Almost Isolated

Chapter 27 - New Interest

You said, you want to work again? You could try the Don Juan Medical Hospital.'

Robbie felt guilty with his suggestion. In the first place, the current pandemic was still dangerous. Neri's savings may be enough to make it through the year without a job; it was safer for her to stay home than work as a nurse.

He didn't oppose her.

Not to the fact that Neri was determined to start her life again but because of the opportunity for Robbie to learn more about himself or what happened to him.

Robbie knew that the lady in the hospital, Doctor Zoila may had all the answers.

But he realized, he would be risking Neri's life. Somehow he felt, he didn't end up to the hospital because of an accident.

'I think I knew the man.'

The scenario of the big man holding a knife smeared with blood, next to the lifeless body Helen Empoy struck him. The murderer was in the shadows. Robbie didn't see his face but his brute built was a déjà vu.

Who is the man?

Robbie was in the white place outside the hospital room of his comatose self; he sensed Neri's nearness. She was inside the hospital, probably being interviewed by Doctor Zoila who he'd learned as the hospital director.

Hopefully, he thought being remorseful. Neri won't get the job.

His girlfriend will be spotted by Doctor Zoila as the intruder fourteen days ago in the hospital. The lady won't hire her and she'll be safe... if the doctor won't have her arrested -!

"I'm home! Robbie are you there?"

Neri's voice came from the opposite direction of 'his' hospital room. His jaw tightened with her cheery news: "I got the job!"

"No." He shook his head, forgetting for the moment that he was the one who'd offered the Don Juan Medical Hospital - the hospital holding his body.

"You can't..." He appeared inside Neri's house, right before her confused face.

Neri looked tired behind her surgical mask, her bun on top of her head was in disarray. She let it loose as she removed her mask. "Why? You told me to apply there."

"I discovered something, Neri." Robbie thought it was the best time to tell her. Touching her hand, he stared into her cat-like eyes as it narrowed in curiosity.

"I'm... I'm still alive."

"What -?" Neri gasped, her eyes widening for a bit then she smiled, cupping her mouth, seeming very happy. "How?" 

"How am I here? How am I a ghost? I really don't know." Robbie found himself  grinning, too. "All I know is that my name is Tobias and my body is currently in the Don Juan Medical Hospital."

"In Don Juan? How did you found out? How did you end up in there? And Tobias who?"

"I just found my hospital room through the white place... I -" Robbie shook his head. He didn't know how to answer the rest. " Doctor Zoila is taking care of me. She called me Tobias... Do you mean my full name? I still don't know. And how I get there? I have the feeling that someone wanted me dead.

I wanted you to have a job in that hospital to help me find out what happened to me. But I fear something could happen to you and I can't let that happen. Neri, I don't want you to go back there."

Neri's face paled. She was about to say something, like 'sorry'; there was a knock on the door.

It was something like an escape for his girlfriend. Robbie felt as if dark clouds had loomed over him. He wanted her to be safe but he'd be alone again. And then, more bitter news.

"OMG, Jade?" He heard Neri say by the main door. "What are you doing here?"

~oOo~

Margot was so excited, her hands shook as she held on to the drawer with the secret compartment.

"I think, we should report this," Philip said, frowning with the idea that she'd convinced him to keep the discovery.

"F*uck, of course! But we should inspect the items first since we found it. What If it's all garbage? We'll be wasting their time, don't we?"

It was the next day after lunch time. Margot and Philip was permitted to go home to eat; the two had a discreet agreement to go back to the Jones' house before the officers could return.

"Okay." Philip nodded, his dark eyes, gloomy as usual. Then, he glanced sideways at the hallway outside Helen Empoy's room if they were being watched.

There was someone: Julian.

Margot saw him by the door. What the f*uck! she thought. The ghost hadn't showed up since yesterday. Now what?

Julian was in his almost solid, handsome form wearing his greenish brown soldier uniform and by the way he was standing across Philip, the latter had no idea he was there.

The ghost threw her a bored look but seemed interested with her ex-best friend's brother. So, is he into men now? Forgetting Alejandra all of the sudden?

Margot almost snickered; she noticed Philip eyeing her oddly. As he adjusted his red cloth mask over his mouth, Margot had to tap the garter of her blue disposal mask. It was hurting one of her ears.

"Well?" she asked. "Should we take a look now before officer Chui and the others arrive?"

Philip sat on the floor opposite her with the drawer between them. "Just quit the 'f' word. It doesn't suit you. I mean... you were not like an 'f' person."

"You too?" Margot had begun to be at ease with Philip again; she felt annoyed. "You're not my dad."

"I'm not... I'm a friend." Philip's tone was concerned. "And I'm sorry about your dad... He shouldn't had done that. It isn't fair."

Margot's initial reaction was to walk out but having Julian inside the room, she didn't want to leave Philip alone. She felt like the ghost was up to something.

She raised her palm to Philip, dismissing the topic. She concentrated on the items hidden inside the drawer, instead, pulling up the string attached to the covering at the bottom of the container.

Indeed there were more receipts inside - gas receipts, hotel receipts, restaurant, groceries etc. It could had been another dead end except for the brown envelope. It must had something important that Helen hid it carefully.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the envelope and gasped. "There's money and some pictures -!"

Margot saw Julian moved behind Philip who bolted straight up, sensing an unseen danger.

"What the f*uck, Julian!" She saw him merged with Philip's body, disappearing within it as her ex-best friend's brother stiffened, eyes widening as if in shock.

Then Philip's face began to relax. A triumphant smile had spread on his lips, his dark irises turning blue.

Julian had managed to possess Philip! The idea was a surprise; but Margot was on her feet, balling her hands into fists. "Get out of him!"

Her knuckles landed on Philip straight to his jaw. "The f*uck! Get out -!"

"Ouch!" Philip grabbed her hand before she could punch him, the second time.

"Oopps!" Margot realized, his eyes had turned back to its raven black color.

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Hi there,

I hope you are enjoying this story. Votes and comments are appreciated, thank you :)

- Maylen