hands.
I snapped out of my daydream when i heard my homeroom teacher's scream.
I saw Mr. Linton sitting on the floor with long hair scattered around him.
Mr. Linton
Alright you guys, who put this wig inside the drawer?
Mr. Linton
Do you do this for all your new teachers?
Everyone looked at each other.
Mr. Linton
Eh? No one? It's alright, I'm not really angry.😄
The class fell silent. Seems like Mr. Linton realized that the students started feeling uncomfortable. He laughed
Mr. Linton
Well, whoever it is, thankyou for the wig. How'd you know guys that i always wanted a long hair?😄
Mr. Linton
This wig....it looks pretty convincing
Karina
No one admits???!!!😡
Karina
Who the hell did this to Mr. Linton?!
Carmelia
Psst hey, stop Karina.. Everything will be fine, come on sit down.
Carmelia
(Ughh don't she admits that she had a crush on Mr. Linton) 🙄
Karina
WHO DARED TO PULL A PRANK ON MR. LINTON?! 😡
Karina
If you ever get caught, just you see what i'd do to you...
We laughed seeing Karina standing up for her favorite teacher. At the same time, a policeman approached us.
For a moment, Ivan and the others looked anxious.
The policeman asked me for Mr. Linton's whereabouts.
Asandra
Mr. Linton's still in the classroom.
That policeman arrogantly smiled and then left us.
Is he investigating Maya's case?
Ivan
Come on, let's go to cafeteria.😓
We started walking along the hallway. But, after only a few steps, i heard my name was called.
Mr. Linton
Can you follow me to the teacher's lounge?
I turned towards my friends. Having no other choice, I obediently followed Mr. Linton and that arrogant police.
(At the teacher's lounge)
Mr. Linton
Wait here, okay? I still have some business with the policeman.
Mr. Linton closed the door. I glued my ears, trying to hear what they talking were talking about.
Why was i called? What did it do wrong?😨
I could hear them quarelling a bit behind the door. But, I couldn't hear them clearly.
I saw a photo of Maya, inside the clear folder.
I looked around to make sure i was alone in the room.
What's inside the folder?
Counseling documents....Maya reported about the bullying?
Carefully, I started reading the report. Were Ivan, Carmelia, Karina, and Tedd mentioned?
Was i mentioned? Is that why i'm called here?
I gulped nervously. My heart started beating fast as i continued to read.
Mr. Linton entered the room. I closed the folder and put it back on the table.
Tch, I haven't even read anything.
Mr. Linton
Sorry for the wait, hehe😄😅
Mr. Linton
What a heartless policeman. The students must feel scared when they talk to him.
Mr. Linton
So, Asandra.....
Mr. Linton sat across from me. He then adjusted his tone to let me know that he was being serious.
Mr. Linton
I've asked several students, and they said you were close with Maya. Is it true?
Asandra
Our relationship.....
Asandra
Has been around for a long time.
Mr. Linton
Oh, you must be really sad when Maya dissapeared.
Mr. Linton
.....This is all my fault.😔
I stared at Mr. Linton, waiting for him to finish what he was saying.
Mr. Linton
As your homeroom teacher, I should have realized that something was wrong with Maya.
Mr. Linton
This incident wouldn't have happen otherwise...
Mr. Linton
That's why, Asandra, please help me find Maya.😔
Mr. Linton
If you remember anything about whether Maya acted weird before she went missing, please tell me.
Asandra
I don't know anything.
Mr. Linton let out a sigh. He turned towards the flower pot, took it and handed it over to me.
Mr. Linton
This flower....It's called Milla Biflora, or Mexican Star, if you can't remember it.
Mr. Linton
This flower is believed to be able to calm a person and those who felt like they had lost something in their lives.
What does this have to do with what we were talking about?😑
Mr. Linton
I understand. Losing someone in your life is hard it makes you anxious or depressed.
Mr. Linton
I don't want any of my students to go through the same thing Maya did.
Mr. Linton
Well, i won't force you if you're still not ready to talk.
Silence. Both of us stopped talking.
Mr. Linton nodded. But, as i was leaving, he called out my name again.
Mr. Linton
Promise me. When you're ready, please tell me if you find out anything about Maya.
Again, i cowered on my bed.
Asandra
Why was i called? What did Maya tell Mr. Linton?
Asandra
Why did the policeman want to meet me?
Asandra
Am i being accused of something? Did they think i'm guilty?😟
I got up from my bed. Determind to find out, I started getting ready to go out.
I need to know what Maya told Mr. Linton!
Arriving at school i saw that then seemed to be someone in the security post.
The security guard seemed to be having fun watching TV
Asandra
It will only make things worse if i got caught sneaking in.
I approached the security guard.
Mr. Madahh
Who's Madahh! My name's Adam Riyadd!😠
Mr. Madahh
Don't give me weird nicknames!😠
Asandra
Hehehe, calm down, Sir. What are you watching? It looks fun.😊
Mr. Madahh
Wrestling, so what are you doing here at night?
Asandra
I left my cellphone at the classroom. Can i go get it?😊
Mr. Madahh
Ugh, i'm watching and it was getting good too.
His eyes didn't leave the TV at all as he stumbled around for the keys.
Asandra
I'll go get it myself, don't worry about me!😊
That chubby man looked suspiciously at me, but at the same time, the wrestling match started heating up.
Mr. Madahh
Okay, okay.... Here's the key. Don't take too long.
I took out my flashlight and immediately walked towards the teacher's lounge.
Asandra
Why am i walking through the school at night after i got haunted my Maya yesterday?
Asandra
Hahaha, i'm going insane, aren't i?😑
During the day, the school hallway was filled with student's cheerful laughter...
But, at night, it became the scariest place i could think of
I suddenly heard the sound of someone dragging their feet behind me.
No reply. I pointed my flashlight everywhere... I saw nothing...
I quickened my footsteps. I felt uncomfortable.
I was pretty sure the smell of wet soil was getting stronger.
Asandra
.....Something's really following me!😨
I walked faster, my heart was racing wildly.
Asandra
I have to run. I have to survive!😨
I stopped when i thought things calmed down.
I didn't feel like i was being followed anymore, the atmosphere turned normal again.
I turned around, confirming that i was safe.
Asandra
Is it alright now?😨
I laughed at my own actions and scratch my head.
I turned around to continue walking.
A dark silhouette was standing a few meters from the teacher's lounge.
I got dizzy, and again, everything became dark.
Asandra
Not human! That's definitely not human!
I started running without paying attention to anything else.
As soon as i got in, i slammed the door and leaned on it. As if hoping that silhouette wouldn't be able to break through.
My breathing was still heavy. I looked around the teacher's lounge. It's dark.
Asandra
Just one more step, Asandra!
I pointed my flashlight toward Mr. Linton's table.
Asandra
Everything's exactly the same as this afternoon...Then, Maya's documents are...
As soon as i opened the folder, i noticed a piece of worn out paper inside. I'm sure it wasn't there before.
I flipped over the paper.
I dropped the document due to shock.
The word "HELP!" was written with blood on it.
Asandra
A message from Maya's spirit?
Asandra
But, what does it mean?
I stared at the paper. But, i couldn't come up with anything, so i decided to set it aside.
Asandra
There's something more important, Asandra.
I focused back to Maya's document and started reading on it.
October 8th, Maya Deveign, a student of class 2-B, got bullied by her classmates. She was found tied and unconcious in the warehouse, her body was full of bruises. According to her, she was assaulted by Ivan, Carmelia, Karina, and Tedd. As this report was written, Martinez Linton, as the teacher receiving the report, was still trying to prove her claims.
Asandra
I wasn't mentioned...
I closed the folder and put it back.
Asandra
Why didn't that....thing follow me in here?
Asandra
Is she trying to tell me something?
Asandra
Seem's like i won't get an answer here. I better get out soon.
I walked home in the middle of the night.
My steps stopped when i saw Carmelia standing infront of my house.
When she saw me, she straightened up her body and approached me.
Asandra
Hey, Carmelia. What are you doing?😊
Asandra
Huh? Why are you asking me?...???
Carmelia pushed my body to the wall.
Carmelia
Tell me! Where is IVAN?!
Asandra
I-i don't know where is Ivan.
Carmelia
You b! You clearly asked him to go home with you in front of me this afternoon!
Asandra
I....asked Ivan to go with me?...???
Episode 3: Storage Room
Carmelia kept pushing me to tell her where Ivan is.
I couldn't help but raise my voice.
Asandra
I TOLD YOU ALREADY, I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!
Because of my loud voice, people in tge nearby houses stared glaring at us from their windows, telling us to go away.
Carmelia
Tch... Let's talk somewhere else.
Carmelia dragged me out of the neighborhood.
Karina and Tedd were already there. Carmelia had contacted them along the way here.
Karina
What the hell's going on?🤨 Good thing. Tedd and I were at the cafe when you called us.
Carmelia threw me on the ground in front of them.
Tedd
Hey, what's this all about?😦
Carmelia
How can you say you don't know anything?😡
Carmelia
YOU ASK IVAN OUT RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY EYES, YOU BASTARD!
Ah i tried to stand up. Ah my shoulder hurts....
Asandra
Stop making things up!
Asandra
You all remember I was called by Mr. Linton, right?!
Asandra
I went straight home after that!
Carmelia glared at me. I had never seen her eyes like that before.
Carmelia
Are you saying that i'm making things up?!
Carmelia and I glared each other, our foreheads nearly touching each other.
The tense atmosphere was interrupted by Karina's ringtone. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Karina walking towards us.
Karina
....H-hey it's from Ivan.🙁
Carmelia immediately grabbed Karina's phone and took the call.
Carmelia
Ivan?! Where are you? Are you okay?!
Carmelia fell silent listening to Ivan's answer. After that, he immediately ran, leaving us behind.
We followed Carmelia to the school gate.
But Mr. Madahh came out and tried to hold us back.
Mr. Madahh
Hey! What are you guys doing here at night?!
Carmelia didn't stop at all. She kept running to the school's storage room.
Karina, Tedd and I, stucked..
We need to plan how to get out from Mr. Madahh...
Asandra
Tedd you take care of Mr. Madahh.
Asandra
Let him chase you, while me and Karina will go after Carmelia.
That guard managed to catch tedd. Meanwhile, we kept running after Carmelia.
We saw Carmelia trying to bust through the storage room's door. Realizing something was off, we helped Carmelia.
When we managed to get in, we were welcomed with an unsightly view.
Ivan was tied up and has bruises all over his body.
Behind him, there were words written in blood.
The word written is "THIS IS HOW YOU HAVE FUN, RIGHT?!
Karina
This... this incident with ivan is the same as...😨
Karina stepped back in fear.
I stared Karina. Anger bubbled up inside of me as I figured out something.
Asandra
😡So you all really...
Karina was flustered. She kept on glancing at Carmelia, asking for help.
I continued pushing Karina to answer me until Mr. Madahh barged into the room, followed by Tedd.
Mr. Madahh
Hey! What's goin-
Mr. Madahh
What happened???
For a moment, he was bewildered with Ivan's condition.
Mr. Madahh
I-I will report to the school!
(Morning at School)
(Teacher's Lounge)
Mr. Linton
Alright... What's going on?😕
Mr. Linton
What happened to Ivan?
Mr. Linton
Why were you all breaking into the school at night?😕
Carmelia
This is all her fault.
Carmelia pointed her finger at me in front of Mr. Linton.
Carmelia
You were the one who asked Ivan to go home with you. Look at him now!
Mr. Linton stared at me. His face looked sad and dissapointed.
Mr. Linton
Is this true, Asandra?🙁
Asandra
I didn't meet him at all.
Carmelia
Are you still saying that?🤨
Carmelia
Then who was the girl I saw that took Ivan away, huh?!
Mr. Linton
Hey! Calm down.
Mr. Madahh
If i think about it again...
Mr. Madahh
Last night, this kid asked for permission to enter the school.
Mr. Madahh
Asandra said she left her cellphone. But afterwards, she left without saying anything.
Tch, with Mr. Madahh's testimony, anything I say would sound suspicious.
Should i tell them what really happened to Maya?
No, they will only think I'm trying to change the topic...
Moreover, there's no way I could tell them the real reason I sneaked into school last night.
All of us heard a knocks from the door.
Ivan entered the room with Eilis.
Mr. Linton
Oh Ivan are you feeling better now? You don't look like you're ready to tell us what happened to you.
Ivan didn't immediately answer. Her eyes looked empty and she kept on fidgeting.
Ivan flinched when Eilis tapped his shoulder. We were all concerned for him.
Mr. Linton
Ivan? You don't need to tell us anything if you're not ready yet.
Ivan
Yesterday, after Asandra asked me out...
He rubbed his head as if trying to remember.
Ivan
I felt as if I was being hypnotized.😞
Ivan
😞I remember her taking me to many places. After that, I was thrown into the storage room by...
Ivan
By dozen of arms that appeared from the shadows😞.
Ivan
At that time, Asandra's face turned into...
Carmelia
Mr. Linton, seems like Ivan isn't ready to talk yet...
Carmelia
Ssshhh, it's okay. Tell us another time.
Carmelia
What? You want to take advantage of Ivan's hallucinations? To get out of trouble?!
Carmelia tried to punch me, but Mr. Linton managed to hold him back.
Mr. Linton
Eilis, please take Ivan back to the infirmary.
Mr. Linton
We'll postpone solving this problem until your heads cool off.
Mr. Linton
Please go back to your class.
Carmelia stood up. Karina and Tedd who had also been interrogerated were peeking through the door.
I stood up as well. But, Mr. Linton tapped my shoulder and asked me to follow him.
Mr. Linton took me to the school garden.
I stood still, confused. Mr. Linton started rolling his sleeves before starting to take care of the flowers.
Asandra
So, why did you take me here?
Asandra
Is this punishment?
Mr. Linton
Hm? Punishment?
Mr. Linton
What punishment you talking about?
Mr. Linton
Hnmm...Well, if you want to think of it as punishment, go ahead.😄
Mr. Linton
Please take that shovel behind you and sit here.
Mr. Linton patted at the grass beside him. I let out a sigh.
I took the shovel and sat next to him.
Mr. Linton
Take out the flower inside the pot and plant them in the ground over there, okay?
Mr. Linton
Ah, don't forget to water them when you're finished.
Mr. Linton
Sshh, just do it. Enjoy the process.
I gave up on asking questions.
Seems like Mr. Linton is doing this for a reason, but what?
Asandra
(What was I supposed to do again?)
I reached out for the flower pots in front of me.
Asandra
(these are...flower seedlings?)
Asandra
I just need to plant it?
Mr. Linton gave me thumbs up.
I started putting the flower seedlings into the holes Mr. Linton prepared. Then, I covered them with soil.
Mr. Linton
The flowers are so beautiful, aren't they?😊
Asandra
What flowers are these?
Mr. Linton
Hm? These flowers? They're called RED SPIDER LILY.
Mr. Linton
Be careful with the bulbs. They're poisonous.
Asandra
And you're only telling me this now?
Mr. Linton
I forgot. Ahahahah😄
Mr. Linton
In Japan, these flowers are planted next to rice fields to drive away rats.
Mr. Linton
But later, they're also planted near graves.
Mr. Linton
That's why, in Japan, these flowers are considered as the flower of death. "Higanbana Flower".
His face expressions become scary.
Asandra
Scary! Your face is scary!
Mr. Linton
Is it? Ahahah!😄
Why is my homeroom teacher like this? -_-'
Mr. Linton stood up and walked away. Not long after that, he came back with cold bottles of water.
Mr. Linton
Okay, let's take a break first. You've worked hard.😄
Without hesitation, I accepted the water bottle and drink it immediately.
Mr. Linton
Hahaha, you must be really thirsty.😄
Asandra
What, are you hitting on me?
Mr. Linton held back his laugh. Dmn it.
Asandra
Why would you even take care of flowers at noon like this? -_-'
Mr. Linton
Why not? I think enjoying the fresh air while planting flowers in an open space like this isn't bad.
Mr. Linton
What do you think? About these flowers?😊
Asandra
These flowers give me a sense of... Familiarity somehow.😊
Mr. Linton
You're really philosophical kid, aren't you?😄
Mr. Linton
I just wanted to know whether you think they look good here. 😄
Asandra
Hahahah, well. I like them.😊
Asandra
Thankyou for turning this empty place into a beautiful garden...😊
Both of us stopped talking after that.
I somehow felt warm and serene, feelings that I haven't felt in a long time.
Mr. Linton
Well, seems like you need to go back to your classroom now.😊
Mr. Linton stood up. I nodded, but doubts suddenly started welling up inside me.
Asandra
What's going to happen next?
Mr. Linton
About that.... I guess it will depend on what Ivan says.
Mr. Linton
But, I believed in you.
Mr. Linton
Don't dissapoint me.
Mr. Linton walked towards me to help me up.
Suddenly, he tripped and fell down.
Asandra
Are you okay, Sir?
Mr. Linton
Ahahaha, seems like I tripped.😄
We looked at Mr. Linton's feet. Vines were wrapped around his feet.
I sighed and help Mr. Linton to stand up.
That night, I could only cower in the corner of my room again. I couldn't sleep. I even turned off my phone.
I stared at the photo of Maya and me in the corner of the room. The glass shards were still scattered around.
Asandra
Your problem won't solve itself, Asandra.😞
Asandra
Those are our memories together.
I walked over and started cleaning up the glass shards.
A glass shard cut my hand. Blood started dripping down.
As i sucked the cut, I reached for the photo. Ah, my blood fell on it.
Without thinking, I tried wiping off the blood on the photo.
For a second, it felt like my heart stopped.
The blood stain made it look like Maya's face was rotting.
My knee felt weak. I kneeled on the floor, hugging on the photo.
Asandra
Sorry....I'm sorry...
I flinched when I heard the sound of knocking on my window. My room was on the second floor.
Slowly, I turned my head. I was preparing myself in case something would come out and suprise me.
Asandra
There's nothing...😨
I would hear the knocks from my window again. It was clearer this time.
Asandra
Is someone throwing rocks at my window?
I stepped towards the window and peeked outside. Karina was standing in front of the house by herself.
Asandra
Karina? What is she doing here at latenight?
I walked around the area with Karina, taking in the fresh air.
Asandra
Karina why are you here? Late at night?
Karina
Hey, were you crying?
Is she trying to change the topic? -_-
I wiped my cheeks. It's wet. Seems like tears fell down as I was hugging Maya's photo earlier.
Asandra
I-ignored it. What're you doing here late at night?
Karina looked unwell. She seemed like she wanted to say something but was hesitating.
Karina
Do you think... Maya's mad at us?🙁
Asandra
Are you being haunted too?
Karina
No. But, I think it's matter of time. Seeing what happened to Ivan.😕
Asandra
Actually, how far did you go when you guys were bullying Maya?
Karina looked away. Seems like she didn't want to talk about what she and her friend's had done.
We kept walking on silence.
Suddenly, I heard Karina screaming.
Karina suddenly fell down, her body dragged backwards.
A strong gust of wind came out nowhere and surrounded us, dropping the temperature a few degrees.
Karina
I'M SORRY, MAYA! FORGIVE ME!
Karina was dragged even further, her scream getting louder.
Asandra
What should I do?😨
But, everytime I took step towards her, she seemed to get father away from me.
My fear, worries, and anger welled up. I stopped.
Asandra
I know you're disappointed in me...
Asandra
BUT ARE YOU GOING TO LET ME REPEAT THE SAME MISTAKE AGAIN?
I didn't know where I got my courage from, but I confronted my best friend's ghost.
Asandra
Let me save Karina...
Asandra
Until when will you be like this?
Asandra
This is not the Maya I know!😕
Asandra
I know you're not a cruel girl...
Asandra
I know you're disappointed, but this is not your world anymore.
Asandra
Let us...Let me finish your problem.
Maya turned toward me. Her face looked sad.
In an instant, Maya disappeared without a trace.
The sounds and strong gust of wind disappeared along with her.
I approached Karina who was slumped down in the middle of the street.
Part of her clothes were ripped, her hair had been haphazardly cut.
Asandra
(This is... Maya's way of getting back at Karina.)
I helped Karina to stand up and took her back into my house to treat her wounds.
A cup of hot milk managed to calm Karina down.
Asandra
Are you better now?
Karina
.....Ivan, Caremila, Tedd, and I did bully Maya.🙁
Karina
We did go too far....
Karina
We even cut her hair and skin the night before she went missing.
Asandra
Did you kill her?!
Karina
I swear, no one did that.
Karina
We even started regretting it the moment Maya started bleeding.
I slammed the table, making Karina flinch.
Asandra
Bleeding? YOU CUT HER FINGER!
Karina
No one went that far!
It took all my self-control to not vent out my anger at Karina.
After all....She had confessed.
After I finished treating her wounds, I didn't have anymore questions. I took her home.
This morning, I arrived at school feeling sluggish.
Asandra
Why am I still going to school in this kind of situation?😞
I stopped when I realized Carmelia and Tedd waiting in front of me.
From their face, I knew they were going to do something.
Asandra
H-how's Ivan? Is he better now?
They didn't answer me. Instead, Carmelia covered my mouth and dragged me to the storage room.
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