Almost Isolated

Chapter 14 - Julian Jones

"Alejandra." Julian studied her face, frowning at her orange-brown hair tied in a bun. "What happened to your hair?"

"I'm -" Neri gave out a nervous laugh, having a second thought if she'd been wise to see the ghost again.

They were in the living room. She sat in a chair opposite Julian with a low wooden table between them. The Jones ghost had his eyes fixed on her intently, unwavering; his tone pleasant as he spoke. Neri gathered 'Alejandra' was someone special to him. A lover? A wife?

Neri shuddered. She'd imagined Julian trapping her inside the house. Or claiming her life as a fulfillment of an unfinished business on earth.

"I- I do- don't want to die," she stuttered, absent-minded as Julian's brows furrowed.

He was so pallid. His hair was almost white and his eyes were crimson like it had bled. Julian wore a greenish brown soldier uniform similar to Robbie; only it looked tattered and worn out. There was faint white glow emanating from his body.

"Excuse me, Sir. I think you've mistaken her for someone," Robbie cut in, clearing his throat.

Julian shot the other apparition a nasty look. "You are still here?"

"Of course I'm still here." Robbie stood by the doorway, looking less intimidated, his forehead creased. "I won't leave Neri here all alone with you... at least not again."

Robbie's words made Neri's heart flutter then gathered he was only trying to make up. She returned the favor by showing bravery... despite of the fact that she was really screaming from within. "It's okay... I think I'll be fine, Robbie -"

"His name isn't Robbie," Julian spat. "It's John!"

Neri saw Robbie's eyes widened. Confused as ever. "You know me -?"

"Get out!" Julian rose to his seat, white smoke swirled from under him, engulfing him.

And then he was before Robbie. He struck him with a fist and the latter disintegrated.

"I'll be back, Neri." With that Robbie left.

"Aw, darn it, Robbie!"

"So, where were we, my love?" Julian was back in his seat. "Ah... maybe a tour in the house will refresh your memory."

"I am not Alejandra -" Neri's chair moved, making her jump. She paled as the ghost glided towards her, offering his hand.

She shook her head. The idea of running away occurred to her but at that instant, Julian's color began to deepen into bronze, his hair turned to sandy brown and his eyes...

"Yes, they are blue," Julian grinned at her. "You used to stare at them."

He'd seemed solid, a real living person - more alive compared to Robbie. And then he took her hand. Neri gasped. She felt the coolness of his hand around hers.

"How? I mean... You can actually touch me?"

"Of course." His deep blue eyes bored into hers. "I should. I have been waiting for you for so long. Should I escort you now? Let's start upstairs."

"Upstairs?" Neri swallowed, thinking about the sleeping quarters on the second floor. Bedrooms! What can she possible see there? OMG! Is he going to do something to her?

"You really know Robbie... I mean, John?" The thought suddenly came to her.

"Yes." His blue eyes narrowed. "And I can show you how despicable he is."

~oOo~

The Jones' house was also a two story residence like her grandparents' place. Neri remembered seeing four doors on the second floor during her previous visit. But she realized, the rooms weren't all sleeping quarters. The yellow barricade tape and the outline of the crime scene on the floor in front of the third door were still there. Neri felt relieved when Julian guided her to the last door along the hallway. It was a big office with cabinets full of books.